Instantly Following Up on the Engage [5K-Word Chapter]

Kingsley and Tonks blocked Kane and Harry right at the hotel entrance.

Two stern faces stared them down. Clearly, they needed a proper explanation.

Kane pointed helplessly at a nearby alley. "How about we settle this privately over there? There are so many Muggles here."

Kingsley glanced at the crowded street and felt Kane had a point. Well, perhaps this young wizard was not as bad as he had thought. At least Kane knew to keep the Ministry of Magic's duties in mind.

Or perhaps there was another possibility: the kid simply had not reached the point of being rotten to the core yet?

Thinking that, Kingsley followed Kane and Harry into the alley with Tonks.

"Now you should give us a reasonable explanation." Once they were inside the alley, Kingsley's voice became slightly less stern. Kane, meanwhile, was surprisingly cooperative and actually began explaining.

After a long and convoluted explanation, Kane finally took off the Little Pumpkin he was carrying on his back and pulled out the Panpipes from inside.

"That's right. This is the mysterious magical item Dumbledore sent the two of us out to find." Kane waved it around and pretended to raise the Panpipes to his lips. "Want to hear what it sounds like?"

"Absolutely not." Kingsley and Tonks truly were highly capable Aurors. Never mind whether they would be surprised by how far Kane had stretched the truth; upon seeing a musical magical item like the Panpipes, they cast Muffliato on themselves without the slightest hesitation.

Unfortunately, the Panpipes outranked Muffliato. As the melodious tune drifted out, three thumps landed in the alley.

Kane gave it a try. Little Pumpkin's mouth was large enough, and it could just barely fit Harry inside. As for Kingsley and Tonks, who had collapsed into a deep sleep, the