Susan left in a state of profound terror.
It had taken almost all her strength not to break down. Instead, she forced herself to help Dumbledore finish all the preparations.
Under the puzzled gazes of the other Ministry of Magic employees, Dumbledore stood before the Magical Projection and microphone.
He nodded to the Ministry employees handling the preparations, and the alchemical projection slowly lit up.
"Let's begin..."
Humming a tune, Adam pushed open his front door and gave a lazy flick of his wand. The old gramophone in the corner began playing on its own.
Beautiful music rose through the crackling hiss.
Adam swayed to the beat, his clothes twisting through the same dance moves as though they had come alive.
He snapped his fingers alternately, rocking from side to side, his clothes wriggling along with him. Once he reached the soft sofa, he flopped straight onto it.
His clothes flew to the coat rack on their own. Adam sighed comfortably and waved his wand, bringing the glass of water on the table flying toward him.
Then he casually switched on the Magical Projection. Now this was a novelty.
Thank goodness for Nicolas Flamel. Even in the final moments of his life, the old man had not forgotten to enrich wizards' entertainment.
While Muggles were still watching those tiny, blurry televisions, we already had huge, crystal-clear magical projections.
Adam leaned back on the sofa, waiting for the picture to appear.
At this hour... they should be showing the British Ministry of Magic's newly filmed comedy, "Yes, Minister!"
The Minister for Magic in it looked and spoke remarkably like Cornelius Fudge, who had become a complete laughingstock.
The cheerful opening theme had barely started when it suddenly froze. A cold, emotionless female voice came through the magical loudspeaker.
"Emergency announcement.