Shawn brought Percy into the outer room, just as Hermione came looking for him.
The young witch would be acting as his assistant today. After all, no one knew more about the missing young wizards than Hermione did.
They exchanged brief greetings without much conversation, then headed toward the conference hall.
At the entrance to the hall, India's Minister for Magic, Howell, was pacing anxiously before the arched double doors with his son, Tuo Jia.
His face lit up when he saw Shawn, but he quickly suppressed his smile, lifted his chin, and spoke in an imperious tone.
"Shawn Black, I have something to discuss with you. Let's talk over there."
A strange look flickered through Shawn's otherwise impassive eyes. Was there something wrong with this man?
He really had nothing to say to someone like this. Why invite pointless aggravation and spoil the show he was about to put on... ahem.
Still, the man probably did have something to tell him. What should he do?
Shawn's dark pupils rippled as he looked straight into Howell's eyes, which seemed practically perched on top of his head.
He discreetly activated Legilimency!
Howell's inexplicably confident expression immediately went blank.
Although Tuo Jia did not understand what was happening, he could tell Shawn was doing something bad to his father. He drew his wand to fight back.
But a moment later, Percy, who moved far faster, had pressed his wand against Tuo Jia's neck.
"Ah, don't! I won't move."
Tuo Jia wisely raised his hands.
Inside, however, he felt deeply wronged. Everyone said England was wonderful, so why was everyone here so hostile toward him and his father?
Behind Shawn, Hermione pursed her lips and instinctively touched the three miniature playing cards tucked into her breast pocket.
On second thought, this hardly warranted