Chapter 41 "Summer Connection"

Studying the Dark Magic Book proved to be a challenging endeavor for Skyler.

After a week of intense efforts, he had managed to digest only a fraction of the extensive content contained within the three voluminous tomes.

The pressure to finish his research intensified with the new school term looming just a week away. It was clear that he needed to make the most of the remaining time.

Skyler decided to temporarily set aside his magical research to provide himself with a well-deserved break.

He had a day packed with exciting plans, and he intended to enjoy every moment of it.

On this particular day, Skyler donned a smart and versatile outfit, ready for a series of diverse activities.

His schedule was ambitious. In the morning, he had arranged to meet Terrence Higgs in Norfolk, where they would embark on a mission to hunt down a troublesome dwarf monster.

By noon, a visit to the Magic Gallery of London was on the agenda, accompanied by his friend Morag.

The day's events would culminate with an evening trip to Liverpool to attend Celestina Warbeck's national tour, "The Frolic Aphrodite," with Daphne.

The prospects of a magical world allowed for incredible convenience in travel.

Whether it was the Floo Network or Apparition, they were all means to reach distant destinations quickly.

In the morning, Skyler initiated his journey by Floo Network to Higgs House, where he met Terence and Terence's father, Bertie Higgs.

Bertie Higgs held the esteemed position of Director of the Ministry of Magic's Pest Counseling Office, specializing in the management of magical creatures such as Pogrebin, Augurey, Ghouls, and Pygmy Puffs.

His extensive knowledge and experience made him an ideal partner for the dwarf monster hunt.

For their venture, they were accompanied by three pure white albino bloodhounds, which had proven their worth in tracking magical creatures.

The trio set off for a Norfolk forest under the experienced guidance of Bertie.

Upon arrival, they encountered another group led by Cormac McLaggen, a Gryffindor student a year senior to Skyler.

Cormac was known for his bold and often overconfident personality.

Among his classmates, he was infamous for his arrogance and impulsiveness, with little regard for the consequences of his actions.

Nevertheless, his uncle, Tiberius McLaggen, held a significant position within the Ministry of Magic, granting Cormac an influential standing.

On this occasion, Cormac was seen engaged in animated conversation with two distinguished individuals, one suspected of being Uncle Tiberius.

The second man, exuding an air of authority and dignity, sported dark brown hair peppered with hints of gray.

A pair of sharp, piercing yellow eyes lay concealed behind golden-rimmed glasses resembling those of an old lion.

Skyler quickly ascertained that this imposing figure was no other than Rufus Scrimgeour, the Director of the Auror Office—one of the most powerful figures within the Ministry of Magic.

Introductions were made, and Skyler had the opportunity to acquaint himself with the group under the guidance of old Bertie.

Intriguingly, despite his usual stern demeanor, Rufus Scrimgeour exhibited a rare smile when he learned of Skyler's familial background.

This newfound politeness and friendly gesture towards Skyler left the young wizard slightly uncomfortable, sensing that Skyler's presence had somewhat eclipsed his aura.

The expedition of six unleashed their bloodhounds, which eagerly emitted joyous howls before dashing into the dense jungle.

These well-trained bloodhounds boasted an acute sense of smell, and it didn't take long for them to pick up the scent of the elusive dwarf monster.

Nogtails were known creatures inhabiting the wilderness of Europe, America, and Russia.

These creatures possessed an innate cursing power and appeared as stunted, piglet-like beings with thick, stubby tails and strangely narrow black eyes.

Nogtails were notorious for infiltrating pigsties and consuming sow's milk alongside regular pigs.

This unholy alliance would bring curses and misfortune upon the farm.

The longer the Nogtails remained undetected, the longer the farm would suffer from the curse's effects.

The Nogtails' only known vulnerability was an innate fear of white dogs.

Recognizing this, the seasoned Bertie Higgs made a thoughtful choice by bringing along hunting dogs with albinism, a strategic advantage when dealing with pygmy monsters.

The albino hunting dogs excelled at driving away the dwarf monsters from their hiding spots, setting the stage for the hunters to employ a specialized Nogtails Spell that specifically targeted these creatures.

Skyler had diligently practiced marksmanship since the tender age of 9.

His shooting skills were impeccable, characterized by both speed and precision.

After three senior hunters created a water hazard challenge, Skyler emerged as the leading hunter in terms of Nogtails captured, with Terence and Cormac falling far behind, bagging less than half of Skyler's count.

Cormac couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at this outcome, yet he dared not express his frustration in the presence of such influential figures from the Ministry of Magic.

On the other hand, the elders showered Skyler with compliments, referring to him as "a young and promising talent" and recognizing his "extraordinary abilities."

Skyler displayed a gracious and respectful demeanor, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Bertie, Rufus, and Tiberus.

As tokens of appreciation, he offered each of them meticulously prepared health potions, a gesture that reflected his keen understanding of etiquette and diplomacy.

Skyler's grace and humility left a positive impression on the three distinguished individuals, even causing Tiberus, who had a soft spot for Cormac, to privately shake his head in admiration.

After bidding farewell to Higgs House, Skyler made his way to the British Magic Gallery located in the northern part of London.

The British Magic Gallery shared some architectural similarities with the Muggle National Art Gallery.

While its design exuded a slightly retro aesthetic, it closely matched the Muggle equivalent in size and grandeur.

Nevertheless, this impressive structure remained concealed from the uninitiated Muggle eye.

Wizards could access the gallery by uttering the correct incantation near an inconspicuous statue, effectively passing through it to enter the magical world within.

At the entrance of the Magic Gallery, Skyler was met by a sight that left him momentarily awestruck.

Morag, wearing a sleeveless white lace dress and a wide-brimmed round straw hat, stood with a radiant smile.

Morag, typically known for her rigorous and intellectual attire at Hogwarts, now appeared in a cooler, more vivacious light.

Her transformation left Skyler somewhat bewildered.

"Hey, why are you daydreaming?" Morag playfully beckoned to Skyler, feeling slightly dissatisfied with his stunned response.

Even Skyler, known for his thick skin, couldn't help but feel a tad embarrassed at this point.

Attempting to find a gracious way out, he admitted, "Well... Your attire today caught me off guard; I'm just a little lost for words."

The corners of Morag's mouth curled upwards, and she teased him, "So, tell me, do you prefer this outfit to my usual attire?"

Skyler couldn't hide his excitement, and as he contemplated, he replied thoughtfully, "You're putting me in quite the predicament. A girl like you looks stunning in anything you wear. If you're usually the gentle and intellectual Athena, today you're the epitome of pure and chaste Artemis. No matter how I answer, it would be a disservice to your beauty."

Morag chuckled softly, "Well, I see you're not the most straightforward with your compliments. No wonder you have so many admirers..."

Secretly, though, she couldn't help but revel in Skyler's flattery. Women, she mused, were complicated beings.

Skyler wisely chose to shift the conversation's focus, remarking, "There's quite a crowd at the gallery today! I had no idea British wizards had such a deep appreciation for art."

Upon hearing the gallery topic, Morag eagerly began to explain, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, "That's because today the gallery is hosting an exhibition featuring the works of the late magical painter Magenta Comstock. I've heard so much about her magical paintings; they're considered the most advanced in the magical world. She had a unique skill—her paintings allowed the eyes of the characters to transcend the confines of the canvas and follow the viewer home. It's a pity that this skill wasn't passed down after her passing..."

Skyler couldn't help but put the pieces together. A magical painting with eyes that could escape the boundaries of its frame – this sounded like an incredible surveillance tool.

He couldn't fathom why the Ministry of Magic would allow such a magical painting to circulate among the public.

Skyler was certain that the Ministry of Magic had targeted this skill related to the magical paintings long before Comstock's demise.

The two of them strolled leisurely through the gallery, occasionally offering their comments on specific magical paintings.

Skyler, though primarily dedicated to magical studies, possessed a decent level of artistic appreciation.

As the second heir of the Malfoy family, an aristocratic background demanding proficiency in art and wine appreciation, Skyler had been trained in these fields since childhood.

It was just that his lack of interest led Lucius to accept the minimum level of appreciation ability from him.

Meanwhile, Morag's deep passion for art led her to explore magical paintings, fueled by her dream of becoming a magical painter.

The profession of a magical painter was exceptionally rare in the wizarding world.

It required a mastery of painting skills and a profound understanding of soul magic.

This unique combination allowed the characters in the painting to retain their personality when viewed.

Comstock was a maestro in this realm.

Beyond the astonishing ability of lifelike eyes leaving the canvas, her magical paintings successfully captured the essence of her subjects – an elderly witch displaying an angry grin to the audience, a high-spirited medieval armored knight yelling...

After they finished savoring the artwork, Skyler reluctantly pulled Morag away from the gallery, or rather, he gently persuaded her to leave.

Noticing they had some free time, Skyler courteously invited Morag to join him for lunch.

They headed to an exclusive wizarding restaurant tucked away in a secluded London alley.

The restaurant was reserved solely for members, requiring an annual fee of ten Galleons for membership.

The interior was adorned with mahogany furnishings, including tables and chairs, and the tableware was crafted from sterling silver.

This combination of vintage aesthetics and opulence provided an air of nobility and elegance.

The ambient lighting and background music created a warm, soothing atmosphere.

Skyler ordered a Re'em steak, a rare magical creature from the Far East that resembled a giant, golden-skinned cow.

Its meat was both tender and succulent, believed to enhance the eater's strength, with rumors suggesting it could improve various indescribable magical abilities.

On the other hand, Morag had a modest appetite, opting for a caviar muffin.

The two savored their leisurely lunch. Following their meal, Skyler, ever the gentleman, escorted Morag home via the restaurant's fireplace.

He exchanged polite greetings with McDoug and his wife before returning to the fireplace and reappearing in the northwest city of Liverpool.

Tonight, Liverpool's Anfield stadium was temporarily commandeered by wizards, with every corner of the stadium enchanted to expel Muggles.

Every Muggle present would simply find themselves compelled to head home once they entered the stadium.

Celestina Warbeck was nothing short of a legend in the world of wizarding singers.

She had first showcased her exceptional talent at the tender age of 10 and graced the cover of the famous gossip magazine "Distracted."

Since her debut at 17, she has released six albums, all of which received critical acclaim and commercial success.

Her latest masterpiece, "You Stole My Pot, But You Can't Get My Heart," had even transcended the UK, taking the world by storm.

Tickets for this concert had sold out a year in advance, originally priced at just 5 Galleons.

However, they now commanded a staggering 50 Galleons each on the black market, a tenfold increase.

Fortunately, the Greengrass family and their business partner, "The Sorcerer's Saucepot," had secured a few tickets.

Astoria, Daphne's sister, was initially set to join but had to cancel due to a sudden illness.

Daphne was undoubtedly dressed to impress for the event.

Her long golden hair was elegantly braided and adorned with silver-white beaded hair ornaments, creating a dignified and elegant look.

She wore a string of creamy pearls around her alabaster neck, creating a stunning contrast against her porcelain complexion.

Meanwhile, Skyler was equally meticulous, donning a tailored high-necked suit featuring hidden dark green patterns on a black backdrop, making him appear gallant and dashing.

Observing Daphne's attire, Skyler couldn't afford to be outdone.

He stepped forward, gently kissed the back of Daphne's hand, and then held it as they strolled together from the VIP aisle to their reserved seats in Anfield Stadium.

As he held Daphne's hand, he noticed her sly, triumphant smile, which hinted at a successfully executed plan.

Although Celestina Warbeck was now 76 years old, her spirit remained youthful.

She performed a dozen of her famous songs in succession, climaxing with her latest hit, "You Stole My Pot, But You Can't Get My Heart."

The audience's enthusiasm reached its peak. By the time Celestina concluded her performance, it was nearing 10 o'clock in the evening, and the concert officially concluded amid a final wave of thunderous applause.