A Mermaid's Legacy- Sebastian Sallow x MC x Ominis Gaunt

Chapter 23- The Ministry

Way Down We Go- Instrumental by KPH on Spotify

Experience by Ludovico Einaudi on Spotify

Reginald Blackwell, the esteemed Minister of Magic, was seething with frustration as he listened to the grim report. "How could this happen?!" he yelled, his voice tinged with anger. "We boast the finest witches and wizards, the most skilled Aurors in the world, and yet a centuries-old magical artifact has vanished right under our noses!"

The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of the situation settled upon them. Lives had been lost in the pursuit of the thieves, leaving a somber air in their wake.

Minister Blackwell paced back and forth, his brow furrowed as he grappled with the enormity of the crisis. "We must ascertain who is responsible for this," he stated firmly, his voice laced with determination.

Vincent, his trusted advisor, hesitated for a moment before responding. "Billingsly mentioned the Pervells," he offered tentatively, aware of the Minister's mounting frustration.

Just as chaos threatened to consume the room, a voice broke through the tension. Gabriel Aldridge, an Unspeakable, held with high regard in his combat skills. Also, unknown for his expertise in uncovering secrets and hidden knowledge, stood near the wall, radiating an aura of calm and authority. "It's the Gaunts," he declared, his voice resonating with certainty.

All eyes turned to Gabriel as he stepped forward, leaning against the desk. He continued, his voice unwavering. "We've been keeping a close watch on the Gaunts, and recent reports indicate suspicious activity. My associate observed Ambrose and Arabella Gaunt heading towards the coast, though their exact intentions remain unknown."

Minister Blackwell's pacing slowed, his gaze fixed on Gabriel. The knowledge that an Unspeakable was involved lent a heightened sense of urgency and gravity to the situation. "The Gaunts have long been associated with dark magic," he said, his voice filled with caution. "However, we must have substantial evidence before conducting a full investigation. We cannot afford to jump to conclusions without concrete proof."

After the meeting, Vincent yanked Gabriel away from the crowd. "Did Aria see this coming?" he blurted out, a sense of urgency in his voice. Gabriel, clearly irritated, brushed his arm off. Despite working together for years, the two barely tolerated each other. Gabriel considered Vincent unimpressive, believing his position was merely handed to him, while Vincent saw Gabriel as too reckless and unstable to hold the title of an Unspeakable.

"Watch out, Vincent... you wouldn't want to ruin that handsome face of yours," Gabriel grumbled under his breath. With that, he disappeared from the building, apparating to the Department of Mysteries.

Gabriel strode into Aria's office, a realm of enchantment within the stark Department of Mysteries. The room itself seemed to hum with latent magical energy, thrumming through the air in a symphony of unseen forces. His eyes were immediately drawn to a large window behind her desk, which wasn't just a regular window but a vibrant, living piece of stained glass art. It displayed an ever-changing cosmic scene, constellations shifting and realigning, shooting stars streaking across the faux sky, and nebulae bursting with radiant colors.

Bookshelves, as tall as the room itself, lined the walls, each shelf bowed under the weight of an extensive collection of ancient tomes, encyclopedias, and scrolls, each radiating a soft, luminescent glow. Their myriad colors contrasted against the dark wood of the shelves, seeming to dance and flicker as if each book were imbued with its own enchantment.

Parchments, each scrawled with a myriad of runes and astrological symbols, were strewn across every surface, hovering in the air, pinned to the walls or swirling in controlled chaos around a magnificent feathered quill that was busy jotting notes on an open scroll. A menagerie of glass orbs filled with sparkling stardust, miniature galaxies, and swirling nebulae adorned her workspace, casting a dappled, ethereal light that danced across the room.