Pansy Parkinson felt herself swept along by a rushing current toward some sort of exit. She tumbled helplessly, completely disoriented.
Around her, multicolored lights spun violently, making her dizzy. She closed her eyes, hoping it would make her feel better.
She had never drunk alcohol, so she didn't understand that sensation of the world spinning around a single point on your head.
Now, she felt it firsthand.
After several seconds, she suddenly hit the ground, her backside sore from the impact. Her hands pressed against the solid stone floor.
Opening her eyes, her first reaction was… a rainbow of colors shot from her mouth.
Wiping it away, Pansy shakily stood up.
Where was she?
The room she entered was empty, save for a tiny ventilation window near the ceiling. Light spilled through it, illuminating floating dust particles, but it offered only faint brightness.
If it weren't for the absence of torture devices, she might have thought this was a holding cell.
Fear gripped her. She had only wanted to peek on Draco and Audrey—how had she ended up here?
She pulled out her wand, though it was mostly for comfort. As a student, she didn't have many spells that could truly protect her.
Carefully, she approached the door. The room was dim, but she could see the main door.
A gentle push, and it opened.
The building looked like a Muggle house: concrete floors and walls. Pureblood wizards would never use such tasteless construction materials!
The Muggle ceiling lights made the corridor bright, easing her heart a little. At least this wasn't a dungeon.
From afar, voices she couldn't understand reached her ears. Panicked, she ducked into the nearest room. Luckily, it was empty, with only two desks cluttered with papers.
"The boss's room's trap triggered; everyone's already teleported here. What's going on? Why did you leave your post?" (Ukrainian)
"I just went to the bathroom. That Indian cook always seems suspicious! Besides, it's been quiet for days—who knew someone would sneak into the boss's room now?" (Ukrainian)
"Stop talking. Let's go check. If it's a dangerous dark wizard, we're in trouble! There are too many Muggles in the factory!" (Ukrainian)
"Dark wizard? Haven't you seen our leaders? They're marked with the Deathly Hallows. Decades ago, people called them dark wizards. Current dark wizards can't compare. Don't worry!" (Ukrainian)
Two wizards in work overalls ran toward the room Pansy had just left. She peeked out carefully—lucky! She had almost been caught!
Panicked, she ran in the opposite direction, quickly reaching a platform on the building's exterior stairs.
Clang clang clang… bang bang bang…
Loud metal crashes echoed, accompanied by towering metal constructions.
Using her minimal Muggle knowledge, Pansy guessed this must be a shipyard. But…
What the hell were those steel giants hundreds of meters long?!
Footsteps and voices came from below. Scared, Pansy rushed upstairs.
"Mr. Wang, don't worry. Our boss instructed that all core components of the Wagerian will be installed before delivery to your country." (Broken Chinese)
"That's very kind. Please convey my regards to your boss." (Chinese)
"Don't mention it. But regarding our discussion about opening a factory in your country…?" (Broken Chinese)
"We're still negotiating. Just so you know, a steel factory like this, crucial to national interests, cannot be fully foreign-owned. Our country must retain at least 51% of the shares." (Chinese)
"Understood. I'll inform our boss to prepare in advance." (Broken Chinese)
Pansy didn't understand a single word of the conversation. Even if she had, she wouldn't have comprehended it.
Shivering, she ran to the rooftop. Tears fell uncontrollably. Where on earth was she?
The top-floor corridor was no longer concrete but wooden. The office doors were made of finer wood, and the corridor ended in what looked like a conference room, flanked by large potted plants.
Voices from below drew closer. Pansy panicked, sprinting further inside, hoping the conference room would be empty for her to hide.
Breathless, she reached the door. Just as she reached out to open it, she heard voices inside:
"This month, the Kuban currency fell again. What do you think?" (German)
"That's good. We save a lot in salaries each month!" (German)
"Hahaha, I can't wait to see the goblins at Gringotts' expressions!" (German)
"I think the goblins will panic and might act against the boss." (German)
"Edmund is right. We should strengthen security for the boss." (German)
"Yes. Things in Ukraine are stabilizing, and cooperation with the Eastern power is starting soon. The boss's safety is our priority." (German)
Bang!
The conference room door opened. A tall man yanked the robe of a small girl; behind him stood an older Chinese man.
"That little brat was eavesdropping," the tall man said (German), shoving Pansy forward.
"Mr. Schmidt, you…?" (Chinese)
Schmidt smiled over his shoulder. "Don't worry. Just a minor incident." (Broken Chinese)
Pansy was terrified. She had not only been caught but also glimpsed formidable figures.
As the Parkinson heir, Pansy had attended many pureblood gatherings across Europe. She recognized several people here.
The elegant older woman in the center was Vida Rozier, one of Gellert Grindelwald's most loyal followers.
Several elderly men she recognized were former members of the Wizard Purist Party.
A young man stood. One eye was gray, but it didn't diminish his handsome appearance.
"Pansy Parkinson, did you break into Audrey's room?"
This was the first sentence she understood since arriving in this mysterious place.
It made her break out in goosebumps.
Audrey's room connected to this mysterious location. And this place was filled with Purists.
So Audrey = Purist.
Plus rumors said that during her battle in Hogsmeade against the dark wizard Bord Gray, Audrey used blue flame magic—a signature of Grindelwald.
Astrey must have a scheme! Her infiltration of Hogwarts must have an ulterior motive!
She thought: How could a Mudblood possibly be this talented?
It was over… she now knew Audrey Astrey's secret.
Would she be killed?
Pansy shook her head desperately. "I-I didn't mean it! I saw Draco enter Astrey's room, I-I just followed him…"
Tears and snot streaming, she nearly screamed: "I'm Pansy Parkinson! Of the Parkinson family!"
She looked at Vida Rozier pitifully. "Grandma Rozier, I met you at your granddaughter's birthday party! Please… don't kill me!"
Vida spoke to Edmund: "Handle it quickly. We have distinguished guests here." (German)
Edmund nodded, dragging Pansy out via apparition.
Behind them, Schmidt explained: "She's the child of one of our shareholders. A little mischievous. Sorry for the inconvenience." (Broken Chinese)
Once the conference room door closed, Edmund apparated Pansy away.
When she reappeared, they were on a reef in the Black Sea shipyard, surrounded by water on all sides.
Pansy collapsed in terror.
It was over… she was doomed!