The Deters had already left, and Masterost was standing at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the second floor with the new pajamas Mrs. Detter had just given him. And standing silently next to him was Amelia.
Masterost could see that it was not strange for Amelia to look at him with curiosity; the overenthusiastic behavior of Mr. and Mrs. Detter had certainly piqued Amelia's suspicion, but he believed that she probably hadn't guessed the truth of the matter.
This is not something that can be thought up just by being smart and having outstanding imagination. As expected -
"My parents really like you--"
Amelia wanted to ease the awkwardness and find a suitable excuse for her parents' abrupt and impolite behavior.
"Well, I think it's because you're a wizard from London, and they've spent most of their lives there. Your name also makes them feel familiar."
"It makes sense."
Masterost nodded, then pondered for a moment.
"So, could you please take me to the guest room?"
Amelia looked somewhat surprised, as if she hadn't expected Masterost to agree to stay the night. However, upon realizing this, she quickly blushed and nodded.
"Oh, yes, of course."
The two of them followed the stairs to the second floor, where there was a corridor. There were two bedrooms side by side, one on the side closer to the road, and the other two were for the bathroom and the laundry room on the opposite side.
Turning on the light switch in the hallway, Amelia pointed to the bedroom at the end of the corridor.
"That's the guest room, and by the way, if you need a bath--"
Amelia turned around and pointed to the dimly lit room at the back, partially hidden behind the door.
"There's -- there's a bathtub. You can use it."
Trying to make the atmosphere not get any more awkward, Masterost gave a formal nod again and calmly said,
"Thank you. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"
"None. Oh!"
Amelia suddenly let out a cry, and without explanation, she quickly stepped into the dimly lit bathroom, slamming the door shut with a loud bang. Soon after, there were rustling sounds in the room, followed by a bang that seemed to be the sound of a cabinet door closing. When Amelia reappeared, her face, which she had tried to keep calm, was an extremely deep red.
"Yes, yes - the hot water heater, it - well, that is, it's not working very well. I think - you, you will be able to use it, Mr. Brain, since you are from the wizarding orphanage. Oh, sorry, I mean I am not."
"Of course, I can handle the technology of non-magical humans."
Masterost's voice was calm, with not a single ripple in it, until Amelia, who was almost running away, disappeared into her bedroom and out of his field of vision. Only then did Masterost faintly smile and shake his head.
He did not choose to take a bath but instead carried the new pajamas to the guest room.
Turning on the light switch, what came into view was a small room painted in a light blue all around. The furnishings were simple, with only a bed and a wardrobe, and on the interior walls, there were several rows of shelves for holding knick-knacks and books.
Masterost walked over to the bedside and bent down to touch the bedding. The soft bedding smelled of sunshine, and it was clear that Mr. and Mrs. Detter had already aired it.
Several magic books were on the bedside table, presumably belonging to Amelia. They might have been placed there by Mr. and Mrs. Detter to alleviate his boredom.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Detter were not very knowledgeable about magic, and the books they found included the most boring history of the American magical world at the top. Yet, the cover of this magical history book, which featured a former address of the American Wizarding Congress located in a huge building somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains, still caught Masterost's gaze for a moment.
Until they went to sleep, Masterost and Amelia had not seen each other again. However, Masterost knew that when he entered the bathroom, Amelia was hiding behind the door in her bedroom, and after he closed the bathroom door, she rushed out in a hurry, taking careful steps towards the downstairs Deter's bathroom.
After Masterost emerged from the bathroom, Amelia had already returned to her bedroom.
Looking at the closed door, Masterost silently smiled. He knew that his elder would be sleepless tonight.
But unlike Amelia, as Masterost lay down on the bed, he experienced a rare sense of comfort and tranquility after arriving in New York. After relaxing his mind, fatigue overwhelmed him.
The fresh wind gently pushed open the half-shuttered window, and the fluttering curtains produced a rhythmic symphony.
Above the deep blue night sky, the full moon appeared and disappeared through the gaps in the open curtains, barely visible. Beyond two streets, cars occasionally drove on the main road, their hissing sounds weakened by the space and not disturbing this tranquility; instead, they made tonight more serene and enduring.
Everything was so comfortable that Masterost even had the illusion that he had become an ordinary person again, without having to worry about so many things, and the burden on his shoulders felt light.
It's occasionally nice like this
Before his consciousness completely closed, this thought crossed Masterost's mind, and then he fell into a deep sleep.
However, like Masterost predicted, Amelia wasn't as composed and calm as he was.
The room had already fallen into darkness, and Amelia wrapped herself tightly in the blankets. However, the toes that were hidden under the bedding were still curled up.
Her lovely face was covered with the blankets from the bridge of her nose down, leaving only her eyes and forehead exposed.
Amelia's eyes wandered uncertainly in the dimly lit room, avoiding thoughts of the other side, where Masterost·Brain was sleeping.
Amelia could not describe the feeling in her heart at this moment--it seemed like a sense of shame, but it was mixed with a hint of curiosity and a strange excitement that she herself couldn't understand.
Why would her parents be so fond of Masterost·Brain?
Inevitably, Amelia began to think about these questions.
Before, she gave Masterost some reasons for the excessive enthusiasm of her parents in protecting them, although she believed those reasons were reasonable, she could not fully explain.
Or maybe her parents thought Masterost·Brain was a well-known big shot in the magical world?
They were so enthusiastic about him because they might hope he could help themselves. After all, Mrs. Deter always felt sorry for not being able to give her more help.
But this reason was just like the two guesses she had made about Masterost earlier, which belonged only to her speculation.
Or perhaps...
She couldn't think of any other explanations that had any real possibilities. Amelia couldn't help but think again about the night of the Cyanide Leopard incident, the strange look on Masterost's face when he took her wand, and the warm current flowing from the wand that was tinged with a hint of joy. It was as if he had met a relative.
Unanswered questions are always the most tormenting.
The confusion has been tormenting Amelia's nerves. She tosses and turns on the bed, unable to truly fall asleep. Such was the night, until just before dawn, when it was the deepest darkness before sunrise.
Bang--
A sudden clear sound echoed from the living room below.
Dazed Amelia didn't pay attention, she thought it might be her father getting up to use the bathroom and accidentally hitting something. But--
Bang, bang, bang
After the sound repeated for dozens of times, Amelia, who had sat up in shock, finally came to her senses and realized that something was wrong.
"Dad
Amelia screamed in surprise, and without even putting on her pajamas, she Apparated downstairs. As soon as the scene in the living room fell into view, Amelia's face turned pale, and her body shook uncontrollably.
It was the Aurors from the Department of Safety, her colleagues. From the density of figures in the not particularly narrow living room, at least half of the Department of Safety had come, and more, because the green flames in the fireplace were still flickering. She saw some people roughly opening doors and rushing outside, as if to set up a perimeter around the house.
Mr. and Mrs. Deter were already alarmed by the noise. The elderly couple were leaning against the door frame of their bedroom, looking nervously at the group of wizards 'occupying' their house, not knowing what to do.
Not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Deter, but even Amelia was startled into silence by the serious expressions on her colleagues' faces.
Gently patting Amelia on the shoulder, Masterost gave the elderly couple a gentle smile and then stepped forward, calmly looking at the formidable witch at the front of the crowd.
"What is your purpose?"
The Aurors tensed up at Masterost's sudden movement. Usually restrained, they immediately made the same move -- pulled out their wands and pointed at Masterost.
It looks like this is a big deal.
Masterost thought faintly in his heart, his face serious. While Amelia and her parents were frozen with fear!
"I'm sorry--"
The efficient witch whose gaze Masterost met had her fist tightly clenched, hidden in the sleeve. Though her expression was solemn and unyielding, it could be heard that her voice was trembling, and the deep tone had become sharp.
"Masterost·Brain, you are under arrest!"
(End of this chapter)
