The other nodded quietly in agreement, signaling that they shouldn't make things harder for these two clearly shaken men.
"Alright," the first Auror said with a slight smile. "You're in luck. Director Andre is actually still here at the Ministry. He's just in a meeting with some important figures in the wizarding world and hasn't left yet."
"I'll notify the Director. Please come with me," the Auror said.
"Good! Good! Thank you both, you're very kind!" Nathan replied gratefully, quickening his pace to follow.
When they reached the office of the Director of Legal Enforcement, the Auror asked them to wait outside.
He then stepped inside.
Though Bob and Nathan were anxious, they understood that they were seeking a favor and so remained quietly patient as they waited.
After a short wait, the Auror returned with good news: Director Andre was willing to meet with them.
Nathan entered the office feeling hesitant, only to find that, besides Director Andre, there were two other men present, a middle-aged wizard and a handsome young man.
Both were dressed elegantly, clearly from wealthy or influential backgrounds.
Director Andre looked them over carefully before speaking softly to Nathan.
"Is it because you said you're in serious trouble and needed to see me?"
Nathan nodded, then glanced nervously at the two men beside him.
"Yes, Director Andre, we have something important to report, but... it's best if I speak with you alone."
Andre gave him a curious look and then chuckled.
"Don't worry. The two gentlemen beside me are Mr. Wilson, head of the British Wilson's Arcane Alchemica, and Mr. Edmond, patriarch of the Te family. They have a close working relationship with the Ministry of Magic, so nothing you say will be hidden from them."
Nathan exchanged looks with Bob, then nodded firmly.
"Alright. Here's the situation: Bob and I work at two magical animal breeding parks..."
He proceeded to explain everything, the connection between the breeding parks and the silver wand, what those Silver Wands were doing in the prison, and how they, along with some cooperative wizards and certain NGOs, were shamelessly pointing fingers at people within the Ministry of Magic.
"What!" Andre exclaimed angrily when he heard their story. "Do you realize what you're accusing? You're openly claiming that the Ministry is colluding with criminal groups and plotting to divide the country!"
Nathan's face flushed with urgency.
"Everything we said is true! There are still hundreds of people imprisoned in that prison right now, mostly civilian wizards, squibs, and others who have been wrongly detained. Melons and those Silver Wands have already started brainwashing people using cruel methods, and everyone who's been through it is a witness."
Andre looked at him with suspicion.
"Kidnapping hundreds at once? Why haven't I heard about so many missing people?"
Bob, staying calm, quickly explained.
"Those of us who work in the park have to stay inside for at least six months each time. Our families outside think we're just on a business trip. So it's no surprise no one reports anything."
Andre pondered for a moment, then turned to Edmond beside him.
"Edmond, what do you make of all this? Do you think it's believable?"
Edmond nodded.
"Some of what they're saying matches what we've heard before. I got intel from a source inside the club that the silver wand set up a big breeding base in Germany. But when we tried to confirm it, the insider vanished. That fits with what Nathan said."
Andre frowned slightly.
"Is this linked to the operation you told me got canceled?"
"Yes," Edmond replied. "After fighting the silver wand for years, I never thought they'd infiltrate the Ministry of Magic without us knowing. It's a real failure on our part."
As Andre and Edmond exchanged information, Nathan and Bob suddenly realized that these two adults were the ones who had forced the club to flee in a hurry.
Could it be they had found the right people?
Excited, Nathan looked at Bob, and they both saw a glimmer of hope.
Andre's rough manner didn't raise their suspicions; instead, Nathan eagerly said, "Master Andre, it has to be like this. The Silver Wand always claim there are traitors among the wizards involved, which is why they're so desperate to transfer and imprison everyone."
Andre sighed, furrowing his brow.
"So that's the truth... It seems we made our decisions too quickly."
"I'm afraid it was spies from the club within the Ministry of Magic who leaked our plans," Andre admitted, looking apologetically at Nathan and Bob. "You've been through so much because of us, and since you're connected to our cause, it's our mistakes that have caused you trouble. I'm truly sorry."
Nathan quickly shook his head, waving his hands.
"No, please don't apologize. If it weren't for this, we'd probably still be trapped in the club's web of lies, unable to clear our names."
Bob nodded, his voice tinged with emotion.
"Those silver wands never saw us as anything but expendable tools from the start. And the worst part is, our friends are still in their hands."
Andre's expression hardened with resolve.
"We need to rescue those innocent people as soon as possible. No more delays."
But then he hesitated, frowning slightly.
"The problem is, you escaped through the Floo Network. To track your path, we need help from the Department of Magical Transportation, but that department has always backed the club. There's no guarantee it isn't compromised by their spies."
Nathan and Bob exchanged grim looks.
They had no idea where they had been held or even the prison's Floo password.
And now, getting information from the Department of Magical Transportation, the gatekeepers of the Floo Network, would be a huge challenge.
It was well known that the Floo Network had effectively split the magical community, much like East and West Germany once were.
It seemed likely the club had infiltrated that department too.
Just then, Bob spoke up.
"Director Andre, maybe I can help with this."
Just as everyone was frowning in confusion, Alex, standing off to the side, spoke up.
"I don't know much about the Floo Network," he admitted, "but as an alchemist, I might be able to follow them through the Ministry of Magic's fireplace to figure out where they're coming from."
Nathan and Bob's faces lit up with hope at his words.
Even Andre looked a bit excited.
"Right, I almost forgot. Sir Wilson, as head of the Wilson's Arcane Alchemica and one of the finest alchemists around, the Floo Network shouldn't be a problem for you. It would be a huge help if you could assist us."
Alex smiled and shook his head modestly before turning back to Nathan and Bob.
"I'm not German, but I sympathize with your situation. I'd be glad to help as much as I can, but that's about all I can promise."