"That's right, you have no idea what a massive commotion you've caused. Arresting five Death Eaters at once is a first since the fall of the Dark Lord, and it was done by a student. The Daily Prophet and the Wizarding Wireless Network have been reporting on it non-stop."
"Minister Bagnold has had the Public Information Department promoting it heavily, as if she couldn't praise you enough. The ceremony was announced days ago, and the reporters downstairs were invited by the Ministry to attend the banquet—though they have to wait for the official start to enter. As a result, they arrived early and blocked the entrance completely. We were nearly annoyed to death," Vanessa complained, her tone helpless.
So that was it. Alan finally understood what Minister Bagnold meant by the Ministry lacking good news for a long time. The British magical community was indeed small; an incident like this spread like wildfire.
"The Captain told us to guard the entrance and bring you in the moment you appeared to avoid you being harassed by that mob," Vanessa continued.
"I appreciate the effort. What about the friends I invited? They might arrive a bit later," Alan remembered his guests and asked quickly, concerned they might be swamped.
"Don't worry, we have other colleagues maintaining order at the visitor entrance. By the way," Vanessa added, "I should walk you through the schedule. First, there's the commendation banquet, and in the afternoon, there will be a formal trial for the captured Death Eaters. As the primary witness and party involved, you'll need to attend. I'm not sure what Bagnold is thinking, arranging a trial immediately after a celebration."
Alan considered this. *Is she moving that quickly?* To start the trial right after putting public pressure on the pure-blood families would force them to pick a side under the spotlight. This decisive style was perfectly consistent with his impression of the Minister.
Led by Vanessa, the group entered the banquet hall. Many guests had already arrived. The Ministry had provided a lavish spread of tea, snacks, and a buffet; people were gathered in small circles, murmuring to one another.
"Alan, you're here!" Vivian, dressed in a stunning long gown, greeted him with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Long time no see," Alan replied with a smile. It hadn't actually been that long; the summer holidays were still weeks away.
With Vivian's exclamation, everyone in the room suddenly noticed his arrival. The scattered groups turned as one, their conversations dying down. Alan felt the weight of their gazes: curious, admiring, and scrutinizing. He also subtly detected a few stares that were undeniably cold.
Presumably, his actions had inconvenienced several powerful people. However, most guests kept their distance for now, maintaining a polite reserve until a formal introduction could be made. Meanwhile, his closer acquaintances—Charles, William, and Evan—who had arrived early via the Floo Network, gathered around him.
"Goodness, Alan, you've really done it this time," Vivian said, her expression exaggerated. "The papers have been nothing but you for days. Between the Ministry press releases and that exclusive by Rita Skeeter... that woman was actually decent for once. She praised you to the heavens."
*Is it really that much?* Alan thought, fighting the urge to grimace. He had written the core of those interview drafts himself; hearing Vivian describe it made him feel a bit narcissistic.
"We were all stunned when the news broke. Five Death Eaters... I knew Yaxley wouldn't let things go, but I didn't think he'd be this reckless," William said, looking genuinely rattled. He had clearly imagined a scenario where Yaxley's revenge had succeeded.
Charles, unlike the others, approached Alan with a look of profound sincerity. "Alan, thank you for bringing justice to my aunt's family. The McKinnons will always be your most loyal friends."
"Don't mention it, Charles. I was only protecting myself," Alan said, smiling. "Besides, I told you those men would pay eventually. It's just a shame you couldn't be the one to do it."
"I'm surprised you remembered that. But seeing that Travers bastard caught is enough for us. It's ironic that he ended up dead at the hands of his own people in the end," Charles sighed, looking relieved.
*So, these families all know,* Alan noted. They had clearly formed their own independent judgments regarding Torquil's mysterious death.
Charles suddenly leaned in and pulled Alan slightly away from the group. "I heard that some people are quite unhappy about you receiving such high honors—especially the 'Combat Hero' title. If this is finalized, Bagnold's prestige will be untouchable, and the pure-blood families will be pinned under the Ministry's thumb for the rest of her term. So..."
"Are you saying they want to block it? The news is already out; can they really force the Ministry to retract the decision?" Alan asked, his eyes narrowing.
"It's hard to say. Rumors are circulating among the older families. I'm just worried, but the McKinnons will back you fully. You earned this," Charles said firmly.
"What kind of rumors?"
"Some are saying you're just a puppet the Ministry pushed out for a show, and even..." Charles hesitated. "Some claim those Death Eaters weren't defeated by you at all. Since there were no witnesses, they're suggesting the confessions were coerced or the memories tampered with. They don't dare attack Bagnold directly, so they're aiming at you."
"Clowns," Alan said with a cold sneer. "Let them try. Have they forgotten so soon? You-Know-Who has only been gone a short while. Do they need a reminder that in our world, power is the only thing that speaks?"
"Just be careful, Alan. Bagnold's methods have been aggressive lately, and it's provoking a backlash from the traditionalists," Charles warned. He didn't follow politics deeply, but with parents in the Auror Office, he heard the echoes of the Ministry's internal strife.