Chapter 284
A streamlined train sped rapidly along endless tracks.
Outside the windows, the scenery blurred past in streaks of green and gray, revealing glimpses of primitive English countryside beneath the fading sky.
It was an ordinary Muggle train.
Though, naturally—
Not all of its passengers were ordinary people.
"Wow, so this is a Muggle train?"
"It's my first time riding one."
"It doesn't look much different from the Hogwarts Express."
A violet-haired young woman bounced excitedly in her seat, drawing more than a few curious glances.
She tilted her head toward the middle-aged man beside her, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You're being too conspicuous," the man warned with a frown.
His tone carried obvious dissatisfaction.
"Relax, darling."
"That little brat won't recognize me."
"I guarantee he's never seen me before, and I've never seen him."
The man's mouth twitched slightly at the word darling.
"It's only a disguise," he whispered hurriedly.
"Stop saying that all the time."
"Cheer up."
"Don't look so serious."
"This is my very first mission, Remus."
The woman cheerfully grabbed his arm and nearly rubbed her head against his chest in an exaggeratedly intimate manner.
She seemed deeply immersed in her role.
"Enough."
"We still have important work to do."
"Do you remember our priorities?" the man asked seriously.
"Of course."
"Tracking and stealth are my specialties."
The woman straightened proudly.
"I'm afraid they're your worst skills," the man sighed softly.
"You stay here."
"I'll inspect the other carriages."
"Wizards tend to notice each other very quickly."
His expression became serious as he stood.
"Alright."
"I'm only your assistant anyway."
"I'll listen to you."
Though reluctant, the woman still obeyed.
At the same time, she found herself increasingly fascinated by the man's calm decisiveness.
This was a second-class carriage.
Most of the passengers were ordinary Muggles.
Some read newspapers or magazines.
Some played cards to pass the time.
Others used books to block the sunlight before falling asleep in their seats.
Remus Lupin clutched his stomach and pretended to search for the restroom as he walked through the train.
Meanwhile, he discreetly observed every passenger from the corner of his eye.
Naturally, both his appearance and body shape had been slightly altered.
Such disguises were standard procedure for Auror operations.
The purpose of this mission was obvious.
Many Aurors had been scattered across various forms of Muggle transportation in pursuit of a fugitive Hogwarts student.
Of course—
That was only one objective.
Even if they failed to capture the target, additional assignments awaited them at their destination.
After resigning from his Defense Against the Dark Arts position, Lupin had entered Auror training under Dumbledore's recommendation.
His combat ability was exceptional, greatly shortening his training period.
However, stealth and infiltration remained essential subjects.
Coincidentally, he and the woman had trained together for some time.
Thus, they had naturally become partners for their first field assignment.
Strictly speaking, she was still more girl than woman.
She had only graduated from Hogwarts a few years earlier.
Nymphadora Tonks.
A Metamorphmagus.
Lupin carefully observed every compartment.
Particularly the sleeping passengers.
For convenience, the fugitive was highly likely to hypnotize any hostage accompanying him.
Or perhaps—
Use the Imperius Curse.
That possibility could not be ruled out.
Unfortunately, this made identification extremely difficult.
Victims under the Imperius Curse often appeared completely normal.
Distinguishing them was nearly impossible.
Meanwhile—
In another carriage.
"This mask feels incredibly realistic."
Fleur Delacour stared into the window's reflection while repeatedly rubbing her altered face like a child discovering a new toy.
"If you accidentally tear it off, I'm not helping you fix it," Draco Malfoy said coldly.
"Fine, fine."
"I'll stop."
"So where exactly are we going now?"
Fleur immediately lowered her hands and curiously widened her eyes.
This was perhaps the first time she had ever truly escaped the supervision of adults.
Though—
Calling Draco a "guardian" now felt strangely appropriate.
The sensation of running away had awakened a rebellious excitement within her.
Normally, she behaved obediently before her family.
Especially before Gabrielle.
But this experience seemed to have released something hidden inside her.
Malfoy silently looked at the excited girl sitting across from him.
For once, he genuinely didn't know what to say.
At the very least—
She no longer seemed like a burden.
The masks had originally been inventions from the Weasley twins.
Malfoy had prepared them long ago for some distant future plan.
Unexpectedly, they had become useful much sooner than anticipated.
There had even happened to be an extra one.
Fate truly enjoyed playing tricks on people.
The masks functioned similarly to Metamorphmagus abilities.
Normally, they resembled flowing liquid sealed within a small bottle.
When needed, they spread naturally across the face like living material.
With only a mirror and some adjustments by hand, one could completely alter their appearance.
The freedom of customization was surprisingly high.
Fleur had darkened her skin considerably.
She also adjusted her nose, lips, eyebrows, and overall facial structure.
She looked almost entirely different.
Malfoy closed his eyes briefly, avoiding her question.
"The feeling of not constantly being watched isn't bad," Fleur said happily while pulling out a small square mirror from her bag.
Of course, a Veela's charm did not rely solely upon beauty.
Their bloodline itself enhanced their allure.
Because of that, Fleur deliberately suppressed much of her natural charm.
Otherwise, even with an ordinary face, she would still attract endless attention.
"Give it a few more days."
"You may start missing the days when everyone adored you."
Malfoy finally opened his eyes and answered indifferently.
His signature blond hair had already been hidden through magical means.
Now he possessed black hair and dark eyes.
He had even subtly altered his height and build.
If not for the traces of European features he intentionally preserved, most people would assume he was an East Asian tourist.
"Perhaps."
Fleur neither agreed nor disagreed.
At this point, she no longer resembled a hostage at all.
Compared to kidnapper and captive—
They looked far more like a couple traveling together in secret.