Chapter 288
There would always be darkness hidden behind the light.
That was unavoidable.
Between legality and crime existed a vast gray area that could never truly be erased.
The three constantly maintained a fragile balance.
For example—
In Britain, nearly all magical trade centered around two places:
Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.
The former openly sold magical items approved by wizarding law.
The latter drifted dangerously along the border between legality and illegality.
The two streets stood extremely close to one another.
Close enough that the Ministry of Magic could probably eliminate the underground market entirely if they truly wished to.
But they never did.
The destination Draco and Fleur were heading toward now was a similar kind of place.
"I think you're the tour guide now."
Fleur sighed helplessly while sitting inside the subway carriage.
Originally, she had intended to play the role of local guide.
Instead—
Draco appeared far more familiar with Paris than she was.
After shaking off Lupin and Tonks, the two quickly entered a subway station and boarded a train with practiced ease.
There were not many passengers inside.
Plenty of empty seats remained available.
France was a nation famous for thought and philosophy.
Many passengers quietly sat reading dense philosophical books with complete concentration.
The French enjoyed thinking.
Of course—
Foreigners often mocked them for precisely that reason, claiming they preferred dreaming and theorizing over practical work.
"I didn't expect magical transportation to become this troublesome."
Fleur leaned back in her seat and complained softly.
For wizards, magical transportation had always been the norm.
But now—
Because of Voldemort's return, restrictions had become extremely strict.
Whether using Floo Powder or magical transportation hubs, identity verification was now mandatory.
Panic had clearly spread throughout the French magical world as well.
Naturally, these restrictions mainly inconvenienced ordinary witches and wizards.
Truly dangerous people could still find alternatives.
"First time riding the subway?"
Draco glanced at Fleur calmly.
He had noticed her subtle curiosity long ago.
She kept unconsciously observing everything around her despite trying to appear composed.
"S-So what?"
Fleur stuttered briefly before admitting it.
There was nothing shameful about it.
Most wizards viewed Muggle transportation with a mixture of curiosity and rejection.
The Weasley family was considered unusual specifically because of their openness toward Muggle inventions.
"Then how did we reach Paris directly?"
Fleur suddenly remembered Draco's earlier explanation about "Muggle technology," and her eyes immediately brightened again.
"I thought we had to cross the English Channel first?"
"Don't tell me Muggles learned magic too?"
"Of course not."
"If they had, every Ministry of Magic in Europe would already be in chaos."
Draco pointed calmly toward the window.
"To simplify it—Muggles dug a tunnel beneath the sea and built railway tracks through it."
"The train traveled underwater."
Fleur blinked blankly.
At that exact moment, an elegant French announcement echoed through the carriage.
"Champs-Élysées — Line 9. Please watch your belongings."
Fleur's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Her complexion suddenly turned pale.
This place was very close to home.
Earlier, she had intentionally suggested distant places like Provence because she subconsciously wanted to avoid Paris.
She feared losing control of her emotions.
Yet this had been Draco's destination all along.
The two exited the station together and slowly walked side by side down the street.
"Homesick?"
Draco noticed the subtle change in her expression immediately.
"I won't deny it."
Fleur brushed her long silver hair behind her shoulder and stared absentmindedly at the pale gray stone road beneath her feet.
Everything here felt familiar.
Every tree.
Every street.
Every scent in the wind.
This was where she had grown up.
Her nose stung faintly.
At the award ceremony, she had seen her mother collapse in tears.
She had not seen Gabrielle—
But only because Gabrielle was too small within the crowd.
Even without seeing her directly, Fleur knew her little sister must have been terrified and worried.
For the past several days, Fleur had deliberately avoided thinking about them.
Because she feared hesitation.
Dumbledore's sincere gaze inside the Forbidden Forest resurfaced in her mind.
So did Draco's terrifying secret.
I'm sorry… Mother… Father… Gabrielle…
Fleur silently apologized in her heart.
Then she took a deep breath.
"Let's go."
Draco merely nodded without commenting further.
The Champs-Élysées was often called the most beautiful avenue in France.
Almost every tourist eventually passed through it.
They currently walked along the quieter eastern section.
Compared to the bustling commercial district farther west, this area felt calm and elegant.
The sidewalks were unusually wide.
Tall green plane trees lined both sides of the avenue.
Gardens hidden between dense shrubs stretched quietly along the center of the road.
Nearby, the faint sounds of the Seine River drifted through the air.
A cool breeze swept across the lawns.
The dark-gray street lamps had not yet been lit.
Simple wooden benches added a solemn elegance to the street.
Occasional newspaper kiosks contributed a scholarly atmosphere.
Not far away, a wandering artist played the accordion with complete immersion, unconcerned whether anyone stopped to listen.
"I want to buy a book."
Draco suddenly stopped beside an ordinary-looking newsstand.
"A book whose name I don't know."
Fleur stared at him blankly.
"What kind of request is that?"
How could someone buy a book without even knowing its title?
Beside the newspaper stand sat an old rattan recliner.
Tall mahogany bookshelves stood behind it.
An old man with thin white hair and a long beard leaned lazily against the chair while smoking a pipe.
A black cat rested on his shoulder, apparently asleep.
Sensing approaching customers—
The black cat slowly opened its emerald-green eyes and leapt gracefully onto the ground.