However, after a while, the Auror brought them good news: Director Andre was willing to see them.
When Jason, with a hesitant heart, entered the office, he found that besides Director Andre, there were two other people inside: a middle-aged wizard and a handsome young man. The common characteristic of these two was their exquisite clothing, looking like upper-class individuals of wealth and status.
"Are you the ones who said you encountered a huge problem and absolutely had to see me?" Andre carefully scrutinized Jason and the other man, and instead of showing any disdain for their disheveled appearance, he asked in a gentle tone.
"Yes, Director Andre, we have an urgent matter to report to you, but..." Jason said this, glancing nervously at the two people beside him, "but this matter is very urgent; it's best to speak with you alone."
"Alone?" Andre looked at Jason with amusement upon hearing this, then chuckled. "Don't have any reservations. These two beside me are Mr. Wilson, the head of the British Silver Lightning Trading Company, and Edmund, the patriarch of the Schmidt family. They both have a very good cooperative relationship with the Ministry of Magic, so there's nothing to hide from them."
"This..." Jason exchanged another glance with Bob, then firmly nodded. "Alright, here's how it is. Bob and I work at two different magical creature breeding facilities..."
Jason then recounted all his and Bob's recent experiences, including the relationship between the breeding facilities and the Silver Spears, the actions of those guards in the prison, and the wicked dealings between the Silver Spears leaders, the club's cooperating wizards, and private organizations, even unreservedly pointing the finger at certain individuals within the Ministry of Magic.
"What!" After hearing their confessions, Andre immediately looked at the two with a face full of anger. "Do you two know what you're saying? You are openly accusing high-ranking Ministry of Magic officials of colluding with criminal organizations and conspiring to split the country!"
"Everything we said is true!" Jason's face was flushed with excitement now. "In that prison, there are still hundreds of other people imprisoned, most of whom are civilian wizards, Squibs, and Muggles. And those Silver Spears guards have already started to brainwash them with inhumane methods. They are all witnesses!"
"Kidnapping hundreds of people at once? How come I've never heard of so many people going missing?" Andre still looked at Jason with some suspicion.
"Those of us who work in the facilities have to stay in the enclosed areas for at least half a year each time. Our families outside think we're just on a business trip, so it's normal for no one to report it." Bob still maintained a relatively calm mind and quickly answered Andre.
"Hmm..." Andre lowered his head in thought for a moment, then turned to Edmund beside him. "Edmund, what do you think of what they're saying? Do you find it credible?"
"Some of the situations they described are similar to the information we had previously. Through an informant who infiltrated the club, I once received intelligence that the Silver Spears had set up large breeding bases within Germany, but when we wanted to investigate, that informant suddenly disappeared. This perfectly matches what Jason said." Edmund was also an old schemer; he could lie without batting an eye.
"Is that the action you reported to me earlier that was canceled midway?" Andre nodded, his expression slightly stiff. "I didn't expect that after fighting the Silver Spears for so many years, we didn't even know they had extended their reach into the Ministry of Magic. What a failure."
As Andre and Edmund exchanged information, Jason and Bob also suddenly understood after hearing their conversation. So, it was these two adults who had previously forced the club to flee in a hurry. Didn't this prove that they had found the right people? Thinking of this, Jason couldn't help but exchange an excited glance with Bob. They both saw a glimmer of hope in each other's eyes.
Andre's slightly rough acting did not arouse any suspicion from the two. On the contrary, Jason looked at him with anticipation. "Director Andre, that must be it. Those Silver Spears guards have always claimed that there are traitors among the cooperating wizards, which is why they were so eager to transfer and imprison everyone."
"So that's how it is..." Andre sighed, his brow slightly furrowed. "It seems our decision back then was still too hasty. I'm afraid it was the club's spy within the Ministry of Magic who revealed our intentions." Saying this, Andre looked apologetically at Jason and Bob. "In that case, your suffering is also somewhat connected to us. It was our mistake that implicated you. I'm truly sorry!"
"No! Please don't say that." Jason didn't expect Director Andre to condescend to apologize to them, and immediately waved his hands in panic. "If it weren't for this, we might still be living in the lies meticulously woven by the club, and we would never be able to wash away our mistakes."
"Yes, Director Andre..." Bob also said emotionally at this time, "those Silver Spears leaders never looked at us properly from the beginning. They always treated us as a bunch of dispensable tools, and most importantly, our companions are still in their hands right now!"
"Hmm, there's no time to lose. We must rescue those innocent people immediately!" Andre instantly resumed his solemn expression, saying with a serious face. But then he frowned, slightly hesitant. "However, you escaped through the fireplace. To track the Floo Network's movements requires the cooperation of the Department of Magical Transportation, but that department has always supported the division bill. It's hard to guarantee there aren't any club spies in there."
Bob and Jason were startled upon hearing this. That's right; they had no idea where they had been before, or even what the Floo Network password to the prison was. And to find out where they came from to the Ministry of Magic, the Department of Magical Transportation was an unavoidable hurdle. But considering that the Floo Network was the first to be divided into East Germany and West Germany, it was likely that this department had already been infiltrated by the club.
"Director Andre, perhaps I can help you with this."
Just as everyone was frowning in worry, Alan, who was beside them, interjected. "Although my research into the Floo Network isn't very deep, as an alchemist, I might be able to deduce the origin by tracing the fireplace they used to enter the Ministry of Magic."
Jason and Bob were instantly overjoyed, and even Andre said with slight excitement, "That's right, I forgot about you, Mr. Wilson! As the head of the Silver Lightning Trading Company and the most outstanding alchemist of our time, a mere Floo Network certainly won't stump you. It's truly wonderful to have your help."
"You're welcome." Alan smiled and shook his head slightly, then looked at Jason and Bob. "Although I am not German, I deeply sympathize with the plight of these two. If I can help them, that would be for the best."
"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Wilson! As long as you can help our companions escape their suffering, I, Jason, will do anything for you, even if it means working like an ox or a horse!" Jason looked at Alan with eager anticipation, as if the young man was a savior who had suddenly appeared in the world.
"If you want to thank Mr. Wilson, wait until your companions are all safe, then thank him together!" Andre stood up decisively at this moment. "There's no time to lose now, no time for so much nonsense. Every minute we delay, those hostages could face more danger." With that, Andre turned his head to the Auror who had brought the news, "Immediately send an urgent notice to Auror Squads one through over four, telling them that an important operation requires their immediate presence."
Then he looked at Edmund beside him, "Mr. Schmidt, since the identities of these wizards are somewhat sensitive, and I don't quite trust the other departments in the Ministry right now, I'm afraid I'll need your help. If we can rescue them from that prison, can you provide some places to house them? I'm afraid sending them directly home might pose a security risk."
"Are you afraid that certain people will try to silence them once they realize what's happening?" Edmund nodded thoughtfully. "No problem, I'll inform my family now to clear out a manor. Such a major blunder from high-ranking Ministry of Magic officials means the Wizengamot Council also bears responsibility. I will inform the other councilors about this as soon as possible!" With that, Edmund specifically looked at Jason and the other man, "Later, I will have someone pick you up and take you to my manor to rest. Get well, as you two may be required to be questioned by the Council later!"
Seeing these two important figures arrange everything so perfectly with just a few words, Jason and Bob both showed expressions of delighted surprise. However, Jason still said with a resolute expression, "Sirs, can I also return to the prison with you? I can still fight. Today, to cover our escape, one of my companions might be suffering!"
"Are you sure?" Edmund looked at Jason with some surprise, then received his affirmative gaze. At the same time, Bob also spoke up resolutely, ready to go together.
"It's not impossible, but only one of you can go," Andre said decisively at this point. "You must understand that you are direct witnesses to this incident, and risking both of you is very unwise. One of you must stay behind under Auror protection first."
Andre's words were actually quite clear; his meaning was that at least one survivor must be left as a witness. Upon hearing this, Jason and Bob vaguely realized that they had probably been drawn into an earth-shattering case; otherwise, Director Andre would not be so cautious. But Jason was still worried about Jimmy, and at this moment, he couldn't care less about anything else. He immediately agreed, stating that he was willing to go with the main force and let Bob retreat to the rear.