“A fine way of showing it,” muttered a white-faced Xenophilius after leaving the telephone box.

The Atrium of the Ministry of Magic stretched out before them.  It was a very long and ostentatious hallway, with dark wood paneled walls and a matching dark wooden floor.  Along both walls were a long line of gold-bedecked fireplaces that lit the room with their dancing flames.  The left grates were fronted with carpet.  Ministry officials were busily entering the Atrium from those on the left and leaving through those on the right.  The ceiling high above was a deep, dark blue like a clear sky just before dawn.⁴  It was beautifully inlaid with golden symbols that changed every few moments.

Xenophilius led their way down the hall.  Halfway was a fountain decorated with golden figures.⁵  Luna gave it only a passing glance, having seen it before.  They continued without slowing toward the golden gates at the other end.  On the left was a desk above which hovered a sign that read “SECURITY.”  Behind the desk stood a wizard in blue robes and matching wizard’s cap.  On his shoulder was a dark blue patch with a large yellow S.  He was slightly shorter than her father, broad-shouldered, with short, dark, curly hair lightly streaked with grey.  His full, neatly trimmed mustache and bushy eyebrows were still dark, though.  He had brown eyes, a nose bent slightly to the left, and light tan skin.  Xenophilius and Luna came to a stop in front of him.

“Press,” announced Xenophilius tersely, touching his badge.  “I’m here at the invitation of the . . .”  He paused to look at his letter again, “. . . the Head of the Office for the Prevention of the Improper Use of Magic.”

“Name?” asked the security guard with a note of suspicion.