“Someone leaked the visual recording of the fight to the press”, Viktor went through the titles in the Daily Prophet.
“We asked Minister Shacklebolt for comment:
Yes, I can confirm that head of the Auror office herself took the ground during the ambush, and she is very good at her job. I don’t understand the level of surprise over the fact that the person leading the Auror office in fact happens to be the most lethal and competent fighter in the country, and possibly in the world. That should be a given.”
“Others comment that the hole left by the death of Albus Dumbledore has finally been filled, and we again have a person of extreme competence on the watch. Experts have been analysing the footage and picking apart various details – what kind of chronomancy you used to selectively stop time, how you hovered in half-apparated form, what spell you used to kill the assailants. They even interviewed Harry:
Yes, I can confirm that she took the field while I took the office because she is a much stronger fighter between the two of us and the hostage situation with Mrs. Krum was extremely delicate; all five assailants had to be neutralized at once so that none of them could have time to fire off a spell or surprise us in any way, so I supervised the operation from the control centre while she dealt with the murderers in the alley. Yes, I can confirm that she didn’t have a wand.”
Viktor let out a muffled laugh. “Yeah, that will take some getting used to. Let’s see what’s next. Some are panicking about your level of power and need for oversight and accountability. Others reply that having someone in charge of dealing with armed murderers and dark wizards who’s the most powerful magic user in the world is actually the point, echoing the minister. There’s even a fashion columnist commenting favourably on your sweater”.
“Your tea is getting cold”, Lyra pointed out with a smile. “I knew this was about to happen once the cat gets out of the bag, as it eventually would. It will be fine.”
“You seem so incredibly cool about this. Haven’t you even been a little bit scared?”, he looked at his sister of choice with amazement.
“I’ve been terrified”, she admitted. “Not of the stupid ghouls, of course. I was terrified that Hermione might miscarry from the shock. Also, that they might surprise me with something unexpected, like hitting her with a portkey and transporting her to an unknown location, or using some potion or a powder. Fortunately, they were just ordinary idiots with wands”, she sighed.
Viktor froze. “Oh, I didn’t even think that she might miscarry. So that’s what it was all about later – all the personal spa treatment”, he grinned.
“Yes. I started relaxing only when a day passed and she seemed to be fine”, a visible shiver went through her body.
“I’m very happy I don’t have to manage the circus Harry and Hermione are currently having”, Viktor noted.
“I still had to submit paperwork”, she smiled.
“True”, he laughed. “But I wonder how we would have dealt with it if you were unavailable”.
“Easy. Have one Auror protect her with their life and get her to safety – apparition, portkey, something. Hit them with a spray of some debilitating potion. Mop them up”, she shrugged. “Less clean, but doable in a pinch”.
“I guess. But having her surrounded by five armed guys makes the logistics of it a nightmare. Everything would have to be coordinated down to a split second so that none of them can fire off a spell. We are really lucky to have you”, he admitted.
“Thanks”, Lyra smiled angelically. “Let’s finish breakfast and go play with Lily and James, they’ve been neglected slightly over all this”.