Hogwarts: Lacus doesn't want to be a witch who destroys nations.

Armand Rozier's bedroom is located on the top floor of the west wing of the Rozier estate. Pushing open the heavy oak door, a scent mixed with old parchment and expensive cedar furniture wafts out.

The room was unbelievably spacious, with quill pens and several open spellbooks with antique covers scattered on the carved desk, and several oil paintings depicting Quidditch matches and ancient magical duels hanging on the walls.

"This is it." As Malena's gaze swept across the room, a complex emotion, barely perceptible, flickered across her face. The room was filled with the familiar yet unfamiliar aura of her brother.

"Father ordered that nothing be touched, but... apparently they didn't find anything useful."

Lux looked around; the room was too tidy, almost unlike the scene left by someone who had just fled in a panic.

She walked to the desk, her fingertips brushing across the surface; there was no dust. "Have you tidied it up? Or is your brother just a germaphobe?"

"Armand is always... meticulous; he's probably been planning this for a long time." Malena walked to the huge, ornate wardrobe and opened the door.

Inside, neatly ironed dark robes and elegant travel cloaks hung, seemingly all present and accounted for. "His clothes are all here. He didn't bring a change of clothes? That's impossible..."

Malena realized something, found a ruby ​​in the innermost pocket of her innermost robe, and then her gaze fell on an inconspicuous brass globe in the corner of the desk.

The globe was exquisitely crafted, inlaid with tiny gemstones representing cities. She stretched out her finger and gently turned it.

"Click".

With a soft click, the globe's base popped open a small drawer, revealing it to be empty, with a faint, metallic sweet scent lingering inside.

"The smell of Felix Felicis!" Lux immediately leaned closer to smell it; she was already familiar with the scent.

Marlena glanced at the globe's drawer. "He took the key to the family's potion storeroom. They probably haven't had time to change the locks yet."

"And... isn't one missing here?" Lux pointed to the globe, where the ruby ​​representing Paris was clearly Malena's.

Malena leaned closer, her brow furrowed. "Is he implying he went to Paris? What's he going to Paris for? Almost all of the family's businesses are in Paris, and there are family spies everywhere..."

Suddenly, something occurred to her: "Wait! The Gobalot Prize! The award ceremony is in Paris! The Paris branch of the International Union of Alchemists!"

Lux slapped her forehead: "Yeah, your brother isn't planning to cause trouble at the awards ceremony, is he? Right under the noses of so many Potions Masters?"

She imagined the scene and found it absurd: "Carrying a bottle of rune potion that can almost never be restored to enhance magic power—is this going to challenge a rival sect or to turn myself in?"

Marlena's face instantly turned extremely pale: "He's gone mad! There are not only potions masters from various countries there, but also high-ranking officials from the French Ministry of Magic and elders from the International Alchemy Association. He took that thing there, and if he's discovered..."

Lux chimed in, "What if he caused an even bigger ruckus at the awards ceremony, like blowing up the venue?"

The more she thought about it, the more Armand seemed to be taking a desperate gamble. "Does he think that only by creating a huge scandal in such a high-profile setting can he cause enough chaos, and then take advantage of the chaos... to do something? Or... send some message?"

This conjecture sent a shiver down Malena's spine. Without further hesitation, she drew her wand, pressed the tip against her temple, and a silver thread of memory was extracted.

She whispered quickly, "Father! Armand's target is the Gobalotte Prize ceremony! He's likely carrying that potion, and his intentions are unclear! I request that all family resources in Paris be mobilized immediately to seal off the area surrounding the branch and closely monitor all entrances!"

The thread of memory transformed into a small silver bird, which instantly pierced through the wall and disappeared.

"Alright," Malena put away her wand, looked at Lux with a complicated expression, "The message has been sent back. Father and the family will act immediately. The Rozier family has three permanent seats in the association, and many other collateral and vassal families will also be attending. Our people will be deployed in advance."

Lux nodded, but she felt a little uneasy.

The Rozier family has deep roots in the French potions world, so having made advance arrangements certainly gives them an advantage. But Armand isn't stupid; if he dares to go, he must have a backup plan.

He might be planning to expose LeBlanc at the event; Lux might not be able to escape either.

"Um... Malena," Lux rubbed her hands together, "Look, I also have to go to that awards ceremony, and I might even have to accept an award. How about we meet at the awards ceremony? I promise, if I see your brother, I'll hold him down for you the moment I see him."

Malena gave her a cold glance: "The Pale Witch has ordered me to assist you, Miss Lux. Wherever you go, I will go. As for the awards ceremony, I will naturally attend."

"I will explain the situation to Slughorn on behalf of the family, so you don't need to worry."

Lux: "..." Well, it seems there's no way to leave here for now. Apparition needs to be put on the agenda for next semester, otherwise this trip will be a huge problem.

For the next few days, Lux lived like a "luxurious prisoner" at Rozier Manor.

The two little elves, Pap and Lop, took meticulous care of her, serving her different French meals every day. Her dressing room was filled with custom-made wizard gowns of various styles. Even Lumi had gained weight, her furry belly almost touching the ground.

Malena stayed almost constantly by Lux's side, her sharp eyes always fixed on her. She even had the elf put a bed in Lux's bedroom, making them temporary roommates. Malena seemed to be on guard against Lux pulling out her wand and blowing up the manor at any moment.

Finally, on the afternoon before the awards ceremony, escorted by Malena, Lux arrived at the "Witcher Hotel of Dreams" in the heart of Paris.

The hotel lobby was resplendent in gold, with house-elves in tuxedos moving silently through the air, which was filled with a unique scent of high-end fragrances and potion ingredients.

Professor Slughorn was already waiting in the lobby, wearing a brand-new, embroidered, crimson velvet robe and looking radiant.

"Lux! My dear child! I never imagined you knew the Rozier family!" Slughorn opened his arms to greet Lux, giving her a fragrant bear hug. "Was your journey alright? Look at you, you've radiated such beauty at the manor!"

He glanced at Malena, who stood beside him with a cold expression, but his smile remained unchanged. "Oh, Miss Malena, please give my regards to Augustan."

Malena simply nodded reservedly, and then fell silent.

Slughorn led Lux ​​and Malena to the private room, where waiters immediately served exquisite food.

"Tomorrow is the big day!" Slughorn lowered his voice, his chubby face beaming with excitement. "The Gobalot Prize, the highest honor in the fields of alchemy and potions, being nominated here is a huge affirmation of our research results!"

He went on and on about the grand occasion of the awards ceremony: wizards from the International Alchemy Association, representatives from the Ministries of Magic of various countries, potions masters who had been in seclusion for many years...

"Mr. Nicolas Flamel may not be there in person, but he sent a congratulatory letter! And there are reporters from the Daily Prophet and the Witch Weekly… Lacus, tomorrow, the whole world will know your name!"

He went on and on about the award ceremony process, dress etiquette, and how to be interviewed gracefully.

Lux responded with "uh-huh" sounds while absentmindedly poking at the baked snails on her plate with her silver fork.

Her mind was entirely on Armand.

What is this guy trying to do? Trying to cause trouble under the noses of so many big shots, the success rate is practically zero!

Did he really expect that bottle of "Force Potion" to cause chaos at the event? Or... did he have another purpose? Or was he creating chaos at the event to send some message?

"Lux? Lux!" Professor Slughorn's voice pulled her back to reality. "Are you listening? Remember, be in the lobby at three o'clock sharp tomorrow afternoon. I'll be waiting for you at the door. Is your dress ready?"

"Ah? Oh! Ready! The Rozier family's tailors are top-notch!" Lux nodded quickly.

Slughorn smoothed his hair with satisfaction. "Excellent! Get a good rest tonight and recharge! Tomorrow is our time!"

After saying goodbye to the professor, Lux returned to her hotel suite accompanied by Malena.

Lying on the soft bed, she stared at the magnificent crystal chandelier on the ceiling, her mind a jumble of thoughts. Tomorrow's awards ceremony was destined to be anything but peaceful.