Chapter 22

"I must warn you, Tony, about using your wand once you're back home," Jamie said with a serious tone. "The wizarding authorities have devised a way to detect wands that are not registered in the US. It's best to limit your magical practice to my shop where you won't run the risk of getting caught."

Tony raised an eyebrow, his skepticism apparent. "Why should I be worried about using my wand at home? What's the worst that could happen?"

Jamie sighed, realizing the need to provide a more detailed explanation. She rummaged through her bag, searching for a specific book that could shed light on the matter. Finally, she found what she was looking for and tossed a worn volume titled "A Brief History of the American Wizarding World" onto the table in front of Tony.

"Here," Jamie said, her tone softened. "Just read the book. It'll give you a much deeper insight on how the US magical government works."

Tony picked up the book, flipping through its pages. He noticed the faded cover and dog-eared corners, evidence of its frequent use. He skimmed through the introduction, scanning the contents and pausing at a chapter titled "Regulation of Magical Artifacts." Intrigued, he began reading.

As he delved into the chapter, Tony discovered that the United States magical government, known as the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), had implemented stringent regulations to maintain control over magical activities within its borders. Wand registration was a crucial aspect of this regulation.

According to the book, wand registration was mandatory for all witches and wizards residing in the United States. The wands were enchanted during the registration process to emit a unique magical signature that could be traced back to the owner. This allowed the MACUSA to monitor magical activity and ensure compliance with their regulations.

Tony's skepticism started to wane as he read about the consequences of using an unregistered wand. Unauthorized magical practice, especially outside designated areas like Jamie's shop, was considered a serious offense. The MACUSA had developed advanced detection methods to identify unregistered wands, which could lead to severe penalties, including fines, confiscation of the wand, and even imprisonment.

The book explained that the MACUSA's strict regulations were implemented to maintain secrecy and prevent exposure of the wizarding world to non-magical individuals, commonly known as No-Majs in the United States. Unregistered wands posed a significant risk to this secrecy, as they could be used in unauthorized magic that might attract attention from the non-magical community.

Tony closed the book, his expression now serious. "I had no idea it was that stringent," he admitted. "I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll be careful not to use my wand out in the open."

Jamie nodded in agreement. "It's for your own protection, Tony. The Congress takes these regulations seriously. If you need to practice or perform magic, my shop is a safe place to do so."

Throughout the several hours on the plane, Tony found it impossible to sleep. He voraciously consumed the textbooks he had purchased from Diagon Alley and even managed to grasp a few minor spells under Jamie's guidance. One such spell was Reparo, a charm used for restoring objects to their original state.

Tony's newfound knowledge filled him with a sense of accomplishment, as if he had stumbled upon his own magical genius. Jamie, observing this with a hidden smile, decided to let Tony revel in his newfound abilities for a while.

Upon landing, Tony dismissed the flight crew, and Jamie employed her apparition ability to whisk both of them away to her shop. To her relief, everything appeared to be in order during her absence, with Yinsen, her capable new employee, efficiently handling a few small orders for hair loss treatment and scar removal.

In the living room, Jamie and Tony barely had a chance to take their seats before vibrant green flames erupted from the fireplace. A card shot out and landed directly in front of Jamie, capturing their immediate attention.

Jamie's brows furrowed with a mix of curiosity and concern as she accepted the card and cast a complicated glance towards Tony. She made her way to the desk, and retrieved an invitation card with the Black family crest from the drawer. Her eyes scanned the card, and she quickly filled its blank space with a page's worth of writing. She then tossed it back into the fireplace, watching the flames consume her message.

Summoning Koby, Jamie entrusted him with the task of showing Tony to his room. She went a step further, requesting Koby to prepare a wizard's formal attire for Tony—a gesture that caught Tony slightly off guard, yet one that caught his interest.

"What was that letter about?" he asked.

"Somebody is coming to see you," Jamie replied cryptically. "But it's a surprise. You'll find out soon enough."

Since Jamie remained tight-lipped about the matter, Tony chose not to press further and instead decided to trust her judgment. He followed Koby up the stairs, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity regarding the surprise visitor.

Within moments, the fireplace sprung back to life, casting a warm glow across the room. Jamie stood up and positioned herself in front of the fireplace, her presence commanding. Accompanied by a vibrant green flash of fire, a woman in her forties emerged from the fireplace. She possessed a dark complexion and donned an impressive coronet, exuding a strong presence. It was none other than Seraphina Picquery herself. 

Seraphina's gaze fell upon Jamie, and she inquired with a mix of curiosity and recognition, "You must be Jamie Black, from the Black family, am I correct?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jamie nodded respectfully, gesturing towards the couch. "Please have a seat. Tony will join us shortly."

A warm smile graced Seraphina's lips as she gracefully settled into the seat across from Jamie. The refreshments had already been arranged, and she reached for a cup, lifting it to her lips for a small, appreciative sip. "It's a good tea."

"Thank you for your compliment," Jamie replied composedly, inclining her head. "So, you're here to discuss Tony, right?"

Seraphina responded with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, it's quite obvious, isn't it?"

Jamie's worry was evident in her voice as she continued, "I'm curious about what Congress intends to do with Tony. He's my major client, after all."

Seraphina chuckled softly, her reassuring tone cutting through Jamie's nervousness. "Don't fret, Tony holds a significant place in our plans, far beyond what you might realize." 

Pausing for a moment, Seraphina let her words hang in the air, allowing them to sink in before continuing, "I assume you're the one who rescued him?"

"Yes, it was I who brought him back from Afghanistan," Jamie replied, not denying her role in Tony's rescue.

Seraphina's eyes brimmed with appreciation, a glimmer of gratitude shining through. "I'm truly glad that Tony found a friend like you. At least he won't be entering the wizarding world completely clueless." A brief, heartfelt smile graced her lips. "By the way, I heard you both visited England. Did you happen to stop by Ollivanders?"

In response, Jamie nodded, confirming their visit. "Yes, ma'am."

Setting her cup down with a gentle clink, Seraphina released a sigh that carried a hint of nostalgia, her eyes wandering off into the distance. "Maria got her wand from the very same place. Fate certainly works in mysterious ways."

"I believe it's important for me to understand Tony's standing in the magical world. What is the Congress's opinion of him? Do they intend to prosecute him?" Jamie asked, seeking clarity on the matter.

"It seems Tony has truly found a loyal friend," Seraphina remarked. "If you lack confidence in my words, I invite you to come along and witness it for yourself."

"I, Jamie Black, heir of the Black family, gladly accept your invitation," Jamie declared, subtly hinting at her heir status, in case the Congress were to turn against them.

Acknowledging Jamie's revelation with a sagacious nod, Seraphina allowed a moment of silence to settle between them. Time passed, and then a gentle knock resonated through the room, followed by Tony's entrance. He was garbed in a ceremonial robe of deep blue, his discomfort evident as he fidgeted with the collar. "Hey Jamie, do you not find this robe rather uncomfortable?"

Jamie responded with a conspiratorial wink and steered Tony's gaze toward Seraphina. Tony, his attention captured by Jamie's gesture, absentmindedly stroked his chin as he regarded Seraphina. "You seem familiar. Have I encountered you before?"

Seraphina studied Tony intently, her eyes traveling from his head to his toes, and nodded approvingly. "You may address me as 'grandaunt.' I believe you've seen me in your mother's memories."

Tony's jaw dropped in astonishment, his mind struggling to process the revelation. "It's really you!. But... forgive me for asking, how old are you actually?"

Seraphina responded with a soft chuckle, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "Ah, my dear boy, never ask a lady her age. Some secrets are best left untouched. Now, if you're ready, it's time for us to leave."

"Uh, where're we going?" Tony asked in confusion.

"To the Congress," Seraphina replied as she stood by the crackling fireplace. "Miss Black can join us if she wishes."

Tony turned to Jamie, searching for her opinion. Their eyes met and she nodded. "I'm coming too," she affirmed, eager to witness firsthand how the Congress would handle Tony's situation.

After showing Tony how to use the floo, Seraphina went ahead and stepped into the green flames. Tony followed suit, and finally, Jamie entered.