Chapter 692: Legacy
Chapter 692: Legacy
In the morning, the Pri Minister gave a speech in front of 10 Downing Street.
"...The wizarding community truly exists. They once openly participated as honored guests at the court, and their legends still persist in so places to this day. However, during the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, Britain and the rest of the world were undergoing profound changes. The millennia-old dieval era was coming to an end, the old order was being shattered, and a new order had yet to be established. Our society was undergoing significant transformations in every aspect, and anwhile, the conflicts between wizards and ordinary people continued to escalate, leading to so very unfortunate events. It's evident that those were scars left on our journey from thorns to civilization."
"Subsequently, the wizards chose to conceal their identities, cut off contact with the public, and ensured the implentation of this asure through the establishnt of laws. They called it the Secrecy Act."
"A week ago, the hidden wizarding society was exposed to the public due to an accident, and everyone faced a monuntal choice—perhaps the most important decision in recent years. Because the two societies have been separated for too long, they feel estranged from each other. Ministers from various countries have convened multiple etings, with all mbers of parliant attending, including Her Majesty the Queen herself, who rarely makes such appearances. Finally, a consensus was reached: to cautiously initiate dialogue."
"I extend an invitation here, hoping that the wizards can send a delegation. I believe that communication is the first step towards resolving conflicts..."
The Pri Minister finished speaking and then looked around, waiting for questions from reporters.
"Pri Minister, are you suggesting that last week's terrorist activities were accidental?" a sharp-witted journalist asked. "According to various sources, although there were no casualties, the nationwide traffic congestion, urban standstills, and damage to certain municipal facilities have caused significant financial losses to the country, not to ntion the nurous individuals hospitalized due to shock."
"Cough... We must admit that wizards, like any other group, have their good and bad elents. The difference is, they possess magic, so there's a trendous disparity in individual combat abilities. The panic we experienced was caused by an extrely evil and powerful dark wizard and his followers. You should know that na, Grindelwald... He harbored ambitious desires and sought to rule the world six or seven decades ago."
"But he was eventually imprisoned, spending half a century incarcerated until he recently escaped from a wizarding prison and orchestrated this operation." The Pri Minister said solemnly, "He hopes to sow discord in our society, so he can rise again and spread war across every inch of land. At that ti, neither Britain nor the world will be spared... Given that dreadful future, we must keep clear and rational minds and avoid falling into traps."
Another reporter inquired, "Has the governnt always concealed the existence of wizards from the public? What prompted you to keep this secret, and don't you think it infringes upon the public's right to know?"
The Pri Minister didn't directly answer but shifted his perspective.
"I believe the reason successive Pri Ministers have unanimously kept this secret, besides involving national security secrets, is mainly to prevent society from falling into panic. For hundreds of years, wizards have hidden their identities, and their image is very different from what we imagine... They've established governnts similar to ours, ford various organizations like schools, hospitals, law enforcent agencies, and they even have organizations similar to the United Nations—wizards are also progressing and developing."
The press conference ended, and the Pri Minister walked back to 10 Downing Street.
"Thank you for everything you've done, Pri Minister," said Kingsley, his assistant, politely.
The Pri Minister stopped in his tracks.
"You don't understand; brace yourself for the surging public opinion."
Kingsley looked sowhat bewildered, but the Pri Minister returned to his office without saying another word, gazing out at the reporters and citizens who hadn't dispersed. He had a premonition that everyone would be forced into a larger whirlwind of public opinion, and his speech today was the spark.
But he had no choice.
Whether for the sake of national interests or his personal political future, pushing for negotiations was the best approach. Even the opposition didn't excessively pressure him during this event. When he presented docunts about wizards, mbers of parliant with differing views and party affiliations mostly voted in favor.
Not all of them did so sincerely, but undoubtedly, none of them wanted to clean up the ss at this ti.
If the current Pri Minister were ousted from office on the grounds of opposing wizards, then only one path remained: taking an extrely hardline stance and completely bringing wizards under governnt control, even if it ant risking war.
But such an approach was far more dangerous than engaging in negotiations. If negotiations were akin to walking a tightrope, defying and coercing wizards into rebellion would be like setting off fireworks on a powder keg.
The opposition could gain public support by inciting and creating extre slogans, but when war truly broke out, loved ones, property, stable lives... all would be lost in an instant. Those people who had supported these politicians would co to hate them.
The Pri Minister heard the whispers he expected, similar to what he had thought. First, engage in talks, probe the bottom line during negotiations, and then gradually seize benefits.
But the world was never short of opportunists.
Not long after, Felix received a ssage.
"Just an invitation? Details haven't been finalized?" he asked, sowhat surprised.
"It's already set, but the Pri Minister doesn't want to appear too familiar in public," Ms. Bonham said. "The ti is a week from now, at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the Parliant Building."
Felix blinked.
"The Parliant Building? Not Buckingham Palace?"
"The Pri Minister did initially hope to hold the eting at Buckingham Palace, but the Queen refused after careful consideration."
Felix smiled. "Hmm? Perhaps she didn't want to show overt personal bias and avoid offending so extremists... The Parliant Building is also good, with plenty of rooms..." He suddenly stopped talking.
"What's wrong?"
"Felix Harp's expression turned serious as he said, 'I've been thinking about sothing.' He recalled the prophecy that Dumbledore had shown him – the grand spectacle of the anti-wizard protests, where Rita Skeeter was prominently featured along with the notable backdrop of the Parliant building.
It seed like events were unfolding just as Grindelwald had foreseen.
Over the past week, there had been scattered anti-wizard protests, but none with significant impact. Partly because the matter was only discussed in newspapers, with the governnt yet to make a public statent; and partly because the Ministry of Magic had adopted a strategy of containnt, making it difficult for ordinary people to find the real instigators.
But now, they finally had a perfect opportunity – one week later, at the Parliant building, with representatives from the wizarding community.
It all seed so inevitable.
Shortly after Bonham left, Hermione approached with a list in hand.
'We have over thirty people signed up,' she said, handing the parchnt to Felix. 'Since we're here, it ans we're willing to contribute to peace. But many are worried they might not perform well enough, so they have so suggestions...'
'I bet you're on that list, Miss Granger,' Felix remarked, teasingly.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Felix stared at the list absentmindedly. 'I do need to think carefully about this.' Since he had realized that the upcoming appearance might be related to the prophecy, he needed to be cautious. The chosen representatives must at least have strong ntal fortitude.
The students had finished sorting newspapers for the day. As noon approached, so students used the school fireplace to go ho, while others stayed behind to discuss the day's news. They were mostly sixth and seventh-year students, matured in deanor and attire, showing signs of adulthood.
Due to the sumr break, none of them were wearing their school uniforms. Their shared struggles and camaraderie over the past few days had bonded them together, transcending any differences.
The professors who remained at the school observed these changes with delight. If the timing had been right, they might have even considered hosting a few parties. Professor Slughorn certainly entertained the idea.
As Felix passed through the entrance hall, he saw Snape waiting by the stairs, as if he had been waiting for so ti.
'Is there sothing you need, Severus?' Felix asked.
Snape looked up at Felix and asked in his usual emotionless tone, 'Has the ti been set?'
'Next week,' Felix replied jokingly. 'Exciting, isn't it?'
Snape wouldn't entertain such questions. He continued, 'Are you planning to take a group of students to negotiate with the Muggle governnt?'
'Not negotiate, hmm... more like the pre-ga lap around the Quidditch field before a big match,' Felix mused aloud. 'Young faces will help differentiate us from Grindelwald's followers, and...' he paused, trying to organize his thoughts, 'I'm considering how to subtly demonstrate so of our strength without appearing too aggressive. Negotiation is about that, isn't it? Showing goodwill, flexing muscles... but the manner matters; it shouldn't co off as overly confrontational. Do you have any suggestions?'
'That's your business,' Snape said coldly, turning away and sweeping his robes behind him. 'Follow .'
Felix was puzzled but followed Snape to his office. As the door opened, Snape darted into the room, and Felix pushed it open, speculating about Snape's intentions. Could it be so progress with a potion? Since Felix had demonstrated several conditions, including lycanthropy and dragon pox, to a group of potion-makers and healers at Hogwarts Castle, many wizards had chosen to stay nearby for research, occasionally sharing insights with each other. Snape had visited a few tis.
The office of the Potions Master was, as always, dimly lit. Felix's eyes scanned the glass specin jars lining the walls before settling on Snape, who had his back turned, blending into the darkness.
Snape's body trembled slightly, one hand gripping the desk as if he were struggling to contain his emotions, like a restrained snake. Felix sensed the strange atmosphere but refrained from prompting, silently waiting in place.
Finally, Snape turned to face him, his gaze steady.
'Use the Disarming Charm on , Felix.'"
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