I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 375 Dumbledore's Reform Plan - A Sweet Encounter

The entire hall fell silent, and all the wizards returned to their seats and sat down as usual.

His gaze was like an irresistible magnet, completely captivated by the old man in the center of the hall.

"Phew—" Dumbledore exhaled, easing the atmosphere in the hall. "The same old topic—unity, ladies and gentlemen."

He realized that his throat was making a sound, but his consciousness seemed to be floating above the venue, looking down at everyone. "Endless conflict will only lead us to division."

"Now—I will make my judgment directly." Dumbledore seemed like a different person; his deep-rooted, gentle, scholarly aura had vanished, and in everyone's eyes, the sleeping British lion still seemed to be awake.

A strong sense of oppression swept through the entire venue.

"In principle—the Federation supports European countries in providing necessary assistance to Mediterranean nations through magic." His bright blue eyes, through lenses that reflected light, looked at everyone in the room: "In times of crisis, only responsibility matters—it is permissible to abandon parts of the law when necessary."

"But—the secrecy law is still something we need to abide by, and we should build a more tightly integrated magical world based on the secrecy law."

"Furthermore—we must re-examine our attitude towards Muggles, which is one of our most pressing issues. Wizards should put aside their discrimination and calmly and seriously discuss this issue."

Finally—and most importantly, I believe that a report submitted to the Federation by Mr. Theseus Scamander decades ago can now be revisited.

Dumbledore surveyed the scene and said, "That is, wizards should establish a regular, professional armed force."

These words were spoken.

Instantly, the entire venue erupted in chaos!

Representatives from various countries all knew what this meant: to establish a wizarding army directly under the Federation's control was tantamount to forcing them to relinquish part, or even most, of their national sovereignty.

Because from now on, the national ministries of magic can no longer underestimate the Federation, nor can they treat its resolutions as worthless paper. The establishment of military forces will directly declare that they have lost the power to resist.

"I disagree!" the American immediately jumped in. "This is an overreach of the authority of the Ministries of Magic of various countries!"

"The Federation must respect the sovereignty of all countries."

The Americans were shouting hysterically, and their main reason for disagreeing was that they could not stand to see a unified Europe emerge, and that they had their own interests in South America. If they ceded power, they would lose control of South America.

"We disagree too." The Australians chimed in, and this time it wasn't just them blindly following the crowd; it was genuinely related to their interests.

Oceania is isolated overseas, and the Australian Ministry of Magic acts like a local tyrant, maintaining a distant relationship with the Federation. They have little say in matters that violate Federation laws, but if the Federation's power is strengthened, their good days will be over.

"This proposal also includes establishing a unified European wizarding market, assessing prices, unifying tariffs, and issuing currency through a wizarding bank directly under the Federation. The Federation will gradually abolish Gringotts' goblin currency and other national currencies within ten years." Dumbledore didn't even glance at the American; he continued calmly.

The bomb he spoke of once again shocked the people in the center of the venue.

Everyone looked at Dumbledore with great surprise.

You're taking a bit too fast!

Why don't you just abolish the Ministries of Magic in all European countries and let the Federation directly govern them?

This time, the opposition has clearly increased significantly, a massive outcry, with almost everyone except those countries along the Mediterranean coast opposing it.

The Greeks and Italians didn't object for a simple reason: their countries were already in chaos, the cost of controlling everything was already very high, and Dumbledore couldn't really kick these officials out of power. Even if he wanted the Federation to run it directly, someone still had to manage these countries, right? He wouldn't lose any of his power, so why bother?

But others didn't share that perspective.

The room was buzzing with chatter, with many countries clamoring to withdraw from the International Confederation of Wizards.

However—these voices did not cause any ripples on Dumbledore's face. He remained calm and composed, as if he had just casually asked the other party what they wanted for lunch.

He knew very well that most of these clamoring and angry people, except for a few countries, would not actually withdraw from the Federation. After the Wrath of the Sea God incident, all countries realized that there was still a powerful enemy in the magical world that even a single country or several countries working together could not defeat. This time it happened in the Mediterranean, so what about next time?

Even if it's just needless worry, the tragedies in the Mediterranean countries are still fresh in their minds, and they certainly wouldn't dare to gamble with themselves.

Even Americans won't withdraw.

A united Europe is not what they want to see.

Moreover, if the Wizard Alliance is really formed, they will definitely get involved no matter what—what's that saying?

When you can't break through from the outside, you have to penetrate inside.

Under this British Empire-style meddling diplomacy philosophy, the Americans certainly won't back down.

Then the situation becomes very clear.

Dumbledore's azure eyes slowly swept over the various countries seated in the first row. Britain—well, there would be resistance, but it should be feasible. France—they have enormous interests in Africa and will never allow the Federation to interfere; if things come to that, they will be forced to participate. Russia—they would certainly be happy to get involved to expand their influence in Europe.

As for the last one—

Mr. Zhang was still dozing off.

He seemed listless from the moment he entered the venue.

The countries in the Far East have their own set of international rules of conduct, and they will not participate in them—but they will not oppose them either; they will probably just abstain.

That's enough.

Dumbledore slowly walked down from the platform, letting the delegates below continue arguing.

The series of reforms he proposed would take ten or even twenty years to complete, and he did not expect the wizards to cooperate and unite immediately.

He had other things to do—find out the truth about the Wrath of Poseidon, find Owen's whereabouts, and uncover Voldemort's lurking conspiracy in the shadows.

Arguing with these representatives is the most pointless thing to do at this stage.

As Dumbledore stepped out of the oak door, the arguing in the hall grew even louder.

Everyone put aside their pride and began to showcase the exquisite vocabulary of their own languages.

Everything they did and said was utterly unbearable to look at!

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Compared to the appalling scene over there, the situation in Egypt seemed much more harmonious.

Faced with this unreliable man, Owen naturally had endless questions he wanted to ask, but all of these were interrupted by the sound of the door being suddenly pushed open.

"Hmm—good day, dear Miss Granger."

Owen, sitting cross-legged on the bed, waved to the girl who was standing in the doorway, lost in thought.

He forced a smile, his face full of embarrassment.

next second.

He then saw Miss Granger rushing towards him angrily.

His raised fist and menacing expression resembled that of a lion about to devour its prey.

She leaped off the edge of the bed and punched Irving squarely in the chest.

And then she pinned him down, as if that wasn't enough to vent her anger, she showed her little tiger teeth and bit Owen's shoulder.

The pain doesn't come all at once; at first, it's just a slight, mild, moist sensation.

However, as she bit, the girl seemed to get really angry and started biting harder, which caused her to feel pain.

"Wait—" Irving hadn't even uttered a sound yet.

His lips were sealed shut.

Then something moist came in.

Owen was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected Miss Granger to be so bold.

However—since we're being forced into this, we should learn to enjoy it.

The sweet fragrance of flowers spread throughout my mouth.

Desire mingled with love, the rich, sweet saliva caressing the intertwined tongues.

For a moment, the two of them were both quite engrossed.

Their intertwined faces were flushed with rosy hues, and they remained inseparable for a very long time.

Until a sudden voice interrupted everything.

"Ah—the vitality of youth is truly enviable."

That slightly teasing tone instantly snapped Hermione out of her daze.

She opened her eyes and then quickly fled from the bed.

His whole face looked like it was burning red.

Standing helplessly on the windowsill, head down, panting heavily.

She should leave and escape this shameful place, but—when she glanced at Owen, who had also gotten up and was touching his lips as if still savoring something, she couldn't move her feet.

I'm afraid this is all just a dream.

When she woke up, she was alone in the empty room.

"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!" Owen glared at Merlin, who was sitting on a chair not far from the bedside.

Her emerald green, seemingly glowing eyes met the gaze of that unreliable man, revealing a deep sense of disdain.

"Oh dear—I'm doing this for your own good," said the Archmage Merlin softly. "You're so young, don't make mistakes so early! It'll be very troublesome later if it's irreversible."

"Tch—it's none of your business if I want to." Owen jumped off the bed and pulled Hermione, who was as soft as a pillow, into his arms. "I think you're just jealous!"

The little witch's eyes reflected Owen's image, and she seemed to have completely lost control of her body, simply lying blankly against his chest, unable to utter a single word.

He was holding Hermione.

Irving and Merlin, who had a mischievous grin on their faces, locked eyes.

The moment he felt the warmth against his chest, he understood something.

He had no right to be angry or to judge everything Merlin had done to him.

Because he is enjoying it.

Even if it means enduring the pain of loss in the future.

Thinking this, he unconsciously hugged her even tighter.

However, this force instantly woke Hermione up. She quickly straightened her back and moved her cheek away from Owen's chest. Although she didn't leave his embrace, she did create a little distance.

The girl's cheeks were still flushed, her eyes darting left and right, avoiding eye contact with anyone not present. "Have you all had lunch?"

Good heavens—this question of mine is utterly stupid.

Hermione was surprised that she could even answer that question.

That was so obvious, a clear attempt to change the subject. She immediately changed the subject again, "Um—what are you guys talking about?"

This issue is equally important as the previous one!

"Discussing magic, Miss Hermione," Merlin said casually. "Wonderful magic always arouses curiosity, like your force field magic."

Unexpectedly, the Archmage Merlin smoothed things over.

"Ah—that—that's what he invented—" Hermione said, head down, counting how much of Owen's silver hair was on her.

"My grandfather invented it, Grindelwald," Owen corrected.

"But..." There was too much silver hair, so Hermione gave up on counting it. She looked up and blushed as she met Owen's gaze.

"It was your theory that you proposed, but you were too young back then. If it were you now, you would definitely be able to invent it."

She deeply resented the magical world's silence and ignorance of Owen's achievements.

Although he said he didn't care, she did.

If it weren't for Owen's support behind the scenes, he would have been worthy of the title of Wizard Hero if we were to talk about achievements.

The rumor circulating outside is that Dumbledore's successor will be him, not himself.

"Hmm—that's true to some extent, but—we need to unite against this." Owen patted Hermione's back, then his gentle gaze seamlessly shifted to her disdainful look as he asked, "Where did you come from? Where are you going? What's your purpose in contacting us?"

"Ara ara—such a cruel look in your eyes." Merlin smiled.

The warm breeze outside the window ruffled the heavy, silver hair on the bed.

The wind carried strands of silver light that danced in the air and landed in every corner of the room.

"Bang!"

Merlin gently tapped the ground, and the strands of hair that fell on his fingers immediately began to bloom into flowers, with silver petals and stamens like stars and lakes adorned with azure light.

These flowers, imbued with ancient magic, will endure for millennia without decay.

"Ah—" Miss Granger exclaimed.

The silvery stamens spread all over her body, and not only her, but also the boy in front of her, both of them were covered in petals.

A faint, ethereal blue fragrance filled the air.

It has a very faint fragrance that you might forget if you don't sniff it carefully.

"Important things must be carefully stored away." Merlin slowly stood up, turning the withered branch in his hand slightly. Then, all the flowers in the room began to transform into a galaxy and swirl around the two of them. The center of the galaxy was Owen's coat pocket, so all the petals eventually flowed into his pocket.

"I ran all the way from the Sea of ​​Stars here just to save you."

"Save me? The Sea of ​​Stars?" Owen frowned slightly.

"Oh well—thankfully I left something in the World Tree's pool."

"Starfire," Boss Mei coughed lightly and continued, "Although I am a prophet, I am only a prophet, not omniscient. If it weren't for the half of my wand that I left in the World Tree pool, which sensed the new successor and sent me a message, I wouldn't have known that you foolishly ran to the Calibdis Great Vortex."

As for the Sea of ​​Stars?

Oh dear—although I take human form, I am not entirely the same kind of being as you. I am a hybrid of a succubus and a human. A succubus is a spirit that parasitizes a human. I am an extension of divine power, so I am actually immortal.

The Sea of ​​Stars is in Avalon! Trapped in the rift of the void, observing Earth, I can't escape, but creating an illusory body to infiltrate is no problem.

"Not immortal?" Owen raised an eyebrow. In the magical world, nothing is immortal. Magic fades with time. In his knowledge, there seems to be only one thing that doesn't die for thousands of years—that is the Outer God.

"Hmm—if the nightmare disappears, then I might die."

"What about that woman in the Calibdis vortex?" Owen then asked.

"Oh! Her! A part forcibly severed from the Supreme Will by a wizard who abandoned his divine nature. She's been trying to gain a physical body and escape that tower for a thousand years. Ugh—it's too troublesome, so I lured a Cyclops to serve as her body, hoping to keep her quiet for a while." Merlin said quite casually, "I secretly gave the Giant King a crown; it can resist mental interference, which makes it more difficult for her to possess it."

"So—you've got a god wrapped around your little finger?" Owen raised an eyebrow and said.

"Arabian—how can you say that? Oh dear—they're just too stupid!" Merlin laughed heartily, jokingly stating a terrible truth: he had the gods at his mercy.

"So what's next?" Owen asked, looking at him. "What are you going to do next? Keep wandering around the magical world?"

"Hmm—while I'd love to travel around,—this body's magic can't support that," Merlin said nonchalantly. "It can probably last another ten days."

"Ten days?"

"Nine, six, five, four, two, one."

"Bang!" Suddenly, a loud bang sounded from the ceiling, and colorful fragments fell down.

"Haha—were you scared?" The guy who had been gently stroking them stood there, laughing as he looked at the two of them.

Both Owen and Hermione couldn't help but roll their eyes. This guy—is he really Merlin?

Isn't it someone impersonating someone?

How could the legendary great magician be like this?

He's like a teenager who hasn't grown up yet, and like George and Fred!

"Alright! Alright! Please stop looking at me like I'm trash. Are you trying to hide your embarrassment?" The guy winked at them both. "If you like Merlin, just say it! I'll accept your feelings too."

"."

Irving's cheek twitched slightly; he was almost speechless.

"You—now—get out of here right now!" he said angrily, pointing to the door.

Although he had implicitly acknowledged the guy's actions, it didn't mean he wouldn't get angry.

Oh my God! Now I finally understand why all those whose fates were swayed by this disgusting guy wanted to kill him.

"Oh—of course—sweet love! I know, all those guys at the round table before, they were all right—"

"Get out!" Irving continued to shout.

"Alright, alright!" Mr. Mei shook his head and slowly took a step, leaning on his withered cane.

He kept turning back as he walked, and when he reached the door, he turned back again, a mocking smile on his face. "If you have no experience, I have hundreds of years of observation records here (＾Ｕ＾)ノ~ＹＯ, I can have whatever you want!"

Without saying a word, Irving grabbed a scarab beetle ornament from the table next to him and threw it over.

Boss Mei awkwardly dodged away, then winked at Owen, "You're such an inexperienced kid, so naive."

After saying that, he walked away happily.

"call!"

"Depend on!"

What do you mean by having absolutely no experience?! I, at least, have a considerable amount of theoretical knowledge.

Damn it—this guy is so annoying.

On the other hand, seeing Owen's embarrassed and angry appearance, Miss Granger couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"puff!"

"If he really is the legendary great magician Merlin, that would be very interesting."

"He's a scumbag! Ruthless and cruel, when he's setting things up, a human life is worth less than a pot of dirt to him." Owen turned to look at Hermione.

It's a bit closer now.

Nearly two months have passed, and Miss Granger's condition has improved significantly. Her eyes are bright and alert, unlike before when she always looked tired. Her complexion has also improved a lot, with her fair skin glowing with a rosy blush, like an enticing apple.

Because they were so close, a faint floral scent lingered around his nose.

When will we be able to put the theory into practice?

Owen, whose mind was filled with images of beautiful women, suddenly felt a slight coolness on his lips.

The enthusiasm that had just been interrupted has been rekindled.

This time, however, it was just a light, shallow kiss.

"I didn't even realize you'd been so bold, Miss Granger."

Hermione glared at him, then gently bit her lower lip, seemingly a little embarrassed.

Hmm—maybe it's the weather in Egypt.

The sweltering heat made people act irrationally.

"I've always been bold." She stared at Owen, a sly glint in her eyes, her heart pounding.

"Oh~~~" Owen smiled. "But it's not good to always let me suffer losses. I don't like being on the defensive."

With that, Owen leaned down and gently pressed his lips to Hermione's.

It was a rough, aggressive kiss; Owen roughly explored her entirety.

The wet substance moved rapidly, and Hermione didn't even have time to respond.

That feeling she'd never experienced before—it was as if her body had been struck by an electric current, leaving her completely limp. Accompanied by barely audible breaths, she slumped against him like a limp cloud.

The boy experienced a soft, full, and elastic tactile feedback.

A pair of slender, fair arms wrapped around his waist.

As a result, both of them became increasingly heavy-hearted, and finally, at a certain critical point, Hermione pushed Owen away, her face flushed.

"I...I can't breathe," she whispered.

(End of this chapter)