Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

After a brief pause, Sir Arnold spoke again.

"Due to time constraints and limited access to information, this is all the information I can gather. As for more targeted strategic recommendations..."

Sir Arnold lightly touched his fingertips together, his gesture revealing a seasoned and cautious demeanor.

"I dare not draw any conclusions without a sufficient understanding of the power structure, interpersonal networks, and unwritten rules within wizarding society. Any analysis divorced from its specific context could lead to fatal errors."

Prince Philip turned around by the window and raised an eyebrow.

"So you mean you can't offer any good solutions right now, and we have to wait for Henry to go there and find out the situation himself? We invited you here just to hear you say 'go and see for yourself'?"

Arnold remained unmoved by the prince's blunt questioning.

He was, after all, a seasoned veteran who had seen it all and was used to dealing with superiors of all styles.

"Your Highness, accurate diagnosis must be based on thorough examination. My current role is to ensure that Your Highness understands the most basic hydrographic safety rules when venturing into those uncharted waters. Avoiding running aground at the outset due to reckless navigation is of critical value in itself. Specific route planning can only be formulated after the hydrographic charts become clearer. This is not inaction, but a necessary step in risk management."

Prince Charles rubbed his temples. He understood Arnold's logic, but his father's impatience also reflected his own anxiety.

"So, during Henry's observation period, what exactly can we, and you, do?"

"It is crucial that His Majesty and the Royal Family provide stable, non-interfering support and maintain open communication channels."

Arnold first nodded slightly in the direction of the Queen, then looked at Charles and Diana.

"And I will conduct cross-analysis and background filling based on His Highness's regular non-classified observation summaries, combined with continuous monitoring of Whitehall and the external environment. For example, when His Highness records the tendencies of a certain official's words and actions, I can try to find possible explanations or warning signals from archives, public positions, or historical connections in the non-magical world. This is a two-way calibration process."

Henry now fully understood Arnold's thinking. The old bureaucrat wasn't shirking responsibility; he was implementing an extremely rigorous working method: no investigation, no right to speak.

In the early stages of severe information asymmetry, the most rational strategy is to acknowledge the ignorance and begin systematically collecting information, while avoiding premature intervention based on flawed assumptions that could lead to disastrous consequences.

"To know what a pear tastes like, you have to taste it yourself," Sir Arnold concluded.

"That's a good point," Philip said approvingly. "It must have been said by some philosopher, right?"

"In fact," Sir Arnold said with a knowing smile, "it's not just philosophers."

After finalizing a few more details, Sir Arnold rose to take his leave.

His steady footsteps faded into the distance on the carpet of the corridor until they disappeared. The wooden door to the study closed again, leaving a room of silence for the core members of the Windsor royal family.

Princess Diana broke the silence first, turning to Henry with her beautiful blue eyes filled with worry that was almost overflowing.

"Henry, darling..." Her voice was soft, yet trembled slightly, "I know it's amazing, magic... another world. But it's completely foreign to you. The spells, the creatures, and the people we don't understand at all. What if..."

She didn't finish speaking, but her tightly clenched hands betrayed her inner fear—the most instinctive fear a mother feels when her child ventures into unknown dangers.

Charles reached out and gently placed his hand on the back of Diana's hand, trying to offer some comfort, but his own brow remained furrowed.

Prince Philip crossed his arms and gazed out the window at the deep night, seemingly digesting this far-fetched topic.

Henry took a deep breath and stood up from the sofa.

The eleven-year-old boy's body was not yet fully grown, but his posture at this moment revealed a composure beyond his years.

He walked up to his mother, half-squatted down, and brought his eyes level with hers—a thoughtful gesture.

"Mom, I understand your worries. Really, I understand."

His voice was clear and gentle, with a composure beyond his years.

"If possible, I would also like to go to school in a more predictable way, like William and Harry."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his father and grandfather before finally settling back on his mother's face, his eyes hardening.

"But I am not only your son, I am also Grandma's grandson," he said, turning his head slightly to gesture to Elizabeth, who was sitting behind the desk. "This identity, while giving me unimaginable privilege and attention, also gives me unimaginable responsibilities."

"The magical world is real, and it's just a wall away from us. For centuries, the royal family has known of its existence, yet they've maintained a cautious and distant state of 'non-interference.' Why? Because we lack a real connection, we lack 'our own people' who are deeply involved."

His tone gradually rose, revealing a nascent political insight.

"Now, the opportunity has arrived. Because I, a direct heir, possess the ticket to that world. This is not just about learning some magical arts, Mom, Dad, Grandpa. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to more closely bind the interests of the magical world, or at least a portion of its influential figures and resources, to the royal family."

A hint of surprise flashed in Charles's eyes; he hadn't expected his son to think about the problem from this perspective.

But afterwards, he was genuinely happy.

In fact, he was a rather lazy person, and nothing could make a lazy person happy more than his son being outstanding.

It's like someone who takes advantage of their mother and then their son.

Prince Philip also turned around, his gaze refocusing on his good grandson.

"To tie yourself to the royal chariot?" Philip's tone was ambiguous, neither a question nor an assessment.

"Yes, Grandpa," Henry answered affirmatively, his thoughts becoming increasingly clear.

"It's not about conquering by force, that's neither realistic nor foolish. It's about influence, about relationships. When I study and live at Hogwarts as a member of the royal family, growing up alongside future wizarding leaders, that in itself is an opportunity. An opportunity for them to see the royal family as 'one of ours' in the eyes of some wizards."