The next morning, Ms. Burns led a dozen or so representatives from various factions of the wizarding world into the Parliament Building. As expected, the group included several humanoid magical races. The guards at the door struggled to conceal their surprise, as if goblins and four-legged centaurs were perfectly normal occurrences, nothing to be alarmed about (thankfully, there were no trolls in the group). Felix watched them enter as the doors slowly closed. Meanwhile, a dozen or so Muggles hiding nearby suddenly remembered something urgent. They hurriedly grabbed banners, hunting rifles, and other such items and drove home without causing a ripple.

Fifteen minutes later, Felix passed through the iron gate, paused briefly at the magic fountain, and then walked along the corridor to the left. A flag fluttered high atop the Victoria Tower. He ascended the stone steps, where important documents of the council were stored, and heard voices all around him as he walked.

"Welcome to Ms. Amelia Burns, Joint Representative of the Pan-Magical Union's British Chapter and the Ministry of Magic..."

Felix smiled slightly. The Pan-Magical Alliance was listed first, and the 'British Branch' was even more significant. Although there was only one 'branch' at present, and the headquarters was nowhere to be seen, that was not important. What was important was that wizards had a reason to maintain relative independence and not be subject to the control of non-magical regimes.

There's more than one species, so why should they obey the orders of the Muggle government? The arrogance and stubbornness of the fairies came in handy again a few days ago, only this time they were on the wizards' side.

Why is it so complicated? Why do we need to promote the integration of wizards and non-wizards while also allowing wizards to maintain relative independence?

There are too many reasons to list. The sheer fact that wizards wouldn't tolerate a powerful government above them is enough to warrant considerable effort. Doing thorough preparation outside the formalities is always better than spending months haggling during negotiations. For wizards, even the loosest Muggle regimes have a higher degree of control over their citizens than wizarding society. Felix had seen some of Umbridge's ideas at the Ministry of Magic, and perhaps inspired by the non-magical world, her desired outcome was remarkably similar to that of the outside world.

In other words, for the wizarding community with its simple social structure, every Muggle government outside is comparable to Umbridge.

The difference in understanding and requirements for rulers between wizards and non-wizards is unimaginable; forcing them together would inevitably lead to problems. The current situation, achieved in less than a month, is already remarkably smooth. But this apparent success is actually due to Felix actively avoiding most of the potentially problematic options.

Most hidden dangers begin in the smallest things. Felix discovered them early and made arrangements in time. When he found the right person willing to solve the problem, he gave them a push. The rest was just observation. As long as things didn't go astray, who did the work was a minor detail. This wasn't just Felix's problem; it was a crisis for the entire magical world.

Did Dumbledore do anything publicly during the First Wizarding War? No, he stayed at the school. But outside the public eye, he secretly formed the Order of the Phoenix to secretly resist Voldemort and prevent him from storming the Ministry of Magic and wreaking havoc. That's enough. Should he be expected to stand guard like an ordinary Auror?

Just as Felix had just stopped a disruption to peace talks, he wouldn't publicize it; he had more important things to do.

Time passed slowly, and Felix emerged from a stone chamber with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister held a press conference, where he mentioned two important pieces of information. One was, of course, announcing the negotiation schedule to the public, and the other was responding to the rumors that a wizard had discovered ancient ruins on the moon, confirming that the news was true.

The latter also became a hot topic during this period.

To those who don't understand magic, the wizard's moon landing is incredibly magical, like stepping into a myth or legend; it's equally unbelievable to ordinary wizards. When the news was announced, representatives from various countries stationed at the Ministry of Magic inquired about its veracity, but Ms. Burns deflected their questions until Felix successfully returned from the moon, at which point the news was relayed back to the national ministries of magic through observers.

The first to be affected were the British magical newspapers, whose reporters discussed the matter with awe. Even Rita Skeeter took half a day off to publish a passionate article in the Daily Prophet, which Felix found strange, but Ms. Burns was very pleased. "Public confidence has greatly increased, and they are convinced that they can overcome this difficulty."

Felix clicked his tongue, saying nothing, but then, true to his nature as a distinguished Slytherin graduate, he summoned the pure-blood family members who had nominally pledged allegiance to him. Felix had almost forgotten about them.

In the immediate aftermath of the war, these men were filled with dread, unsure of how far the purge would go. Amelia Burns seemed intent on eradicating some of the most entrenched pure-blood families (though she never intended to). At this time, Lucius, unwilling to be relegated to the margins, and Selwyn, who escaped punishment by betraying his Death Eater comrades (rumored to now be known as 'Despicable Selwyn'), rallied a group of disgraced pure-blood families, offering their loyalty to Felix. Felix promised not to implicate the innocent or harm his family, thus stabilizing the turbulent situation.

Now is the time to use them.

At Malfoy Manor, Felix received these people. The scene was rather awkward, as Snape had also been brought along. In the drawing room where the Death Eaters' meeting had once been held, Felix sat in the chair Voldemort had once occupied. The surrounding light was dim, and the fireplace roared, making it seem as if Voldemort had returned. Some of those who arrived later were caught off guard and nearly blurted out greetings to the Dark Lord.

Snape sat right next to Felix on the right, making it easy to communicate through the Mind Chamber, which resulted in another round of furtive glances. Felix then learned of Snape's status as a Death Eater, and couldn't help but think that Voldemort must have deeply regretted misjudging him before his death.

In short, the meeting did not go very well. Snape kept glancing at him, seemingly worried that his next words would be to order the attack on the Ministry of Magic. Fortunately, the result was pleasing. These pure-blood families all showed their family strength and, after a little hesitation, produced contracts signed with other magical races.

These contracts, dating back centuries, remain in effect and have played a significant role in persuading non-wizarding magical races within Britain to join the Pan-Magical Alliance.

An unexpected incident occurred during the meeting. A pure-blood wizard, trembling, addressed him as "Your Excellency" and inquired about the moon landing. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the wizard's face lit up, and he suggested that Felix establish a wizarding base on the moon.

"At that time, our cause will be unbreakable!" he said excitedly, and many people echoed his sentiments.

Career? What career? Felix was puzzled, but he still seriously considered the proposal. Although the relationship between wizards and Muggles hadn't deteriorated to the point where they had to retreat to the moon, firstly, the idea of ​​a lunar base suited his tastes very well, such as the secret chambers several kilometers underground beneath the school castle, which would be excellent cover; secondly, the magic used didn't seem too difficult.

It really isn't difficult. Felix has thought about it seriously. Creating dozens of extended spaces similar to the basement of Mr. Scamander's house, combined with the planting magic researched by Professor Bubbaji, would be enough to support 20,000 to 30,000 wizards wandering in the cosmos for several years without any problem.

All that's needed is regular maintenance.

But for the same reason—unless the situation gets that bad, Felix would rather never have to use it.

……

Regarding this feat of landing on the moon, in Britain, Ms. Burns promoted it through the radio, and close friends could even ask Felix in person, but wizards far away abroad were left speechless when faced with this news.

Even though Felix had already demonstrated many incredible abilities, the various national ministries of magic remained skeptical. Felix's approach was actually similar to that of a young Dumbledore: through letters, academic articles, and hosting wizards from all over the world who came to exchange ideas, he transformed all doubts into unwavering belief. It's just that Felix didn't have that much time.

Predictably, Felix's focus will shift overseas, where he will face even more intractable problems: prime ministers, government officials, the public, media, military deterrence, and tempting offers… He hasn't resolved any of these issues in the ministries of magic of many countries. The International Wizarding Federation is on the verge of collapse.

The only redeeming quality was that, long constrained by the Statute of Secrecy, the Ministry of Magic's instincts compelled the entire wizarding community to remain hidden. From Vita Rozier, Felix was able to glean more valuable information—information not disclosed by the Ministry. Some things were more serious than they appeared.

Although the wizard chose to hide, minor conflicts occurred every day.

Different strategies are needed for different environments. Once the negotiations here are concluded, if everything goes smoothly, the ministers of magic from various countries will arrive immediately to inquire about the details. That will be the time to begin the second step.

As Felix browsed through the sea of ​​documents and archives in Victoria Tower, he mentally identified the key issues for both sides in the negotiations: wizarding autonomy, joint law enforcement by wizards and Muggles, areas of cooperation between magic and science, trade, and exchanges and visits between civil society organizations...

A file caught his attention.

The surface was covered with clippings and analytical reports of all sizes, including letters previously sent by Hogwarts students, the latest magical events emerging from around the world, such as Grindelwald's movements. Felix blinked, and unexpectedly spotted two somewhat unfamiliar faces among them—

The girl who showed him the way at Paris Saint-Germain; the pianist with the injured finger. Based on the above analysis, they seem to have recognized him and mentioned it to those around them, thus attracting the attention of government agents.

Felix noted down the addresses of the group—they were all in England at the moment, perhaps to get up close to magic? Or were they just tourists? It had certainly been quite lively lately… but it also reminded Felix that he had some non-wizard friends, such as Jim and Rebecca, and he'd better ask for their opinions. If he didn't want his identity to be traced, he could use magic to hide his secret.

Chapter 700 Changes in Sword Fortress

"You're the legendary wizard? I was shocked when I saw your face on TV!" Jim exclaimed excitedly.

Felix shrugged.

"Because I needed to hide my identity, I actually left the orphanage to go to school." He briefly introduced his true experiences over the years.

"Then your work experience—" Jim looked doubtful, "Could it be fake too?"

"That's true. I worked in London for two years after graduation."

“A strange hobby,” Jim said, puzzled. “If I had the talent, I would be devoted to studying magic.” After a while, the door opened from the outside, and it was Rebecca. When she saw Felix, she was so surprised that she almost cried out.

"Wow, it really is you! You're that magician?" She took a carrot out of her bag, pretended to hold it up like a wand, and made strange noises. "You dispelled all the dark clouds in the country with a single spell?"

“To be precise, wizards,” Felix said. “And I’m not the only one.”

“Rebecca was sleeping; she was watching the TV broadcast,” Jim explained, taking the bag from her. “She’s been a bit sleepy lately, and the doctor advised her to exercise more.” Felix looked at Rebecca’s slightly protruding belly with some surprise.

“Yes, we got married,” Jim said. “We couldn’t reach you back then, and we thought you were abroad. Of course, we know why now.”

Felix then thought of his phone, which he hadn't used much.

After changing her clothes, Rebecca sat down next to Jim. "The TV said they're inviting some people to visit the wizarding world?"

“Yes, do you want to see what a real wizard is like?” Felix asked. Whether it was arranging two spots or making arrangements privately, it was an easy thing for him.

Jim was somewhat tempted, but after glancing at his wife, his expression suddenly became hesitant.

“I’d better not,” he said, shaking his head. “Rebecca is pregnant. I don’t want—” He blushed slightly. “Well, I’m worried about something going wrong.”

Felix nodded knowingly.

At this time, it might not be a good thing for ordinary people to associate with wizards. Felix himself is safe, but his friends might be under threat, which is why he came. After consulting Jim and Rebecca, Felix cast a complex spell to keep this friendship a secret.

After staying for a while, he got up and left, leaving a card behind. "Wizards are particularly adept at handling certain problems. If you encounter any tricky trouble, you can contact me. Just tear up the card."

Jim accepted the card respectfully and saw Felix to the door.

"The old director's health isn't very good," he said.

Felix paused for a moment, then said, "I will go visit him."

“Hey! The due date is early January,” Jim called out from behind. Felix turned around and waved the card. “At least this time I don’t have to worry about not being able to find you.”

……

The next morning, at Hogwarts.

After finishing their newspapers for the day, the students gathered in small groups to chat.

"Has a new organization emerged today that's determined to drown wizards like drowning rats?" Ron asked deliberately in a hostile tone.

“No,” Harry said with a yawn, “but I have heard that the wizarding employment rate is low and they want to offer us jobs.”

Ron muttered, "Mind your own business."

Dean said, half-jokingly, "I'd like to give it a try once the situation stabilizes."

Upon hearing this, Neville looked up, glancing around hopefully: "Is there any new progress in the negotiations? There's nothing in the newspaper I'm in charge of."

“It won’t be that fast,” Hermione said cheerfully. “It’s only the second day. But we always prepare in advance and try to get ahead of the curve—does anyone here want to go to Sword Keep?” She looked at the others.

"You mean the gathering of Diagon Alley shopkeepers?" Harry asked, sensing something. "You want to go see it?"

Hermione shrugged. Luna and Ginny passed by Harry, Ginny raising her arms and circling behind him like a ballerina before disappearing. Hermione chuckled.

Harry looked at her, puzzled.

“It’s nothing,” she said immediately.

At this moment, Hannah and Susan Bornes came over and joined the conversation, with Ernie and Justin staggering behind them, both pale-faced as if they hadn't eaten breakfast, and Daphne constantly smoothing her hair on the right side.

"That's outrageous! A newspaper actually said that wizards have radiation—what is that?" Hannah said indignantly.

“Like a malignant infectious disease,” Hermione said briefly. “Draconis?” Hannah asked. “More or less,” Hermione said, then realized, “The newspapers really said that?”

Hannah spelled out a word.

Hermes found it unbelievable, "I can't believe they could come up with such a lie."

“Next time you can check if the author’s last name is Dursley,” Harry said listlessly. “That sounds like something my uncle would say. He always thought wizards pollute the environment…” He looked up thoughtfully. “The newspapers shouldn’t be allowed to use too much profanity.”

“There’s also the theory that wizards foreshadow the end of the world,” Ernie interjected, turning to Justin. “It involves a prophecy, but I’ve forgotten the word—”

“The Maya,” Justin muttered.

"Are they fortune tellers among Muggles?" Daphne asked curiously.

“I don’t know. The only information we have is that they were a branch of the ancient Native Americans, whose civilization was once very advanced, and then suddenly declined,” Hermione said. “Later generations have found some dubious prophecies in their ruins.”

“What the newspaper said sounds pretty true,” Justin said seriously. “I saw something similar when I was a kid. It was written in a book with a really scary cover—but my mom confiscated it.”

"What did she say?" Hermione pressed.

“She said it was a waste of time.” Justin pursed his lips. “But she didn’t even know about divination classes back then. During the holidays, she used eggs from the kitchen to do divination, using the book ‘Seeing the Future Through the Fog.’”

“You still keep it? I thought you lost it,” Ernie said.

Hermione was clearly uninterested in divination, though she admitted Trelawney had indeed done a couple of real readings, but she stubbornly believed that Trelawney's mind was usually a jumbled mess, made with sherry. She asked them again who was going to Sword Keep.

Finally, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Susan, and Neville decided to go see what was going on. "Where's Ginny?" As the group headed towards the Transfiguration office, Harry turned to look for the red-haired figure.

“I saw her leave with Luna,” Hermione said.

They arrived at the Transfiguration office on the second floor. It originally belonged to Professor McGonagall, but it had been vacated after she moved into the principal's office. The fireplace in the office was used by students for their daily commute.

The shops on both sides of Diagon Alley were deserted, with temporary closure notices posted in their windows.

“Look over there, Harry!” Ron said, pointing to a spot.

Harry looked over, his eyes widening suddenly. It was the location of Florin Foster's Ice Cream Shop. When he came to Diagon Alley before the start of sixth grade, it was closed, but now it seemed to be reopened. He strode over, and there was a "Closed" notice on the door as well. He calmed down a bit, staring at the huge parasol standing outside. Harry's mind flashed back to the scene of him eating ice cream and doing his homework here. He reached out and touched it; there wasn't a speck of dust on the parasol.

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