days at Hogwarts

Chapter 610 Back to School

Can Muggles and wizards coexist peacefully?

Many people have asked this question, including Dumbledore, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Daisy Doddridge, the founder of the Leaky Cauldron, and many scholars and experts. The answer is undoubtedly pessimistic.

Loren's voice rang out in the spacious room: "The modern thoughts of Muggle society are already impacting the traditional order of the wizarding world. From vendors in settlements to Quidditch star players, from Ministry of Magic staff to students in magic schools, as magic is gradually exposed to the eyes of Muggle society, wizards' concepts and customs will inevitably suffer an unprecedented impact..."

"In terms of culture, although the small number of wizards plays a pivotal role in world history, compared with the vast culture built by billions of Muggles, the gap between the two is like a stream and the sea. Either they are assimilated and diluted, or they are smashed to pieces. In terms of economy, even if they have elves that are cheaper than slaves, wizards still remain in the traditional small peasant economy and handicraft manufacturing industry. They cannot compare with the automated assembly line at all. Basic food and daily necessities alone are enough to drag down the entire wizarding world..."

"The technological development of Muggle society is an irreversible trend. The development of the Earth will gradually deepen, and it is destined to invade the settlements of magical creatures..."

Loren listed the gaps between the wizarding world and the Muggle society point by point. Hermione's eyes widened, but she couldn't refute him. Finally, he said with certainty: "All speculations and results will point to war."

"That's a very detailed analysis," Grindelwald praised. He thought for a moment and did not refute it. Instead, he asked, "If wizards and Muggles go to war, who do you think will win?"

Loren shook his head. "I don't know. The lethal weapons developed by modern technology are no weaker than magic. A bullet is a killing curse. A Gatling gun can fire 200 rounds per minute. A white phosphorus bomb is a fierce fire. Only two bombers are needed to burn down an entire city. There are also more powerful biological and chemical weapons and nuclear weapons... But wizards' Polyjuice Potion, Legilimency, Imperius Curse, Disapparition... These flexible and mysterious magics can also cause great trouble to Muggles."

Grindelwald turned the teacup in his hand, thinking silently for an unknown period of time, and said softly: "It will end in mutual destruction, or even mutual destruction..."

He had seen such a scene many years ago. The flames from technological creations could burn down an entire city in an instant, turning the entire area into cursed land where food could not grow and insects and birds could not inhabit...

Although he didn't want to admit it, a certain fear did arise in his heart at that time, prompting him to eagerly find a way out for the future of wizards, and he was willing to start a massacre for this purpose.

He once embarked on a wrong path, but fortunately Dumbledore stopped him... Regrettably, until today wizards have not found a real way out and can only wait quietly for Muggles to expand their territory and wait quietly for the war to gradually come.

Hermione didn't say anything. She had had similar discussions with Professor Bubbage before, but each time there was no definite result.

Harry was immersed in the comparison between magic and modern weapons. He felt that the comparison was so shocking that he couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.

During the aimless waiting time, Grindelwald asked many questions about Muggle society. His words were meticulous and he always inquired about the origin and development of things. Hermione was mainly answering and Loren supplemented them. Harry could hardly say anything and could only gulp down the fragrant tea.

Near midnight, there was a sudden strange vibration in the air, and the old man with silver hair and beard appeared in the room again. Dumbledore said cheerfully:

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. The employee on duty at the Austrian Ministry of Magic accidentally fell asleep, so the paperwork was a little slow to be handed over."

"..." Loren and Hermione were not sure whether this was an excuse or a real reason, and they didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"Let's get going as soon as possible. It's getting late. I think Hogwarts should provide its professors with a warm and comfortable bedroom, right?" Grindelwald put down the cup in his hand: "I haven't touched a soft quilt for decades."

"welcome any time."

……

Walking down the streets of Grimmauld Place, a cold breeze blew in my face.

Harry, with a pale face, was trying to calm down the intense discomfort brought about by the long-distance teleportation. The compression of space brought him a strong feeling of suffocation, and the lack of oxygen made his head dizzy, but he inhaled cold air by taking a deep breath, and his nose was frozen red. His entire nasal cavity to the top of his head was unobstructed.

Grindelwald looked at the nearby street scenes with great interest, and was particularly interested in the Christmas lights that were left on the trees and had not yet been removed.

Loren held the little witch's hand and walked side by side, explaining to the old man who had been isolated from the world for decades what colored lights were, what traffic lights were, and how those big iron boxes on the roadside were different from decades ago...

Dumbledore patted Harry on the back to ease his breathing. "If you don't mind, Harry, I have a few words to say to you before we say goodbye."

"Oh, of course, sir, you say..."

"Harry, a lot has happened recently, but I have to say that you have been handling it very well, which is pleasing and a little proud."

"Um……"

"You have been subscribing to the Daily Prophet for the last week, I suppose?"

"Yes."

"I have discussed with Scrimgeour about concealing your report, but he insisted that the public has the right to know the truth... I hope you understand that danger still lurks in dimly lit places." Dumbledore paused, "If possible, please always carry the invisibility cloak with you just in case. Even if it cannot completely blind Voldemort's perception, it can buy you some time. Do you understand?"

"I understand, sir."

"See you next semester then! I think Molly and Sirius haven't fallen asleep yet, so go and comfort them as soon as possible..."

Before he reached the door of Black's old house, Professor Lupin, who had been waiting on the roadside, came to meet him.

Loren watched silently from behind, seeing Professor Lupin rub Harry's head, then whispering to Dumbledore and inviting them to stay here before leaving.

No one agreed.

After a few brief greetings, Dumbledore said goodbye.

The figures of a group of four people flickered in the darkness of the London night. The wide and deserted streets, the buildings and stone walls on both sides, the four figures seemed particularly small compared to the city, but they could move freely in the city.

He disappeared at the street corner, and appeared at the end of the street the next moment, leaving a line of footprints on the snow, and his figure began to flicker again.

Hampstead drew nearer.

Dumbledore stopped Apparating and turned to look at Grindelwald: "Gellert, please wait here for a moment. I have to take the children home."

"..."

There were only two houses ahead with lights on. Dumbledore led them forward and took out a storage snake scale from his sleeve and handed it to Loren: "This is what Severus asked me to give you."

Loren opened his eyes wide: "Is this the relic that the professor left for me?"

"I just entrusted it to you for safekeeping. You must return it at the appropriate time."

"Professor Snape is a bit stingy..."

"He had guessed you would say that." Dumbledore took out another storage snake scale and handed it to him. "This one is my reward for keeping it for you."

"hey-hey……"

"The Death Eaters captured by the Ministry of Magic have not yet been tried. It is foreseeable that many people will claim that they are under the control of the Imperius Curse and give out the core Death Eaters and pay a large ransom. If no serious harm is caused, some of them may still be able to escape punishment." Dumbledore said slowly, "I think Severus will definitely be listed as a core Death Eater, but in the Wizengamot files, his whereabouts are unknown and he has not appeared in public. The Ministry of Magic may search his office, and it is safer to keep these things with you."

Loren did not look at Professor Snape's snake scale, but just checked his own reward, most of which were potion materials and a few cans of finished potions.

There are just a bunch of homework questions for no apparent reason. I wonder if Professor Snape put them in the wrong place.

Forget it, let’s ignore him for now.

Hermione asked softly, "Will Professor Snape be wanted?" "Probably not. After all, I just drove Voldemort away not long ago. Scrimgeour and Wizengamot took care of my insignificant favor, and I will not let anyone pin the crime on Severus."

"That's good..."

"Well, have a sweet dream, then."

"Good night, Professor."

Loren and Hermione walked towards the door.

I looked back before entering the door. At the end of the small road in the block, the street lights were dimly lit. Two old people were walking side by side into the cold winter night, their lips moving, as if they were reminiscing about the past or chatting.

Snowflakes fell on my shoulders.

……

May 1, morning.

King's Cross station, platform 9.

Snowflakes fell on the platform and were trampled by students and parents coming and going. The dirt and dust under their feet mixed with the snow and ice, making it look dirty.

Loren and Hermione dragged two empty suitcases and stood at the door of the express train, saying goodbye to the three parents.

"Be safe at school. If the situation is serious, take a leave of absence and go home. I have contacted the board of directors of Eton College, and you can become a transfer student at any time." Bates looked relaxed, holding an empty owl cage in his hand.

"Don't worry, Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world."

"Take good care of Hermione and don't bully her."

"Who is bullying whom?"

"Ok?"

"Ok, no problem."

"..."

A shrill steam whistle sounded from the top of the train. Monica, holding Hermione's hand, came over and said softly to Loren:
"I'll leave Hermione to you. Keep an eye on her. Don't stay up late, don't overuse your eyes, and go out for exercise..."

"Don't worry, I will remind her every day!"

Grandpa Bates solemnly warned the little witch: "Keep an eye on Loren, warn him not to cause trouble, not to violate school rules, and punish him if he doesn't obey. If he dares to bully you, come back during summer vacation and tell me, and I will teach him a lesson!"

Hermione smiled brightly: "Don't worry, Grandpa Bates, I will take good care of him."

"What a good boy..." Grandpa Bates smiled more kindly and patted Loren on the shoulder. "We're about to leave. Check to see if you have brought everything. Don't forget anything!"

"Oh!"

"Grandpa Bates, Mom and Dad, let's go!"

"goodbye!"

"..."

The train started slowly, gradually accelerated, and meandered forward like a swift red snake, disappearing at the end of the road.

The train gradually turned from the suburbs of the city into the quiet countryside. The snow had not yet melted and the world outside the window was still a vast expanse of white. It was not until nightfall that the young wizards arrived at the Hogsmeade platform and rode into the school in invisible Thestral carriages.

The hall suddenly became lively. The joyful Christmas holiday diluted the fear of the Death Eaters and Voldemort. After a long separation, the young wizards always had endless topics to talk about. They chattered about their holiday experiences and looked forward to the new semester.

"Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Oh, not bad."

“I’ve been living a quiet life.”

"We're going to Hogsmeade again next month. Have you seen the notice?"

"What? Oh, no, I haven't looked at the notice board since I got back."

"It's on Valentine's Day..."

Compared to the simple happiness of the Muggle-born little wizards, the children from wizarding families were more well-informed. They discussed the incredible battle in the Department of Mysteries with each other, and glanced at Harry from time to time, trying to see something from him.

"Did you know that a mysterious man led the Death Eaters to attack the Ministry of Magic? My father works at the Bureau of Broomstick Management and Control, and he was also implicated!" A little wizard spoke mysteriously, and the classmates next to him asked about the details.

“Isn’t this department a clerical job?”

"The Death Eaters launched two waves of attacks in total. My father was fine during the first wave, but when he was preparing to retreat, he ran into the second wave of Death Eaters. As a result, he was petrified by the basilisk and stayed in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for a week!"

"Is your father okay now?" A female classmate next to him looked at him worriedly.

The man waved his hand nonchalantly: "He has been discharged from the hospital. The Ministry of Magic purchased a large amount of mandrake from the school to prepare the antidote."

At the Gryffindor table, a group of young wizards surrounded Harry. Dean and Seamus held the hem of his robe tightly, and the Creevey brothers held up their cameras and took pictures frantically, refusing to let him go.

Lee Jordan asked excitedly, "Tell us quickly! Has the You-Know-Who been defeated? What exactly is in the Department of Mysteries? Have all the Death Eaters been captured?..."

Harry looked hopeless.

Loren and Hermione sat together at the back of the long table, occasionally exchanging greetings with the students around them. The main content was the holiday homework of Arithmancy and Potions.

"Loren, do you know the details of what happened?" Rolf from Hufflepuff turned his head and asked curiously. He put the French fries into his pocket quietly with one hand and fed them to the Bowtruckle.

Without waiting for the two to answer, he sighed and spoke to himself, "The basilisk has appeared again, this time in the main hall of the Ministry of Magic. People from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures have been coming to my house for consultation. It's so annoying!"

"Um..." Loren hesitated for a moment, "Do you think Bowtruckle likes fried chicken?"

Rolf looked up at him, his eyes dim: "Your change of subject... is a bit abrupt."

(End of this chapter)