The Butcher of Hogsmeade

A few years after the 1980s, which is now the time when Shen Hou is, someone will propose a theory called the "panopticon effect," which describes the psychological impact and shift in thinking that a person might experience when looking back at Earth from space.

Shen Hou was unaware of the "panoramic effect," the time when the theory was proposed, and even less aware that at this very moment, someone was observing the world from a "panoramic" perspective, with most of the attention focused on him.

In the pitch-black depths of space, a large, long table floats eerily, surrounded by a circle of high-backed chairs, and many shadowy figures, some standing and some sitting.

One of the figures sitting at the table turned his gaze from the distant Earth back to one end of the long table, where another person was also sitting.

"Finally, for the first time, he's realized the discrepancy between his world and reality—a cause for celebration." The speaker was tall and imposing, dressed in ancient Greek robes, holding a scepter topped with a soaring eagle. "Sent to the Ministry of Magic on his very first day; it seems his integration into the magical world isn't going smoothly. If he fails at the very first step, wouldn't you feel it's a humiliating defeat?"

"It's only the first day, what's the rush? The deadline for this round is a whole year. The dice have just been thrown and haven't stopped spinning yet. It's too early to draw any conclusions before the numbers are revealed." The person at one end of the long table smiled dismissively. Unlike the person who asked the question, the one who answered looked exactly like a traditional cowboy, wearing a Nevada wide-brimmed hat, a shirt, vest, and cycling shorts, with a beautifully designed revolver tucked into his waistband and holstered at his side.

"So, you still insist that he can integrate into that world and, on his own, understand the underlying logic of the world?" the person holding the scepter pressed.

"Of course, the game has just begun, and the outcome is still uncertain. I can accept defeat in the end, but what gambler concedes as soon as they sit down at the table?" the cowboy retorted with a chuckle. "So many classic gambling games have taken place on Mount Olympus, and in every single one of them, the participants were willing to cheat to see it through to the end."

"So you want to cheat?"

"Between you and me, I suspect you are the one with worse gambling etiquette and integrity, Zeus, the king of the gods! Not only do you cheat in the game, but I am even more worried that you will refuse to admit defeat after losing the game."

"I am merely a representative chosen by the gods; I represent the Pantheon, Asgard..."

"Birds of a feather... Sorry, I'm being blunt, or perhaps to put it more tactfully: they elected you as their representative precisely because you're the one who knows best how to cheat in a betting game." The cowboy sneered contemptuously.

"The notary for the betting game was approved by you, Adrei! Is your concern because you don't trust Him?" The man called Zeus, holding a scepter, looked away, no longer arguing with the cowboy, and instead looked at the other side of the long table opposite the cowboy; there was a strong light there, and within the light, a human figure could be vaguely seen, without saying a word.

"What can we do? You're all natives, and I'm the only outsider. It's normal to have these worries." The cowboy, once called Edroy, chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Choosing Him as the notary is just the least bad option among all the choices."

"So you mean you think the game should continue, with everything and the stakes remaining the same?" Zeus asked.

"Of course, everything remains the same," Edroy said calmly.

As soon as the words were spoken, both sides turned their gaze to the dazzling light; finally, a voice came from within the light: "The bet remains unchanged, the game continues."

Shen Hou was unaware that an argument had broken out in the distant void because of him, nor did he know that all eyes were now focused on him after the argument. He was speechless at what he was seeing; when the phone booth stopped sinking, the height and breadth of the underground space far exceeded his imagination.

Both being secret underground departments, the reception hall in "Men in Black" is already astonishing, while the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, though called a hall, should actually be considered more like a plaza.

The plaza with a canopy over its roof is probably closer to a shopping mall. In the center of the plaza, a gleaming golden statue particularly caught Shen Hou's attention.

The square was deserted, with few pedestrians, and everyone there looked solemn and hurried by.

"Where do you think we should go first, Dumbledore?" Alastor asked.

"It's not a matter of where to go first, Alastor, but rather that we can only go to the Department of Mysteries," Dumbledore replied solemnly. "If the Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Accidents and Disasters want to inquire about the case, please have the person in charge go to the Ninth Floor as well. You must explain to them that before it is confirmed whether it is safe or not, Mr. Shen Hou should have contact with as few people as possible, and the same goes for the few people who know about him."

Alastor nodded: "I understand. I'll go and explain to Mr. Crouch, but it would be best if you spoke to the minister yourself."

"Mr. Crocker should have already informed Millison. His research on time travel is unparalleled, and he understands the dangers of time travel accidents better than any of us."

The two finished their conversation and parted ways in front of the golden statue. One elevator carried Dumbledore and Shen Hou up to a floor, while Alastor went to another elevator.

"Is it just one floor apart? I usually prefer to take the stairs in these situations." After stepping out of the elevator, looking at the straight and unobstructed corridor in front of him, Shen Hou deliberately used words to cover up his unease.

"Don't try to understand this space with a scientific mindset, Mr. Shen Hou." The old professor clearly noticed the young man's nervousness, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he continued the conversation as they walked, which he felt was better. "Magic is very interesting. It can deceive your senses. Although the Department of Mysteries is indeed only one floor above the reception hall, the distance of this floor is difficult to cover on foot."

"You even know science?" Shen Hou was greatly surprised and hurriedly caught up with him. "Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to offend you. Although I haven't had much time to talk with James, Sirius, and the Prewitt brothers, it's obvious that they know very little about our... uh... Muggle world, let alone accurately understand the meaning of science."

"Yes, because of the Act of Secrecy. We turned secrecy into isolation, which isn't actually a good thing." Dumbledore's tone was slightly wistful. "James and Sirius are actually quite good. James married a Muggle-born woman—though she's now a wizard—and the Prewitt brothers also come from a Muggle-friendly family; yet even so, you still describe their understanding of Muggles as 'very limited.'"

"Actually, Muggles also know very little about the wizarding world, if that makes you feel better."

"No, actually this situation worries me a lot." Dumbledore stopped at the end of the corridor, in front of a large, pure black door. "Please come in, Mr. Shen Hou. Mr. Crocker is waiting for us inside."