The days at Hogwarts

The French Ministry of Magic has long been committed to safeguarding the rights of Veela and Veela hybrid wizards; the Norwegian Ministry of Magic has made great achievements in the field of Quidditch;

The New Zealand Ministry of Magic, which spends a lot of time, effort and money upholding the Statute of Secrecy, is particularly good at dealing with wizarding-related but non-magical items. The greatest achievement of recent decades has been preventing Muggles from acquiring Maori art that depicts white wizards playing Quidditch.

The sculptures and paintings are currently on display at the New Zealand Ministry of Magic's Wellington headquarters.

In addition, there are the Ministry of Magic of Italy, the Ministry of Magic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Magic of Liechtenstein and many other small countries.

The spokesperson of the French Ministry of Magic was a woman with a gorgeous face. She was describing the situation of a large number of low-end potions being dumped in France, which attracted several Ministry of Magic spokespersons to echo her.

"We must unite to raise the price of raw materials. If this continues, sooner or later they will overwhelm us with low prices!" the French spokesman said sternly.

Dumbledore lowered his head and picked at the nail of his thumb. Since he turned one hundred years old, the growth rate of his nails has slowed down, but the thickness has increased, making him look a bit old. He still looks very young when he is ninety years old.

I didn't expect that Minerva could make the business so big. It seems that she is indeed suitable to be the principal of Hogwarts.

Dumbledore thought happily.

"The initiative to improve raw materials is not in our hands. We must unite with the Ministry of Magic in India, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other regions." A spokesman for the Italian Ministry of Magic said, "It is recommended that this issue be reserved for the International Federation of Wizards. have a discussion!"

The French spokesperson looked a little dissatisfied, but did not refute him. Instead, she started the next topic: "Next is about the "Anti-Werewolf Act" introduced by the British Ministry of Magic. Taking advantage of the fact that other intelligent humanoid magical creatures did not join the meeting , we’d better discuss the results first to avoid quarreling at the conference.”

Werewolves are special beings, and wizards generally do not recognize werewolves as wizards. However, some humanoid intelligent magical creatures, including vampires, recognize werewolves. The introduction and implementation of the "Anti-Werewolf Act" has caused dissatisfaction among many races. They feel that if this continues, they may be the next race to be expelled.

The French spokesman, who was closely associated with the Veela, spoke with a questioning tone.

Hearing this, everyone in the venue turned their attention to the people from the British Ministry of Magic. At this meeting, the British Ministry of Magic came with two main speakers, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and the man sitting next to him. Barty Crouch, Director of the Department of International Magical Exchange and Cooperation.

There was an intriguing smile in the eyes of the others. After all, they all knew that the International Union of Wizards Conference was originally scheduled to be held in London, but the venue was suddenly changed not long ago.

Cornelius Fudge frowned. Senior Deputy Minister Dolores Umbridge, the proposer and advocate of the Anti-Werewolf Act, was not present today, and he did not prepare a speech on this issue.

Fudge gave Crouch a look next to him, indicating that he would put off the issue for now.

Barty Crouch looked a little distracted and ignored the look from the minister.

Seeing this, Fudge had no choice but to bite the bullet, coughed and began to discuss hesitantly: "Werewolves... Werewolves are a serious hidden danger to the wizarding community. Our British Ministry of Magic has always attached great importance to this issue... As you all know, not long ago The Wolfsbane potion was invented by the British wizard Damocles Bellby..."

Dumbledore was not in the mood to listen to Fudge's nonsense to stall for time. He noticed that Mr. Crouch not far away had unfocused eyes, was absent-minded, and looked very tired. He had looked like this since he entered the conference room.

A faint azure light shone behind the half-moon spectacles.

It's really strange. In the past few days before the International Federation of Wizards and Wizards, everyone else is so idle that they are about to germinate. Why does Mr. Crouch look so tired?

Looking for fun at night?

No, it's not.

Dumbledore had crossed paths with Crouch during the trial of the Death Eaters many years ago. Dumbledore had some knowledge of this upright man who almost became Minister of Magic. As far as he knew, Mr. Crouch was a dedicated man who had been concentrating on his work after his wife died of illness, and there had never been any scandals.

"...To sum up, werewolves are still a serious safety hazard to the wizarding community, and even because of their infectious characteristics, they can also affect Muggles. Strict management of werewolves is the most feasible way. This is why we have launched the "Anti-Werewolf Act" reasons."

Fudge had been the Minister of Magic for a few years no matter what. After clearing his thoughts, his speech gradually became fluent. Although he failed to give any useful information, he managed to get over it.

As the country with the greatest impact of the Anti-Werewolf Act, the spokesperson of the United States couldn't help but stand up: "So your behavior is to force the werewolves in your country to migrate to the United States?"

The speakers from other countries and the Minister of Magic snickered quietly, gloating and waiting to see what was going on.

Fudge took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said reluctantly: "You can work with us to implement the Anti-Werewolf Act..."

"Then, will the whole world implement your "Anti-Werewolf Law" until they are expelled from the earth?" the US spokesperson mocked, "Or do you plan to force all werewolves to death?"

They had internally had the idea of ​​absorbing werewolves as special personnel, but due to the uncontrollable and contagious nature of werewolves, the proposal was not passed.

Fudge stammered: "Werewolves are a harmful group...and, and this may be a relief for them -"

Before he finished speaking, the anger in the eyes of the French spokesperson was about to burst out. Fudge even suspected that if he continued to speak, the French spokesperson would show his Veela fangs and pounce on him and bite his neck off.

The two began to quarrel in the conference room. Fudge was a little uncomfortable with this kind of situation. In addition, the American spokesperson would add one or two irritating and strange words from time to time, and his face soon turned red with anger.

Dumbledore felt his eyes were disturbed and turned to look out the window in disgust.

As night falls and the lights begin to turn on, Muggle electricity makes the city shine with bright light. It is a technology even more magical than magic. The street lights are neatly arranged on both sides of the road, and they look like stars in the Milky Way from a distance.

Suddenly, Dumbledore's eyes froze, and he saw several street lamps being picked like fruits, swaying together, and then extinguished in the darkness.

In the office, the quarrel had stopped, and with the mediation of the Italian and Bulgarian spokesmen, the topic of werewolves was temporarily postponed.

"The next topic is——"

"Sorry." Dumbledore's deep voice interrupted his speech, and he slowly stood up, "I want to go back and rest. Please forgive me for being an old man. I must fall asleep at the specified time, otherwise I will sleep all night. It’s gone.”

The other people in the conference room were silent for a moment. They felt that this reason was too perfunctory and suspected that Dumbledore was tired of their quarrel. However, considering that this old man was indeed a hundred years old and had always had an eccentric personality, he might really want to Maybe go back to sleep.

Several speakers who were friendly with Dumbledore said good night and watched him leave the conference room.

After seeing the door close and confirming that Dumbledore was gone, Fudge shouted: "After all, it is a cross-country trip, and Albus is over a hundred years old, so it is normal to feel tired! Many wizards at his age, even if they have not won Dragon Scabies is also old and confused, his memory is confused, and he can’t even hold a knife and fork!”

"Of course, I'm not saying that Albus is old and confused. It's normal for him to say some strange things at this age. As you know, he has always been weird..." Fudge made an embarrassed expression, as if he was thinking about it. Dumbledore said, "Last year he even told me that "that mysterious man you know who" was back. "

The conference room fell completely silent. Everyone looked at Fudge and listened to his self-righteous speech.

"But let's think about it, if the mysterious man is really alive, why has the past ten years been so stable?"

"Even if it is true as Albus said, the mysterious man came back last year, why can we still spend this year safely, you guys think so?"

"If you want me to say..."

……

In a narrow alley three blocks away from the Woolworth Building, a bizarre scene was taking place.

Two teenage children, a boy and a girl, were hiding behind the corner wall. The boy was holding an object like a lighter in his hand. Whenever he opened the metal cover, the light from the nearby street lamp was picked like a fruit, bright. A yellow ball of light rushed into the lighter with a hiss, and the light disappeared into the small box.

"Will this really make Dumbledore notice?" Hermione asked quietly, her eyes fixed on the small box.

"Try it, I think he can see..."

Loren whispered back that when he first got the Deluminator, he had studied it for a while and had seen the disassembly diagram. In addition to collecting and storing light, it also involved very profound alchemy, which was more complicated than he imagined.

As he was talking, he turned around and suddenly saw a lady's silk glove floating in the air, with the fingers spread out and the silk filling it, as if an invisible hand was wearing the glove.

Loren and Hermione looked directly at the gloves.

The silk gloves waved as he greeted them and pointed to the tall building not far away.

"It seems to be guiding us..." Hermione said hesitantly.

Loren nodded, with that magical radiance like a little sun, he couldn't think of anyone else.

The silk glove reached out and made a gesture of invitation to shake hands. Loren thought for a moment, held Hermione's hand with one hand, and held the silk glove with the other.

A soft magic power surged up, and the surrounding space was quickly distorted.

The next second, he and Hermione disappeared into the alley.

Chapter 401: Underground Pipeline Encounter

When they stood still again, Loren and Hermione found that they were standing on the edge of the roof wall of a high-rise building, with lights shining on the street and people coming and going.

"Nice to see you in New York, Loren, Hermione..."

Looking forward following the sound, an old wizard with a white beard wearing a solemn magic robe smiled and waved to them.

"Nice to meet you too, Professor Dumbledore." Hermione replied in a brisk voice.

"Principal Dumbledore, does it have to be on such a dangerous rooftop?" Loren asked as he and Hermione leaned towards him.

Dumbledore chuckled and nodded, looking at the endless flow of pedestrians and streets downstairs.

"I do enjoy admiring the scenery, and it would be better if I could see it more clearly."

Dumbledore said softly and waved slowly. The deluminator in Loren's pocket arched and came out. The top cover popped open, and the street light bulbs he had just collected floated out, trailing a bright tail like a meteor. Returning to its original position, the nearby neighborhood became brighter as a result, with lights flowing like stars in the sky.

Loren and Hermione looked at the street lights that were flying like fireflies, their eyes sparkling.

"I didn't expect you to find me in this way, what a clever idea." Dumbledore praised and put the Deluminator back into Loren's pocket.

Loren glanced at the Woolworth Building not far away, squatted down, held up his hands, and sat down on the top of the wall, his feet dangling in the air:

"I don't trust the Magical Congress of the United States of America and people from various countries who come to attend the conference. I'm also worried that if I meet you in a normal way, someone with ulterior motives will be watching. This is the only way."

Dumbledore also sat down next to him. Although he was wearing a serious magic robe, he was swinging his legs more like a child:

"Sounds like an urgent matter. Do you have any special news to share with me?"

"It's a long story, but I believe you have got some information." Loren stroked Hermione who sat down, "So we can make it short. This matter started when we met Miss Beetle..."

"Oh……"

Dumbledore exclaimed. He was more concerned about Rita Skeeter's integration into Muggle life than the news about the werewolf corpse in the Brooklyn underground pipe:

"She passed this information to me, but she didn't say that she started publishing articles in Muggle newspapers to observe Muggles here from the perspective of a foreign wizard. I can't wait to read that newspaper. What's it called? , The New York Times, right?”

Dumbledore's eyes began to glance around, looking for the newsstands on the street, looking eager to buy a few copies of the New York Times.

"What's more important now is the werewolf, Professor!" Hermione felt anxious and couldn't help but remind her.

"Werewolf, sorry to werewolf..."

Dumbledore smiled and looked more serious: "I received some news not long ago that MACUSA also sought help from other wizards attending the conference, but to no avail."

Loren glanced at him suspiciously, feeling that the old man didn't really care about this matter. He tried to tell his speculation: "Since last year, the formation of the werewolf community, the temporary change of location of the International Federation of Wizards, and the disappearance of werewolf corpses. The purifiers cannot do these things. I think it has something to do with Voldemort."

Hermione nodded in agreement: "Voldemort is planning a bigger conspiracy!"

Dumbledore really didn't seem to care, he said calmly: "Don't be obscured by the fog in front of you, Loren, Hermione, learn to see things with your heart..."

"What do you mean?"

Facing the doubtful looks of the two people, Dumbledore ruffled their hair: "Use what has happened to speculate on the future. When multiple events appear in front of you at the same time, there are too many clues and each clue points to various possibilities, guessing It will stagnate, and we will be stuck in circles.

"At this time, it is better to abandon the clues, observe from a longer-term perspective, and think with more abstract thinking."

"I still don't understand..." Hermione whispered, a little embarrassed.

Dumbledore had a kind smile on his face: "Think carefully, what enemies might we face?"

Hermione frowned and counted them one by one: "Voldemort, the Purifier, some bad werewolves..."

"Think about the wizards gathered in New York now, and you will find that the Purifiers and Werewolves are not enough to cause trouble that everyone cannot handle, and Voldemort..."

Dumbledore paused: "What he wants to do most now is to be resurrected! Under this premise, the incident that happened this time will not consume too much of his energy, which also means that it will not be too difficult for us to deal with it. .”

Loren and Hermione felt as if their eyes were suddenly enlightened.

"What's next?"

"The next step is to make some preparations. I found a friend who lives in Brooklyn to investigate this matter. There is still one day left before the International Federation of Wizards. You can walk around the city more and pay attention to abnormal wizards. "

Dumbledore warned: "Of course, under the premise of ensuring safety."

……

New York at night is not a city that never sleeps. After leaving the Woolworth Building, the bustling and affluent streets are as bright as daytime, while some dilapidated alleys are like small rural cities with dim street lights.

The gangsters who were robbing the alleys at night were lucky that they didn't run into Loren and Hermione.

A streetlight not far away was flickering, but other streetlights around were normal. Excluding the problem of unstable voltage, it was probably due to poor contact of the bulb.

Wizards usually use repair spells to repair light bulbs, but Loren came up with a wonderful idea while walking. He took out the deluminator and released a previously stored light source. It was the light source of a candle, and the burning wax oil released The warm yellow firelight is dimmer than the color of street lights.

Loren directed it to float into the streetlight bulb. The bulb flickered and the light gradually stabilized.

Just when the wind blows over the street lamp, the shadow under the lamp will sway gently, which looks very magical.

Hermione quickly saw that there were some scattered light sources in the deluminator, two of which were the brightest, one was a strange cold gray, and the other was a chilly green.

What a strange light source.

Hermione tilted her head.

Loren happily put away the Deluminator and developed another use. He turned around and asked, "Hermione, let's go shopping in New York City tomorrow and attend the International Wizarding Conference the day after tomorrow. What do you think?"

Hermione glanced at the street lamp, thinking about the arrangements for the next few days, and didn't pay too much attention to the strange light source she just saw: "I feel less interested in the International Federation of Wizards... But we are all in New York, and the conference is the first Let’s wait and see for now, and if everything goes well on the first day, we’ll go and sit in.”

Loren nodded, looked up and saw the McDonald's fast food restaurant on the roadside, and asked casually: "What's for dinner?"

Following his line of sight, a smile appeared on Hermione's face: "Why don't you go back to the hotel for dinner? Are you worried about the mint-flavored ice cream balls?"

"Tsk, you still said..." Loren smacked his lips, "The hotel dinner was indeed sumptuous, but I suddenly want to eat some junk food."

Hermione's eyes moved slightly, and she slowly met his gaze.

……

March 1994, 7.