From Azkaban

At this time, Arthur Weasley came out of his soliloquy, and looked up at Locke after hearing his words.

Until now, he still didn't understand why Locke forced his family to come.

And what exactly he said he saw? Since it concerns his own child, Arthur Weasley wants to find out.

"Is that so? Then I won't beat around the bush."

Seeing Arthur Weasley like this, Locke knew that the previous part was almost over and it was time to get to the main show.

Locke loosened his crossed hands, straightened his forward body, raised his right hand and gently stroked it in front of his body. The next moment, a curtain unfolded in the air.

Seeing this, everyone looked up at the curtain, and on the curtain that was opened at this time, four groups of numbers were displayed from top to bottom.

"Please take a look"

Locke raised his hand and pointed to the smallest number at the top, a five-digit number starting with two.

"This number is my rough estimate of the number of people in the British wizarding community. It's over 20,000, and this is an optimistic estimate."

"And this," Locke pointed his finger downwards and landed on the second eight-digit number beginning with six, "more than 60 million. This is the total population of Muggles in the UK this year."

"More than 60 million!!!"

The huge number made everyone present open their eyes wide. They didn’t notice it before, but now after a comparison, everyone clearly felt what Locke meant by the huge number.

"Don't worry, don't forget this is only Britain."

Locke smiled slightly and moved his fingers down again, landing on the third and fourth numbers.

"The following two are the total wizard population and the total Muggle population of the entire world. One is roughly around one million, and the other is about 5.4 billion."

"The total Muggle population in the world minus the Muggle population in the UK is still eighty-nine times the population of the UK."

(This wizard population is estimated by me based on a reasonable ratio. According to the original book, there are less than 110,000 wizards in the entire world, which is too outrageous. After all, there are 100,000 people playing Quidditch alone.)

Everyone present gradually felt numb about the numbers given by Locke. After all, the difference in numbers was too big, so big that it was difficult for them to construct a detailed cognitive concept in their minds.

"Now let's talk about Muggle technology. Compared to our magic, which requires study and research, most of Muggle technology is highly replicable and easy to use."

"To put it simply, as long as the technology is mastered, Muggles can mass-produce a variety of technological products through factories, and after these technological products are delivered to ordinary Muggles, they only need to learn a little bit before they can use them easily."

"Muggles don't need to understand too much. They just need to know the simplest way to use it."

"Combined with this, think about what I just said. What will happen if technology that is not difficult to use collides with the huge number of Muggles?"

Having said that, Locke didn't wait for everyone to think about it, he waved his hand again and replaced the content on the curtain with images.

"No matter how much I say, it's hard for you to understand it. After all, you've never seen it before. So please look at the curtain. That's what I saw."

.............................................

Locke played an upgraded version of the video that he had shown to Rodolphus and others in Azkaban. Combined with Locke's explanation, everyone at the table quickly had a clear understanding of what Locke had said before.

However, this time Locke not only showed scenes of war, he also showed a lot of ruins and miserable conditions after the war, and told everyone that a large part of future wars would essentially be over resources.

At this point, Locke also raised the question he had asked Rodolphus and others before, asking everyone to think about: if the magic world continues at the current pace, what kind of future will be waiting for the magic world and the wizarding race?

Faced with Locke's questioning, those who could figure it out remained silent, and the two children who couldn't figure it out didn't dare to speak because of the depressing atmosphere.

But no matter how silent we remain, the outcome of this issue will not change.

"So Mr. Weasley, this is what I saw."

The picture on the curtain was still playing, but no one had the heart to continue watching. A thick haze covered everyone's faces. At this time, Locke looked at the silent Arthur Weasley and spoke slowly.

"I could have chosen to remain silent, just like you are now, but we all know that someone has to stand up and someone has to do this."

"As the only person who saw it, I knew it was my responsibility, so I made my choice, for the wizarding race, for the wizarding world, and for the new generation like them."

Volume 1: Chapter 55 Becoming the Majority

After hearing Locke's words, Arthur Weasley turned to look at his four children, each of them more childish than the other.

"I have made my choice, and now, as someone who has seen the same thing, Mr. Weasley, what will be your choice?"

Locke looked at Arthur Weasley, the smile on his face disappeared and his expression became serious. As he spoke, he pushed open his chair and stood up. Lucius next to him saw this and quickly stood up.

"Do you choose to remain silent and muddle through, or do you choose to accept my invitation and become a pioneer with me to open up a new and bright future for yourself, your family, and the wizarding race?"

Arthur Weasley withdrew his gaze from his children and turned to look at Locke who had already stood up, his expression very serious.

His thoughts were in a mess now. The scenes he had seen before kept looping in his mind, making him wonder whether he should choose to believe it or reject it.

"But Mr. Weasley, you don't have to worry. I don't ask you to give me your answer right away."

Locke never thought that he could get the Weasley family on board in one go. This conversation was just the beginning. Everything had to be done step by step.

"I believe you are still holding out hope. It's okay. You can go and see for yourself. As a minister, and with your long history of purchasing Muggle items, I believe you have the channels to do so."

"And in fact, it is not difficult for wizards to understand the Muggle world. It can even be said to be very easy. The main reason for the current situation, in addition to the information barriers created by the Ministry of Magic, is the wizards' own ignorance and arrogance."

Having said this, Locke paused and a sarcastic smile appeared on his face.

"It's really strange. I don't know since when the Statute of Secrecy was promoted as a law established to protect Muggles. What a ridiculous theory. But it is such a ridiculous theory that has become the consensus of almost all wizards."

Arthur Weasley did not refute Locke's words, because after what happened just now, Arthur Weasley has broken out of his original fixed thinking. At this moment, he also felt that something was wrong with the Statute of Secrecy.

Compared to the protection of Muggles as claimed by the Statute of Secrecy, Arthur Weasley now feels that its role is actually more like protecting wizards.

Locke didn't know what Arthur Weasley was thinking at the moment, he just made a casual remark and was ready to leave after he finished speaking.

"I look forward to your choice, Mr. Weasley. If you finally choose to accept the invitation, please come to the Malfoy's manor to find me."

After dispersing the magic barrier that enveloped everyone, Locke turned around and left the Leaky Cauldron with Lucius.

"........................."

After Locke left, the Weasleys at the table remained silent, no one spoke until the bartender came to them with four glasses of butterbeer.

"Your Butterbeer, kids."

The bartender had a clear goal. He placed butterbeer in front of the Weasley twins, Ron, and Ginny one by one, and took away the empty glasses.

"Mr. Cazier must have ordered it for us."

As the most heartless eater, Ron happily picked up the wine glass and took a gulp before letting out a sigh of satisfaction.

"Um~~~"

Next to Ron, Ginny swallowed the butterbeer in her mouth with a satisfied look on her face.

As for the Weasley twins, although they had a certain understanding of the adults' conversation just now, they were naturally optimistic and cheerful. After looking at each other, they smiled and raised their glasses tacitly and clinked them together.

"To the future, George"

"Tomorrow, Fred"

Arthur Weasley, who was in deep thought, saw all of this. Looking at the smiles on his children's faces, his originally wavering mind gradually became firm.

.................................................

"My Lord, I don't understand what is so special about the Weasley family that you value so much."

In Diagon Alley, Lucius followed Locke and asked the question he had been wanting to ask with a puzzled look on his face.

"I think I should have made myself clear, Lucius, because I saw it."

Locke's answer stunned Lucius, and then he immediately recalled what Locke said in response to Arthur Weasley.

"I was foolish, sir."

"It's okay. It's a good thing to dare to put forward opinions. But remember to think twice before making any opinions in the future. Also, you have to remember that what we want to do is change, and change is not something that can be accomplished by a small group of people."

"If we want to succeed, we need to unite all the people we can unite, expand our team, and make us the majority. Only in this way can we truly achieve change."

"I understand, my lord."

Although Locke didn't look at him, Lucius still bowed his head slightly with a respectful look.

Afterwards, Locke and Lucius took a carriage back to the Malfoy family's estate in Wiltshire.

Back at the manor, Lucius introduced his wife and children to Locke. Locke got to know the two briefly, and then asked Lucius to take him to the manor hall.

"Well, the environment is good, much better than Azkaban."

"You are joking, sir."

In the hall, Lucius stood behind Locke, feeling ashamed of Locke's words. How could this be compared to Azkaban?

"Lucius, I'm going to make a few small changes, do you mind?"

The decoration of the hall in Lucius's house is elegant and luxurious, showing the temperament of a wealthy man, but it is too rustic for Locke. He still likes the style he created in Azkaban.

"Of course, sir, you can change it to whatever you want. Just tell me your requirements and I'll ask someone to make the changes."

When Lucius heard that Locke was going to make some minor changes, he actually thought it was just a minor change and thought that Locke might be planning to change the decoration or color. Little did he know.

"No need, I can do it myself."

Locke took out his brand new magic wand. Of course he had to use it now that he had it. It was also a good opportunity to see if casting spells with the wand could be amplified.

Before Lucius could react to Locke's words, he saw Locke waving his wand. The next moment, Lucius' eyes gradually widened and his mouth opened a little bit.

“This…this…”

Looking at the hall that had completely changed in less than two seconds and had expanded several times in size, Lucius had no idea what words to use to express his shock and feelings at the moment.

"This Transfiguration, this Stretch Spell, Merlin, this is... is this the powerful Transfiguration that Rodolphus said?"

At this moment, Lucius felt that Rodolphus was talking nonsense. This kind of transfiguration was just very powerful?

"Okay, let's leave it like this for now, and we'll make adjustments depending on the situation later."

Looking at the spacious hall, Locke nodded with satisfaction. The reason why he made it so big was not because he liked it, but because he would need a space for experimental development and verification later, so he prepared it in advance.

"The next step is a new round of busyness. I hope it will go smoothly."

Volume 1: Chapter 56 Two Days

In the Malfoy family's manor, Draco stood in the garden teasing the peacock, but it was obvious from his distracted eyes that his attention was not on the peacock in front of him.

Just the day before yesterday, Draco was suddenly told by his mother that a distinguished adult was about to arrive in the family, and asked him to get ready to go and greet them.

Draco didn't know what kind of noble adult he was that could be valued so much by the Malfoy family.

With such doubts, Draco followed his mother to the gate of the manor.

After waiting outside the door for a full hour, Draco finally met the distinguished adult his mother had mentioned.

But compared to that distinguished adult, what really surprised Draco was his father.

Draco could never have imagined that he would actually see such a humble look on his proud and serious father's face in his entire life. He could not believe that his proud and elegant father could display such a servant-like attitude.

The shocked Malfoy was led by his mother to salute the adult, and then something unexpected happened again.

Draco couldn't understand why the noble man, whose father was as humble as a servant, responded to him and his mother so gently and politely.

After all, in his opinion, an adult who respected even his own parents so much should just casually skip the greetings from servants, just like his father did before when greeting others.

Draco couldn't help but wonder, wouldn't such behavior undermine the dignity and bearing of that adult? And seeing such a situation, would the people below think that that adult was incompetent?

But with this thought in mind, Draco saw that not only did his parents not care about it, but his mother seemed very happy.

Afterwards, when the adult entered the manor, he saw his mother let out a long sigh of relief, looking much more relaxed.

After the welcome, Draco followed his mother back to the manor, and then everything seemed as if nothing had changed, and life returned to normal.

Until now, Draco had never seen the noble lord again, but he knew that the lord was there because he was expressly forbidden to go to the manor hall.

He also learned from his mother that the adult really lived in the hall and was studying extremely profound magical knowledge there, so he could not go there because it would be regarded as a great offense.

Draco asked his mother again, what would happen if he accidentally offended her? His mother was silent for a long time, and finally told him that she didn't know either.

To be honest, Draco was very curious about that adult, and at the same time he had a strange idea.

Draco thought that since that adult could make his father so humble, if he could gain the favor of that adult, would his father be satisfied with him?

It's a pity that such an idea is destined to be impossible to realize. Now he can't do anything except playing with the peacock every day. As for meeting that adult, it is even more impossible.

"Draco~Draco~"

Just when Draco was thinking that today would probably go on the same, and that he might be able to ask the adult more about it during dinner later, he suddenly heard his mother calling him.

"I'm here mom"

Draco took back his hand that was teasing the peacock, turned around and trotted to Narcissa.

"What's the matter, Mom? I remember it's not time for lunch yet, right?"