Chapter 719: Subtle Changes - Part 1
Maravat Liebert spoke at the Confederation's headquarters: "It's essential to protect the traditions of wizards—well, the ones worth preserving. Otherwise, we might be like waves swept away by the sea, losing our footing, leading to fatal dangers... We could set up buffer zones. And in educating young wizards...in facing actions that infringe upon the collective rights of wizards..."
Gradually, the twenty-plus African representatives also joined the meeting. Few realized that they actually represented Grindelwald's ideas, or more precisely, some radical and intense thoughts. If nothing went wrong, these views would take root in some minds and grow in future practices.
Felix no longer worried that the Confederation would become stagnant after he let go.
...
Days passed, and the weather gradually cooled. On a Saturday morning trip to Hogsmeade village, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decided to wear scarves for warmth, gathering in the common room before walking to the school entrance, chatting and laughing with their classmates.
"It can't be that cold, right?" Ginny asked, surprised, next to Harry.
Several lower-grade girls passed by them, chatting excitedly, each draped in a beautiful, light-colored cloak. Harry bet they were third-year students, the kind of excitement he had seen only on faces of those visiting Hogsmeade for the first time. Besides the well-wrapped young wizards, some dressed quite simply, just throwing a coat over their clothes. Harry suspected they had gotten the season mixed up.
"Parvati was rummaging through her stuff last night, said she left her constant temperature locket at home," Hermione explained, resolving Harry's confusion. "So I advised her to dress warmly, the temperature fluctuates a lot this time of year, and many people catch colds. Madam Pomfrey has prepared a batch of Stimulant Potions in advance."
Ron immediately tightened the scarf around his neck.
Harry hurriedly handed his scarf to Ginny, who smiled warmly. "You could use a warming charm, Harry," Hermione suggested, and Harry did so, only to catch Ron giving him a scrutinizing look, followed by a snort.
"Very thoughtful," Ron teased.
Perhaps due to the warming charm, Harry felt his face heating up, like a furnace that couldn't cool down. Ginny, however, brazenly looped her arm through Harry's, dismissing "that despicable hypocrite" who himself was writing letters to girls.
Harry widened his eyes. Ron's face reddened as he defended, "She wrote to me first! Asking if I wanted to join her team after graduation—" He turned to Harry, "You know about this, right? We laughed about her struggling..."
"Seems like it," Harry recalled slowly. "But I thought her birthday had passed long ago, didn't realize you were still corresponding."
Now it was Ron's turn to feel awkward.
"Who are you talking about?" Hermione inquired.
"Collins," Harry said succinctly.
"Oh—" Hermione dragged out her response, remembering both had ambitions to be Minister for Magic. "How's she doing lately?"
"Not bad," Ron muttered.
Arriving in Hogsmeade, they first noticed the increased number of people on the streets, many of them unfamiliar faces. At the village entrance, a map showed two new streets built to the east and north.
For the only—or now one of two—purely wizarding villages in Britain, Hogsmeade always showcased the magic and diversity of the magical community. As they passed chattering witches and wizards, Harry swore he saw a wizard with vampire fangs.
Then, a snow-white owl with black spots silently descended onto Harry's shoulder. "Ouch—oh, Hedwig?" Hedwig extended a leg, allowing Harry to remove the tied note. After reading, he turned to the others.
"Mr. Diggory will be a bit late; he suggested we explore elsewhere first," Harry said. He patted Hedwig's beak, "The window in the dormitory is open; I left some food for you." Hedwig flew off.
"Great," Ron said eagerly. "Let's check out Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and the Future World Corporation branch first, might be some new products we can try—"
"Sounds good, so where to first?" Ginny asked.
"Been a while since we saw Fred and George," Harry suggested, leading them to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. However, Fred and George weren't there, only busy clerks. Harry felt a pang of disappointment; he wanted to ask about the twins' success with the Muggle government's procurement list, though he highly doubted their prank packs would be accepted without resistance.
They declined the clerks' offers of help, browsing casually.
Fred and George's shop remained as captivating as ever, with colorful lights and a cacophony of comical sounds everywhere. Harry constantly reminded himself not to overreact, but
he couldn't help laughing when a spider with bushy eyebrows and spitting silk dangled from the ceiling.
Turning to show Ron, Harry caught Hermione reading a pamphlet and talking to a clerk. It didn't look like she was asking about new prank products. Curiosity drew him closer—a small jellyfish firework exploded among the crowd, amusing a little boy with a swarm of colorful jellyfish.
"May I take one with me?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, it's provided for free by the Ministry of Magic," the clerk responded.
"What's that in your hand?" Harry inquired once the clerk left. Hermione pointed to a box on the ground, filled with pamphlets identical to the one in her hand, labeled 'Travel Guide—Navigating the Muggle World with Ease. Provided by the Ministry of Magic.'
"Wow," Harry remarked.
"Looks quite useful, doesn't it?" Hermione smiled. "I've only skimmed through, but it advises wizards to stick to large cities where they're likely to be more welcomed. Like London, it's been attracting lots of foreign tourists interested in magic."
Ron and Ginny approached, laden with items.
"Hey, look at this!" Ron, holding two colorful bags, said excitedly. "Weasley's Deluxe Prank Kit, including the best-selling classics since opening, with an extra Voldemort figurine; and a Muggle-targeted snack pack, slightly pricey but affordable."
"Uncensored version—" Harry pointed at the packaging, "What does that mean?"
"Oh, remember the product review at Sword Castle? Percy removed some names, thinking they might harm Muggles. But, well—" Ron gave Harry a knowing glance. Harry stared at the package depicting a boy in a hangman's noose, wondering which product it referred to. Ginny nudged him, showing her item.
It was a semi-transparent box with twelve small bottles inside, showing wizards and witches with enchanted, intoxicated expressions, alongside fierce trolls and goblins. "Not some banned item, right?" Harry asked, concerned. Ginny shifted her thumb, revealing the product name—'Daydream Charms, Quidditch Edition.'
"Interesting," Harry commented dryly, understanding why even trolls and goblins could ride broomsticks in dreams. Tempted by the idea of playing Quidditch against a troll or goblin, he also asked a clerk for two boxes.
They then visited the Future World Corporation branch, where a large sign at the entrance attracted many onlookers. Once the crowd dispersed, the four hurried over.
"Partner Recruitment—whether you're a directionless wizard, a recent graduate without connections, or a werewolf, vampire, banshee... If you have creative ideas and genuine skills, you can apply for subsidies and support from a professional team of over three hundred! Future World will help make your dreams a reality..."
"Amazing," Harry marveled. "So if I have a good idea, Future World's people could help me realize it?"
"Not that simple," Hermione pointed to the fine print. "First, your idea must be feasible, requiring professional evaluation—also, it can't be illegal; second, you must dedicate considerable time, not completely clueless, just stuck on a technical issue... Only then would Future World be willing to assist."
Feeling it was about time, they headed to the Three Broomsticks to meet Mr. Diggory.
"I'm exhausted," Ron declared. "Feels like we walked the whole day's distance."
While waiting for Madam Rosmerta to prepare their drinks, Harry looked around, noticing more patrons than last year, including two tables of rugged adult wizards, clearly unaccustomed to the student presence at the Three Broomsticks, speaking gruffly.
"I don't want those Muggles coming in; they've already taken up too much space. Now they're targeting the last wizarding area, are they?"
"It's the Ministry's decision, Dick." Another man absentmindedly stroked the patterns on his clean glass, surprised by its cleanliness, suggesting his usual haunts were places like the Hog's Head.
The first man cursed.
"Incredible—" Ron remarked.
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