Chapter 610 Back to School

Can Muggles and wizards coexist peacefully?

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

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

"In terms of culture, although a small number of wizards have played a decisive role in world history, compared to the vast culture built by hundreds of millions of Muggles, the gap between the two is like a stream and the sea, either being assimilated and diluted, or being smashed to pieces ; In terms of economy, even if they have elves that are cheaper than slaves, wizards are still stuck in the traditional small farmer economy and handmade manufacturing industry, which cannot be compared with automated assembly lines. Basic food and daily necessities alone are enough to drag down the entire magical world. collapse……"

"The technological development of Muggle society is an irreversible trend, and the development of the earth will gradually deepen, which is destined to invade the residence of magical creatures..."

Loren listed the differences between the wizarding world and Muggle society one by one. Hermione's eyes widened when she heard it, but she couldn't refute it. Finally, he said with certainty: "All conjectures and results will point to war."

"A very detailed analysis." Grindelwald praised. He thought for a moment and did not refute. 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 weapons of destruction developed by modern technology are no weaker than magic. One bullet is a killing curse. The Gatling gun can fire two hundred bullets per minute. One white phosphorus bullet is With a powerful fire, it only takes two bombers to burn down an entire city. There are also more powerful biological and chemical weapons and nuclear weapons... But the wizard's Polyjuice Potion, Legilimency, Imperius Curse, Apparition... these Flexible and mysterious magic can also cause big trouble for Muggles."

Grindelwald turned the teacup in his hand and thought silently for an unknown amount of time before saying softly: "Both sides will suffer losses, or even the outcome of mutual destruction..."

He had seen such a scene many years ago. The flames erupted from technological creations could instantly burn down the entire city, turning the entire area into a 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, which prompted him to eagerly find a way out for the wizard's future, and he did not hesitate to carry out massacres for this purpose.

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

Hermione didn't speak. She had had similar discussions with Professor Bubbaji, but each time there was no definite result.

Harry was immersed in the contrast between magic and modern weapons. He found the contrast shocking and could not recover for a long time.

During the aimless waiting time, Grindelwald asked many things about Muggle society. His words were meticulous and he always asked about the origin and development process of things. Hermione was mainly the one answering, Loren was supplementing beside him, and Harry basically couldn't tell. If he didn't, he had to drink the fragrant tea vigorously.

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

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The clerk on duty at the Austrian Ministry of Magic accidentally fell asleep, so the handover of documents was a little slow."

"..." Loren and Hermione didn't know whether this was some kind of rhetoric or a real reason, and they didn't know how to reply.

"Let's set off as soon as possible. It's already very 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 cup in decades. Quilted.”

"You're always welcome."

…

Walking down the streets of Grimmauld Place, you are greeted by a cold breeze.

The pale Harry was recovering from the intense discomfort caused by long-distance teleportation. The squeezing of space brought a strong sense of suffocation, and the lack of oxygen caused his head to feel dizzy. However, taking a big breath would inhale the cold air, and his nose would turn red from the cold. The nasal cavity to Tianling Gai is unobstructed.

Grindelwald looked at the nearby street scene with great interest, especially the Christmas lights left on the trees that had not had time to be 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 lanterns were, what traffic lights were, and how the big iron boxes on the roadside were different from those decades ago. …

Dumbledore patted Harry on the back to help him breathe easier: "If you don't object, Harry, I have a few words to say to you before bidding farewell."

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

"Harry, a lot has happened lately, but I'd say you've been handling it well, happily, and a little proudly."

"Um……"

"I assume you've been subscribing to the Daily Prophet for the past week?"

"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 can't completely blind Voldemort's perception, it can buy you some time, understand?"

"I understand, sir."

"Then see you next semester! I think Molly and Sirius haven't fallen asleep yet, so hurry up and comfort their worried and nervous hearts..."

Before reaching the door of the Black mansion, Professor Lupin, who had been waiting on the roadside, had already come to meet them.

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

No one agreed.

After a few simple greetings, Dumbledore said goodbye.

The figures of four people flickered in the darkness of London at 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 shuttle freely in the city.

Disappeared on the street, and appeared at the end of the street the next moment. Leaving a line of footprints on the snow, the figures began to flicker again.

Hampstead district gradually approached.

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

"..."

There were only two houses with lights on in front. Dumbledore led them forward and took out a piece of 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: "The relic left by the professor for me?"

"I just entrust it to you for safekeeping, and you must return it at the right time."

"Professor Snape is a bit stingy..."

"He guessed you would say that." Dumbledore took out another piece of storage snake scale and handed it to him, "This one is the reward for entrusting you to keep it."

"Hehe... …”

"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 Imperius Curse, give out the core Death Eaters, and pay a large ransom. If no serious harm is caused, some people may still be acquitted." 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 made a public appearance. The Ministry of Magic may search his office. It is safer to keep these things with you."

Loren did not look at Professor Snape's snake scale, but just checked his own rewards. Most of them were potion materials, and there were also a few bottles of finished potions.

It's just that there are a lot of homework questions for no reason. I don't know if Professor Snape put them in the wrong place.

Forget it, I won't care about him for the time being.

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 won't let anyone pin the crime on Severus."

"That's good..."

"Then, I wish you a good dream."

"Good night, professor."

Loren and Hermione walked towards the door.

Looking back before entering the door, at the end of the street in the block, the street lights were dimly lit, and two old men walked side by side into the cold winter night, their lips moving, as if reminiscing about the past, as if chatting.

Snowflakes fell on their shoulders.

...

January 14, morning.

King's Cross Station, Platform 9.

Snowflakes fell on the platform ground, trampled by students and parents coming and going, and the dirt and dust under their feet mixed with the snow and ice, looking dirty.

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

"Be careful at school. If the situation is serious, take a leave of absence and go home. I have contacted the school directors of Eton College. You can transfer students 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 bullies who?"

"Hmm?"

"Okay, no problem."

"..."

A shrill steam whistle came from the top of the train. Monica, who was next to him, walked over with Hermione and said softly to Loren:

"I'll leave Hermione to you. Supervise her. Don't stay up late, don't overuse your eyes, and go out for exercise in moderation..."

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

Grandpa Bates solemnly told the little witch: "Keep an eye on Loren, warn him not to cause trouble, and don't violate School rules, if he doesn't obey, I'll punish him. If he dares to bully you, come back and tell me during the summer vacation, I'll 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, "It's about to leave, check if you have brought everything, don't forget anything!"

"Oh!"

"Grandpa Bates, Mom and Dad, we're leaving!"

"Goodbye!"

"..."

The train started slowly, gradually accelerated, and like a swift red snake, it meandered forward and disappeared 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 thawed, and the world outside the window was still a white scene. It was not until nightfall that the little wizards arrived at the Hogsmeade platform and entered the school in invisible thestrals.

The hall suddenly became lively. The joyful Christmas holiday diluted the fear of the Death Eaters and Voldemort. After a long separation, the little 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 had a pretty quiet Christmas."

"I'm going to Hogsmeade Village again next month. Did you see the notice?"

"What? Oh, no, I haven't seen the notice board since I came back."

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

Compared with the simple happiness of the little wizards of Muggle origin, the children of wizard families are more informed. They discussed the incredible battle of 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 the You-Know-Who led the Death Eaters to attack the Ministry of Magic? My dad worked at the Broomstick Management and Control Bureau, and he was also implicated!" A little wizard said mysteriously, and the classmates next to him asked about the details.

"Isn't this department a civilian job?"

"The Death Eaters launched two waves of attacks. My dad was fine during the first wave. When he was about to retreat and transfer, he happened to run 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!"

"Now, is your dad okay?" 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 little wizards surrounded Harry, Dean and Seamus held his robe tightly, and the Creevey brothers held up the camera and took crazy pictures, not letting him go.

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

Harry looked like he had lost all hope in life.

Loren and Hermione sat together at the back of the long table, occasionally greeting each other with their classmates, mainly doing their holiday homework on Arithmancy and Potions.

"Loren, do you know the specific situation at that time?" Rolf from Hufflepuff asked curiously, turning his head to the side. He quietly put the fries into his pocket with one hand and fed them to the Bowtruckle.

Without waiting for the two to answer, he sighed and said to himself, "The basilisk 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!"

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

Rolf looked up at him with a dim look in his eyes, "Your change of subject... is a bit awkward."