0317 The Muggles

The Time-Turner was not damaged by Greyback, but mysteriously broke after a time travel. Professor Watson also knew about this.

Ron pursed his lips but didn't say anything.

The Weasley family's financial situation was indeed not good, but Ron was also from a 'Sacred' pure blood family. Growing up under such influence, he had some understanding of the "behind-the-scenes operations" of the Ministry that couldn't be put on the table. And Harry's face also looked a bit unnatural.

Since last summer, when Professor Watson took him to the underground world deep in Knockturn Alley, he realized that the wizarding world was not as wonderful as he had imagined. Like the Muggle world, it was filled with darkness and injustice. Like the case of Hagrid and Buckbeak, so many young wizards had seen that Malfoy was injured by his own doing, but the Ministry still prosecuted Buckbeak under Lucius Malfoy's influence, disregarding the facts.

However, this matter has now been resolved as well.

A few days ago, when Hagrid returned to school, he asked Madam Pomfrey to bring a message to the three of them: the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures had decided to drop the charges, and according to Hagrid, all this was thanks to Professor Watson.

Powerful wizards have privileges.

Professor Watson was like this, Headmaster Dumbledore was like this, and even the Malfoy family with its considerable influence was like this.

That night in the Forbidden Forest, when Harry watched Professor Lupin and the others fight against Greyback up close, he was constantly frustrated that he couldn't help. Now he discovered that Professor Watson had casually dealt with one difficult matter after another, and a small thought began to take root and sprout in his heart.

The matter of the Time-Turner was properly resolved, and for Harry and his friends, it finally eliminated the consequences of the werewolf riot.

To avoid being sent to Azkaban, after Professor McGonagall left, Hermione also kicked Harry and Ron out of her ward. All day long, she was busy with the statement for Professor Watson, and it wasn't until bedtime, when Madam Pomfrey needed to do their final check, that they entered Hermione's ward again, and the room, which had been clean and tidy in the morning, was now covered with parchment filled with writing.

Hermione's hair was disheveled, and she looked like she was about to collapse.

Harry and Ron each picked up an abandoned parchment and started reading,

"Compared to your essays, your storytelling skills are much worse, Hermione."

Ron couldn't help but laugh, and what he got in return was a glare from Hermione in anger.

"Ahem, do you need our help, Hermione—"

Harry suppressed his laughter and said,

"You know, Professor Trelawney's Divination class, to complete an assignment that satisfies her, it requires a bit of skill."

Although they had only been in the hospital wing for a week, when Harry and the others stepped out of the hospital wing's doors, they suddenly felt as if they were in a different world. Their anticipation burned like a raging flame, and they ran through the corridors, eager to see their classmates in the house.

On Monday morning at 7:40, most of the young wizards gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry and the others had a clear goal, running down the spiral staircase to the first floor, and bursting into the Great Hall.

But as soon as they entered, they immediately realized that something was off.

At the staff table, apart from Snape, every professor, including Dumbledore, was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet, engrossed in the words on the newspaper, looking very focused.

And the young wizards sitting at the four long tables below were in a similar situation. They gathered around those who subscribed to the newspaper, pointing and discussing the words on the paper.

"What's going on?"

Harry and the others looked at each other in astonishment, slowly approaching their usual seats. When they passed by Ginny, who was huddled with Colin, Ron asked in bewilderment, "I thought we would be warmly welcomed!"

Ron's voice brought Ginny back to her senses, and when she saw Harry next to Ron, her face lit up with joy, but as she stood up, her lips turned pale,

"The murderer of your parents, Harry" Ginny took the newspaper from Colin's hands, her lips trembling as she said to Harry, "Sirius Black has been captured by the Ministry of Magic!"

After Ginny's voice trembled out those words, the Great Hall fell silent. Harry could feel the gaze of at least two-thirds of the young wizards upon him.

"Show some reaction, Harry, you're being too suspicious," Hermione whispered, nudging him in the back.

Harry had never encountered such an awkward situation before. Sirius was innocent, he hadn't betrayed them to Voldemort, they already knew that. But to his classmates, Sirius was still the notorious prisoner and traitor, and according to rumors, he had escaped from Azkaban to seek revenge on him because he was the "boy who lived" who had foiled Voldemort's plans. So, um, should he act happy?

"Oh, really?"

Harry widened his eyes, trying to feign surprise and excitement about the news. "When did this happen, cough cough, well done—I mean, the Ministry of Magic is good!"

Ron pinched his own thigh hard, otherwise, he would probably be rolling on the floor laughing. Hermione's shoulder also trembled slightly, indicating that she was also struggling to hold back her laughter.

"The Daily Prophet mentioned it this morning—"

Neville stood up a few steps away, shaking the newspaper in his hand. "The Ministry has had him for a while now. The paper says they've been interrogating him, probably trying to figure out how he escaped Azkaban, after all, he's the first to have done it—"

The gazes from students from all houses put pressure on Harry. He didn't like being stared at like an animal in a zoo, so he quickly walked to the spot where Seamus and the Weasley twins had made room for him, took the newspaper from Neville's hand, and buried his head in it. Hermione and Ron squeezed in on his left and right.

"Any word on how they 'caught' Sirius?"

Ron, who had spent a week in the hospital with no taste due to the various potions, was eagerly stuffing his mouth with pies, his sense of bliss evident as he mumbled the question.

"—They found him while searching for Greyback in the Forbidden Forest."

Harry replied, his attention focused on the picture of Sirius in the middle of the newspaper. Sirius was once again dressed in a prisoner's robes, but the injuries from that night seemed to have healed. However, his now plumper cheeks showed a hint of resignation, as he had yet to play his part.

"Black's destined to return to Azkaban, Harry. No need to worry about it anymore. Tell us about your duel with the werewolves. The whole school's talking about it. Malfoy's finished, they say Greyback mauled his mouth. Come on, Please, tell us that's the truth!"

"Pretty Much!" Ron managed to swallow the food in his mouth and said with a flushed face. He was about to tell everyone about Malfoy's unfortunate encounter, but Hermione kicked him hard under the table, forcing him to keep quiet.

One by one, students from Gryffindor and even Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw crowded around them, wanting to know what happened. At first, Ron tried to stick to the moral line and told everyone that Professor Lupin, and Snape, as well as Hagrid, had saved them. But after five minutes, he couldn't resist anymore and started boasting about how he used a spell to cut off the ears of more than a dozen werewolves.

"They can handle this situation, right?" Professor McGonagall worriedly said at the staff table. "Cornelius has made it clear not to reveal anything in advance, but it's not easy. They are at the age where they love to show off."

"Oh, how rare—"

Snape's thin lips curled into a mocking smile on the other side, "For once, we agree on Potter and his empty-headed friends."

"There's nothing to worry about, Minerva," Dumbledore said, shaking his beard. "I trust they'll keep the secret. Speaking of which, does the statement Bryan asked Miss Granger to provide need my signature too?"

"Oh, if you're willing, Albus, I think it's best you sign it."

Professor McGonagall retorted, a bit annoyed after Snape's jab.

At the mention of Bryan, Snape fell silent. After a moment, amidst the pleasant sound of cutlery clinking against plates, Snape asked gruffly, "What's he up to now?"

"Sorry, Severus?" Dumbledore turned his head, blinking playfully. "Who are you asking about?"

Under Snape's cold gaze, Dumbledore smiled cheerfully. "If you're asking about Bryan, um, I think he's busy solving a little problem for himself. I sincerely hope that his approach will be more gentle. After all, times have changed, haven't they?"

As dusk fell and the evening lights flickered to life, the vibrant market in East London became a hive of activity. Restaurants and bars teemed with life, their warm glow inviting a diverse crowd. The air was rich with the aromas of classic British dishes, sizzling Asian barbecue, juicy Latin American grilled meats, and an array of Mediterranean snacks. Many foreigners were drawn to this place by its reputation.

The passing Muggles could hardly imagine that two prominent figures from the wizarding world were right near them.

By the roadside, there was a cafe with a retro decor. Bryan Watson and Amelia Bones sat facing each other on a wooden table, engaged in conversation.

Suu-- Bryan took a sip of the tea and placed the rare purple clay teacup on the table in front of him. The dim light in the room reflected on his cheeks, outlining his gentle smile with a hint of laziness.

"It's surprising, Amelia," Bryan tapped the table with his fingers and then pointed outside the window. "As a renowned official in the Ministry of Magic, you know more about the Muggle world than I thought."

"In the Muggle government's records, I am a single middle-aged woman living alone," Amelia replied. During non-working hours, she had shed her intimidating appearance and was dressed in a loose green T-shirt and ordinary jeans, looking like an ordinary Muggle woman.

Staring at the Muggle youths passing by outside the window, Amelia's expression seemed somewhat melancholic.

"You grew up in the Muggle world, Bryan. How do you see them?"

"Admiration," Bryan fell silent for a moment, his gaze shifting to the window as he spoke softly.

"Yes." Amelia took a deep breath and then exhaled, her tone as bitter as the tea in her cup, "Not just London, but also the Muggle societies of Europe, America, and Asia—during my years as the Director of Magical Law Enforcement, I've visited other countries' Ministries for exchanges, and their situations are much like ours.

Muggle society is evolving rapidly, and what they call 'technology' has drastically changed their lives. They've achieved many incredible things that even wizards can't do. They can communicate across oceans, a single weapon can destroy a nation, they've landed on the moon… And us wizards, for centuries, our society hasn't fundamentally changed—many wizards born in the Muggle world quickly adapt to our world's stubborn ways upon entering the wizarding world. They indeed integrate into our society, but they lose the enviable ambition and broad vision of Muggles—"

Bryan lowered his gaze, staring at the rippling tea in the cup, and fell silent.

The wizarding world needs change, or one day the dignity and confidence of wizards will be shattered under the 'technological hooves' of Muggles. This is the consensus of some enlightened individuals in the wizarding world, but no one knows where to start.

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