At 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister of Britain, Jim Hacker, was pacing back and forth by the window like an ant on a hot pan.
Outside the window, a large crowd of journalists had gathered at the gate, held back only by a row of dozens of burly guards.
The constant ringing of telephones from outside the office was audible, and he could clearly hear Humphrey and Bernard's shouts.
"Don't worry about the damned broomstick, just say it was carried up by a tornado."
"What? There are two people riding it? They were blown up too—the wind's just that strong, and we won't accept any arguments!"
"If there's no tornado, have the meteorologists invent one. If they can't, send them to study polar bears in Australia!"
The noise only made Hacker more irritable, and he could only comfort himself by watching television news reports of other countries' misfortunes.
Suddenly, as if following an order from someone, ninety percent of the journalists stationed downstairs vanished.
The remaining ten percent who were unwilling to leave were 'politely' escorted away by suddenly appearing black-suited bodyguards.
Hacker's spirits lifted as he saw a black Rolls-Royce pull up at the entrance. A young man, surrounded by bodyguards, entered 10 Downing Street. Not long after, Bernard's voice echoed from outside.
"Thank God, Earl Lawrence is here, Your Excellency..."
"Let him in!" Hacker shouted, then, remembering the staff outside, his voice turned authoritative. "Bernard, Humphrey, both of you come in, and make it quick! The subjects of Britain have no time to waste."
Outside the door, Wayne's lips twitched. 'Typical two-faced Prime Minister Hacker,' he thought, 'even at a time like this, he has to maintain his posture.'
The angelic Bernard pushed open the door to the Prime Minister's office, allowing Wayne to enter first, followed by Humphrey, and finally himself. Once inside, he firmly locked the door to ensure they wouldn't be disturbed.
Those present were the core members of Hacker's inner circle, all trusted allies. Hacker dropped all pretence, his bushy eyebrows furrowing together.
"Earl Lawrence, are those your people?" He pointed at the television, where an impassioned news presenter was speaking rapidly. The other half of the screen showed dozens of wooden objects flying through the sky, with two wizards controlling them from below and several others attacking the police. The scene was utter chaos.
Hacker casually changed the channel to another scene of a building being torn to shreds, followed by footage of a squirrel transformed into a teacup and someone riding on the roof of a car as if it were a flying carpet.
Wayne watched with great interest, but Humphrey couldn't bear it any longer and coughed heavily to snap him out of it. Wayne explained:
"Your Excellency, they are indeed 'our' people, but they're not on the same side."
"What do you mean, 'our people' and 'not on the same side'? Can you be clearer?" Hacker was even more confused.
"Wayne," Humphrey muttered, "explain it in terms he can understand."
Hacker: "..."
'Oh, the Oxford lot think they're so clever!'
Fifteen minutes later, Hacker and the other two had heard the whole story and finally understood what was happening, their faces a picture of shattered worldviews.
Wayne secretly took a photo with his magical camera as a keepsake.
"An ancient civilisation, worlds beyond our own... My Victoria, is it really true?"
"Then..." Hacker's lips trembled, "Does that mean I'll truly get to see God?"
"Not necessarily?" Wayne was noncommittal. So far, the Vatican had become one of the world's most turbulent spots - that tiny area had been glowing with holy light all night, and nobody knew what was happening.
Wayne explained his purpose, "The magical world's exposure is inevitable, or rather, it's already completely exposed. We can't control these newcomers anymore."
"Prime Minister, it's up to you now to turn the tide with a bold decision."
Hacker instinctively straightened his posture, "Bold - I like that word."
But he quickly deflated again, "But will they recognise my boldness? A bunch of freaks - no, Earl Lawrence, I don't mean you, you'll always be the Queen's most excellent subject. I mean... what can I possibly do?"
"Of course, there's so much you can do, and it's crucially important," Wayne said seriously. "The public is panicking, wizards are equally wary of Muggles... One wrong move could trigger a war."
Hacker irritably loosened his tie, the immense pressure making it hard to breathe.
"You should understand the severity of the situation. This afternoon, I have to explain to both Houses what wizards are, what the Ministry of Magic is, and make them understand that there are over twenty thousand people without guns who can unleash destructive power more terrifying than firearms at any moment, along with all sorts of bizarre abilities. This poses a massive threat to national security - nobody can face this calmly."
"Earl Lawrence, you should stand on our side—"
"I've always been on your side," Wayne interrupted him. "Or rather, I've always stood with humanity. But wizards are human too."
"They're human? Is there any academic basis for that? Published in SCI journals?" Hacker muttered.
"Prime Minister," Humphrey reminded him, "please mind your wording. The Lawrence family are distinguished nobles with a thousand-year heritage."
"Could you automatically exclude him next time? I meant the others."
"Everything I'm doing is to prevent war," Wayne interrupted their banter. "If conflict breaks out between both sides, the ultimate outcome will be mutual destruction."
Seeing Hacker still didn't believe him, Wayne sighed. In a flash, his arm was already around Hacker's shoulders.
"My apologies, Prime Minister."
"Uncle, I need to help Prime Minister Hacker understand what a real wizard is."
With that, both figures vanished from the office.
"I've told you many times - use official titles in public!" Humphrey called after them, then turned a sardonic smile towards the thoroughly flustered Bernard.
"Sorry, Bernard, until those two return, you'll have to keep me company for a while."
Seeing his superior's terrifying smile, Bernard swallowed hard, not daring to make any sudden moves.
...
Meanwhile, Wayne hadn't taken Hacker far, merely to the nearby Leaky Cauldron. Like any ordinary wizard, they entered Diagon Alley through the stone wall in the backyard.
Due to yesterday's disturbances, Diagon Alley had fewer visitors but significantly more Aurors.
At least two teams of Aurors were patrolling the streets, preventing anyone with ill intentions from stirring up emotions. Though they didn't know the origins of those ancient wizards, it was clear these people held no regard for the Statute of Secrecy.
"A wizarding enclave right in central London?" Hacker couldn't read the shop signs, but he understood why Wayne had brought him here.
"Correct. This place has existed longer than British history itself."
They happened to stop outside Ollivanders Wand Shop, where Hacker could just make out the faded lettering on the shabby sign - Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.
"I've never seen this street name on any map."
"Wizards possess extensive concealment magic," Wayne said. "Had I not brought you in, you wouldn't have even noticed the Leaky Cauldron's existence, let alone this entire street situated on vanished land."
"If wizards and Muggles truly went to war... The police? They couldn't even find the places. The army? They could, but they'd need heavy artillery and missiles... even Trident missiles?"
"Impossible!" Hacker exclaimed. "How could I possibly order intercontinental missile strikes on central London? Besides, those things have never been successfully test-fired! Even conventional artillery is out of the question - my political opponents and even my own subordinates would be delighted if I tried!"
Wayne nodded imperceptibly.
Though Hacker had been somewhat accidentally thrust into the Prime Minister's position by the civil service, all these years in office had honed his natural talents - his political instincts and intellect were clearly intact.
Suddenly, Hacker stopped before Lawrence Bank, his expression turning peculiar.
"Your family's business interests... are quite diverse."
"Just sticking to our roots. Couldn't resist opening a bank to serve the public," Wayne replied without changing expression. Hacker glanced at him, silently reassessing Wayne's influence in the wizarding world.
As Prime Minister, he understood perfectly how deep the waters of finance ran.
Opening a bank required both wealth and influence, in any world.
"Come, I'll show you the Ministry of Magic now."
This time, Wayne apparated with Hacker to the red telephone box and entered the Ministry through the most formal channel. Though few staff members remained working inside, Wayne gave Hacker a complete tour of every department.
"Normally, about eleven hundred employees work here, plus visitors conducting business. You could say this place, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts, where I'm based, are the three main gathering places for Britain's wizarding community."
"Beyond that, twenty thousand are scattered across the country. If war truly broke out, do you think you could eradicate wizards completely without paying a terrible price?"
Hacker's face clouded with conflicting emotions - this was both a statement of fact and a veiled threat.
The wizarding presence was deeply embedded in their society, inextricably intertwined. Eliminating wizards would mean carving a bloody chunk from Britain's already weakened frame.
Not even if the most decisive Prime Minister, Churchill himself, resurrected, would lightly decide to break relations completely.
This was Wayne's security.
Just as wizards feared war with Muggles could lead to their extinction, Muggles equally dreaded conflict.
During the interwar period, this nation still clung to some elitist policies, barely maintaining the last glimmer of the Empire on which the sun never set. Now, however, internal conflicts alone were fierce enough to "beat the dog's brains out."
Expecting them to deal with this reasonably is utterly impossible.
Magic, Lawrence wanted. Technology, Lawrence also wanted.
Since the fusion and exchange between the two worlds had become inevitable, the initiative and pace of this fusion must remain firmly in his hands.
Without posing a threat to him, magic and technology would combine to benefit humanity and promote prosperity throughout the world.
This was the future world Wayne envisioned in his ideals.
While these thoughts flowed through his mind, Wayne's expression remained unreadable. Instead, he revealed a slight smile: "Prime Minister, let's return. We mustn't keep Uncle and Mr Bernard waiting any longer."
Having said this, he led Hacker towards the public fireplace.
This was the final card he had to play.
...
Constantinople.
An old man so ugly he made one doubt whether he had fully evolved sat on a bench, eyes closed, his wizened face covered in wrinkles.
Beside him stood a short, stout middle-aged man with a furtive appearance, watching him fearfully.
"Lord Slytherin, that is all I know."
"Before his death, Lord Tom said you would surely return to avenge him, and then... he told me to go into hiding."
"Avenge him?"
Salazar Slytherin, one of Hogwarts' founders and a member of the legendary four, let out a light chuckle of ambiguous meaning.
"A distant descendant, generations removed? If he died, then he died. Is he worthy of my intervention?"
Peter Pettigrew's face turned ashen, and he stammered, not daring to speak. But Slytherin's following words made him breathe a sigh of relief.
"However... stealing my wand and occupying Hogwarts – that is an account that cannot go unsettled."
"Lawrence... has already chosen the path to his death."