The important figures in the room nodded slightly, some even flashing standard politician smiles at Grindelwald to show their friendliness.
After all, he had declared himself an ambassador of peace, so they needed to display appropriate courtesy.
In a way, this was a high-level diplomatic meeting.
However, Kingsley, standing slightly behind, had a contorted expression.
Ambassador of peace?
A Dark Wizard who nearly led wizards into war against Muggles is now calling himself an ambassador of peace? Even The Quibbler couldn't make up such absurd news.
Don't ask why he read magazines like The Quibbler - the Ministry of Magic subscribed to a copy for every employee each month as a benefit.
Grindelwald shot a warning glance at Kingsley before taking the seat Hacker had prepared for them.
"I come with sincerity," Grindelwald said. "I'm also here to answer questions. You can ask me anything you wish to know."
Everyone looked at Hacker.
"I don't know this Mr Grindelwald, but Mr Shacklebolt is the head of the Auror Office. Oh, Aurors are the most powerful wizard police force - his position is roughly equivalent to the Defence Secretary."
Hacker shared everything he knew, prompting the ministers to regard Kingsley and Grindelwald with greater seriousness.
They could tell that Grindelwald was clearly leading these negotiations, meaning his status must be higher than Shacklebolt's.
The Defence Secretary spoke first.
"Mr Grindelwald, what's the total population of the wizarding world?"
War tests national power, and population and technology embody that power. He wasn't foolish enough to discuss science with wizards, so naturally he could only ask about numbers.
"That's rather difficult for me," Grindelwald feigned headache, rubbing his temples. "Britain has about twenty thousand wizards. Across Europe, that number would be six or seven times higher, not even counting Russia."
"Russia has roughly twenty thousand wizards too."
"But..." Grindelwald smiled slightly, "this is only the broad definition of wizards. In fact, only properly educated wizards from major magical schools are widely recognised by us."
"That number is only about half."
Though Hogwarts students might not seem particularly bright, they were actually the cream of the crop.
Many people could only ever perform one or two spells in their lifetime. These individuals weren't qualified to enter Hogwarts and could only take correspondence courses, belonging to the category of self-taught wizards who still fell under Ministry of Magic jurisdiction.
Hearing this, the ministers' expressions relaxed considerably.
"Then, Mr Grindelwald, could you show us some wizardry?" the Home Secretary asked cheerfully.
"Let Shacklebolt do it. He's more representative." Grindelwald gestured towards Kingsley.
Kingsley didn't refuse - this had been agreed upon beforehand. They needed to demonstrate power during the negotiations.
He drew his wand and shot a spell at the vase by the door. The vase shattered into countless pieces but restored itself under a Repairing Charm.
"Are you playing house?" Grindelwald said discontentedly. "Show them an Auror's capability. Don't let them look down on us."
This damn display was less impressive than ordinary firearms - who could it possibly threaten?
Can't you see these ministers aren't just unafraid, but actually showing a hint of delight?
His lips twitched slightly. Kingsley's expression shifted minutely, a coldness flashing in his eyes before he reluctantly raised his wand.
Boom!
An entire wall exploded into fragments. The agents stationed outside were sent flying by the tremendous blast. Those with quick reflexes avoided the worst of it and rushed in immediately to protect the ministers and Prime Minister.
Kingsley then cast a Muggle-Repelling Charm. The agents who had raised their guns became disoriented. Seizing their confused moment, Kingsley repaired the wall, then cast a discreet glance at Grindelwald.
His Banishing Charm could never achieve this level of effect - Grindelwald must have intervened covertly.
The ministers were now thoroughly alarmed.
"You controlled them?"
"The Muggle-Repelling Charm and Confundus Charm - these two spells are how wizards have remained hidden until now."
Everyone stared at him with fear, but Grindelwald merely smiled faintly. "No need to worry. Such spells have very limited duration, particularly against strong-willed individuals."
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, urgent knocking and inquiries came from outside the door. Bernard opened it to admit the special agents' commander, who breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing everyone unharmed, though he remained vigilant, keeping his gun trained on Grindelwald and Kingsley.
"Shacklebolt commands nearly a hundred Aurors of similar calibre to himself. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement likewise employs dozens of highly skilled wizards. They maintain stability in the wizarding world and protect wizarding citizens from persecution."
The Defence Minister and the military representatives grew uncomfortable.
With hundreds of wizards at that level, who could possibly persecute you?
"And what about you, Mr Grindelwald?" the opposition leader suddenly asked. "Do you also command such magic?"
"Indeed, though this isn't the magic I specialise in."
"I'm more skilled at playing with fire." Grindelwald opened his palm, and a cluster of blue flames materialised in mid-air.
"Allow me to introduce you - this fire is called Fiendfyre. It's magical flame that grows continuously stronger. Unless countered by specific magic, it will consume every combustible substance."
"Is it truly that powerful?" the Finance Minister asked sceptically. "It looks no different from a lighter's flame."
"It's real," Kingsley testified for Grindelwald. "Seventy years ago, Mr Grindelwald nearly burned down half a city. Only the intervention of several other heroic wizards prevented the catastrophe."
"Many in the wizarding community can verify the truth of this event."
"WTF?!"
The group's faces were written with utter bewilderment.
Wasn't this a bloody terrorist? How could he be a peace ambassador?
Are all wizards this dangerous?
"Ah, let's not dwell on past matters," Grindelwald waved dismissively with a sigh. "Burning down Paris wasn't my intention either. Summoning the flames was merely to select qualified followers - I simply got a bit carried away and made more of a spectacle than intended."
The ministers: "..."
That statement was even more terrifying.
Though... hearing that the city was Paris, they felt rather pleased about it.
As long as you're messing with the French, we're good friends.
"Ahem." Hacker cleared his throat. "Mr Grindelwald, do you hold any other positions in the wizarding world?"
"I am the Headmaster of a school, similar to Lawrence," Grindelwald said. "And your Minister for Magic is my close friend. The commitments made by the three of us represent the will of the entire wizarding world."
...
After two and a half hours of negotiations, both sides finally reached a consensus on preliminary cooperation and established general details and direction.
Later, Kingsley took over discussions with the cabinet while Grindelwald remained silent, occasionally clarifying doubts.
Facing a room full of political masterminds, Kingsley was at a distinct disadvantage - he was merely a wizard who hadn't even attended university, and soon found himself divulging considerable useful information.
Yet Grindelwald showed no intention of intervening.
Minor details couldn't affect the larger picture. Through Wayne's analysis, he understood that full-scale conflict between the original city boundaries and Muggles was temporarily impossible.
Because they shared common enemies - those monsters and wizards emerging from ancient ruins.
Thus, wizards needed stability, while the cabinet equally needed to answer to the public to maintain their votes and seats.
The more Grindelwald pondered, the more amusing he found it - these politicians completely beholden to approval ratings seemed far easier to handle than the hardliners he'd encountered in his day.
He even mused, 'What an unfortunate era I was born in.'
During the war years, Muggle society had been full of brilliant minds.
Had he been a wizard of this generation, even with Dumbledore opposing him, he'd have stood a great chance of ultimate victory.
After all, the opposition was simply too poor.
At seven o'clock the following evening, Britain's mainstream television stations simultaneously broadcast Jim Hacker's speech.
"Yes, I must announce to everyone that Britain has always contained a group of people possessing extraordinary power, which we commonly refer to as magic."
"Merlin isn't legend - he was Britain's pride, revered as the god of magic. In the supernatural realm, we remain undefeatable."
"The Ministry of Magic under the cabinet governs thousands of wizards, ensuring social stability... everything remains under control."
That evening, nearly eighty percent of British residents watched Jim Hacker's speech, with reactions varying widely.
Take the Dursleys, for instance - Vernon was so furious he nearly smashed Dudley's newly purchased television.
"Those creatures from the sewers are finally showing themselves!" He jabbed a thick finger at the screen. "And our government claims everything's under control! Control my foot! I guarantee they know less about those freaks than I do!"
"Thank goodness Potter moved out, or we'd be besieged by the entire neighbourhood!"
Faint curses echoed from the streets - Privet Drive's community mostly consisted of conservative old money, naturally unwilling to accept such unnatural beings as wizards.
"Keep your voice down!" Aunt Petunia snapped. "Do you want everyone to know we've had a wizard in our family?"
Uncle Vernon's bulk trembled. "You're right... we must keep the secret. From now on, we'll act as if that person never existed."
After some thought, Petunia rejected his idea. "No, we must contact Harry."
"Contact him?" Uncle Vernon's voice cracked. "Darling, have you gone mad?"
"I'm not mad, dear." Petunia became calmer than ever before. "Have you forgotten the news we saw a few days ago? Greece, France, Bulgaria - too many absurd things have happened in those places, yet here we remain peaceful."
"But even so, the existence of wizards has been exposed. Something major must have happened."
The more Petunia spoke, the more convinced she became. "Write to Harry immediately and ask him what's really going on."
Petunia recalled what her sister had told her years ago about the so-called Dark Lord. Even that incident hadn't exposed the wizarding world. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. Uncle Vernon understood Petunia's meaning, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stomped upstairs.
"I'll go write to that wretched boy right now!"
...
At Hogwarts, the young wizards had also learned about the speech from the Daily Prophet.
"Muggles wanting to manage the Ministry of Magic?"
At the Slytherin table, Malfoy looked at the newspaper and sneered, "What's next? Should we shout 'God save the Queen' and convert to Protestantism? Are you sure they wouldn't burn me at the stake?"
Laughter erupted, not just from Slytherin but also from students at neighbouring tables who strongly agreed with Malfoy's sarcasm while expressing intense dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Magic.
However, a light voice from the doorway quickly silenced everyone.
"Malfoy, do you have any suggestions regarding my decisions?"
Malfoy cried.