In a secluded coffee shop above the terminal, everyone was startled by the explosion and thunder, initially retreating to a distance, only to gather by the window for a closer look when they realized there was no danger.
Among them, two customers remained unmoved, calmly gazing through the large floor-to-ceiling windows at the blazing flames on the runway below, with lightning still occasionally tearing through the night sky.
Vid held his coffee cup and quietly praised,
"An impressive Atmospheri Charm, such scale... and yet controlled with such precision."
Sitting opposite him, Dumbledore smiled slightly and said gently,
"With your talent and understanding of the essence of Magic, Vid, one day you too will be able to achieve this... or even surpass it."
Then he lightly tapped his fingertips on the table and said,
"However, I suggest you start by learning about Muggle theories on weather—they often depict the laws of everything's operation in a way closer to the essence of the world, offering us unexpectedly valuable insights."
Vid nodded and said, "I will."
His gaze shifted to the Muggle commander with a furrowed brow, saying,
"Time was too constrained, and the traces left behind weren't handled perfectly. If they decide to investigate deeply, they will surely find many inconsistencies."
"Ah, there's no need to worry too much about that."
Opposite, Dumbledore gently set down his teacup with a crisp porcelain clink.
He said, "Even if that diligent officer writes his concerns in a report and requests an investigation, it will not stir waves large enough to threaten us."
Vid raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the headmaster.
Dumbledore lightly tapped his fingers on the table, smiling,
"You should almost know by now, Vid... In the United Kingdom, whenever a new Prime Minister comes to power, the Minister of Ministry of Magic personally visits to inform him of the Magic World's existence, and... both parties reach a certain understanding to ensure societal stability."
Vid immediately recalled having read in original stories about the magical portrait in the Prime Minister's office, and Kingsley running off to be the Prime Minister's secretary.
He paused, then raised a slightly sharp question,
"But... wouldn't the Muggle Prime Minister privately break this 'understanding'? Like the Scourers and those nobility figures we dealt with before, secretly researching Magic and harming Wizards."
Knowing the non-magical world better than most Wizards, Vid also trusted 'Muggle' guarantees less than most Wizards.
Wizards always mistakenly view Muggles as a chaotic whole, forgetting the countless varied ideas that exist among billions of people, which cannot be generalized.
In response, Dumbledore bent his eyes with a look of approval and said,
"Staying alert is good, but the Scourers... their formation had extremely special historical reasons. As for the Muggle Prime Minister... he is 'only one person.'"
After a pause, the headmaster continued, "He can't discuss with others how to handle the Magic World, cannot speak of the many Wizards that exist."
"Because he is at the focus of countless gazes, once he starts 'rambling,' people will only think he's mad, and his political opponents would joyfully oust him."
"Like every past Prime Minister, they have never mentioned the existence of 'another world' to their subordinates or successors because subconsciously they believe that nobody would believe them."
"Of course, the Ministry of Magic does not blindly place all hope solely on the Muggle Prime Minister's promise. If he truly develops any... dangerous thoughts towards Wizards, the Ministry will immediately know."
Dumbledore spoke with deep meaning.
In an instant, several Prime Ministers who died suddenly during their terms flashed through Vid's mind, some coincidences he'd never deeply considered now seemed to have reasonable explanations.
"You need to learn how to view this world, Vid."
Dumbledore's voice pulled him back from his thoughts, hearing the elder speak in a low tone,
"Don't limit your perspective to the level of individual confrontation... If power could be measured in such a simple way, Grindelwald's cause wouldn't have failed back then."
He turned his head, looking out the window.
The rain finally extinguished the flames on the runway, but the plane was now only a charred wreck.
That behemoth capable of carrying hundreds of people, even in its remaining husk was imposing. Twisted metal emitted wisps of smoke, resembling the remains of an ancient beast, appearing particularly desolate washed by the rain.
Dumbledore said, "What has always kept the Magic World vigilant and on guard... what forces us to keep secrets has never been a specific Muggle..."
"Whether presidents and prime ministers of major nations, or the warlord tycoons able to sway political situations, they are just fragile ordinary people before Magic."
"The true threat to the Magic World... has always been the billions of ordinary Muggles. They are like droplets of water, each individual with extremely limited power, but gathered together, they are capable of unleashing a world-ending wave."
"That's what the Witch Pure Party wanting to break the 'Confidentiality Law,' as well as all Wizards eventually face... the vastest ocean."
Vid watched Dumbledore's profile, rain trails on the glass reflected in his eyes, while the blue eyes opposite seemed to see through everything.
For the first time, this elder who always talked about "love," "protection," "peace and stability" didn't bring up those warm but illusory changes, but rather dissected the true rules under the world's undercurrents with such stark cruelty.
The Prime Minister governs ordinary citizens, while their immense ocean-like power intimidates Wizards, yet the elusive Wizards make the Prime Minister speechless.
The three form a solid yet ruthless closed loop, in which the segment represented by ordinary people seems the weakest and most voiceless, but actually holds the strongest power.
Brief silence spread between the two, only the distant flames outside the window flickering in Vid's eyes.
He picked up the now lukewarm cup, took a sip, and brought up business,
"Traveling to the United States this time, the day before leaving... I received the message Ms. Picquery wanted to convey to you."
Hearing this, Dumbledore sat up slightly, his eyes brightening, asking, "What did she say?"
"It's a memory, a bit long." Vid asked, "Do you have time to understand it now?"
"Of course." Dumbledore drank the coffee in his cup in one gulp and said, "I can't wait."
Seeing this, Vid also finished his coffee in one gulp. As he set down his cup and got up, his gaze inadvertently brushed over the headmaster's empty cup.
He noticed a layer of un-melted sugar at the bottom, mingling with the coffee liquid, creating an exceptionally sweet and cloying impression.
His eyes bent slightly, withdrawing his gaze without expression, and left the seats with Dumbledore.