Chapter 915
Elsie's Invitation
Chapter 915 Elsie's Invitation
A deep blue hydrangea, freshly cut, still clung to its petals with dewdrops. It trembled slightly, its intricate petals forming a perfect sphere.
Immediately afterwards, a hand wearing a plain-colored glove took it and placed it in a tall-necked vase.
Wade leaned against the cabinet, watching Elsie calmly and meticulously arrange the flowers, and said:
"So it's the Stonefield family? That's not surprising."
"In their eyes, a few 'ordinary' human lives, or even a few 'special' wizards, are nothing more than consumables in the experimental process. It's no different from us pruning away the unnecessary branches."
Wade looked up from the flower arrangement and asked, "Have you ever heard of Prometheus before?"
Elsie shook her head and said, "No, they've done a good job of keeping it a secret."
“But I feel… you don’t seem surprised at all,” Wade said.
Elsie looked up at the boy beside her and laughed, "Wade, in this country, the rich can indeed do whatever they want. I've heard of people even more outrageous than Prometheus."
"About two years ago, your headmaster, Mr. Albus Dumbledore, discovered an island in the Atlantic Ocean where many children captured by Muggles were imprisoned for experiments, and even an extremely rare Obscurus was created."
"That matter was ultimately resolved by a joint effort from the various national ministries of magic, and it dominated the headlines for at least half a month. You should remember that."
Wade touched his nose and nodded.
He not only had an impression of it, but he himself was one of the participants at the time.
However, in order to protect Wade from being disturbed or targeted by certain people, Dumbledore concealed his existence from the outside world.
Elsie said, "When I first saw the report, I thought... this is definitely not an isolated case. There must be many similar research institutions in other parts of the world."
She selected several bellflowers and silverleaf daisies, and began to adjust the positions of their branches to create a beautiful arc.
"As for those who were experimented on... whether they were homeless people no one cared about, ordinary people struggling to survive, or even us wizards who didn't exist on the surface..."
Elsie paused, a knowing yet cold smile playing on her lips, and said:
"For some people, it's actually a kind of fun, isn't it?"
“When this country launches wars against other countries, many people will buy equipment at their own expense and bribe the army, just to go to war-torn countries and experience the pleasure of indiscriminately shooting civilians.”
Wade frowned but didn't offer any comment.
Elsie continued, “Deputy Secretary of Defense, energy tycoon, behind-the-scenes controller of several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and… a small but influential charitable foundation. Members of the Stonefield family hold significant positions in many fields.”
“They funded medical research, ostensibly to conquer cancer, but everyone in the field knew that old Stonefield was far more interested in prolonging life than in the quality of life.”
"I will compile detailed information about the Stonefield family, as well as information about the families and businesses that have close ties with them, and then give it to you."
She cleverly placed the miniature orchids and air plants in the various crevices, as if they had grown naturally, exuding a vibrant and upward-moving vitality.
Elsie clapped her hands, turned around and smiled, "But the reason I invited you here today is to invite you to see for yourself the follow-up to your previous 'masterpiece'."
“Let’s go to the Magic Congress and see the arrested second-in-command of the Purge.”
She pressed her ear to connect the communication pod and said, "Have Lawrence come up." A moment later, the side door slid open silently, and a young man entered.
He was dressed in a well-tailored Muggle suit, behaved impeccably, was about the same height as Wade, and even bore a striking resemblance to him. He was also respectfully holding a dark blue cloak in his hands.
“This is my bodyguard, Lawrence. Wade, you can be him for now.”
She walked up to Lawrence, picked up the cloak herself, and unfolded it. The Vanderbilt family crest was on the left side and back of the cloak.
Elsie said, "Wear this cloak, and you will be treated as my bodyguard. No one will ask about your identity, and no one will be able to stop you from entering the Magic Council."
Wade took the cloak and said, "Then let's be more direct, so that people who know me won't have any doubts."
"Use a compound decoction?" Elsie said thoughtfully. "That would certainly be better, but I don't think you would like the taste... Ah!"
She let out a soft sigh.
Wade unfolded his cloak, flicked it, and draped it over himself. In the brief few seconds that his vision was obscured, his face had become exactly like that of his bodyguard, Lawrence.
"—I underestimated you." Elsie chuckled softly. "I didn't expect you to be skilled in Transfiguration. But even at Hogwarts, this should be something for sixth or seventh year students, right?"
"We'll start learning about human body transformations in sixth grade," Wade said.
Even in seventh grade, it's not required that body shapeshifting techniques can completely transform one into another person.
If you can precisely change a part of your body according to the regulations—such as the color of your eyebrows or the shape of your nose—you have reached the level to obtain a NEWTS certificate.
Wade then added, "But if I were really only at the level of a college student, how could Dumbledore have let me stay in America?"
"That's right."
Elsie smiled, her eyes crinkling, "I should have known that you're good at more than just spells and alchemy—Professor Dumbledore was famous for his Transfiguration when he was young, so of course you'd be good at those too."
Wade glanced at her, wondering if Elsie was genuinely surprised or just pretending.
……
Unlike the British, whose headquarters are hidden deep underground, the Magical Congress of the United States stands proudly in the heart of New York City.
In the eyes of Muggles, it was a heavily guarded private bank, with its smooth granite walls, towering Roman columns, and brass revolving doors exuding a cold and exclusive aura of power.
The lobby on the first floor is decorated exactly like a bank, so even if a Muggle accidentally wanders in, he won't notice anything unusual.
However, as long as the Muggle expulsion spell at the door remains in effect and the staff guarding the door haven't fallen asleep, Muggles don't even have a chance to step onto the steps outside.
The Magical Congress has one thing in common with the British Ministry of Magic: it has set up many entrances to facilitate the movement of wizards. Some are in supermarkets in the city center, some are in hidden streets and alleys, and some are connected by the Floo Network.
However, Elsie would never choose to wander around in the fireplace, sometimes getting her face covered in soot.
They drove to the headquarters normally, and then calmly walked up the high steps.
Wade followed silently half a step behind her. As soon as they passed through the seemingly ordinary brass revolving door, the surrounding air rippled like water, and the scene before them suddenly changed!
One update tonight
(End of this chapter)