New Companion

The information Tver provided was overwhelming, leaving Percy's head spinning. It wasn't until after all the dummy exams were graded that he finally snapped back to reality.

"But what can we do even if we recognize the problem? We can't just go plundering the wealth of the rich, can we?"

Percy stared seriously at Tver, not realizing that subconsciously he had already aligned himself with him.

"Of course not," Tver laughed heartily, "Even if you wanted to, I wouldn't allow it, considering I am one of those wealthy individuals."

"The issue with the wizarding world isn't the existing wealth but the limited and exclusive channels of creating it."

"Exclusive?"

Having lived in the wizarding world his whole life, Percy couldn't understand why wizards would be considered exclusive.

"Yes, exclusive," Tver pondered for a moment. "Do you know when a completely new spell was last introduced in the wizarding world?"

"I... I don't know."

Tver chuckled lightly.

"Exactly, I don't know either. It could have been a second ago or ten years ago. Let me ask you another question. Do you think there's any difference between life ten years ago and your life now?"

Percy furrowed his brow in thought. He was only six years old ten years ago. His memories weren't gone, but they weren't vivid either.

After a moment, he uncertainly offered, "A new model of flying broom?"

Tver nodded noncommittally. "Anything else?"

Percy sank into deep thought again, but this time he came up with nothing.

"I don't know. It seems to me it's always been the same, maybe my mom's favorite books changed?"

"Or maybe your father's collectibles?" Tver hinted.

"That's right!" Percy exclaimed, excited. "Dad's radios changed; they became smaller, more exquisite!"

As Percy was completely drawn into his own thoughts, Tver's expression grew solemn.

"Do you see, Percy? We wizards are essentially unchanging. All our changes depend on Muggles."

"They spend a few years and make radios smaller, more compact, while what have we been doing? Developing a new flying broom? But how many people can actually afford this broom? Yet, a radio is different, even your father could be a customer. That's why the wizarding world is so backward. The stage is too small to accommodate great actors."

Tver strode over to Percy, pulling him up and gripping his arms tightly.

"You are an immensely talented wizard, Percy. A wizard like you should be seen by more, not hidden away in a corner of the wizarding world. You deserve a better life, Percy, don't waste your talents!"

As if struck in the heart, all of Percy's grievances were clearly visible. He complained, he resented, simply because he hated that his talents had no proper stage to shine on—nor did his family!

If he could command thousands of people, wouldn't his influence surpass that of the Minister of Magic?

Yet in the Muggle cities, a crowd of thousands is merely a small town!

However, after the initial excitement, Percy suddenly thought of a critical issue—

"But, Professor, we can't perform magic in front of Muggles, can we? They shouldn't see magic, they shouldn't..."

"No, to be precise, we haven't been able to do so for the last three hundred years," Tver said, his lips curling up. "With your excellent grades in magical history, you must remember what happened three hundred years ago?"

Percy's eyes widened in shock.

"Are you referring to the enactment of the 'International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy'?"

"Yes, if that law no longer existed, we could live freely in this world, not having to hide like rats."

Percy, quick-witted, immediately grasped Tver's intention and angrily pulled away from his grasp.

"I cannot allow you to think this way," he dared not meet Tver's gaze anymore, turning his eyes away, "We cannot use magic to enslave anyone, even if they are Muggles!"

Living in the wizarding world, especially with his parents as members of the Order of the Phoenix, he was well acquainted and disgusted with Voldemort's ideology of enslaving Muggles and half-blood wizards.

His disappointment in Tver was also incredulously profound.

However, Tver was quite pleased with Percy's anger; if he had simply agreed, he would have doubted Percy's convictions.

"How could you think that? I've never considered Muggles as slaves. Rather, I see them as friends, as playmates. What's the harm in showing our friends a bit of magical wonder, while they show us the power of their technology?"

He spread his hands amiably, his tone as light as if he were discussing a picnic with a friend, not discussing reform in the wizarding world.

Percy turned back, his mouth opening and closing several times, unable to speak.

"Are you suggesting cooperation? But wouldn't Muggle electronic devices be disrupted by magic?"

It seemed his mental defenses were nearly demolished, Tver thought smugly to himself.

"Do you know why that is?"

Percy shook his head blankly.

"I don't know either, but if we don't investigate, we'll never unravel the secrets between magic and technology."

"But I'm just an ordinary student, maybe a good one at that. How can I possibly research such a grand topic?"

Tver thought they were on the brink of breakthrough.

"We won't lack researchers," Tver whispered into his ear, "what we're lacking are reformers. By breaking down the barriers between wizards and Muggles and becoming inseparable partners, countless people will help us unlock the secrets of magic and technology. And this hammer is in our hands."

Tver straightened up, tempting Percy with an outstretched hand.

"Would you stand with me and be the one to swing the hammer?"

Percy's heart was pounding violently; he realized just how wonderful the future Tver painted could be, and he was eager to see such a future!

His hand trembled with excitement, yet it gripped firmly.

...

After Percy left the office, his head still felt dizzy.

The handshake with the professor had excited him to the point of nearly suffocating, and the subsequent discussion of magical world issues and plans had his mind working overtime just to keep up.

A blast of cold air in the hallway finally brought him back to his senses.

He also recalled the last words Professor Fawley left him with—

"This is a long-term goal, and the Ministry of Magic will be our main target for now, so I hope you will work there after graduation. Until then, please keep this a secret."

After pondering in place for a moment, he walked back to the lounge without hesitation.

Unbeknownst to him, Tver was standing behind a seemingly transparent door, watching him intently!

"Such a naive child," the ring lamented, "aren't you afraid he'll snitch to Dumbledore?"

"I see his heart clearly," Tver's face was shrouded in darkness as he spoke softly, "It's so pure that with a gentle squeeze, I can completely control it."