Supporters' decades of hard work, help of their own Ministry, experiments...
Andy's mind whirled with these keywords.
Before, he didn't put too much thought into it, but now that he had thought about it, he was able to glimpse into many truths.
With how fast Grindelwald gathered sizeable followers, their ability to swiftly organise gatherings in most European countries to preach his ideal, his silent escape from prison, and the lack of Aurors' pursuit now, it was obvious that some of his supporters who are still loyal to him are in an influential position.
But there's no need to think too much; unless it threatens the safety of his family, Hermione, and him, it is none of his business.
All he needs to focus on now is the fusion of body and mind (true soul), gaining magic resistance and immortality.
Andy doesn't mind meeting with Grindelwald's supporters if he can truly gain answers from their research results.
"I am looking forward to meeting with them," Andy replied.
Just as Andy was about to ask more about their experiments.
"Hoot! Hoot!"
A panicked sound of an owl was heard, making both Andy and Grindelwald look in the direction of the sound.
They then saw a comical sight of a haphazardly flying owl, with Fat Cat Patronus playfully chasing it from behind.
Noticing the letter it was carrying, Andy telepathically stopped the Fat cat from chasing it, making it look at him puzzlingly.
As if asking, Why are you stopping me from playing?
Looking at its stupid look, Andy didn't know what to say.
So he turned to Grindelwald and smiled apologetically, who just waved his hand.
When the owl landed on the table tiredly and showed the letter to Grindelwald.
Andy took out a jerky packet from his pocket and gave it a few pieces to eat.
While he was feeding it jerkies, Grindelwald opened the envelope and read the letter seriously.
After a short while, when the owl left, Grindelwald looked at Andy and said in a serious tone. "Sorry, I need to go; there's an urgent matter that needs my presence in the New World."
"It looks like I need to be there for two to three days, but don't worry; I will make it back before the Yule holiday and take you to the Department of Mysteries."
Andy asked in a puzzled tone, "Do you have followers in the New World too? I heard you made a big mess there decades ago and have bad blood with their local Ministry."
Grindelwald stood up and replied with a chuckle, "New World has the highest number of my supporters."
The Magical Congress of the United States of America, aka the Wizard Council of the New World, was established in 1693 with the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy by wizards who fled the European Continent during the witch hunt and persecutions, with the primary aim of getting rid of the Scourers, the wizard traitors who hunted their own kind for personal gain.
So, America has the strictest law restricting the contact and relation between No-Maj (muggles) and wizards.
With no contact between the Muggle government and the Magical Congress, like the one between the British government and the Ministry of Magic.
This shows how distrustful and wary the decision-makers of the Magical Congress are of the Muggle government and Muggles.
"See you later, Andy." Grindelwald waved his hand and said as he walked toward the centre of the clearing.
"See you later, Mr Grindelwald," Andy replied, standing up as well.
After seeing Grindelwald leaving with a pop, Andy also turned to enter the house with Fat Cat.
***
As the sun started to set, the clouds were painted with a reddish-orange hue.
Inside the study, Andy sat on the sofa, under a wool blanket, reading the book 'Analysis of Magical Materials' in the warm comfort of the fireplace.
It is a book on how to use spells to analyse and identify the magical properties of magical ingredients and materials.
For example, the revelare quid is a spell that can reveal the magical element in the materials based on the magic we know. If we know the disillusionment charm, it can identify whether the Demiguise fur has the invisible magic element. If you know extensive spells, this spell will help you a lot; otherwise, it is a useless spell.
It also has spells that can identify whether the materials have corrosiveness, exploding properties, healing elements, poison, etc.
After finishing reading the book, Andy summoned the Two-Way Mirror to call Hermione.
When the call connected, Hermione, with ruffled hair, showed up in the mirror.
With a yawn, Hermione greeted him and asked in a joking tone, "Hi Andy, how was your day? You didn't do anything illegal with Grindelwald today, right?"
"Hey, what do you think of me, a dark wizard? I am the most law-abiding wizard in the world, the future white lord and husband of the future Minister of Magic." Andy said in a fake-serious tone, but his eyes showed his smile and his good mood.
Hermione's ears turned red, and looking at the Fat Cat, which at some point appeared on Andy's shoulder, she changed the subject: "How are you doing, Mr Cat?"
To which the Fat Cat just nudged its big face at the mirror.
Their banter was interrupted by a few knocks on the door, which was followed by a female voice, "Do you need coffee or tea, sir?"
"Coffee," Andy answered loudly and turned to look at Hermione.
Seeing her hard expression, Andy quickly explained, "She is a nanny hired by Grindelwald, a muggle from a nearby village. She will soon leave to go home."
"If you are uncomfortable, I will ask Grindelwald to give her a leave and have a house elf take care of the house while I am here."
At the mention of house elves, Hermione's expression changed, as if she was remembering something. "This morning, Luna took me and Ginny to the Forbidden Forest to show us her friend."
"She introduced us to a Centaur named Firenze. He wasn't xenophobic like we read in the book; he was friendly and answered many of my questions about Centaurs and their culture."
"Andy, they are intelligent creatures just like us, with their own culture and practices. Not magical beasts that we read about in the book."
"After returning, I went through the book about the magical beasts and learned that some magical creatures with intelligence, like Centaur and Merpeople, are classified as beasts because they refused to be subjected to our rules and refused to be classified as being by us, due to the Minister at that time looking and treating them as some kind of low-level creatures."
"Andy, they are intelligent beings just like us; it is unfair-"
"Hermione, I know how you feel, but you know it is impossible to treat them as our equals, right? No one would agree with it." Andy coughed and interrupted her.
Hermione is really kind and empathic, but she is also a bit naive.
"I know, just like how house elves can't be free, it is impossible for us to treat other creatures as our equals now. I just want them to be treated better, let house elves have better welfare, and let other wizards have some awareness." Hermione looked a little downcast.
After seeing the dress of house elves and learning about how they are treated like slaves, she became indignant and wanted to free them of slavery. So Andy brought her to the kitchen and let her ask them whether they wanted freedom; after that, she became silent because of their self-abusive reaction to that question.
"If you want them to have better treatment, then you should strive to become a Minister and slowly change their situation. Hermione, I believe you can do this; I will support you." Seeing her expression, Andy tried to comfort her.
"Hm." Hermione nodded and said with renewed motivation, "Andy, I am planning to create a club to let young wizards have a better awareness of magical creatures. Would you join the club?"
What can Andy say? He already said, 'I will support you', so he can't change his words in a minute, right?
He just nodded, crying in his heart, and then changed the subject.
----
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