The political system of the magical world is vastly different from that of the Muggle world.
In the Muggle world, the United Nations exists in name only, holding little real power. It's dominated by the five permanent members, and the Secretary-General is essentially a figurehead.
The magical world, however, is a different story.
The International Confederation of Wizards is a powerful institution with the authority to interfere in the sovereignty of individual nations.
One of its most famous achievements is the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, which was researched, drafted, and strictly enforced by the Confederation.
Through the International Magical Law Office, the Confederation also reviews legislative drafts from various countries to ensure they do not conflict with the Statute of Secrecy.
If the Confederation deems a draft law to be in conflict, it is immediately rejected and declared invalid.
In other words, for Britain to pass any new law, it must first be approved by the Confederation.
This leaves plenty of room for manipulation!
If the Confederation says your law isn't acceptable, then it isn't, no matter how much you insist otherwise.
This is a direct way of interfering with sovereignty.
As such, the British Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation is essentially an "internal diplomacy" arm under the Confederation, with very limited independence.
Members of the Confederation are appointed by their respective Ministries of Magic, but their appointments also require approval from the Wizengamot, making both steps indispensable.
Naturally, these members seek to safeguard their own national interests.
Dumbledore, for instance, is Britain's representative in the Confederation, and he was even elected as its Supreme Mugwump!
However, the position of Supreme Mugwump does not grant absolute authority. There are inherent checks and balances, and the possibility of being removed from office always looms.
If Minister Fudge were to refuse to approve Dumbledore's position as Britain's Confederation representative, Dumbledore wouldn't even qualify for the role, let alone continue as Supreme Mugwump.
If William managed to elevate Hermione to the position of Minister, and then assumed the role of Supreme Mugwump himself, he would hold true, uncontested power.
Surely Hermione wouldn't try to remove him, would she?
That's how political alliances are built.
Beyond this, the Confederation has other means of exerting control.
While it can interfere in domestic affairs to a certain extent, it cannot directly govern. It must issue its directives through the International Magical Law Office.
This office serves as an intermediary and a lubricant in international relations. The Confederation issues orders, which are then passed down to individual Ministries by the Law Office.
In theory, even Dumbledore, as Supreme Mugwump, has no authority to directly command any nation's wizards.
As Crigan pointed out, he hadn't received any orders from the Law Office, so he had no obligation to heed Dumbledore's demands, even if Dumbledore held the highest office.
This created a delay in the process, giving them time to deal with Newt first.
Caught off guard, Dumbledore had no choice but to authorize William, allowing the young representative to exercise the rights of the British Wizengamot on his behalf.
William didn't have the authority to extradite Newt, but he did have the right to visit Scamander, a privilege granted by the Wizengamot.
That was precisely why he was here today.
Crigan, unable to refuse, fell silent for a moment before leading William and Hermione toward the main hall.
Miss Costa, with a playful wave, reminded William that she would be off duty at eleven o'clock and told him not to forget to find her after he visited Scamander.
French women were indeed passionate and enthusiastic, an area where English girls fell short.
Of course, when it came to violence, English girls were far superior. For the sake of his personal safety, William had no intention of returning to her.
The trio passed through the foyer and entered the central hall. From a distance, they saw a massive statue prominently displayed at the center.
The statue incorporated symbolic elements of France: the tricolor, a cockade, and the Phrygian cap.
At the base of the statue was an inscription: Incanté, Envouté, Conjuré!
Curious, Hermione stared at the unfamiliar words. William explained, "The phrase means 'Cast, Charm, Summon.'"
"How about it?" Crigan asked in fluent English. "Do you like our motto?"
William frowned. The French really enjoyed asking British wizards questions like this.
Fleur had asked him the same thing several times before.
This wasn't an easy question to answer at all.
If you admit you like it, the French will think you're a wizard who appreciates simplicity and roughness, completely lacking in romance.
If you say you don't like it, they'll accuse you of being anti-French on principle.
It's like they're setting me up to fail, William thought bitterly.
"The wizard who came up with that phrase must have been extraordinary," William sidestepped the trap smoothly.
Crigan chuckled, then gestured to an Auror, instructing him to escort the two to see Newt.
The Auror led William and Hermione to the elevator.
On the fifth basement floor, the three stepped out and made their way toward a room at the end of the corridor.
"She can't go in," an Auror at the door said, stopping Hermione.
"Miss Granger is my personal secretary," William said calmly. "She's here to record Mr. Scamander's testimony."
Hermione quickly nodded, pulling a quill and a roll of parchment from her safety pouch.
"If you have any objections, feel free to take it up with the Confederation," William said, shaking the Wizengamot badge on his robes and speaking in a low tone.
"But I'd advise against blocking us. Otherwise, I might interpret this as contempt for the Confederation and for Supreme Mugwump Dumbledore himself."
The Auror hesitated for a moment before stepping aside.
William led Hermione into the room, and the door shut behind them.
Newt's trench coat was gone, replaced with prison robes. His hands were cuffed with thick magical restraints and fixed to the chair.
The room was guarded by several Matagots, magical creatures known for their keen senses and their role as guardians of the French Ministry of Magic, tasked with monitoring prisoners.
"What's going on here?" William asked, sitting down on a chair. "I got a letter from Professor Dumbledore, and I was shocked. How did you end up getting arrested?"
Newt smiled bitterly, his eyes darting around before slipping into silence.
"During Easter, didn't Professor Dumbledore send you to America?" William pressed.
He remembered discussing it with Dumbledore at the time. They had agreed that Newt was the best candidate to monitor Tom as he had firsthand experience dealing with dark wizards.
"I was planning to leave," Newt said hesitantly, "but something happened. I discovered traces of Vinda Rosier's activities here in Paris."
"Vinda Rosier?" William paused in surprise.
"She was a staunch supporter of Grindelwald, a loyal follower and his assistant back in the day," Newt explained, glancing nervously toward the door. "But we can talk about her later. William, my suitcase…"
"Don't tell me it's lost," William said, his expression darkening.
Newt stayed silent for two seconds, then nodded reluctantly.
"How could it be lost?" Hermione exclaimed.
She had seen the suitcase at the Nicolas's Manor, with its vast collection of magical creatures, possibly more diverse than all of Hogwarts combined.
"I was searching for a hidden location where a mysterious circus had been operating. Then I was ambushed. By the time I woke up, the suitcase was gone, and I had already been captured by the Aurors."
"Could the French Ministry of Magic have taken it?" William asked with a frown.
"Unlikely," Newt sighed. "They're looking for it too."
"But you'd better find it before they do. Some of the magical creatures in there were transported illegally and aren't registered.
"If they're found, I'll undoubtedly be convicted, and those creatures will be executed."
"Like…?" William prompted.
"Hagrid's dragon, Norbert."
"…"