During Wayne and Hermione's sightseeing travels, Grace continued diligently exploring the secrets of ancient ruins.
Many ministries of magic with functions similar to the Department of Mysteries were now under Grindelwald's control, so he naturally knew Wayne had sent a woman to investigate their secrets.
Being personally interested in ancient magic himself, Grindelwald decided to do Wayne a favour by personally escorting Grace during her visits, which would also save considerable trouble.
Grace didn't refuse, knowing full well Grindelwald's influence.
Initially, Grindelwald assumed this woman was merely helping Wayne collect and organise materials for his own later review. To his surprise, she was conducting independent research.
After several exchanges, Grindelwald became acutely aware of Grace's terrifying intellect and profound knowledge—a few casual remarks from her could yield substantial insights.
Far more valuable than getting beaten up by a certain someone.
While delighted, he also felt alarmed. Where did such a formidable woman emerge from in the wizarding world?
According to records, Grace was merely an ordinary Hufflepuff graduate who only entered the Auror department training two years ago with Wayne's help.
Now he found these records utterly absurd.
Receiving Auror training?
With her level, she could be training him and Dumbledore!
"Grace..." Dumbledore frowned thoughtfully, uncertainly asking, "Are you referring to Miss Emelia Grace?"
"Exactly," Grindelwald glanced sideways at him. "The very Lady Grace who graduated from Hogwarts just three years ago."
Dumbledore looked surprisedly at Wayne. There were few people in this world whom Grindelwald would address with honorifics - what qualified Grace for such treatment?
"Little Dumble, Little G, everyone has their secrets. There's no need to dig too deeply into matters."
Wayne smiled slightly. "If Grace wishes to tell you, she'll do so herself. I won't interfere."
Both old men's eyelids twitched violently.
What madness had seized this boy now, speaking to them in such a paternal tone?
Dumbledore, nearly immune to Wayne's occasional eccentricities, changed the subject: "Wayne, I heard from Minerva that there are 300 new students this year?"
"Actually, three hundred and sixteen to be precise," Wayne said. 'I'm currently worrying about how to arrange dormitories and classes next term.'
If they maintained the traditional approach of two houses attending classes together, each class would average 150 students, which would be completely unmanageable.
But if each house studied separately, it would reduce inter-house interaction, potentially widening existing divisions until the four houses became completely incompatible.
This didn't align with his vision either.
Cooperation within competition, progress through opposition—this was the true essence of the four houses' coexistence.
"Durmstrang remains largely unchanged," Grindelwald said. "Though we only admit pure-bloods, we'll lift restrictions starting next year."
"If we maintain blood status requirements, eventually their entire school population might not even match a single Hogwarts house."
Looking at old Dumble, Wayne had an idea: "Professor, since you're not particularly invested in the Ministry anyway, why not return to school and help me solve this problem?"
Dumbledore hesitated: "But I'd like to spend more time with Ariana."
Wayne looked at him disdainfully: "What common language could you possibly have with Ariana, you dreadful old man? Recently, it's been Astoria and Luna keeping her company, hasn't it?"
Dumbledore's aged face flushed red.
The age gap was indeed too large, creating a generation gap. Normally, he wanted to communicate more with Ariana to make up for neglecting her in the past, but he couldn't find any common ground.
Instead, going out every day was when Ariana seemed happiest.
"Professor, if you help me solve all the problems caused by the excessive number of new students, next time when Ariana and I go for a barbecue outing, I'll bring you along too - give you a chance to improve your relationship."
Wayne dangled bait that proved highly tempting to Dumbledore, who indeed became interested.
"Not enough. You also need to help me think of a birthday present she'd like."
"Deal."
The old fox and the young fox exchanged smiles, happily concluding their conversation.
After lunch, Dumbledore and Grindelwald left Wayne's house.
One returned to Hogwarts to prepare for the sharply increased number of new students next term, while the other went back to Germany. Although Grindelwald couldn't quite figure out Grace's background, learning something new would still be beneficial.
Wayne, meanwhile, opened the gift package he'd just obtained.
A diamond light flashed briefly.
[Congratulations, host. Obtained conceptual weapon Rho Aias - prototype being the seven-layered oxhide bronze shield used by the great hero Ajax, later sublimated into a conceptual armament providing absolute defence against thrown weapons and projectiles.]
Wayne opened his single hand, revealing brilliant purple petals. Ripples spread out in circles, forming seven powerful defensive barriers standing before him.
"Excellent... exactly what I need." The young man wore a brilliant smile.
What he feared most was the spatial turbulence beyond the archway. With poor luck, encountering too much of it, he might be forced to return before exploring very far. With the famous Rho Aias, he could conserve considerable magical power when confronting spatial turbulence.
The randomly flying spatial fragments, by definition, are also counted as projectile attacks.
...
Within a few days, the British wizarding world implemented the new version of the 'Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery Act'.
The most important change was that, regardless of age, anyone who obtained their OWLs certificate could now perform magic outside school, gaining the same rights as adult wizards.
Additionally, under the supervision of adult wizards, other young witches and wizards also gained the right to perform magic, though any consequences or dangers arising from it would be the responsibility of the supervising adult wizard.
The announcement caused huge waves, but there was almost no opposition.
Particularly, the students about to enter their sixth year practically worshipped Dumbledore. To encounter such good fortune right after obtaining their certificates, many directly signed up for the Ministry of Magic's Apparition training courses.
Harry was also delighted. After confirming the law's authenticity, he even used his wand to make his water cup float over to him whenever he drank.
Though quite troublesome, he did it purely out of spite.
He'd been screwed over several times before by that wretched International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, and now he was finally free.
"Harry, come down for dinner!" Sirius's voice called from downstairs. Harry nimbly jumped up, changed into outdoor clothes, and ran downstairs.
He still had to work at the Weasley shop after finishing his meal and couldn't be late. Though George and Fred hadn't learned much else, they'd picked up a thing or two from Wayne's capitalist style - even paying their own brother less than outside workers.
Kreacher floated the dinner plates up, noticing Harry's impatient manner, and muttered just loud enough for him to hear: "Poor mistress, you've no idea that your reckless eldest has taken a monkey as his godson."
Harry didn't take it to heart with Kreacher. He knew the old house-elf had made his own contributions against Voldemort.
A bit of verbal abuse was completely tolerable.
After all, he'd grown up under Snape's influence for five years - Kreacher's jabs weren't even worth scratching an itch.
Sirius arrived, having taken off his apron, beaming as he said, "Try my cooking. I followed the recipe, not sure if it suits your taste."
Harry took a bite of beef-topped mashed potatoes, then sampled the bacon, giving a thumbs up: "Quite good, much better than the Dursleys' fast food. Though it could use a bit less salt."
"Sorry, sorry." Sirius scratched his head sheepishly. "I'll remember next time."
"It's fine, it's delicious as it is." Harry ate more enthusiastically, and Sirius joined in. The two had truly become family, providing each other with emotional support.
"By the way, Harry, what do you think about me opening a shop like George and Fred?"
Halfway through the meal, Sirius suddenly looked up and asked.
Harry was startled. "Opening a shop? Why would you want to do that?"
"Because I'm bored." Sirius leaned back, gazing at the ceiling. "You'll be off to school in a few weeks, leaving me alone here again. Lupin's joined the werewolf office and is constantly busy, while I'm just useless, staying home every day with nothing to do."
"You don't need to open a shop for that," Harry said uncertainly. "What would you even sell if you opened one?"
"Haven't thought about it yet." Sirius sat up again, looking at Harry. "Help me brainstorm. Seeing hundreds of thousands of Galleons in the bank account every day just makes me feel emptier."
"We have our own property, so no rent is needed for opening a shop. We wouldn't lose money no matter what we do."
Harry's mouth twitched. If Ron heard that, he'd be drooling with envy.
"I don't have any ideas either. Why don't you come with me to Diagon Alley for a walk? We'll see what's missing and open that kind of shop."
"Brilliant idea." Sirius's eyes lit up, urging Harry to eat faster.
They quickly finished breakfast, travelled through the fireplace to the Leaky Cauldron, then entered Diagon Alley. Harry went to work while Sirius wandered aimlessly seeking inspiration.
"Harry, over here."
The joke shop was busy, with Ron and another employee already running off their feet. Fred was helping too, and George - who'd just finished serving a customer - waved Harry over when he saw him.
"Harry, have you seen Wayne recently?" George asked during a break between card payments. "The shop's been open for over a month now. We asked him to collect his dividends ages ago, but he still hasn't shown up."
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes also had Wayne's investment. Although the first month's profits weren't substantial, the twins felt the money held special significance and wanted to deliver it to Wayne personally.
"I don't know either," Harry shook his head blankly. "But I remember he went travelling with Hermione."
"Hermione's already back. She came to the shop not long ago to buy a colour-changing eyebrow pencil," Fred chimed in. "Never mind, he'll probably visit Diagon Alley before term starts anyway."
However, what Fred didn't anticipate was that time flew by until late August, yet Wayne still hadn't appeared.
On the very day before term started, all Ministry of Magic employees and House-elves received a notice - everyone must leave the Ministry by eight o'clock, with no exceptions permitted to remain.
By ten o'clock, five Auror squads and three Law Enforcement Patrol units from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement were stationed in the streets surrounding the Ministry. Their orders were to maintain position and immediately evacuate all nearby Muggles should any abnormal situations occur.
In the Department of Mysteries, Wayne and Grace stood before the stone archway, with Ho-Oh circling high above, illuminating the circular chamber with its radiant glow.
Grace anxiously grasped Wayne's hand. "This won't do, I still think it's too dangerous."
Wayne comfortingly patted her palm. "Spatial turbulence means nothing to me. The only risk is getting lost, but I've made thorough preparations."
After speaking, he glanced up at Ho-Oh again.
The clear cry brought boundless strength, the flames growing increasingly intense. Grace watched the dazzling Ho-Oh that shone like the sun, somewhat puzzled. "Are you taking Ho-Oh with you?"
"No, it serves as my anchor in this world. As long as Ho-Oh remains, I can always find my way back."
Hearing this, Grace's worries diminished considerably. Her greatest fear had been that Wayne would become permanently trapped and lost in the endless turbulence.
"Are you certain?"
"Of course, I wouldn't attempt anything I wasn't confident about. The Lawrence family is still counting on me to carry on the bloodline."
Wayne gently kissed the girl's soft lips. "I'll leave matters here in your hands. Don't let anyone disturb me."
"Don't worry," Grace's eyes flashed with sudden severity.
Having earned fame during that chaotic era, Rowena Ravenclaw was certainly no pushover either.
Releasing her hand, Wayne's robes began emitting an ethereal, chaotic glow. With one step forward, he crossed through the stone archway.