This place is still close to King's Cross Station, and occasionally you can see strangely dressed wizards passing by on the street, and Ministry of Magic employees often come and go in this area.
There's also an amusement park in the nearby park, which remains brightly lit and bustling even at night.
They experienced all kinds of amusement projects, and as they plunged down the roller coaster, Harry and Michael's screams made Vid suspect their magic power was about to explode.
The park is also preparing for the upcoming Christmas market, with some vendors already pushing carts to sell, while others carry bags or stuff small items into their pockets to start selling on the street.
Of course, the most popular attraction is the video games; the fun of leveling up and scoring points can captivate even adults, let alone two thirteen-year-old boys who have never encountered them before.
After dinner, sitting in front of the game console, Michael waved to Vid and said, "This game can be played by two people, you don't have to always accompany us, go ahead and get busy if you have things to do!"
Harry was stunned: "Vid, don't you like playing these games? Or do you want to play something else?"
His gaze turned to the pile of game boxes in the corner, trying to find something more attractive—although, to Harry, every game seemed full of charm.
Vid waved his hand and said, "It's not about the type of game, I just prefer to study magic."
"Oh..." Harry found it difficult to understand but still said, "Then... well, you go ahead and do your research..."
Watching Vid leave in a good mood, as if going to a date, Harry was silent for a moment, then turned to Michael and asked:
"Michael, have you finished your homework?"
"Are you kidding? The holiday just started, of course I haven't finished."
Michael pressed the power button, quickly returned to Harry's side and sat cross-legged, picking up the game controller.
"Shouldn't we... start writing our essays too?" Harry moved a bit and said anxiously.
"Don't compare yourself with Vid!" Michael said indifferently, "I've realized for a long time — if you always benchmark against Vid, you'll wear yourself out! Don't worry, homework will get done, the holiday's so short, how can you enjoy yourself without playing well?"
"Hmm... you're right about that."
Harry sat back peacefully, and at the same time made up his mind—
Finish this round... play games tonight first, and definitely start homework tomorrow morning...
...
The black fortress stood on the island, the sea wind swept the waves, angrily beating against the black rocks.
A layer of ice formed around the island, and the waves constantly broke them up, swept them into the sea, and before long, pushed them back again.
The ice and rocks collided, making a crunching sound, as if some monster was chewing and gobbling food.
The narrow prison cell was cold like a giant ice block, with thick frost on the walls and floor, and the old man with tattered clothes covered only by a thin blanket, yet he held several newspapers in his hands.
Not far ahead, a huge mirror leaned against the wall, but the reflection in the mirror was not of the old man but a group of people searching on the nearly flattened island.
"The British Ministry of Magic has rescued dozens of children seduced by a Muggle organization, Hogwarts train was attacked by Dementors from the Ministry, and the Muggles have researched weapons limiting wizards?"
The old man asked mockingly with a hoarse voice.
"That's what the news says." A man cloaked in black hung outside the cell respectfully, "By the time our people reached the island, they didn't find anything useful... but it's said Dumbledore once confronted that kind of weapon."
"And the result?" The old man asked with interest.
"As you can see... the island has become ruins." The man said, "The owner of that island killed himself before the Aurors arrived."
"Hahahaha..."
Grindelwald inside the cell laughed, he laughed so much that he couldn't help but cough a few times.
"Poor Dumbledore... I guess the British Ministry of Magic didn't pay any attention to his so-called 'weapon'."
"Yes." The man said, "Fudge is busy preparing for the Quidditch World Cup in half a year, he thinks this matter is over, the 'weapon' is Dumbledore's alarmist statement."
Grindelwald couldn't resist laughing again, "I really want to see Dumbledore's expression then—watching the foolish one he chose exceed his expectations every time, Dumbledore's expression must be wonderful."
The man outside the window remained silent, knowing it's best not to speak at this time; whether agreeing or opposing could potentially anger the old man inside.
When the laughter died down, the man finally said, "Just as you once prophesied, the development of Muggles is accelerating faster, the threat to the Magic World is growing... Sir, we need you to lead us again."
"Lead?" Grindelwald curled his lips, "Do you think I'm still the Grindelwald from the past? Look at me, boy, now any random kid who hasn't graduated could beat me, you're asking me to lead you?"
"The Magic World still fears you, sir, we're still waiting for you."
The man said with slightly agitated tone, "The signs of danger have begun to manifest, but wizards remain oblivious!"
"This world is dull, foolish, bloated, lazy! Only when the crisis of death arrives at their head do they know to struggle, but that's too late!"
"Sir, what the Magic World needs now is not an invincible champion, but a wise man! Someone who can see through the future and guide the direction! Your magic power may not be as strong as before, but your wisdom won't fade with time!"
"Please lead us again, Mr. Grindelwald—for the greater good! For the survival of the Magic World! To establish our ideal country! We need you, we implore you! Sir..."
The man's face turned flush with excitement, his body trembling, he held onto the small window of the cell and pleaded loudly, eager to give his heart.
After a while, he heard the person inside say a sentence: "Don't shout so loud… it's annoying!"
His fanatical expression came to a sudden halt, his face suddenly turned pale, and his strong body swayed in the cold wind, as if he might fall from the tower at any moment.
Then, he heard Grindelwald say—
"Give me your magic wand."
...
Bournemouth, suburb, hospital.
The wheels of the trolley squeaked, upon hearing this sound, a thin figure quickly hid behind a nearby door, only revealing a calm eye observing the outside movement.
Two men dressed as staff pushed the trolley through the corridor. They were only focused on talking, not noticing anything else.
Mabel hiding behind the door sighed in relief, took out the apple just stolen from the ward, and opened her mouth, finishing it in a few bites.
"Crunch, crunch..."
A faint sound came, one attendant couldn't help but look back.
"What's wrong?" The other blond man asked him.
"Seems like a mouse..."
The blond man also listened carefully, then frowned, "Where? You must have heard wrong."
"No, I really heard it..." the former insisted, wanting to pull the blond man back to check.
"Enough, don't make trouble! Finish early and go back to rest early!" The blond man swallowed nervously, looking at the gloomy sky outside, fearfully said: "If we return late, encounter Dementors, we're doomed..."
"Yeah..." The first person shivered, shaking voice said: "If caught... will we, as escapees, get kissed by Dementors?"
"Maybe, I remember someone suggested on the newspaper before... deploying a hundred Dementors, the Ministry of Magic is simply crazy!"
"Those monsters might be nearby... didn't you notice? It hasn't been sunny lately!"
"Of course I noticed! How about... how about we escape from here? Escape this city..."
"What are you talking about? Don't you remember Hogwarts train was inspected by those guys? What if we ran into them halfway?"
These two, they are Lockhart and Gall Trocar, who have escaped from Azkaban and are still on the run.
After threatening each other for a while, they continued to work bitterly, sighing in distress.
Not far behind them, a black mist swiftly and silently climbed onto the roof, then slowly followed them.