Progress in this world has never come naturally. If everyone only thought of enjoying the benefits of progress without ever fighting for it, where would progress come from?
...
July, London.
Inside a cinema in the city center, the figures on the screen darted back and forth, unleashing dazzling flashes that drew gasps from the audience.
But to the young man sitting in the very center, the scene was not as worthy of attention as the popcorn in his hand.
"Crunch, crunch."
After tossing a handful of popcorn into his mouth, Tver immediately frowned, though it was hard to tell whether it was because of the movie or the popcorn he had just eaten.
"I remember there were wizards helping as consultants, weren't there? So why are the fight scenes still so... stiff?"
Cynthia rolled her eyes in exasperation. Time had left no trace on either of them, but it had not changed Tver's habit of snacking either.
"Wizards are wizards. No matter how much guidance they give, the actors still can't actually use magic to fight!"
Tver nodded in understanding.
Wizards had been disconnected from technological society for far too long. On top of that, most wizards had rather straightforward personalities, making it hard for them to act as someone completely different from themselves.
So even after nineteen years, the new generation they had trained had not yet reached the point where they could step fully into the spotlight. Naturally, there were still no wizards capable of taking part in such a professional production.
Except Lockhart...
"Wait, why is Lockhart in this movie?!"
Tver looked at Lockhart on the screen in surprise. Even though he was only playing a nameless bit part, he still did not forget to show off his handsome side.
If this had been the already completed Harry Potter series, Tver could have understood it. After all, Lockhart was very popular.
But the problem was, this was the second film in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series.
Cynthia said nothing, only gesturing for Tver to pay attention to the audience's reaction.
"That's Lockhart, isn't it? I haven't seen him in a movie for ages!" an auntie beside them said excitedly, clutching her husband's hand.
Lockhart had only appeared in the film for a few seconds, and the Auror he played had been burned to ashes almost instantly by Grindelwald's flames, yet he still drew an even louder cheer from the audience.
It was second only to the spectacular effects shot of Protego Diabolica.
"..."
Tver silently grabbed another handful of popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth.
Even he had to admit now that Lockhart had become the most popular wizard in the world.
Of course, that was mainly because Tver had voluntarily retreated behind the scenes, becoming a legendary figure like Dumbledore. Other wizards also had no interest in competing for something as intangible as fame.
On the other hand, Lockhart really was far too suited to being a star.
As long as he kept his arrogance in check, he was practically a perfect idol from every angle. He valued maintaining his public image more than life itself... well, perhaps second only to life.
So Tver was more than happy to let him debut as an idol and help maintain the image of wizards in this world.
After all, in the first few years after The Statute of Secrecy was repealed, there had often been incidents all over the world of wizards deliberately using magic to toy with ordinary people.
If they had only been simple pranks, that would have been one thing. Some of the worse incidents had destroyed buildings and killed many ordinary people inside.
Those incidents had badly damaged the image of wizards and directly fueled anti-wizard terrorist groups.
Fortunately, under the joint suppression of national governments and the Ministry of Magic, those groups never managed to gain real momentum.
And with the development of technology, the improvement of magical law, and the Aurors' strict crackdowns, wizards gradually reduced those kinds of pranks as well.
After all, not every wizard was willing to be punished with a wizard bracelet that could suppress malicious thoughts just for a moment of fun.
In short, there had indeed been plenty of chaos and conflict at the beginning. But once both sides tasted the benefits brought by magic and technology, the global trend of integrating the two became unstoppable.
As Tver was reminiscing about the past, he suddenly felt someone touch him. He turned his head, and only after Cynthia's signal did he realize the movie had already ended.
"Not satisfied with the movie?"
"Not really." Tver shook his head and stood up with Cynthia.
Although he had never seen what the original film was like, the plot of this one was still quite impressive.
Most importantly, the story had been provided entirely by Newt himself, now president of the World Magical Creatures Protection Association. As for some details even he did not know, those had been supplemented by the famous mother of Harry Potter, Joanne Rowling.
Although it felt strange, Tver had to admit that Joanne's polishing of Harry Potter had raised that great work far beyond expectations.
Especially after the wizarding world had been exposed, and many story details had likewise been dug up by curious readers.
Because of that, Tver decided not to pursue the matter of her secretly planning to write a fan work about him.
"Let's go. They're probably already waiting for us."
Tver took the helpless Cynthia's hand and vanished on the spot, completely ignoring the fact that he was the one who had delayed things the most.
Unexpectedly, when the two appeared at the restaurant they had agreed on, the only person who came out to welcome them was the owner and head chef, Ron Weasley.
Ron had grown a short beard. Paired with his naturally sturdy build, it gave him a rather rugged, athletic air.
Of course, no one would ever see this man, who had opened a top-tier chain of restaurants across the world, as someone crude.
"Everyone's work is pretty demanding, so they'll probably need a little while before they arrive." Ron checked the time. In truth, it was still a bit earlier than the scheduled time.
Only, Tver, who had always been the one making others wait, was now tasting what it felt like to wait for others.
Seeing Tver's odd expression, Ron showed none of the timidity he used to have in front of the professor. Instead, he boldly teased him.
"Only the professor would be this free, with time to go watch a movie."
Tver waved it off indifferently.
"This is called enjoying life. You young people wouldn't understand."
In the early days after The Statute of Secrecy was overturned, he had indeed been busy with the wizarding world for a long time, even replacing Babajide as president of the Wizards' Confederation.
But once everything was on track, he decisively threw the responsibility to Marvolio and began living a leisurely, comfortable life.
Ron looked at Tver's still youthful face, then compared it with his own prematurely thinning hair. No one would believe Ron was the student between the two of them.
"Professor!"
Suddenly, an excited voice rang out from behind him. Tver turned around.
Hermione, Harry, Draco, Neville, the Weasley twins, Luna, Percy, Cedric, Fleur, Viktor, and a large group of former students were standing behind him. At some point, Cynthia had joined them as well, pushing a cart with an enormous, beautifully decorated cake on it.
"Surprise!"
Seeing this, Tver instantly understood. They had prepared a surprise for him.
A birthday surprise.
"I knew it. No matter how busy you were, you wouldn't dare make me wait." Tver smiled and shook his head.
Ron pulled a face.
Among them were a world-class military-industrial giant, the chair of the Wizarding Business Alliance, high-ranking officials of the Wizards' Confederation, famous Herbology experts, and even Hermione, a formidable woman currently running for British Prime Minister.
If any ordinary person stood in front of them, they probably would not even be able to speak.
But if the person speaking was Professor Fawley...
"Don't just stand there." Ron enthusiastically pulled Tver over. "Everyone's waiting to eat the cake!"
Seeing everyone's excited faces, Tver could only reluctantly accept their kindness and cut a large piece of cake.
Quite a few students had come, but Ron's restaurant would never lack food. Soon, as everyone ate cake and enjoyed the meal, the unfamiliarity brought by years apart vanished after only a short while of chatting.
"I can't believe none of you went to act in the Harry Potter movies. You left me alone on set like an idiot, getting questioned by the crew all day long!" Harry complained loudly.
When the Harry Potter film series had first started production, the producers had invited every real-life prototype to join the crew. In the end, only Harry had eagerly accepted.
Of course, in the films, he only played his current role, an Auror.
"You have the nerve to bring that up?" Draco grew even angrier at the mention of the Harry Potter series.
"I'm nowhere near as annoying as the books make me out to be. Now the whole world thinks I'm just a school bully who only knows how to pick on Harry. If the professor hadn't said it was necessary for the plot, I would have cast the Imperius Curse on Rowling ages ago!"
"Ahem, please mind your conduct, Mr. Malfoy. Such threats are not allowed," Hermione said solemnly.
But within two seconds, she herself burst into giggles.
"Speaking of that, have any of you seen the recently released Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? I only just found out Headmaster Dumbledore and Mr. Grindelwald actually had such an ambiguous past!"
In front of her old friends, Hermione rarely let go of her usual serious manner. She finally released the gossip she had been holding back for so long, chatting happily with the equally excited group.
Watching this scene, Tver felt even the cake in his hand taste better.
Their strength might not reach the very top, but the influence they exerted in their own fields was not necessarily weaker than his.
In a sense, what wizards needed in the future was more people like them, wizards who could deeply participate in the world's politics, economy, and culture.
Only at that point would wizards truly be integrated into this world.
"Oh no!" Cynthia suddenly slapped her forehead in frustration. "We forgot to let you make a wish!"
"A wish?" Tver paused, then smiled in satisfaction.
"My wish has already come true."