Chapter 929 - 376: Muggle Prime Minister (Part 2)

Chapter 929: Chapter 376: Muggle Prime Minister (Part 2)

Percy’s semi-transparent silhouette appeared above.

"Percy?" Sirius Black said, "Is there something urgent — you know, I’m hosting a dinner party, I’m afraid I don’t have time..."

"Apologies, Mr. Black." Percy’s expression was exceptionally serious, "It’s the Muggle Prime Minister, Mr. Mei Jie. He plans to meet with you in half an hour."

"Muggle Prime Minister... alright, I understand." Sirius nodded and hung up the phone.

Then, he walked back to the dining table.

"Apologies, everyone," Sirius said, "I need to return to the Ministry. We have a meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister... Harry? Come with me."

"Me?" Harry pointed to himself, surprised that Sirius would take him to meet the Muggle Prime Minister.

"You’re the only one among us who has defeated Voldemort multiple times, Harry." Sirius chuckled, "It’s only fitting for you to be present... Of course, if Dumbledore wasn’t vacationing in Vienna right now."

Vivi’s face instantly turned sullen.

Not for any other reason, but because Sirius mentioned "Dumbledore on vacation in Vienna."

With whom he is vacationing was obvious.

"Cool," Mr. Granger commented aside.

He then considered that, as the top tier of the UK, there certainly would be some connection with the Magic World.

Harry followed Sirius through the Flame of the Flying Path back to the Ministry of Magic, where Percy was waiting in the office.

Sirius thoughtfully brought him two sandwiches.

Originally, Sirius had invited Percy to attend the dinner party today, but Percy was too dedicated and did not accept Sirius’ invitation.

What a chosen workhorse.

"I’m going to communicate with the Muggle Prime Minister now." Percy took the sandwiches, placed them on the table, and then walked over to a painting, speaking softly to it.

Meanwhile, at 10 Downing Street.

Although Prime Minister John Major had known about the existence of the Magic World since he took office in November 1990, he still wasn’t quite accustomed to having dealings with their so-called "Minister of Magic."

Compared to other departments, the Ministry of Magic does not answer to the Queen, nor is it under the leadership of the UK Prime Minister. It seems that the Minister of Magic’s status is vaguely higher than that of the Prime Minister — at least in Mr. Mei Jie’s view.

There have been many unpleasant events recently, which had become fodder for the opposition’s attacks.

Whenever Mr. Mei Jie thought of these accusations, his pulse quickened because they were unfair and untrue — that bridge was built ten years ago, how could his government possibly be responsible for its collapse?

Someone even suggested that the government hadn’t invested enough in bridge construction, which was truly intolerable. The bridge had been completed less than ten years ago, and even the best experts couldn’t explain why it suddenly snapped neatly in two, sending a dozen cars plummeting into the deep waters below.

Additionally, someone had the audacity to suggest that insufficient police force was to blame for the two infamous murder cases, and that the government should have foreseen the bizarre hurricane that caused massive damage to lives and property in the Southwestern Counties of England.

Also, one of his assistant ministers, Herbert Chorley, had been acting strangely the past week, wanting to spend more time with his family. Was that his fault too?

"The whole country is in a state of panic," the opposition had concluded, barely hiding the smug smile on his face.

The next election was next year, and these vexing issues left Mr. Mei Jie feeling breathless whenever he thought about them.

Fortunately, at that moment, the inconspicuous painting in the corner of his office suddenly came to life.

"Ahem..."

The sound of coughing startled Mr. Mei Jie at first, then he stood up abruptly.

He walked over to the painting and peered into it.

The painting depicted a small, frog-like man with long silver hair.

"Requesting an urgent meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister, please respond immediately, Yours sincerely, Black." The man in the painting inquired of Mr. Mei Jie.

Mr. Mei Jie’s throat bobbed twice.

Black?

Shouldn’t it be Fudge?

He remembered Cornelius Fudge, who was rotund and always wore a kindly smile, seemed more like a seasoned, slippery politician than a wizard, more of one than himself as the Prime Minister.

What... could it be that the Ministry of Magic also has elections? Has there been a change in office?

"I’m available now." Mr. Mei Jie said quickly.

He was eager to meet with the Minister of Magic to ask about those issues — especially whether that collapsed bridge was the handiwork of some wizard.

Mr. Mei Jie hurriedly moved towards his desk, straightening his tie. As soon as he sat down and arranged his facial expressions to appear relaxed and composed as he desired, he saw suddenly emerging bright green flames in the empty fireplace grate below the marble fireplace.

He watched as a handsome middle-aged man elegantly appeared in the flames, spinning like a top.

Moments later, the man stopped spinning, holding a plastic bag containing unknown items.

As he stepped over the grate, the fireplace erupted again with green flames, and soon a bespectacled teenager also appeared in the fireplace.

Mr. Mei Jie watched them walk onto the exquisite Persian carpet and dust off the soot from their clothes, multiple times wanting to stop them — as the Persian carpet was quite expensive and difficult to clean, but he held back.

"Hello, Mr. Mei Jie."

The leading middle-aged man approached Mr. Mei Jie and introduced himself, "We seem to have never met before — allow me to introduce myself, I am Sirius Black, the current Minister of Magic — and this is my godson, Harry Potter."

"Hello, gentlemen." As a Prime Minister, Mr. Mei Jie maintained his composure, showing no excessive panic.

After the handshake and greetings, they sat down separately.

Mr. Mei Jie was the first to speak, "If I may ask, the last Minister of Magic I dealt with was Cornelius Fudge, and now he..."

"He’s retired, Mr. Prime Minister," Sirius said with a smile, "due to some unspeakable reasons — although some parts can be spoken, which is also part of our conversation ahead."

"One moment, please." Mr. Mei Jie sat up straight, picked up the phone on the desk, "Bernard? Can you come in for a moment?"

Shortly after he hung up the phone, the door opened again, and a competent middle-aged man stepped in.

"This is my chief secretary," Mr. Mei Jie said with a smile, "I need him to help document our meeting notes for this session... is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Black?"

"I believe the former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, mentioned Azkaban to you?" Sirius tentatively asked.

Upon hearing ’Minister of Magic,’ Bernard’s pupils slightly constricted.

Mr. Mei Jie furrowed his brow in confusion, "Azkaban? What’s Azkaban?"

Sirius shook his head helplessly.

"It seems Fudge has hidden a lot from you, Mr. Mei Jie," he sighed, "Azkaban is a place in the British Magic World for holding serious offenders, filled with unspeakably vile dark wizards who’ve committed many heinous acts."

"Just like Scorab Prison, right?" Mr. Mei Jie asked humorously.

Sirius originally intended to say, "Azkaban is not as harsh," but considering the number of wizard escapes from Azkaban, he decided against it.