Chapter 166: Nostalgia

"Your eloquence is getting better and better, Connelly." Cornelius Fudge's wonderful performance beyond expectations made Riddle particularly satisfied. He also enjoyed the way he tried his best to put on a respectful posture, but his face was full of arrogance. Looking extremely regretful, he said, "The International Cooperation Department's branch in Magic Congress has contacted Thicknesse before, requesting assistance. Dolohov should have arrived."

He put away his idleness and carelessness, and said in a gloomy tone: "Now But I have to deliver this news to you, Connelly. It seems that you, the Minister of Magic, are doing very well."

Fudge complained in his heart, but did not dare to think too much to avoid causing more disasters. Almost instinctively, he glanced at Mu Yu, who was just flipping through the documents piled on the desk, with an innocent and harmless attitude that didn't care about anything.

The previous noises in the corridor seemed to still be echoing in my ears.

"Xin, of course Thicknesse has written a report a long time ago. In fact, after today's regular meeting, the Ministry of Magic will plan to send a circular letter to the Magic Congress," he kicked the Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, who was still in a daze and had not yet reacted. , "Make it clear, make it clear that in view of the fact that the Magic Congress has repeatedly crossed the line, the Ministry of Magic has the right to impose necessary interference on the Magic Congress until the Magic Congress resumes cooperation in accordance with the regulations of friendly exchanges."

To be able to survive unharmed at this time, Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation His head was not slow to react. He came back to his senses immediately after such a kick, and opened his mouth to continue: "Yes, that's it. The International Magical Cooperation Department is preparing to report to Mr. Minister, contact Northern Europe, and fully support the Ministry of Magic's work in magic." Any action of the Congress."

The two men stammered and sweated profusely for a short paragraph. However, no matter how they stumbled, they still settled on the main theme in a few words with great tacit understanding. Now that we have made a start, the remaining people will understand what to do no matter how stupid they are. You agree with me one by one, and the formal circular plan is almost written out in a serious way.

Since its establishment, the British Ministry of Magic has rarely done anything so efficiently and quickly.

"That's enough," Tom Riddle waited until they finished talking before knocking on the table leisurely. The moment he heard the voice, the person who had just spoken out against the Magic Congress immediately silenced, "Will there be people like Foley expressing sympathy for the rebel party this time? Is it fair to apply?"

He slowly scanned everyone present. People who looked at him wanted to bury their heads in the table, and their bodies were trembling, as if they had received extreme threats.

"Don't be afraid," the gloomy voice was like the softest whisper, "I don't mind ignorant remarks."

Everyone present may never forget the tragic situation of the entire Shen family being wiped out.

"Behind the Shen family and the Welfare rebels are the Order of the Phoenix's conspiracy." Finally, Lucius Malfoy leaned forward slightly, "At least pure blood, and even every wizard who has been blessed to stand in the sun. I will never forget your kindness."

There was no response, but there was a clicking sound. Lucius Malfoy always maintained the same posture. He didn't look up until there was no response for a long time.

They're gone. Even though it was still filled with invisible and intangible blood, the air seemed to be much more alive.

The frightened minister's secretary let out a long sigh of relief and opened his mouth as if he wanted to express something. Before he could speak, Cornelius Fudge slapped him on the back of the head: "What are you doing here? Record the minutes of today's meeting." , inform all staff of the Ministry of Magic that due to the emergency, no one is allowed to leave early, contact the Daily Prophet, and tell those people that if they want to live well, they should write a report on the Magic Congress before the end of today."

He took a breath. He climbed back to the top with difficulty, barely holding himself up, his face was as white as paper, and the person sitting below was almost the same. After finally regaining his composure, he shook the cold hand and said, "The same goes for you. If you don't want your family to hang on a telephone pole like the Shen family, or move to Azkaban, it's best to deal with it today. Everything is fine."

The British Ministry of Magic has just gone through a lot of ups and downs, and the other side is also going through a protracted negotiation. The bright light shines on the document covers separated on the round table, constantly jumping back and forth at both ends.

The figures divided into two parts seemed to have been sitting here in silence for a century.

The room was empty, but not even an echo could be heard. This is not only the case indoors, but also outside the door. The whole world seems to be rotten because it cannot wait for the outcome of this negotiation.

Through the halo, the representative sent by Ilvermorny carefully observed the leader who had been sworn in hastily. At this moment, he was frowning at one of the documents, and the anxiety and worry between his brows had not disappeared. Compared with when he was deputy, he was much older, and his temples were covered with white frost. His newly tailored formal suit could no longer support his appearance and hung empty, as if he was about to be crushed by the pressure that had followed him since he took office. Same.

"Sir, in your speech at the funeral, you mentioned that radical extremism is the devil hovering over the country." Finally, the person spoke first, "Our Magical Congress is under attack, or I would like to call it Invasion, you helped us resist, you and we should have a consensus..."

Covered by the paper, Barty Crouch Jr. hid the sarcasm at the corner of his mouth, and looked up calmly: "Pay attention to the wording, we have never used any Help, I also thought we had reached a consensus. You should understand how much pressure I was under to make such a decision-the parliament, the people, the media, and even the chickens and dogs outside came to condemn, and we were unable to get involved more. He was full of helplessness, "We can't afford division."

What he is most worried about is probably his career and life. Representative Ilvermorny's eyes flashed, and he spoke with great sincerity: "It is not our intention to divide our homeland. On the contrary, we are removing the cancer that caused the division of our homeland. The resurgence of the Middle Ages will inevitably lead to long-term depression, and excessive balance will eventually slip. He only wants extreme injustice."

He glanced at the expression on the other end and continued after seeing that he showed no resistance: "This accident and the current situation in Massachusetts are already a sign. Your predecessor was too radical. Please forgive me. "Sorry, he is pulling us towards the abyss, and now we are still a few steps away from the cliff. The reins are in your hands." He pushed a stack of documents towards the other end, "What we are asking for is just a consensus." and the subtle influence of consensus, slowly pulling it back to the normal track."

As if it was not strong enough, he added in a low voice: "Think about the previous history."

Barty Crouch read it carefully again. With the document in his hand, he adjusted the frame of his glasses, and his expression changed several times in front of this person: "I am not the person pulling the reins, I am just a poor guy who was pushed forward and people mistakenly thought I was pulling the reins."

He didn't care about what was happening on the other side. Reaction: "I have the Congress behind me, the group that elected me to this position, and the intricate forces of dozens of states. The consensus and subtlety you mentioned are too easy. I will compromise every word with you." Taking huge and immeasurable risks."

Representatives from Ilvermorny, who knew his style well, couldn't help but be disappointed when he said this, but before he could fight in vain again, the situation took a turn for the worse.

"I want to meet Phil Garcia, the young man who led you to build Massachusetts into a fortress, and let him personally explain to me every regulation. A reckless young man is not worth my risk and investment," Almost without waiting for a response, he said categorically, "Don't be here. It's not as safe and confidential as you think. Let Phil Garcia meet me in the west."

"Mr. Garcia will of course be happy to meet with you," he said when he mentioned the meeting. Representative Elvermoni instantly raised alarm bells and looked at him more carefully. He once again made sure that there was no sign of the Imperius Curse before he lowered his guard slightly. "The West is where you made your fortune. We must also ensure the safety of Mr. Garcia. I hope You can understand. How about New York?"

Barty Crouch Jr. put the sarcasm on the table this time: "It's a good idea to have a group of wizards mingle together."

The conversation reached a deadlock again.

"We don't have much time. I said at the beginning that the person in the parliament is most likely watching me and is ready to report my every move to..." He trembled as if he was extremely frightened, "them.

" The people who came from Elvermorny had obviously known about this abnormality for a long time, and they frowned. There were originally few neutral areas for meetings, and now they had to ensure safety and confidentiality. After all, it was difficult for them to ensure what style the next person would take office. , leaving few meeting places.

If we talk about safety...

he was completely unaware that he had been led to a single misunderstanding.

"North Carolina, a small town in the border state of Massachusetts, if you can relax," he gritted his teeth and settled for the time being, extending his hand, "but I still want to ask Mr. Garcia for his opinion."

After experiencing After a series of struggles, Barty Crouch Jr. seemed to have made up his mind and held the hand: "Wait for the news."

"Crouch has done it." Mu Yu stood in his favorite position at the top and looked through the appearance. The glass of the eyeball looked at the Ministry of Magic. The prosperous scene gave no hint of the conflict that had occurred not long ago.

The golden statues scattered around the fountain are becoming more and more dazzling day by day, shining brightly in people's eyes from a distance. What she was thinking about was the day Welfare opened the door to the Ministry of Magic, and the old guard headed by the Order of the Phoenix rushed in screaming from the loophole that had been in the camp for who knows how long, and happened to step into the trap she had laid.

Her fingers followed the dancing trajectory of the golden light as they wandered over the smooth, dust-free glass. They screamed various words - freedom, equality, beauty, family, gradually disappeared, and scattered into pieces scattered in the fountain pool in the middle. The bright red spring water was mixed with meaningless sacrifices and broken hearts. Ideal, change the direction and spray out tricks. Red water droplets splashed on the floor, like stars that were inevitably dyed red by the setting sun.

very nice.

She sucked her index finger, and a drop of water fell on her fingertip. The sweetness of the spring water even overshadowed the taste of blood, so that she could not taste the taste of the ideal remains. It's a pity that someone tipped her off, preventing her from tasting the remains of her acquaintance's faith.

The spring water is as clear as ever, with no trace of the bright red color at all, flowing forever, lastingly and forever.

Never changes.

The giant snake swam lazily between the two of them, cleverly drawing an indispensable line between them. Tom Riddle moved towards the edge of the boundary. The jade pendant, which was becoming more and more attractive in his eyes day by day, happened to be bathed in the golden light, and the cracks were much softer in the light.

He would rather progress a little slower, a little slower, than face the inevitable end, let alone be attracted by this jade pendant again and again.

They understand each other that neither of them will give up their obsession easily. Immortality and power are Riddle's constant pursuits, and Mu Yu...what kind of power does she want?

"Ilvermorny is the source of support for the Magical Congress. Without that, Hogwarts will soon become an isolated island." " He tried to cross the boundary and turned his gaze away from the jade pendant, but the effect was not very good. Once he took his attention away from the jade pendant, he would relive that night in the warmth again and again in another strange circle of verification of existence. Linger and fall.

It is extremely difficult to get back into power entanglements.

"Dumbledore could only watch the people he protected step out of their turtle shells one by one and ask for forgiveness." He retracted the hand that was about to cross the line and suppressed the desire that was rising up in layers.

That night was a total mistake, a forceful application of scalding oil to the coldness they had wrested from each other, eroding and melting away a large swath of shared territory and coaxing them to cross increasingly unclear boundaries.

"They don't need to come out by themselves, we can go in," Mu Yu pinched into the crack lines, feeling the scattered textures. In the flickering light, both shadows and sounds almost softened into flowing spring water. She put the locket against her face, turned her head and looked at him intently, "Stay closer to me, madman. Come here."

She couldn't be drunk, but the air was already slightly tipsy, sending out wisps of light fragrance as it swayed. Mu Yu always kept his words and deeds consistent, and when he finished speaking, he stepped over the snake and pushed him into the corner.

The movement was so fast that as soon as Riddle broke away from the ethereal fragrance and the subtle entanglement of joy that only he could detect, his slightly cold fingertips had already slid across his face, adding warmth to his face.

The smile she gave him was fundamentally different from the previous disguise. He had never been able to discover it, or had already noticed it, until he retreated to the point of no retreat like today.

With just a few light glances, his hand touched the wand that he never left. Mu Yu circled the wand in circles: "You've been using this wand all the time." There was no real distance between the two of them. It was easy to guess from the changes in her breath that she was happier. "I didn't want to change it again."

Riddle stretched out his hand. He hugged her and once again shortened the distance that was already gone. The coldness of the jade pendant and the cracks on it were so insignificant at this distance: "I can go in because of that piece of jade," he began to knead the coldness. Jade, "I hate being blinded and concealed."

She left as soon as she posted it, and before the lingering lingering lingering charm dissipated, she put her index finger on her pale lips: "Shh, why are you in such a hurry? I'm telling you, aren't I?"

"Let go." He wanted to get rid of it, but he couldn't even give the order. Power reminded him to stay awake. As the fighting ended, it became more and more difficult to stay awake. At this time, desire became the best substitute. Desire Floating like a veil, winding gently, making people forget.

It is far easier to forget than to wake up.

"You should be curious why Grindelwald said that the price that falls on me is constantly suppressed and even destroyed."

She would not give him any chance to think, weaving desire into a delicate web to cover the two of them: "You know I What is it, a thing that is probably related to the sky?" When she commented on herself in this way, she looked very plain, not as bright as the blush on her face. "The sky moves in an orderly manner, and all things live and die according to specific laws, ebb and flow, Reincarnation never stops, Eastern philosophy."

"You are destroying the rules and remaking the rules, and the rules also want to destroy you." He reacted quickly.

"The way of heaven and the laws it supports are nothing. They are boring and without challenges. I empower ordinary people and allow people with talents to pursue higher ideals. My will is eternal," she revealed at this moment Full of pride and publicity, "The more people step into our ranch, the smaller the price I have to pay. We are about to win."

She deliberately brushed away the jade pendant: "Our agreement will always be valid. When the time comes, I will Nature is intact and undamaged."

She shrank with the cold, and a tear suddenly fell on her eyelashes, not knowing whether it was because of pain or something else: "Only you can kill me, madman, only you can destroy this skin. "

This is destined to be an endless cycle, and only the most superficial joy can make him forget it. However, the longer he misses this body, the more he desires its existence, and if not for the cover of desire, he will step into the taboo territory. .

When it was over, Riddle held her face and gently wiped away the remaining tears. The two of them seemed to have returned to the safest realm again, as if it was an illusion. He himself didn't dare to calculate how many calculations and conspiracies there might be at this moment: "Yu, you said forever, that's forever."

"That's what you said," Mu Yu's impulse just disappeared when he raised his head again. Still looking into his eyes, as if to imprint it into his mind, "I also want you to remember, madman is always a very strong word."