A Child of Two Worlds, Part 1

I do not own Harry Potter. Or J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World for that matter.

Chapter 20: The Die Is Cast

Paris, France

David stood in front of the mirror looking at his clothes. They were formal, a nice mixture of Muggle and wizard clothing. He had bought them at a wizarding shop in New York. The owner, who had recognised David immediately, had made him something that underlined his origin and views: a child of two worlds with Muggle parents, however, a very early contact with the wizarding world.

David put his wand in the extra fitted pocket of his jacket and left the room. Two Aurors were guarding his door, Aurors who had met David before: Adrian and Colin Cresswell. They nodded when David greeted them and accompanied him to the two other doors on the floor where Alex and Emilia had been staying. They were also formally dressed, both in their sense of what that meant: Alex for instance also wore a nice hat that looked lovely on her, especially when she smiled. Alex had always loved to experiment with wizarding fashion and like David she had a weakness for hats. Emilia wore a suit and had her hair in a bun.

Together they were leaving the Hôtel Flamel and went along the Rue des Balais through the passageway that connected the road with the Jardin de Trefle-Piques. Most delegates had already arrived at the building of the International Confederation of Wizards, some were still standing outside chatting with each other before the official beginning of the conference. There hadn't been much snow but enough to cover the garden in a wonderful white. As the three plus the two Aurors had nearly reached the building, Rémi Auclair stepped out of the building of the French Ministry of Magic. A young man, he emanated something that David missed with older politicians, Muggle and wizard alike: a determination to change something, to bring something fresh and new to the table.

"Ah, Monsieur Reed, très heureux de vous voir," Auclair greeted him.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Le Ministre," David said. They went to the building where Kingsley Shacklebolt stood along with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. They were talking with Danish Minister for Magic Dagmar Møller and her two advisors, Jesper Mortensen and a young woman in her twenties who greeted Alex with a beaming smile.

"Alex! Hvordan har du det?" the young woman asked.

"Fint, tak, Ida. Hvad med dig?" Alex replied. She turned to David and Emilia.

"David, Emilia, this is my cousin Ida. Ida, this is David Reed, my oldest friend and our mutual friend, Emilia Mason."

"Ah, nice to finally meet you," Ida said shaking their hands.

They entered the building. The International Magical Law Enforcement Squad had positioned several dozen Hit Wizards in the building. Furthermore, most delegations had brought a group of Aurors with them and among nearly all advisors were Heads of Magical Law Enforcement of Heads of Auror Offices or similar.

The meeting hall was gigantic. It reminded David vaguely on the Roman Senate building depicted in the painting where Cicero was denouncing Catiline; only that this hall was rectangular, not round. The various delegations took their seats on the many steps of the chamber. At the end of the chamber, opposite the entrance, was a podium with a splendid chair and a table from which the Supreme Mugwump would be speaking. At the wall behind the podium, the crest of the ICW could be seen along with the name in various languages.

International Confederation of Wizards

Confédération Internationale des Sorciers

Internationale Zauberervereinigung

Confederación Internacional de Magos

Meždunarodnaja konfederacija magov

Al-ʾittiḥād ad-duwaliyyu min as-saḥara

Jādūgrõ ka antarrāṣṭrīy saṅgh

Guójì wūshī liánhé huì

Kokusai mahōtsukai renmei

David, Alex and Emilia took their seats with the British delegation. David looked around and watched some of the other delegations: on their side were representatives of magical beings: goblins, centaurs, vampires, merpeople in large water tanks.

On the left of the opposite side were many European delegations: the German delegation with Federal Minister for Magic Aylin Yıldırım along with Felix Winterberg and Annalena Moser-Nagl as well as the potential future ministers of Austria and the Czech Republic, Klara Dorfer and Jan Hašek. Yıldırım was talking with the Minister for Magic of Liechtenstein Günther Jehle. Further upstairs sat the Norwegian delegation with Minister for Magic Inga Tynæs. The Norwegian Ministry for Magic was known for its early reforms in wizarding Europe. Already in 1859, the then-Minister for Magic had passed a law granting Squibs and Muggle-borns the same rights as any other witches and wizards. The rights of magical beings had also been made in the 19th century. However, there were anti-Muggle movements in Norway as well with Gellert Grindelwald as their inspiration.

Further left was the Anatolian Minister for Magic Doğuş Görgülü next to the Greek delegation with Minister for Magic Kyriaki Afxentiou. Gaweł Krawczyk, the Polish Minister for Magic sat there with a serious expression staring ahead lost in thought. On step above stood Jurij Olegovič Vasil'jevskij who was in a conversation with Nikolaj Dmitrijevič Čurkin who had brought half a dozen Aurors with him who were all eying David with a frowning expression.

David turned away and looked to the right of the opposite side where most of the delegations from Asia could be found. Among others there was Thai Minister for Magic Prasit Chiwitammata, the Cambodian Minister for Magic Chhean Srey, the Mongolian minister Tsakhiagiin Otgonbayar. Tshering Gyatso, the Tibetan Minister for Magic was speaking to Wū Lóngxuè. His daughter, Wū Chìhuáng, saw David and nodded with a smile. David returned the greeting. The Korean Minister for Magic Bak Seong-jae was reading a Korean Wizarding Newspaper. Japanese Minister for Magic Aoki Takuya was talking to a man who had a scar over his right eye. It had to be the famous Japanese Auror Toyotomi Hayate who had not too long ago dealt with the leader of an anti-Muggle organisation in Ōsaka. The duel was said to be so violent that the effects were noticed by Muggles and the Japanese prime Minister had made a speech on TV speaking of the earthquake that had led to the destruction of a particular building. A bit further, close to the podium, stood the US delegation which also included representatives of Native American tribes as well as Maroons led by Andrew Abbott.

On their side were African delegations such as Minister for Magic of Oyo, Yabuku Osinbajo, the Akan Minister for Magic Afua Nyantakyi; the Minister for Magic of the Congo, Eshele Mutombo, or the South African Minister for Magic Nkosazana Mthethwa. Then there was the Brazilian delegation with Minister for Magic João Santos Almeida, the Cuban Minister for Magic Javier Hernández and the Haitian Minister for Magic Anténor Boyer. The President of the Peruvian Council of Magic José Pardo Guillén was speaking in rapid Spanish with President of the Mexican Council of Magic Roberta B'alam as well as with President Valentina Vázquez of the Argentinian Council of Magic. The Australian Minister for Magic Peter Rudd was also on their side of the chamber as well as Minister for Magic Awhina Hetaraka from New Zealand, the Minister for Magic of Kiribati, Kaboua Tebamare, and the Minister for Magic of Fiji, Adi Davila Vulakoro.

"Is that Professor Patil?" Alex asked suddenly pointing to a witch next to Indian Minister for Magic Mugdha Gadgil. She looked exactly like Professor Patil with her stunning beauty and dressed in colourful robes.

"That has to be her sister Parvati Patil," David remarked.

"She looks gorgeous!" Alex whispered.

"And she has quite some credentials," David explained. "She fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. And just like you she thought about being helpful in her parent's home country. And look how far she's come."

At that moment, Babajide Akingbade stepped into the room, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. Everyone rose and applauded. David looked to the entrance of the chamber where a dozen reporters for various wizarding newspapers and magazines were gathered together had photographers who had until now been making pictures of different delegations and were now capturing Akingbade who climbed the podium and turned to hold his wand to this throat and address the crowd:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured Ministers for Magic and Presidents, centaurs, goblins, vampires and Merpeople," Akingbade began. "This day, the 21st of November 2015, is perhaps the most important day in recent history. We all have gathered today to vote on our future and on our future relationship with our non-magical brothers and sisters. In the beginning of humanity, we had always been at their side, leading and guiding them. But in time they became more ambitious…and more violent. More and more they regarded us as their enemies, especially those who rose to believe that there was only one almighty god who allegedly was caring and forgiving, who stood above all else and didn't allow any other deity beside him. Powerful princes, popes and other religious leaders used this faith to hunt us down. Especially in Europe the fear of witches and wizards grew even though the Muggle's imagination of what magic meant was often far away from the truth.

Thus, in 1692 witches and wizards of most countries and peoples came together in order to discuss how things should continue. There were many (and in retrospect a lot of voices today say that they were right) who wanted an open confrontation. They said we should keep the European Muggles at bay especially since they were in the process of kidnapping people from Africa and selling them as slaves (although they were not the only ones doing that) and to conquer the world because they believed that their god had ordered them to do so, that it was his will. But ultimately, those who wanted to turn their back onto our non-magical brothers and sisters won. If the Muggles didn't wanted our help we should leave them at their fate and do everything we could to make sure that anything magical seemed like a mere fantasy to them.

We've now been living under the Statute of Secrecy for 323 years. And from the beginning there have been those who pointed out the statute's weakness and its injustice; on our duty to help the Muggles and to protect them from themselves. Since the Statute was enacted, brave witches and wizards who had fled from slavery by white Muggles fought for the end of the Statute of Secrecy, often in alliance with local indigenous peoples. In Africa, many witches and wizards tried to prevent the slave trade and where imprisoned for that by wizarding authorities.

In 19th century Europe, there was at least a theoretical debate on ending the Statute of Secrecy with many of the brightest of the wizarding community bringing in excellent arguments in favour of that decision. But nobody listened to them. And when they did, they would rather send death threats than joining the discussion. But it was especially the 19th century that would and should have improved from an involvement of witches and wizards into Muggle affairs. Especially after 1880 when the European powers divided Africa among themselves and ruled over the native population, many witches and wizards in those regions again rose up to fight against the European oppression. In China, there were several attempts to put an end to the Statute of Secrecy when European powers divided the coast lines among themselves. From 1851 to 1864, Chinese wizards and witches influenced the Muggle Hóng Xiùquán to stage a riot and to take over the state. Similarly, from 1916 to 1928, when China was in the chaos of various warlords, wizards tried to rule over different parts of China using the Motto Wèile gèng wěi dà de lìyì, "For the Greater Good". The ideas of Gellert Grindelwald, who was preparing a world revolution for wizards to rule over the Muggles, were spreading quickly and many wizards referred to him, often with the best of intentions.

Many Russian witches and wizards, such as Nadežda Ivanovna Vetrova, used the motto "For the Greater Good" to take over the new Soviet Government and help Muggles in need in the civil war that followed. And then, of course, there was Korea where from 1910 to 1945 many different factions under the leadership of Yun-Bo-yeong fought against the Japanese occupation. And after the nuclear bomb in Japan in 1945, delegates from the Japanese wizarding government warned this house, the International Confederation of Wizards, about the improvement of Muggle weaponry, now capable to eradicate a single city with one blow. Their warnings were not taken seriously and the Statute of Secrecy remained intact.

But some did take them seriously. Like the Ukrainian witch Svitlana Jakovlivna Litovčenko who, after having made an extensive journey through the Soviet Union, called for an end to the Statute of Secrecy and for wizards to lead the Muggles out of the cycle of violence and destruction into a new, corporately ruled world. High ideals, which were battled heavily against by the Russian Ministry of Magic.

But also in China during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, many Chinese witches and wizards stepped out to aid their fellow non-magical brothers and sisters. As did the Tibetan wizards who, until this day, try to ease the suffering of their fellow Muggle countrymen.

As we can see, this is by far not the first attempt to end the Statute of Secrecy. But it will be the first time this is done united, done via a vote like we did 323 years ago.

And we're doing this for very valid reasons as we will see in the issues we'll address during this conference such as how we can help the Muggles using magic, potentially saving money that could be used for things such as education and helping the poor. How we are to deal with, and potentially take control over, Muggle governments, especially those which are ruled with a dictatorial hand. The enlightenment of regions in which the fear of witchcraft is still seen as something demonic and threatens the lives of innocents. And the responsibility we will have, us witches and wizards, to help those who are in great need. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!"

The delegates were applauding as Mr. Akingbade took his seat on the podium. Then Vasil'jevskij rose and spoke loudly into the room:

"May I remind you all that we are only here because of a certain someone who has broken our most fundamental laws and incited the wizarding world to unite with those wanting our very heads? Who have burned or hanged millions of us because they feared our superiority? And you are now kissing his feet praising his words! Remember who we are! We are wizards! We shouldn't led a Mudblood dictate us how to live our lives! A Mudblood that wants to mate with a piece of filth! Grjaznokrovka!"

And he pointed to Emilia who flinched for but a second and stared back steadfastly at the Russian Minister for Magic. The whole room had yelled out indignantly when Vasil'jevskij used the word Mudblood. And some Aurors of the British delegation had taken as step forward when Vasil'jevskij had pointed at Emilia with their hands in their pockets.

The members of the Russian delegation, almost all of them exclusively Aurors, jeered and applauded and the head of Aurors, Čurkin, was making gestures towards his Aurors as though he was instructing them to cheer on.

"ORDER!" Akingbade roared with his strong deep voice. The entire room was dead silent.

"As we've repeatedly told your delegation, Mr. Vasil'jevskij, the majority of the International Confederation has voted against an arrest of David Reed. That subject is not a part of this conference and I am warning you to bring it up again as a distraction of the true topics we're about to discuss."

The Russians grudgingly took their seats again. Akingbade shot a last glance at them and nodded to a woman holding up her hand signing her desire to speak.

"The floor is admitted to Madame Afua Nyantakyi, Minister for Magic of the Akan States in the Muggle Regions Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana."

Madame Nyantakyi rose and began to speak: "Ladies and Gentlemen, in the old days, we used to be at the side of Muggles helping them in everyday life. But then things changed and we decided to go underground. And look what they have done without us! We wizards are not above our own conflicts and confrontations but even with all our magic none of us are so destructive as our Muggle brothers and sisters. To hide ourselves has been the greatest mistake in history! I say we need to reveal ourselves and help where injustice still occurs. We could have been there when white Muggles invaded Africa and divided it amongst themselves. They are the cause for the violence that still remains there today and we were not allowed to help our fellow Africans when we could have!"

There were shouts of "Yes!" and "Well said!" from other Ministers of Magic such as Tesfaye Wolde from Ethiopia, Eshele Mutombo from the Congo or Samia Ndugai from Zanzibar. But Djibrine Yoadimnadji, the Minister for Magic of Wadai, rose up and addressed Madame Nyantakyi with his thunderous voice:

"The Statute of Secrecy has protected us for more than 300 years now! Need I remind you, Madame Nyantakyi, of the witch hunts that are still taking place within your country? Or in yours, Madame Ndugai? Mr. Mutombo? Mr. Osinbajo? And not only in Africa! They have never stopped, they merely have shifted. And there will always be mistrust against us! There is a reason why we decided to hide. Think of the animosities between the Non-Magiques! What they have done in the name of religion or ethnic superiority. I say no to the revelation!"

"It is precisely that very reason," Yabuku Osinbajo, Minister for Magic of Oyo, responded, "that we should reveal ourselves and enlighten the Muggles on what magic truly means. If we can show them a helping hand then it will be likely that an alliance could be forged between us and them."

Nkosazana Mthethwa, Minister for Magic of South Africa, rose to speak. Her young, beautiful face looked around the room and her voice was passionate.

"I am Can't-Spell-born! And I was born into a poor family in the township of Khayelitsha. So I know what it's like to be in a position of special power…to have a gift but not being allowed to use that gift to bring my family out of their current state of life. That's what we ought to do! To help those who need it most. I'm sure there are many of you who feel exactly the same. Who could be wary to a group of people capable and willingly to help them? The more we help the more we'll be trusted."

"What are their problems to us, I ask," said Thai Minister for Magic Prasit Chiwitammata, "Exactly. Their. Problems! We are two kinds of people, tow kinds of beings! We don't need their lights. Their cars. Their communication devices. We have our own. And even if they would blow each other to pieces, we would still be there, save in our part of this world watching…and surviving! I say, and there are quite a few witches and wizards who would agree with me: stay in hiding."

"And then what?"

All heads turned to Julia Kennedy sitting there beside MACUSA President Quahog. Julia got to her feet.

"Do you know what else they have, Mr. Chiwitammata? Weapons that could wipe out an entire city in on blow! Instruments that can penetrate our protective charms meant to fool No-Maj eyes – and I stress – EYES. Not their cameras or newspaper pictures. If they realise what they have found, then they would certainly investigate and we might not be prepared. Let us dare the first step, if only to protect ourselves! And while we still might have advantages with forms of magical persuasion and concealing, they are catching up in strength. I don't believe any of us would want to risk a war –"

"Even if we'd consider your implications, Madame Kennedy," Burmese Minister for Magic U Soe was saying, "how are we to prepare ourselves against forms of technology we know nothing about?"

"It's not that we know nothing, Minister," Kingsley Shacklebolt was saying in his calm voice, "The British Ministry of Magic has for some time now, even before revealing ourselves had been considered as an option, studied Muggle technologies and created a whole new department to instruct witches and wizards to make themselves familiar with them and also to make the wizarding public aware of the importance of these studies. A while ago, we've had agreements with the wizarding governments of Germany, France, the United States, and China to prepare ourselves since it became clearer that revelation was the best option. The question therefore is not whether we are to reveal ourselves but what steps we are to take in this endeavour."

Wū Lóngxuè and Tshering Gyatso rose with Minister Wū speaking:

"The wizarding governments of China and Tibet have, for years now, cooperated to initiate a slow movement that would eventually lead to the liberation of Tibet from the occupation of China and – via magic – convince the Chinese non-magical government to begin massive reforms. But only if we collectively, as witches and wizards united, will reveal ourselves can this plan work. I ask you, if you haven't decided already, ladies and gentlemen, please, vote for the revelation."

Akingbade rose up again:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I suggest that we interrupt the conference for an hour. In the adjoining room you will find a buffet with meals from all over the world. We will proceed in an hour."

A muffled murmur arose as the delegations moved away from their seats heading for the exit. David, Alex and Emilia followed the British delegation into the next hall. David had just begun to take a plate looking for interesting meals when he heard his name:

"Excuse me, Mr. Reed?"

He turned around. A very beautiful woman came towards him holding out her hand smiling.

"Cho Chang, reporter of The Daily Prophet."

She held a press pass in her hand. David saw the Latin spelling Cho Chang right next to the Chinese characters her name was spelled with: 張秋– Zhāng Qiū.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Chang. I have read your many articles with great interest," he said politely. "Your experience of living in the Muggle world as a witch and how that shapes your stories…You have a great talent to explain the non-magical word to the wizarding readership."

There was something deep buried in her mind, a sorrow that had started long ago and still wasn't fully gone. For a second, David had the urge to go further and find out the exact circumstances of that pain that had to come from the experience of death. But then he composed himself.

"Thank you," Mrs. Chang said in response to his compliment, "You can too, I've seen it in the ways you describe them in your book. There was a time when I thought it would break us apart, you know. A witch and a Muggle; and we couldn't talk about it to our Muggle neighbours and friends…" She shook her head.

David looked at her with a serious expression.

"I know the feeling."

Mrs. Chang went on. "And our daughter…How can I raise her in that environment where she has to keep it to herself? It…sometimes it seems to crush you, you know? Especially after the things I've seen…what I fought for, what we fought for! I think many of us, who either came from a Muggle background or had Muggle relatives, wanted a change. We didn't want to live in this life anymore. And that sentiment grew over the last 18 years. And now, here's this…"

She looked around, then back at David.

"Would you mind if I gave an interview where you have the chance of telling the true story of your journey? There have been many rumours and many articles but it was always about you and not with you."

He smiled.

"Oh, I'd be honoured to answer your questions, Mrs. Chang."

When all were seated again in the conference chamber, the first to speak was Alkibiades, the Centaur representative:

"We Centaurs have listened to what the humans have been discussing here. Human politics do not interest us save it concerns our own people. We Centaurs have since our first days lived away from the noise of villages and cities. Our realm is the forest and those forests grow smaller and smaller as the Humans, magic and non-magic alike, are decreasing our territory or cut down the forests to build their houses on our lands. We only demand that the humans will respect OUR borders and don't interfere with our lives!"

The other Centaurs shouted in agreement. The goblins and even the Vampires applauded along with quite a few delegations whose members shouted "Rightly so!"

Then the goblin Yarskat stepped forward to address the crowd of delegates:

"While the goblins remain neutral on the decision of revelation, we nonetheless wish a greater participation in politics – be it magic only or a combined one – to better represent our interests and secure our rights as sentient beings! Along with the right to carry a wand. And if wizarding authorities will not begin to respect us perhaps the non-magical population might consider the idea of greater rights."

While the goblin delegation clapped, German Federal Minister for Magic Aylin Yıldırım took the opportunity to stand and make her saying:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we need to speak about the steps we're going to take once the revelation is under way. We need to let deeds follow our promises. And if we do that, if we take on the problems the people in the respective countries feel are the most important, if we help to solve these problems by using magic, they might very well trust us even more than their own politicians."

"Are you suggesting using our abilities as a means to overthrow the respective Muggle governments?" Norwegian Minister for Magic Inga Tynæs asked shocked.

"I'm not talking about a coup d'état or similar," Madame Yıldırım answered, "but merely to use the means of democracy where they are being used to form a newly elected government. In many countries the trust in politics and politicians is decreasing. Witches and wizards will surely be a new element in that political landscape, an element that will bring a fresh wind into political apathy and we can use that to put many wrong things right."

The Mongolian Minister for Magic, Tsakhiagiin Otgonbayar, rose to pose a counter argument:

"But how are the Muggles even to trust us? After all, we've been living as a secret society for more than 300 years. What possible authority could we have to interfere with their politics?"

There was an approving cheer from Cambodian Minister for Magic Chhean Srey and Gaweł Krawczyk from Poland-Lithuania said: "Quite right!"

"Furthermore," Ásdís Helgadóttir, Minister for Magic of Iceland, added, "while our wizarding community is for the revelation, we are aware of the many conspiracy theories that are being told amongst the Muggles, about secret orders to bring about a new world order and so on. Revealing ourselves could only reinforce those theories."

"Don't we have a Muggle witness to this conference among us?" Canadian Minister for Magic Jean Gaillard asked. "Why don't we hear what she has to say?"

There were cheers from Jean-François Bongard, Head of the Federal Department of Magic in Switzerland, as well as Persian Minister for Magic Behrouz Taghavi and Haitian Minister for Magic Anténor Boyer. David could see Emilia gulping as all eyes in the room fell on her. She composed herself and, thinking for a moment on what she would say, finally stepped forward.

"A-although I am non-magical, a Muggle, a No-Maj, a Can't-Spell…magic has shaped my entire life. My parents were killed by Death Eaters in the Second British Wizarding War. For a long time I didn't know that. And when I knew I was already engulfed in the wizarding world. When I met David Reed and Alexandra Brandt, they showed me a world beyond belief! I saw the most extraordinary creatures and beings and I witnessed performed magic from the daily to the martial magic of duels. I know the wonders it can do and the abuse it received by dark witches and wizards over time."

Her eyes were as on fire and her expression spoke of miracles.

"And…and I firmly believe that wizarding might play a vital part in this brave new world we all are about to enter. And I know the concerns; in fact, I've heard many conspiracy theories revolving around what was actually a magical incident, the most recent ones being the attack on a shopping centre in Germany and a fight in a Las Vegas casino which have been directly involved in. So I've come to know both the good and the bad of magic. But I say we need people like you. Of course there is going to be backlash, there always is. Especially when decision or suggestions are made to improve the lives of certain people or groups; But let me say, it will be worth it because in the long run…I strongly think we will succeed. If I had a vote in this I would vote yes."

For the first few seconds there was a stunning silence but then Julia began to clap and most of the delegations followed. Emilia sat sown again and led out a deep breath of relief. David though could see a few delegations staring viciously at her.

Finally, Mr. Akingbade rose up once again:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have heard different viewpoints of our situation and that of the Muggles. We have discussed several possibilities on how to contribute to a society where wizards and Muggles would live openly side by side. And we have listened to the alternative. Now I would ask each side to make a final address to this chamber on how to proceed. We will now hear Julia Kennedy, Director of Magical Security of the MACUSA and Gaweł Krawczyk, Minister for Magic of Poland-Lithuania."

Applause could be heard as Julia rose up to address the room:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, my sister and I are No-Maj-borns. Our parents don't have magical abilities. It was a surprise for us that we were witches, that the extraordinary things we could do could be summarised in one word: magic. The world in which we found ourselves from then on was fabulous for someone to whom all this had just been fantasy. And yet I discovered that I didn't even know half of the things to know out there once I've finished my education. I learned of the tragic history of both our cultures that had divided us.

But I believe that this doesn't have to and will not always be this way. We now know that there was a time when be lived in peace together. A time in which we, together, hunted and gathered and moved on, sometimes far away from our homeland. The further we dig into our earth and uncover things the more we understand the big picture: There was a time when we lived peacefully together without violence, suspicion or hatred and went out together to places no human had seen before!

And now it's time to do so again, to do what we should have always done: to not hide our magic but use it to take responsibility for this one world and its inhabitants. To correct the errors and the crimes they have committed in the time of our absence. To help them, to heal them from all their agony and suffering they have experienced. To guide them back to the right path; to retake our place in this mutual society and show them where to go. And let me be clear, ladies and gentlemen, this time we will not let ourselves be manhandled or, as some might fear, enslaved. This is us taking these steps! We will help them but we will defend ourselves properly this time should it be needed. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have 323 years to make up for. For us, for them…and for the world! Not by a magic of concealment but a by a magic of the deed! Thank you."

Thunderous applause filled the entire hall as Julia stood for a moment before sitting down again. She caught David's glance and smiled at him and he smiled back knowing that her talent as an orator had infected many delegation members in the chamber. Standing ovation lasted over a minute before everyone calmed down. Now Mr. Krawczyk, who also had respectfully joined in the applause, was rising from his seat speaking into the hall:

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he began with a serious voice, "I as well remember my childhood. My family is one of the oldest wizarding families in Poland. And if I have learned one thing from my parents, then it is the valid reason as to why we are and have been hiding from the Muggles. It was them who have started! While we strove to help them, they have made the first step to cast us out a long time ago. There are indicators that, already in ancient Muggle writings, magic was seen as a tool of evil. And in medieval times, the hatred towards all things magical took on new forms. Systematically, witches and wizards were rounded up and tortured and executed. They weren't thankful for our help, for what we did for them, quite the contrary; they feared our abilities, our gift! Because we are different! They don't even respect others of their own because of some silly beliefs in another god or because of a different appearance or another mentality or opinion they slaughter themselves or enslave others of their kind into brutal forms of labour and occasionally destroy whole regions in the process. Do you honestly believe that they will stop doing so just because we are now helping them?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I must warn you: please don't make the mistake that others have nearly made! There was a reason as to why we went underground. I say it is necessary to stay hidden. And if Mr. Reed writes that their technology is getting better and more efficient – the only reasonable observation he has made, by the way – then that is only one more reason to not show ourselves. We should not interfere. Leave them with their own problems and keep it that way! We have our very real problems to deal with. I implore you: please, please think exactly about what you're doing now. Reckless behaviour will throw us – and the whole world – into chaos. Vote against the revelation! Thank you!"

A mild applause could be heard as Krawczyk sat down again. Mr. Akingbade spoke again:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to cast your vote. For the record, I will stress that only the vote of the respective Minister for Magic, President of Wizarding Councils or MACUSA or representative of a magical being will count. All other votes are invalid." His sharp eyes gazed towards the Russian delegation.

"Now then: those who are against the revelation may please raise their hand."

You could literally count the hands raised except for the Russian delegation: all of its members had their hands raised in a futile attempt to still turn around the inevitable.

"Those who are in favour of the revelation may please raise their hands."

David raised his eyebrows as he saw one hand after the other going up into the air, clearly well over one hundred. His heart went faster and his stomach seemed to bounce in excitement as he waited for the words confirming what could be seen anyway.

"The result is clear!" Mr. Akingbade called out. "The wizarding world will open up to the Muggle community. I ask all the heads of wizarding government to contact your Muggle counterparts and inform them on the official date."

But his last words could not be heard over the biggest exultation David had ever seen or heard, even compared to the Quidditch World Cup last year! Alex pulled him in a tight embrace and he could feel the relief coming from her body. Emilia too was hugging him and Alex as they laughed in delight.

And then everybody jumped when a bang, louder than even the cheers, rocked the chamber. Jurij Olegovič Vasil'jevskij stood there, his wand raised out of which he had shot red sparks. With a furious expression he glared at the various delegates.

"How DARE you?" he spat out, "How dare you spitting on the graves of OUR ancestors?! How can you BETRAY the whole wizarding community? It's you, boy! YOU did this!"

And he pointed at David who shot a warning gaze back at the Russian Minister for Magic and slowly raised his hands. Aurors of all delegations stepped forward in attention, their hands in their pockets, ready to engage.

But David took a step forward. Slowly, he was stepping down the stairs while keeping his eyes fixed on the Russian wizards. Nikolaj Dmitrijevič Čurkin, the Head of Aurors, drew his wand and, in unison, his Aurors did the same as if programmed to do so.

"Nikolaj Dmitrijevič," David warned, "Please don't do that. It won't help you…"

"David Reed!" Čurkin roared while boxing his way down through the delegations followed by his Aurors. "You're arrested for high treason and incitement of disrupting the wizarding order! Don't resist!"

Čurkin made a movement with his wand but David was quicker. A snap of his finger and the Russian Head of Aurors flew forward with his wand flying out of his hand caught by David. He aimed the won wand and ropes were shooting out of it strangling Čurkin who cursed: "Grjaznokrovka! Predatel' krovi! Sukin syn!"

The Russian Aurors stormed forward and began to form a line but one hand movement by David and they flew to the side like flies. Hit wizards had meanwhile been running towards the scene and were now proceeding to arrest the Russian Aurors. Vasil'jevskij for his part was staring down at David flabbergasted. Obviously he hadn't considered that a Muggle-born would be a more powerful wizard than a member of an ancient "Pure-blood" family. Then he charged at David who again snapped his fingers and the Russian Minister's wand flew into Davids hand. Vasil'jevskij too was being restrained along with Čurkin.

"Well, this has been quite the entertaining twist," came a voice from the other side of the room.

Everyone's head turned and looked towards the doors. Walking slowly towards the scene were two women, one young and one who looked very old: Nadežda Ivanovna Vetrova and Larisa Andrejevna Sokolova. Even though Madame Vetrova was 131 years old she still moved like a young duchess.

"Vy!" Vasil'jevskij exclaimed."Staraja ved'ma! You should be dead!"

And he stared accusingly at Larisa who had now approached the two men and was glancing down at them.

"You should have paid more attention as to who you're sending on a mission, Jurij Olegovič," Larisa said. "How frivolous of you to send nearly your entire Auror Force to apprehend a young man who hasn't committed a single crime save not having the same world view as you."

And who looked up at David who was now stretching out his hand and gave Larisa the two wands. She took them and held them both in her hands bending the wood slightly. Madame Vetrova stepped beside the young woman.

"You see, Jurij Olegovič, while you were heading to Paris, Larisa and I were using your absence as a chance to mix things up a little as the Americans say. The Russian Ministry of Magic is under new management."

Vasil'jevskij and Čurkin were glancing at each other for a moment, then proceeded to glare defiantly at the two women. Larisa stepped forward:

"Jurij Olegovič Vasil'jevskij and Nikolaj Dmitrijevič Čurkin, you are hereby arrested for complicity in attempted murder as well as the attempted genocide on Muggle-borns in Russia." She nodded to the Hit Wizards who grabbed the two men and took them away.

A murmur arose within the crowd of delegates as they were now slowly descending the steps. The situation had calmed itself. Hearing the different languages, David could detect relief, joy and enthusiasm. They had made it! They had actually made it. David lay his arms on Alex's and Emilia's shoulders and together the three of them followed the members of all those delegations to the doors of the chamber.

"Frau Brandt!" they suddenly heard someone saying.

As they turned around, they saw Federal Minister for Magic Aylin Yıldırım approaching them.

"Frau Brandt, could I speak to you for a moment?"

"Sure, Frau Ministerin, I'm all ears."

Madame Yıldırım hesitated for a moment at the sight of David and Emilia but chose to speak anyway:

"We've decided to form a new political party in Germany. A party with focus on magical and non-magical cooperation. We want to change things. Furthermore I need an assistant for special affairs concerning the relationship with Muggles. I was wondering if you would fill the position of General Secretary in this new party."

Alex's jaw dropped.

"Uh…me? But…why? I mean…aren't there more qualified people than an 18-year-old witch?"

Madame Yıldırım smiled.

"There are few witches, and wizards, who have experiences such as yourself. And you have, as I have gathered, very high ideals, ideals which we share, Frau Brandt. And a chance to further clear the name of the ancient Brandt family. Although your father has proofed that you have broken with the "Greater Good" mentality, it was exactly that attitude that has led to Federal Minister Thomas Reischer to slant your name because you broke tradition. In short, we need someone like you, this new time needs people like you. And you could benefit from it in more than one way."

Alex stared ahead for a moment, thinking. Then she looked at David who raised his eyebrows. She turned back to the German Federal Minister for Magic.

"Es wäre mir eine Ehre." Alex said in German. "It would be an honour."

Madame Yıldırım nodded.

"Then I'll be seeing you soon in Berlin. I'll send an owl with further details. A good day to you all."

She went along and the German delegates who had been standing in a distance during all this were following her. David, Alex and Emilia were looking after them.

"So this is it, then?" David said after a while. Alex nodded.

"I'm going home. To my roots. My people need me, David. My parents may have turned their backs on my family but maybe I can change that."

She chuckled, relieved, happy and sad at the same time.

"What are you going to do now?" she asked David.

"Oh, well, you know…" he said with a deep breath. They had never really talked about what they wanted to do once they've reached this long awaited goal.

"Before this journey, I thought I'd help in the newly created Department for Information on Muggle Knowledge that had aimed at educating wizards about all modern things Muggle in this new century. And now that department is all the more important. And there's likely be more changes as well."

Again he put his arms around their shoulders as they walked through the now empty conference chamber.

"The wizard and the Muggle. We've entering a new era," David said confidently. "A new adventure. The most exciting adventure of all times!"

So here we are! The end of Part 1. At first I simply wanted to tell the story of a Muggle-born wizard going on a journey around the world showing different wizarding cultures and their relationship with the Muggles. But that quickly evolved into the question of magic in the 21st century and whether wizards should reunite with the Muggle world if the latter's technology was advancing more and more. And while my story might have a few plot holes here and there – hey! It's a fanfic! And it's first and foremost meant to be entertaining. I hope I've succeeded in that.

But there was another thing that came to mind when I began researching the Harry Potter canon on various wizarding cultures and reading the books again. What I would criticise on J.K. Rowling's depiction on the magical community is that "wizarding world" was often used synonymously with the British wizarding community as if everything was solely revolving around Britain! And as the reactions of her work "A History of Magic in North America" have shown, Rowling doesn't seem very eager to do a little bit of research on other cultures and depicting them as accurately as possible without using clichés or stereotypes, even when it comes to names like the "Russian" name Petrova Porskoff in "Quidditch through The Ages" or Cho Chang in "Harry Potter". I do not wish to boast but a bit of research in different naming customs really isn't that difficult anymore in the age of the internet!

I've tried to do as much research as I could on the cultures depicted in my fanfiction story. If any of my readers should notice mistakes concerning these or any depictions of cultures/events/names that are insufficient or even offensive, I would ask them to please notify me, perhaps with some suggestions for improvement, and I shall see to correct these mistakes. .