Things really aren’t like they used to be; a hundred years ago, the Ministry of Magic could casually take a few prisoners to test potions, and that was completely normal.

It’s only been a hundred years, and has it really come to this?

"However..." Vivi smiled cheerfully, looked at Harry, "I don’t intend to get involved in handling Fudge; you should try to learn how to engage in practical political battles, rather than just sticking to the theories Mr. Malfoy taught you, understand?"

"Are you saying?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Oh, Harry." Vivi crossed her legs, propped herself up on the bed, and tilted her head, saying, "Do you think this is inappropriate? Or are you..."

"Not at all, Vivi." Harry smiled and said, "You’re absolutely right; I should indeed learn how to fight—practical combat."

"I believe in you, Harry." Vivi beckoned Harry over and embraced him, resting her head on his chest, "You’re the best, Harry."

Harry didn’t say a word, lowered his head, and kissed Vivi.

The two were passionately kissing when Cassandra pushed the door open and walked into the room.

Seeing them lost in an embrace and kiss, Cassandra raised an eyebrow and said sardonically, "Oh, it seems like it must be spring now, the season of rebirth, isn’t it?"

"It’s summer now." Harry released the kiss, "Spring has long passed—but it must be spring in the Arctic Circle, right, Vivi?"

"Yep." Vivi’s eyes smiled like a small crescent moon.

"Let’s go eat, and then we’ll head to Vienna." Cassandra said with an icy expression, "You still remember the Black Magic Curse on Saru, right, Grindelwald?"

"Of course." Vivi nodded.

"Then we’ll..."

Before Cassandra could finish speaking, Harry hugged her.

"Kathy." Harry didn’t say anything to thank her; he just looked intently into Cassandra’s eyes, "I love you."

"Oh." Cassandra sneered, pulling at her lips, "If I hadn’t just seen you kissing Grindelwald, I might have believed that."

Before she could finish her sentence, Harry kissed her.

"Mmm, you..."

Cassandra resisted twice but seeing how tightly Harry held her, she sighed inwardly and let her hands drop.

Forget it, this little rascal...

When Harry finished kissing, Vivi leisurely asked with a smile, "Well... I have a question, Kathy."

"Speak." Cassandra replied disdainfully.

"I just kissed Harry, and now you also kissed Harry... so..." Vivi suddenly smiled mischievously, "Does this mean we kissed indirectly?"

Cassandra’s eyes suddenly widened.

She pointed shakily at Vivi and then vigorously rubbed her lips.

"Hahaha..." Seeing Cassandra like this, Vivi could hardly contain her laughter.

When Pabi entered, she saw Cassandra rubbing her lips and Vivi laughing happily.

"What’s going on with you guys?" A question mark floated above Pabi’s head.

"Nothing." Vivi said, holding back laughter, "It’s just that Cassandra and I... kissed."

"What?!" Pabi was so shocked, she sat like a duck on the ground.

Wait, what’s going on?

She felt as if her brain had been struck by something moving at high speed.

You guys are having quite... quite a...

Suddenly, she felt lost for words.

Leaving me out?

"Alright, Vivi was just joking with you." Harry said helplessly, "Let’s go eat first, and then after dinner, we’ll head to Vienna, how does that sound?"

"Oh..." Pabi looked dazed, apparently not yet over Vivi’s words.

The shadow cast by those words was so large that she couldn’t organize her thoughts properly.

After a while, she lifted her head in a daze.

"What’s for dinner?"

"Let’s eat in Vienna." Vivi said, "It’s five o’clock in the afternoon now... hmm, that would be six o’clock in Austria, so it won’t be too late for us to head to Vienna."

Since Vivi had already suggested it, no one had any objections.

Pabi also supported it; after all, not opposing means supporting.

Besides, she hadn’t tried Austrian cuisine before.

She’d heard that Austria is also one of the countries known for its gourmet food, so it’s worth a visit.

After dinner, they arrived at the headquarters of the Great German Ministry of Magic located in Vienna.

The Great German Ministry of Magic was quite imposing; it was practically a remodeled version of Nimongard Castle.

Within Nimongard Castle, the cold and empty scene from when Harry visited years ago was gone; now it was bustling with people.

It’s understandable; integrating several countries’ ministries of magic makes it reasonable for a headquarters-level location to be crowded.

The Minister of Magic’s office was on the top floor, and they took the elevator up to the top level.

"We’re here." Vivi gestured for them to step out of the elevator.

Vivi’s office was in the main hall, exceptionally spacious.

Behind the desk was a massive floor-to-ceiling window, outside which the snow on the Alps remained white year-round.

In front of the desk, Miss Fari was rapidly reviewing documents.

Upon hearing footsteps, she looked up and said excitedly, "Miss Grindelwald? You’re finally back... Oh, hello, Mr. Potter, Miss Cassandra, and Miss Swedding."

"Hello, Miss Fari." Harry and the others replied.

"Please forgive me." Miss Fari apologized while carrying a pile of documents to Vivi, "These need your review, Miss Grindelwald. Look..."

"Hmm, just leave them here, I’ll take a look." Vivi nodded.

Miss Fari placed the documents down, and Vivi picked up the top one, glanced over it, and frowned.

"What does the French Ministry of Magic mean by this?" she asked icily, "Do they think we want to annex them? Truly..."

"Apologies, Miss Grindelwald." Miss Fari spoke rapidly.

"But it’s normal for them to be cautious; it’s understandable." Vivi set the document aside, "I do wish to create a unified European Magic Alliance rather than the current loosely disorganized state easily targeted by the American Magic Congress... but I always abide by the principle of voluntary decision, so if they don’t want to join the Great German Alliance, I won’t force anyone to choose."

"The French are always short-sighted." Miss Fari echoed.

The hostility between the English and the French cannot be explained in just a few words.

Even the most mild-mannered English would look disdainfully at the mention of the French.

"Just leave it here." Vivi repeated, "Don’t bother with them, but the usual diplomatic formalities should still be maintained; just draft a response according to standard procedures."

"Okay, Miss Grindelwald." Miss Fari nodded.

Vivi’s document review was fast; she handled the backlog in less than half an hour.

"By the way." Vivi said, setting down the last document, "I’m going to the dungeon to fetch two prisoners."

"Yes, ma’am." Miss Fari didn’t ask why; she knew the rules well and understood what questions not to ask.

That’s also why Vivi appreciated her; finding a subordinate who understands the rules so well is truly difficult.

Miss Fari turned and left, while Vivi invited Harry and the others to sit down.

"Sit down," she said, "it’ll only take a moment, just relax, think of this place as Hogwarts."

With that, she lightly tapped her fingers on the table.

The House-Elf Ruby immediately appeared.

"Bring us some desserts, Ruby." Vivi instructed.