Amphisbaena gracefully wielded his magic wand, restoring [Amphisbaena's Enigma Bracelet] to its original form—a testament to the truth in his words.
Observing the enigmatic bracelet before him, the Prime Minister had already begun to believe the extraordinary tale.
Amphisbaena effortlessly transformed the bracelet back into a sports band, recognizing the need for subtlety. After all, if the Prime Minister were to don such a conspicuous magical item, the Ministry of Magic would swiftly demand an explanation.
Silently slipping the bracelet onto his wrist, the Prime Minister donned a gentle smile and inquired, "How should I address you?"
"Prometheus, dear Prime Minister. You and your colleagues may refer to me and my companions by that name," Amphisbaena replied.
The epithet "Prometheus" resonated with the Prime Minister, conveying the essence of the enigmatic figure before him.
"Now, dear Mr. Prometheus, is there anything I can assist you with?" the Prime Minister asked, genuine curiosity etched upon his face.
"Before offering our aid, I believe it is crucial for you, Prime Minister, to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of the wizarding world," Amphisbaena suggested.
With these words, Amphisbaena produced four wizarding publications, three of which delved into the enigmatic figures of the past decade, while the fourth contained Dumbledore's discourse.
The Prime Minister meticulously examined each newspaper, absorbing every word. This information had been previously inaccessible to him, and its contents ignited a hidden fury within him. "This mysterious individual is simply deranged!" he exclaimed, struggling to contain his anger.
The Prime Minister's sentiment was well-founded, considering Voldemort's ruthlessness towards even Muggle-born wizards—a testament to his disdain for ordinary people.
Perplexed, the Prime Minister turned his gaze towards Amphisbaena, unable to comprehend why these newspapers were presented to him.
"What if I were to suggest that this mysterious figure is still alive, and that Dumbledore himself harbors deeper secrets?" Amphisbaena proposed.
"How could that be? Didn't the newspapers claim their demise?" the Prime Minister questioned, skepticism lacing his words.
"Magic has the power to defy the impossible. Are not tales of death and resurrection commonplace in the fairy tales of ordinary people?" Amphisbaena countered.
Amidst Amphisbaena's response, silence enveloped the Prime Minister, allowing his thoughts to wander.
Amphisbaena decided to stoke the flames further. "Regarding the so-called greatest white wizard, it is essential for you, Mr. Prime Minister, to understand that absolute virtue does not exist in this world. The more someone appears virtuous, the larger their underlying conspiracy becomes."
"If this mysterious figure were to make a triumphant return and Dumbledore were to vanquish him once more, you, Mr. Prime Minister, would comprehend the significance," Amphisbaena asserted.
The Prime Minister spoke softly, his eyes fixed upon Amphisbaena. "It would mean that his power would be unrivaled," he murmured, placing the newspaper aside.
"As far as our knowledge extends, Dumbledore and the initial Dark Lord were once steadfast friends, united by their shared determination to reshape the world," Amphisbaena revealed.
The Prime Minister's face contorted with a mix of gloom and anger.
"You see, when an individual possesses absolute power, the desire to prove oneself as the world's supreme ruler becomes almost inevitable. Even deities are not exempt from this inclination," Amphisbaena explained.
"If this mysterious figure were to return, your current partner—the Ministry of Magic—would face a dual retribution, both from him and Dumbledore. Moreover, the wizarding world would defy all taboos and directly intervene in the realm of ordinary people," Amphisbaena cautioned.
The Prime Minister now comprehended the underlying implications. "I am beginning to grasp your meaning, Mr. Prometheus," he interjected. "So, tell me, what is the purpose of your organization?"
"We are a loose alliance of alchemists and potion masters," Amphisbaena responded, gesturing towards the Prime Minister's bracelet. "Learning from the mistakes of the past decade and witnessing the rise of a new, formidable Dark Lord, we seek the power to protect ourselves."
"Even the most formidable white wizard can be felled by a single bullet, provided it can circumvent the mind, evade prophecies, and penetrate their protective shields," Amphisbaena asserted.
"And we, Mr. Prime Minister, can achieve this for you," he added.
"Currently, we are the weakest faction positioned between the black and white wizards within the wizarding world. However, we are also the most suitable partners, don't you agree?" Amphisbaena posed.
Subconsciously, the Prime Minister caressed his signet ring. "Are you implying that ordinary people can wield this mysterious power?" he inquired.
Amphisbaena waved away any doubts. "Magic is not as mysterious as it seems. Just like technology allows ordinary individuals to launch missiles, why should magic be any different? While ordinary people may struggle to control magic without the requisite spiritual and magical aptitude, technology can be harnessed and refined. Plans can be adapted."
"For instance, by enchanting bullets, one can accomplish incredible feats," Amphisbaena elucidated.
"I believe I now grasp the intentions of you and your organization," the Prime Minister declared solemnly.
With a preliminary consensus reached, Amphisbaena redirected the conversation. "Mr. Prime Minister, shall we initiate our collaboration by addressing the matter of the cystic leopard?"
"Leopardis, is there a complication? Is the Ministry of Magic not handling it?" the Prime Minister inquired.
"The noble magicians have little regard for the welfare of ordinary people," Amphisbaena explained.
He then proceeded to outline the Ministry of Magic's approach to dealing with the venomous leopard, emphasizing their reluctance to intervene until the next prophecy was revealed.
"They are committing a crime!" the Prime Minister burst out, anger consuming him.
Amphisbaena observed the Prime Minister's outburst, patiently awaiting the dissipation of his fury. "Considering the severe injuries sustained by the cystic leopard, and our understanding of its characteristics, the Prime Minister's residence simply needs to deploy a specialized force alongside my assistance to save thousands of lives."
"And what is your request?" the Prime Minister questioned, skeptical of the fire thief's willingness to offer voluntary assistance.
"The corpse of the cystic leopard holds great alchemical potential. We are willing to share the finished product with the Prime Minister's Office. In return, we request access to the government's secret library, housing enigmatic artifacts, to aid our research," Amphisbaena proposed.
"Most reasonable," the Prime Minister nodded. "When shall we commence the operation?"
"I can depart immediately, Mr. Prime Minister," Amphisbaena confirmed.
Upon hearing these words, the Prime Minister raised his wine glass, a symbolic gesture. "May our friendship endure," he toasted.
"May the friendship endure," Amphisbaena replied, reciprocating the sentiment.
After bidding farewell to Amphisbaena and overseeing his departure via the Prime Minister's Office helicopter, the Prime Minister returned to the conversation room. As a secret door swung open, the office employees emerged, forming a cohesive unit once again.
"Did the words of that individual hold credibility?" one of them inquired, scanning the assembled experts.
Each expert nodded in agreement, having meticulously analyzed the character's video using psychological and behavioral analysis. Based on micro-expressions and profiles, their assessment yielded a credibility rating exceeding 90% if magic were excluded.
Indeed, the most potent lies were often cloaked in truth, a notion well understood by Amphisbaena.
Another expert interjected, "Considering the information we've gathered from newspapers and our prior research, the results of the social model analysis align remarkably well. However, we would benefit from obtaining further information to conduct psychological analyses of both Dumbledore and Voldemort."
"It is unfathomable that the magical world remains an oligarchy," one expert exclaimed, expressing their disbelief.
Within minutes, the brightest minds in England immersed themselves in a sea of confidential documents, expanding upon their conversation.
Deep in thought, the Prime Minister pondered before issuing a decision. "Place Prometheus's information in Confidential Library No. 0. The time has come for us to seek partners beyond the confines of the Ministry of Magic."
When the efficient machinery of a modern nation's government is fully operational, its power eclipses even that of the wizarding world.
After Amphisbaena pinpointed the possible range of the cystic leopard, a squad of specialized forces donning biochemical gas masks swiftly narrowed down the detection area, following the trail of bloodstains. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, they swiftly locked onto the target.
"Report, sir. The target has been spotted using infrared imaging and is currently in a stationary position," relayed the lieutenant colonel who received the information, glancing at Amphisbaena standing beside him. In many ways, this "special employee of the Prime Minister's Office" was the true commander of the operation.
"For now, avoid provoking the target. We'll wait until we reach the destination," ordered Amphisbaena.
He and the lieutenant colonel then hopped into a jeep, speeding towards their destination.
"The cystic leopard is a recently discovered extraordinary creature. Not only is it highly venomous, but it also moves at speeds approaching that of sound. Despite its current injuries, evading bullets is as effortless for it as eating," explained Amphisbaena, introducing the lieutenant colonel to the special forces team.
"Close to the speed of sound?" The lieutenant colonel responded with an instinctive skepticism. However, upon viewing the remotely captured images, he had no choice but to admit that this was indeed an unseen marvel.
"Do you have a specific battle plan, Mr. Lieutenant Colonel?" Amphisbaena inquired, entrusting professional matters to the professionals. "If we can trap it, I can further reduce its speed."
The lieutenant colonel, relieved to see that Amphisbaena had no intention of manipulating the outcome, felt gratitude. He realized that his companion was not an infallible deity, but rather a valuable teammate.
Without hesitation, the lieutenant colonel made a decision. He commanded the troops to set up a series of traps and positioned numerous machine gunners, aiming to create a crossfire blockade that would restrict the creature's speed.
However, this approach carried risks. The lieutenant colonel was well aware of the implications of the speed of sound. The safest strategy would involve employing Nuclear bombs—a large-scale indiscriminate weapon—to ensure the creature couldn't escape the blast radius. Yet, that required acquiring the creature's corpse.
The lieutenant colonel understood this requirement. After all, an animal nearing the speed of sound held enough value for the United Nations to engage in fierce bidding.
With the preparations complete, the lieutenant colonel issued the order to commence the offensive, punctuated by the crack of long-range sniper rifles. While modern firearms outpaced the speed of sound, considering human reaction time, the intervening distance, and the elusive nature of magical creatures, the cystic leopard effortlessly evaded the bullets.
A beastly roar reverberated through the grove, reminiscent of the mighty roars of tigers and lions. The severely wounded apex predator grew visibly incensed, but found itself confronted by an onslaught of triggered mines and suppressive fire.
After ten minutes of intense battle, one of the cystic leopard's forelimbs was blown off, rendering it unable to continue its rampage.
Wearing a gas mask, Amphisbaena approached the dying magical creature amid the smoky battlefield. It struggled, roared, and displayed its defiance, only to succumb helplessly to a generous dose of anesthesia.
Times had indeed changed. Witnessing such a scene would undoubtedly evoke astonishment and disbelief among ordinary people. Amphisbaena couldn't help but exclaim inwardly at the profound impact this sight would have on the perception of wizards.
The army had accomplished what the Ministry of Magic had failed to achieve, employing an alternative approach that rendered personal intervention unnecessary.
"Excellent work, Lieutenant Colonel," praised Amphisbaena. "However, it is imperative that everyone undergo strict disinfection, medical isolation, and observation."
"Considering the lethal virus carried by this creature, we currently lack the means to assess its danger. It will be designated as a military restricted zone."
"Is it truly that dangerous?" The lieutenant colonel's expression turned grim.
"Fret not. We will provide continued protection, taking all necessary precautions."
The lieutenant colonel nodded. He was beginning to suspect that this creature wasn't a product of nature, but rather an accidental leak from a certain biochemical research facility—a grim realization akin to the events depicted in novels.
In his heart, the lieutenant colonel cursed the politicians and scientists responsible, believing they would inevitably bring about the world's destruction.
The poisonous leopard was swiftly transported away. Nightfall was approaching, and Amphisbaena didn't rush to deal with the magical creature. After all, he had to return home on time; otherwise, Mrs. Black would forbid his outings the following day.
Moreover, his collaboration with the government had only just begun. Downing Street wouldn't hastily discard their agreement over a single cystic leopard.
The next day, the Prime Minister rearranged his entire schedule to personally meet Amphisbaena. Clearly, the encounter with the cystic leopard had convinced Downing Street of his sincerity. Previously, the Ministry of Magic had been reluctant to entrust such matters to ordinary individuals.
No longer were amnestics employed to erase the memories of ordinary people at every turn. No ruler desired to be a puppet. Downing Street had once seethed with frustration, unable to voice their discontent, but times had changed.
Located on the outskirts of London, this traditional manor was now poised to transform into the No. 0 Secret Library under the Prime Minister's personal guidance.
As an institution of power, Downing Street sought to explore the mysteries of magic. Even if they couldn't wield magic themselves, certain magical artifacts possessed inherent power, capable of exerting their effects without the need for users.
The Confidential Library No. 0 revolved around one such magical artifact, known as the [Mystic Glyph of the Celestial Oracle]. This was the library's name for the enigmatic item.
Its function was akin to a loyalty curse. An impervious guardian, it defied all informants, rendering prophecies and spells futile within its confines. This ancient artifact possessed even greater potency.
Even attempts to extract the prime minister's memories through spells would fail to reveal any trace of the [Mystic Glyph of the Celestial Oracle].
"A total of 1760 magic items are currently housed here, with yesterday's acquisition bringing the count to 1831," a researcher informed Amphisbaena.
Amphisbaena paid little attention to the precise numbers or the secrets concealed by Downing Street. After all, the actual figures far surpassed his expectations. The opportunity to study these magic items, to enhance his alchemical and magical prowess, would undoubtedly propel his strength to new heights. This repository represented a trove of magic items encompassing an entire nation.
Furthermore, it far surpassed the disorganized jumble found within the Room of Requirement. Britain's reputation as a plundering leader during the colonial era had spread worldwide.
Among these artifacts were numerous perilous items, such as the [Maleficent Soulstone]. Extracted from a deity's statue in India, this gem served as the deity's eye. Any mortal possessing it would suffer under the curse of the deity.
Only here, within the confines of the [Mystic Glyph of the Celestial Oracle], was the cursed gem contained, shielding it from the prying eyes of its divine creator, who continued to cast down curses upon those who possessed it.
Filled with anticipation, Amphisbaena briefly contemplated forsaking Hogwarts and remaining here to conduct his studies. However, in the end, he relented.
Amphisbaena deduced that, in the World's perception, only Hogwarts served as the "center of the world." More specifically, Hogwarts represented the sole locus of Harry Potter's education—the true center of the world. In other words, to overcome this predetermined path, Amphisbaena had no choice but to return to Hogwarts.
"In our plan, the poisonous leopard is classified as a level 2 developable magic item. I'm curious, Mr. Prometheus, as to how you intend to utilize it?" The researcher regarded Amphisbaena with burning anticipation in their eyes.
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