Chapter 513: The American Wizarding World
Chapter 513: The American Wizarding World
Nicholas' apparent residence was located in a remote, old apartment in the suburbs of New York, where he usually entertained his ordinary wizard friends.
As for his Muggle friends, well, the American Ministry of Magic did not approve of wizards having extensive interactions with Muggles. Their employees were more than happy to invite you for a chat in prison if you disobeyed.
The place where the four of them had apparated was near this old apartment.
Nicholas invited them into his home, locked the door, and then had a house-elf lead them to another location.
If someone tried to trace their whereabouts through any clues, they would discover that apparating was forbidden in Nicholas' home.
The place they arrived at was a farm in Texas, another of Nicholas' homes, or perhaps more accurately, a safe house.
There were no other households around the farm, and the nearby area had been cleared of Muggles and concealed with magic. If any Muggles happened to pass by, they would only see a deserted farm.
As soon as his vision returned, Albert heard the barks of dogs coming from not far away. Two Jack Russell Terriers trotted over energetically and circled Albert and Sierra, apparently sniffing the strangers curiously.
"Crups?"
Albert eyed the two Jack Russell Terriers before him and asked tentatively.
Crups resembled Jack Russell Terriers, but their tails were forked. Wizards would usually use a painless cutting curse to remove one of the tails to avoid drawing attention from Muggles.
The two Crups before them still had their tails intact, which was why Albert recognized them instantly.
"Yes, they were supposedly bred by British wizards," Katherine knelt down, scratching the chins of the two slightly chubby terriers as she introduced them to Albert, "This is Caesar, and the other one is Sora."
"They look great," Sierra commented, "But I thought magical creatures were forbidden in America!"
"There used to be cases where wizards' Crups bit their Muggle neighbors, so they were banned," Nicholas explained with a smile, "But as long as the Ministry doesn't find out, it's fine."
In such a remote location, with no Muggles around, the American Ministry of Magic would naturally be none the wiser, and they wouldn't bother him.
As long as he didn't cause any major trouble, even if the Ministry found out, the worst that could happen would be a fine, and Nicholas had plenty of money.
"How do you send messages?" Albert asked curiously, "Do you use owls?"
"Owls are too noticeable," Katherine said helplessly, "If Muggles see owls frequently flying into a particular house, they will become suspicious."
"I understand," Albert could see how owls could be suspicious, "So, the American wizarding authorities simply ban the keeping of magical creatures. But the relationship between the American wizarding world and Muggles is terrible."
"Yes, it's terrible," Katherine agreed, "It's related to America's history."
"No wonder American wizards have to hide like rats," Albert suddenly asked, "What if a Muggle-born wizard is discovered by the Ministry? What happens then?"
"That's a rare occurrence because the American wizarding world doesn't allow intermarriage between wizards and Muggles," Katherine thought for a moment before continuing, "If it does happen, they will be forcibly sent to Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"That's not very freedom-loving or democratic," Albert shook his head.
After all, America was supposed to be the beacon of freedom and democracy.
Katherine fell silent, sensing the sarcasm in Albert's words.
It seemed that Mr. Anderson had a poor impression of America, just like the other members of the Wild Smiths, who were never willing to visit America a second time.
"Actually, a small number of Muggle-born wizards would choose to leave America and attend other schools with their families," Katherine said softly.
As for the rest, they would be forcibly separated from their families and attend Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the care of the American Ministry of Magic.
After graduation, they would be able to support themselves.
Well, their parents would assume their children were dead.
However, due to the Rappaport Law prohibiting intermarriage between the two groups, such tragedies rarely occurred.
Nicholas's home was quite different from what Albert had imagined. It was surprisingly modern! Unlike most wizarding families, Nicholas's home wasn't filled with experimental equipment. Instead, it boasted modern furnishings, including a refrigerator, electric fans, a television, a radio, a typewriter, and a sunroom with comfortable and luxurious leather sofas. A house-elf promptly served them mint honey lemon tea and exquisite snacks.
Indeed, he knew how to enjoy the finer things in life.
"So, that thing out there really is a wind turbine?"
Albert turned to look out the window, spotting several strange, tube-like objects standing farther away from the house. He had found them peculiar earlier, and now, seeing all the electrical appliances, he had a hunch about what they were for.
"You actually know about these things!" Nicholas was a bit surprised. In his impression, British wizards should be unfamiliar with "Muggles."
"It's said that magic interferes with electrical devices."
"That's correct." Nicholas nodded. "In fact, aside from places permeated with strong magical fields, most electronic products can still function normally. Otherwise, how could Muggles in the Woolworth Building of the American Ministry of Magic use their appliances?"
This alchemist was quite knowledgeable about magical fields and electronics.
"Makes sense." Albert nodded. "To be honest, I'm also curious about how the American Ministry of Magic managed to convert the Woolworth Building to have two sides."
The Woolworth Building was a unique structure. With the correct spell, it would shift to a space exclusively for wizards.
"That was quite a troublesome undertaking. Ordinary wizards couldn't pull it off." Nicholas sat on the sofa, smiling as he introduced them to another pet, Layla.
She was a Kneazle.
This was Albert's first time seeing a Kneazle. It had exceptionally large ears and a lion-like tail. Kneazles were said to be intelligent and capable of distinguishing good people from bad.
It merely glanced lazily at Albert and Sierra before continuing its nap on the sofa, allowing Katherine to place it on her lap and groom its fur.
Katherine noticed that her grandfather seemed to have taken a liking to the boy named Albert. Ever since they arrived, the two had engaged in lively chats, discussing magical fields, Muggle electronics, and the establishment of the American Ministry of Magic.
Their topics were quite esoteric, and she could only grasp the general idea, but Mr. Anderson seemed to understand and even asked questions. The most frequent term she heard was "advanced concealment charm."
Katherine even felt a ridiculous illusion that she had just started school.
Soon, the conversation drifted, somehow landing on the origins of the Woolworth Building and then veering off to the moving history of the American Ministry of Magic.
The location of the American Ministry of Magic in the Woolworth Building was actually quite a tragic story. They had moved from Philadelphia to Washington before settling in the current location in New York. Since the establishment of the Ministry, they had moved a total of five times, always trying to distance themselves from the Muggle political center.
Unfortunately, when they moved from Washington to New York, the Muggle political center also shifted from Washington to New York.
However, due to America's historical background, most wizards and Muggles were immigrants, and mutual distrust and hostility led to the unique political system of the American Ministry of Magic, which differed significantly from other magical governments. This was also why few wizards returned to America.
Entering America without registering with the Ministry and obtaining a wand permit was considered illegal entry, and possessing a wand without authorization was a crime.
If caught by the Aurors, one would face imprisonment and fines.
No wonder the American Ministry of Magic's prisons were always overcrowded.
This was also why Sierra had brought him over from France instead of through other means—entering America as a wizard was no simple matter.
"Muggle" was the American term for Muggles.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
