Chapter 705: Television Interview
Chapter 705: Television Interview
The news of the Wizard's upcoming interview had made the front page of newspapers long before the event, and the television previews had been running in a loop for two days. When the scheduled time arrived, countless people were glued to their screens, eagerly awaiting the live broadcast.
The three guests took their seats one by one. Slughorn sat alone in a large, plush chair, dressed in a splendid emerald-green Wizard's robe. Mr. Weasley and Hermione sat next to him, the former in a gray-brown suit with his thin red hair plastered to his forehead, and the latter looking like a student who had rushed over straight from a neighboring school, her body language betraying a hint of nervousness.
The host, who had taken on the task of interviewing the guests, sat across from them at a curved table. She was sharp and energetic, using gestures to communicate with the crew for the final preparations. The audience in the studio whispered among themselves, curiously eyeing the three guests. These viewers had been carefully selected from thousands of applicants, having passed tests to ensure they held no extreme views.
After the usual opening remarks, the interview began.
"Thank you to our three special guests. They represent different age groups and play various roles in society—there's a school teacher, a government worker, and a student. What insights will their perspectives bring to our audience? Let's start with Mr. Slughorn."
"Hello, Mr. Slughorn, what subject do you teach at the school?"
"Potions", Slughorn replied. He gave a brief introduction to the basics of potions, a topic he handled with ease thanks to his decades of teaching experience. The conversation unfolded in a pleasant atmosphere, and the audience listened with rapt attention, occasionally puzzled by the names mentioned. Slughorn spoke fluently, casually mentioning some simple potions like acne treatment, cold remedies, Joy Elixir, and energy tonics. At the audience's request, he then discussed a few more complex potions.
"Potions that bring good luck, bone-growing potions that can regenerate bones overnight, Brain Boosting Potion that clarifies the mind, and beauty potions that enhance one's appearance", the host said, momentarily lost in thought. But her professionalism quickly kicked in, "Well, I think everyone has the same question: Can these potions be mass-produced?"
"Unfortunately, that's not feasible", Slughorn frowned slightly. "Many potions require magic, and the same goes for their consumption."
The host's expression, and that of the audience, turned to disappointment.
"However—ahem, my student, Severus Snape", Slughorn continued, "has been assigned by the Ministry of Magic to simplify potions, with the goal of making some of them usable by non-Wizards. I understand that Future World Corporation has done some preliminary work, but such matters should be left to the experts..."
He spoke confidently, steering the conversation back to his familiar territory.
"The effects might be slightly reduced, but they will still retain their most magical properties. Severus has the capability for this; he recently received the Order of Merlin, First Class. Do you know what that is? Only the most outstanding Wizards are honored with this award. I've had the privilege of teaching a few."
He proudly murmured a few names, looking expectantly at the host as if waiting for her to ask who they were. After a moment, he continued.
"Of course, I will provide guidance, but only in theoretical and directional terms—after all, time doesn't spare anyone. I'm over a hundred years old, and my energy can't match that of the younger generation."
This statement gave the impression that if he were twenty years younger, he could solve all the problems himself. The audience's eyes gleamed with admiration.
"You've lived over a hundred years?" the host asked, surprised. "You don't look a day over fifty."
"I pay close attention to my health", Slughorn said. "I have several secrets, even Dumbledore sought my advice on this matter..." He sighed, "Living too long has its downsides, though. Familiar faces become fewer and fewer, a common ailment of the elderly."
"I'm sorry—may I ask, do Wizards generally live longer? I heard that Mr. Dumbledore lived to be over a hundred and ten years old..."
"Actually, it was one hundred and sixteen", Slughorn corrected. "Wizards with exceptional skills usually live longer. I suspect that Dumbledore, with his close ties to Nearly Headless Nick—ahem—suffered severe injuries during his battles with two Dark Lords. Otherwise, he might have lived to be two hundred. Like Felix, he was destined for a long life, a fortunate thing for both Wizards and Muggles."
Slughorn wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
He had almost blurted out Nicolas Flamel's name. The secret of the Philosopher's Stone was a legend even in the wizarding world. Realizing this, he suddenly remembered that Felix Hep had inherited all of Nicolas Flamel's alchemical knowledge. Even if he started from scratch, with his talent, he might still have a chance to create a new Philosopher's Stone before his lifespan ran out, let alone the fact that he was already a top alchemist—though Felix himself didn't care much for the title.
"Mr. Felix Hep, you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
The host keenly sensed there was a secret to be uncovered, but he had been warned before coming. Today's interviewee was not a third-rate celebrity, and he wasn't here to dig up gossip. He decisively changed the subject and turned to Mr. Weasley.
"We know that Mr. Weasley has been involved in cabinet meetings, serving as Minister Bones' deputy. Do you have anything to share with us?"
Mr. Weasley's mouth opened wide, and his ears turned slightly red, a sign of the pressure he felt.
By Merlin, just two years ago, he had been stuck in a department with only two people, handling magical artifacts that had somehow ended up in the Muggle world—like biting teapots, talking posters, and animated clay figurines. However, with Minister Bones' rise to power, his department's status had significantly improved. This time, he was even invited to participate in negotiations as an expert due to his experience in drafting laws.
"Um... I must say, the things called technology have truly broadened my horizons, yes, broadened my horizons", Mr. Weasley said solemnly. "So intricate, so mysterious. I still don't understand how a card reader works, it's hard to imagine that a combination of plastic and metal could have such magical functions..."
The host had to remind him. "I think it's because of computers."
"Computers?" Mr. Weasley blinked. "Are there people inside doing the calculations?"
"Oh, no, not at all", the host laughed, repeating the pronunciation. "It's a device. Some say the computer is the greatest invention of this century. While it can do calculations, we've developed it to perform more complex tasks, like controlling machinery, personal computers, and mobile phones..."
Mr. Weasley listened with a smile. When the host finished, he admitted, "Impressive. I've only used a mobile phone. One of your ministers kindly demonstrated it to me."
For the rest of the time, the host seemed to develop a keen interest in Mr. Weasley's family. They engaged in a continuous back-and-forth, with Mr. Weasley initially worried about saying the wrong thing. However, as the questions turned to trivial matters, he gradually became more talkative. Unbeknownst to him, what he considered ordinary was precisely what the average viewer found fascinating, and the ratings kept climbing.
At that moment, a staff member handed the host a stack of cards filled with handwritten notes. The host flipped through them and said:
"Many viewers watching the show have called in, and our recorders have selected some messages. Mr. Weasley, would you be willing to answer a few questions?" Mr. Weasley cautiously replied, "I think I can. But—"
"Great", the host said, picking out a card. "Mr. Duncan from Surrey asks, why does wizard life seem so primitive?"
The host cleared his throat. "I think the viewer is referring to the fact that wizards still use owls to send letters and packages—this is indeed surprising. Have wizards considered introducing advanced technology, like mobile phones?"
"That's a common misconception", Mr. Weasley said seriously. "Wizard life is not primitive; it's just a different way of living. We do use owls to send letters and packages, but we also have other means of communication, such as the Floo Network, Apparition, and the Knight Bus. In recent years, we've even developed something similar to mobile phones, called Two-way Mirrors."
Thanks to the diligent letters from Hogwarts students to Muggle newspapers, and the occasional public disclosure by government spokespeople, the audience could generally follow Mr. Weasley's explanations. Many were particularly impressed by the Knight Bus, a vehicle that traveled across the country, automatically avoiding all obstacles, and hoped to experience it themselves. However, some remained skeptical, finding it hard to believe that a vehicle could leap dozens of kilometers in a single bound like a toad.
"Two-way Mirror", the host repeated in astonishment, "You mean it works like a mobile phone?"
Mr. Weasley nodded.
"It was invented by my two sons, Fred and George Weasley. It's quite convenient to use."
"Uh, your two sons? Their names are—" The host frowned, "Fred and—"
"George", Mr. Weasley said patiently. "They are twins."
The host looked at him in disbelief and asked a question that everyone in the audience was curious about, "How old are they?"
"Three months ago, they turned nineteen", Mr. Weasley said proudly, puffing out his chest. "They are my fourth and fifth sons."
"Unbelievable", the host said to the audience. "It seems the principles of magic and technology are entirely different. It's hard to imagine something like this in the real world. I wonder if anyone is looking forward to seeing it in person... Let's move on to the next message from our audience: Mrs. Beverly asks why, if magic seems all-powerful, wizards still have the same worries as ordinary people?"
Mr. Weasley said seriously:
"Magic is not all-powerful. We still need years of study to master specific spells. From what I've observed and learned, the lives of wizards and Muggles are quite similar—except for the magic. We all need to study and work, have families and friends, and worry about money and various daily issues. There's no fundamental difference." He emphasized again, "Except for the magic."
"Another question from our audience: The Statute of Secrecy you've mentioned several times, what is its status? Is it like a country's constitution? If so, does it mean that wizards around the world share the same constitution?"
"I don't know how a constitution is defined, but I understand the Statute of Secrecy. It's more about preventing magic from appearing in the public eye. We have a specific department, the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, which handles this..."
When the host turned to Hermione, about an hour had passed, and her expression was somewhat stiff.
"Hermione Granger, I've read your name in the newspaper. Are you still a student?"
"Yes, I have one more year before I graduate", Hermione said, somewhat nervously.
"Oh, I'm sure you must be exceptionally talented to be chosen for this interview."
"I, uh", Hermione shook her head, "I'm not the best. I think it's because I'm good at History of Magic—wizard history—and my background—"
"Background?"
"My parents are Muggles, ordinary people."
"Wow, so you didn't know about magic before you started school? How did you accept the reality of magic? I mean, most people would think they were being scammed."
Hermione smiled, as if recalling something amusing.
"I did think that at first, but some strange things happened when I was a child, and I remember them clearly. I wrote to the school, but it turned out to be unnecessary. Professors from the school visit non-wizard families to meet the young wizards."
"Did the professor convince your parents?"
"He convinced me", Hermione corrected.
"How did he do it?" The host glanced at the audience's reaction, realizing he had hit on a topic of public interest.
Hermione hesitated, and the host encouraged her, "It's okay, our audience is very curious—no one can predict if their child might become a wizard someday."
Hermione extended her hand, and the cup on the table immediately transformed into a palm-sized beaver. She didn't even use a wand. She might be the only person in the world who knew as much about the anatomy of a beaver as she did, even wizards who didn't spend half an hour each week transforming into a beaver for activities.
Everyone stared at the agile creature on the table, trying to determine if it was an illusion. The host extended a hand, but the beaver skillfully dodged. It then transformed back into a cup.
The host lifted the cup and examined it closely, imagining how it could run and move. The audience followed his movements with their eyes.
"This must be one of the subjects, called—"
"Transfiguration."
"Right, besides Transfiguration, are there other subjects?"
"Spells, potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, History of Magic, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures..."
"That day, the magic demonstrated in front of the parliament building was—"
"A beginner-level Ancient Runes spell."
...
The conversation became more specific, and the host, skilled at guiding discussions, continuously posed various questions. He gradually discovered the differences among the three guests. Slughorn enjoyed talking about social connections, and the audience could visualize a vast network in their minds, as if he were a naturalist. However, the old man also had a tendency to boast.
Mr. Weasley was very familiar with the Ministry of Magic, but he preferred to discuss less dangerous topics, such as family and friends. The host understood his concerns and deliberately steered the conversation in that direction, leading to a pleasant exchange between the two.
Hermione Granger, as a student, surprised the host the most. When discussing Wizard history, she spoke for ten minutes straight, and she thoughtfully provided additional context by referencing British history of the same period, anticipating that few in the audience might be well-versed in historical dates.
For example, Henry Vii had actually recruited real Wizards as court magicians. Of course, both sides maintained a tacit understanding regarding the witch hunts, and no one delved into the topic. Privately, the host felt that as more information about Wizards was disclosed, anyone with a modicum of sense would be skeptical about that period of history:
How many Wizards were truly burned at the stake? The ratio might be disheartening, and the silence of religious groups on this matter might be related.
"Hermione Granger, what do you think about Wizards being exposed to the public? As someone who understands both sides, which do you lean towards?"
"I support solving the problem through negotiation, and peaceful coexistence between both sides", Hermione said, sidestepping the heavier implications.
"But the negotiations have reached a stalemate. Wizards are unwilling to comply with modern laws. You must understand the risks involved, right?" the host asked, not to be difficult but because the young girl had shown a sharp political acumen.
"Wizards have their own laws, which have functioned well until now", Hermione emphasized. "New laws have yet to emerge, so the old laws must continue. Moreover, new laws should not be created from a single perspective; they need to be convincing and recognized by both sides. One of my professors, who taught me in third year, said—well, the purpose of law is to articulate our expectations for society with limited words."
Hermione chose her words carefully:
"In my view, laws cannot fully predict human behavior and will always face new challenges, like the situation we are in now. These issues are difficult to resolve in the short term, but the relationship between the two sides cannot stagnate. The best approach is to pause and think about what we truly want: conflict or peace? If we can't figure it out, even a thousand or ten thousand laws won't make a difference."
"This is a clash of ideologies."
Hermione finished her speech with a sense of liberation, expressing her most genuine thoughts. The audience fell silent, and she instinctively looked at their reactions. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and her heart nearly leaped out of her throat—she saw a familiar face in the crowd.
It was Professor Hup! He was wearing a bright blue suit with neatly pressed striped trousers, and he was clapping with a broad smile, as if saying, "Well done."
She discreetly glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice anything unusual. Instead, they were influenced by her and began clapping as well. The host asked another question, but she didn't pay attention.
"Hermione Granger? Hermione Granger?" the host called her.
Hermione quickly refocused, apologizing softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear clearly?"
The audience chuckled softly.
"Oh, my question was, you seem very confident about the future?"
Hermione, feeling slightly embarrassed by her earlier panic, felt unusually calm. She subconsciously smoothed her hair and, after a few seconds, answered seriously:
"...Yes, I believe it is inevitable. There have been periods in history when ordinary people and Wizards lived together, so we are not creating history but inheriting a segment of it. The question is, will we choose suffering or a more promising path, even though both are fraught with thorns? My companions and I are prepared..."
Felix was lost in thought. How many people realize that the elderly always reminisce about the past, while the young dream about the future, because the young represent the future? Magic is a force that touches the soul, and in this tumultuous era, how many Wizards will rise to prominence?
He imagined the curtain slowly rising, not on a solo performance but on a grand drama.
(End of Chapter)
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