The International Statute of Secrecy had been enacted after the Salem witch trials of 1692. After it was passed, magical communities in various countries gradually issued other laws as supplements, making it somewhat like a constitution.
Pomona and Severus returned to the Smith family gathering. Aside from a very small number of Ministry of Magic officials with private bodyguards, there were no security measures at the gathering, much like at the Quidditch World Cup. The difference was that the crowd here was not so disorderly.
Pomona saw Muggles at the venue. This was also a major difference between the magical communities of Europe and America, because America's magical community was completely isolated from Muggle society.
Americans did not ban guns. Cowboys in Westerns could draw their weapons with incredible speed for a duel. If a wizard could not draw a wand faster than them, they could still be defeated by "fragile" Muggles.
It was precisely because the French disliked staying indoors and loved relaxing in places like cafés and restaurants that Newt Scamander encountered Yusuf Kama, a pure-blood wizard burdened with a heavy mission, on the streets of Paris.
"Look at that man." Snape pointed at a man with a scar on his face. "He's Horsa Smith, the relative who inherited Hepzibah Smith's estate."
Pomona looked at Horsa. He was speaking with the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, with Random standing beside him.
"He dueled personally?" Pomona asked.
"Who else would have?" Snape said. "He killed Nicolas Smith. Fudge and four members of the Wizengamot witnessed it."
"Is that why Fudge pushed to abolish dueling?" Pomona asked.
Severus did not answer. With an arm around Pomona's shoulders, he led her into the venue.
Many people recognized him, but none came over to greet him. They merely nodded,