After a long, passionate kiss, Vincent and Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, snuggling together.
"You'll probably be very busy from now on, right?" She glanced at the Europe map spread out on the table.
"The qualifiers are in two weeks, you need to hurry up and finalize the cooperation with them."
Vincent shook his head slightly. "No rush, I plan to take it slow."
Hermione straightened up, no longer leaning on his shoulder. "Is it because of me?"
She looked intently into his eyes. "I know that broadcasting the Quidditch World Cup is important to you, but you don't really need to consider my feelings too much."
Vincent seemed to see a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
The two are currently deeply in love, and she must really want to spend more time with him during their vacation.
He gently stroked her long hair that fell over her shoulders. "Shall we go together? I always feel a little uncomfortable being with the adults."
Hermione took his large hand. "It's okay. We should have plenty of time left after you finish your business."
Vincent looked at her with a pang of sympathy as she forced a smile.
He held tightly the small hand resting on the back of his own hand, "Really, we can go together."
Who says work and romance have to be separate?
He thought for a moment, "You are the first female minister from Muggle-born in the British Wizarding World. It would be good to make your face in front of the heads of magical governments of various countries beforehand."
Hermione couldn't refute this reason.
Her eyes were particularly gentle. "Then what should my role be? I can't possibly be your girlfriend, can I?"
"Hmm—" Vincent hesitated for a moment.
"What about a secretary? I'm also the chairman of a multinational corporation. It's perfectly normal for me to have a secretary with me when I go out to discuss cooperation."
It is well-reasoned and convincing.
Hermione leaned on his shoulder again. "This is my first time going to another magical government. Do you think I should prepare properly?"
"I'll give you a copy of the plan later, and you can just add a couple of sentences to it."
"That simple?"
"What else can we do? They're not greedy guys like Fudge, who would want to do more after one or two? We can just not cooperate with them."
Vincent's tone was particularly calm and confident, as if he had the leaders of various countries' magical governments under his thumb.
Others might think he's bragging, but Hermione believes he must be telling the truth.
Her boyfriend never boasts; he always seems full of confidence.
What woman could resist such a charming man?
Hermione reached out her small hand and gently stroked his face. "When do you plan to leave?"
"Let's rest for another day or two."
She suddenly pulled hard with her small hands, turning Vincent's face towards her. "Let's leave tomorrow. I can memorize your plan tonight."
"But I haven't made an appointment with them yet..."
"You don't need an appointment, right?"
Vincent felt a little guilty under her gaze. "Actually, playing for two more days wouldn't have been a problem."
Hermione, leaning on his shoulder, shook her head. "I don't want to be a burden to you. I'll be happy as long as you spend more time with me when you have free time."
Vincent held her small hand tightly against his face. "Of course you're not a burden to me. When you become Minister for Magic in the future, I'll need you to take care of me."
The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.
"What time is it now?"
"It's past 9 o'clock, isn't it?"
Hermione reluctantly left his embrace and sat up straight. "Then I should go back."
Vincent beckoned to the Mithril Briefcase in the corner, took it, and handed her a not-too-thick plan from inside.
"Just jot it down casually, don't stay up too late."
"Okay." Hermione hugged the plan and gently kissed him on the cheek. "No need to see me off, you should get some rest."
Vincent sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as he watched her leave the room.
"Meow—" Crookshanks jumped onto his lap and rubbed his hand with his big, persimmon-like face.
"Why are you becoming more and more like your master?"
"Meow--"
Vincent gently stroked its soft fur. "Really? So she looks like you."
"Meow."
Crookshanks's unwavering answer reminded him of Hermione's recent behavior.
It's not so noticeable when there are other people around, but whenever the two of them are alone, she becomes very proactive and even a bit clingy.
It really looks like Crookshanks.
At 9 a. m.,
Vincent and Hermione, both dressed in formal attire, arrived at the hotel restaurant.
Since they were going to the Italian Ministry of Magic to discuss cooperation, both of them were dressed quite formally today.
Vincent was wearing a black suit and leather shoes, but he wasn't wearing a tie and hadn't buttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, though his hair was meticulously styled.
Hermione wore a white chiffon blouse, a black pencil skirt that reached just to her knees, and pointed black high heels.
She had her hair neatly tied back and wore a pair of elegant square-framed glasses.
Such an outfit is not uncommon; it would be completely inconspicuous if left on the street.
However, perhaps it was because the two of them had a unique temperament, that the other guests who were also having breakfast would often glance at them.
The two enjoyed their lunch together, chatting and laughing, before leaving the restaurant and arriving at the hotel parking lot, where they got into a sapphire blue Bugatti EB110.
The Italian Ministry of Magic is in Rome, which is more than an hour's drive from Modena.
Without prior appointment and entering the country through Muggle channels, one cannot use magic at will.
Rome is a world-renowned historical and cultural city with a history of over 2,500 years. It is also the birthplace of the ancient Roman Empire and is known as the "Eternal City".
As the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and its architectural styles are naturally diverse.
The Colosseum, incorporating ancient Greece elements; the magnificent Pantheon; the Arch of Constantine, balancing diverse sculptural styles; the Vatican Museums, the world's richest and most ornate collection...
Vincent drove past each of these attractions, and both he and Hermione were awestruck by the artistic atmosphere of these buildings.
As expected of the birthplace of the Renaissance, the two seemed to have returned to that glorious era a thousand years ago.
"Let's take a good look around this place after we've finished our business."
Vincent's proposal received Hermione's full support.
Strolling through the historic streets of Rome will surely be a precious memory.
The strikingly blue Bugatti, somewhat out of place with its surroundings, slowly drove into Rome, finally coming to a stop in front of a massive oval square.
This is St. Peter's Square, a holy site for Christianity.
It is located in front of St. Peter's Basilica, which is also the entrance to the Vatican and the Italian Ministry of Magic.