You Might As Well Make Yourself Clearer

Harry nodded and drew his wand.

"We need a witness. Theoretically, I should find an adult wizard, but the confidentiality level of this matter—"

"He thought for a moment, " The Room of Requirement itself might provide some degree of neutral witnessing, but I think it would be better for you to see it in person after the oath is taken."

He stood up, walked to the fireplace, took a pinch of Floo powder from his pocket, and threw it into the flames.

Green flames suddenly shot up.

"Malfoy Manor!" Harry said clearly as he stepped into the flames.

Then, Harry disappeared into the flames.

A moment later, the green flames rose again, and Harry and Cassandra appeared one after the other in the fireplace.

"You haven't told me what you're supposed to do yet, Harry!" Cassandra said from behind Harry, Harry had clearly brought her here without explaining why.

"I need your help as a witness to Unbreakable Vow," Harry explained quickly. "I need to reveal basic information about the project to both of them to ensure they can help me or understand my situation if I need it, but they must swear an oath of secrecy."

Cassandra slightly raised her chin, scrutinized Harry for a moment, and then nodded.

"Can."

"Of course." Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, witnessed by Cassandra, Harry, Ron, Hermione clasped their right hands together. Harry, as the leader, pointed his wand at their clasped hands and clearly stated. "Ron Bilius Weasley, Hermione Jane Granger, do you voluntarily, knowing full well the death penalty that would result from breaking this oath, swear never to reveal, imply, or disclose in any way to any unauthorized person (including family, other friends, teachers, and those not explicitly informed that they may know) any information relating to the special alchemy project led by Nicolas Flamel that Harry James Potter is about to disclose? This includes the project's existence, objectives, participants, location, general outline of its technical principles, and any speculations you may have based on it?"

"I volunteer." Hermione's voice was clear and firm.

"I—I'm doing this willingly too." Ron swallowed, but his resolve remained firm.

A thin, dazzling tongue of fire shot from the tip of Harry's wand, like a scorching wire, wrapping around their clasped hands.

The flames were scorching, but did not burn the skin, bringing a strange, magically binding heaviness.

"The oath is made." Mr. LeMay's voice came from the fireplace, tinged with solemnity.

The flame flickered, piercing their skin and leaving a thin, silvery line before disappearing.

The feeling of being entangled disappeared, but all three of them felt an invisible shackle deep within their souls, an inescapable bond.

The room fell silent again, but the atmosphere was completely different.

Harry sat back down in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Alright," he said, looking at his two friends, his expression much more relaxed this time, "now I can tell you what Mr. LeMay's revolution really is—"

"Can I go back to bed now?" Cassandra asked, squinting.

"Oh, you have to know that too," Harry said with a smile. "Oh?" Cassandra crossed her arms and sat down opposite Harry. "So, should I, like the other two, make an Unbreakable Vow with you?"

"No need," Harry instantly displayed his exceptional emotional intelligence. "Given our deep understanding of each other, why would we need some meaningless Charms to restrain us?"

Cassandra nodded in satisfaction.

"Hmph, that's more like it," she said.

Harry smiled and looked at the three people sitting around the table, feeling that this small secret circle was both reliable and complex.

Cassandra: You might as well put it more clearly.

"Well then, Lady and gentlemen," Harry cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood, "Welcome to the top-secret briefing on <potentially changing the way wizards fight in the future>. Speaker: Mr. Potter, a man of limited knowledge but full of enthusiasm."

Ron grinned, Hermione sat up straight, and Cassandra maintained her slightly languid yet absolutely focused posture, her eyes quietly watching Harry, waiting for him to continue.

Harry took a deep breath and began to tell the story.

This time, with Cassandra present, he adjusted his perspective slightly, focusing more on the overall structure and significance of the project rather than delving too deeply into the technical details. Of course, this was also because he himself hadn't fully grasped it yet.

He began by Justin's astonishing feat in the practical lesson, explaining how this ordinary FN 57 Pistol triggered Mr. LeMay's alchemical wisdom spanning centuries, ultimately giving birth to the new concept of the "Magitech Gun," a fusion of magic and Muggle mechanics.

"----Therefore, the core is no longer limited to gunpowder and metal projectiles, but can also include magic."

Harry is famous for his gestures; he tries to describe the magazine's Untraceable Extension Charm, the classification of ammunition, and most importantly, the Magical Identification-Code Binding System, in the simplest language possible.

"Each gun only recognizes the magic of registered wizards, and the registration system is personally managed by Minister Veratia and Sirius. Theoretically, as long as this system is not physically destroyed or tampered with at its source, even if Dark Wizard finds a gun, he can only use it as a fire poker."

As Harry recounted the story, Ron's expression gradually shifted from curiosity to longing, his fingers unconsciously mimicking the action of pulling a trigger on the table.

Hermione's brow gradually relaxed; it was clear she was eager to learn some of the technical details.

But she also understands Harry —it's not that Harry is unwilling to talk about it, but there's a 99.99% chance that he himself wouldn't know it either.

Cassandra listened quietly, her face expressionless, only occasionally her eyelashes would flutter slightly.

But when she heard Veratia's name, especially since Veratia was supposed to keep the list, Cassandra's expression turned extremely dangerous.

"The research and development base is located in Mr. LeMay's magical workshop area next to Hogsmeade, protected by the Fidelius Charm, and I am the Secret Keeper," Harry concluded. "Currently, the core members are only Mr. LeMay, myself, Veratia— "

"Wait a minute," Cassandra suddenly interrupted Harry, "So you mean, Grindelwald was involved in this too? And was in charge of keeping the crucial registration backend?"

The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment. Ron shrank back, and Hermione stopped her subconscious note-taking and looked at Cassandra, then at Harry.

Harry inwardly cursed; he'd been so focused on calling her Secret Keeper that he'd forgotten the Young Lady Malfoy was a notorious jealous woman.

"Uh, yes," Harry admitted, forcing a formality, trying to make his tone sound more businesslike. "As Minister for European Ministry of Magic, Veratia has jurisdiction and advisory authority over magical technology innovation projects of this kind, which could have significant strategic and international implications. Her involvement, providing necessary administrative support and oversight, is both reasonable and necessary. The same applies to Minister Sirius, who represents the British Ministry of Magic."

"I see—" Cassandra nodded subtly, a complex light flashing in her eyes, but she didn't immediately attack or show a more dangerous expression as Harry had expected.

She gave a soft hum, not loud, with the last syllable lingering, carrying a hint of knowing "I knew it would be like this," and a subtle, almost imperceptible, helplessness.

Harry held his breath, carefully observing her expression.

Even the most powerful wizard in the world has to walk a tightrope when it comes to managing multiple relationships!

Ron and Hermione held their breath as well; the room was so quiet that the faint crackling of the magical flames in the fireplace could be heard.

A few seconds later, Cassandra leaned back slightly in her chair, regaining her previous elegance, though her clasped hands unconsciously rubbed their fingers together.

"Grindelwald's competence is indeed impeccable," Cassandra began, her tone sounding quite objective, even somewhat businesslike in her approval, "Especially in coordinating international resources and handling cross-departmental bureaucratic procedures. Having her in charge of external frameworks and resource coordination will be far more efficient."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Harry, her eyes holding a different meaning.

"As for the safekeeping of the registration backend, given her position Minister for Magic and the security level of the European Ministry of Magic, she is certainly one of the suitable candidates."

These words sounded rational and fair, but Harry keenly caught the word "one of," and the slight resentment in her tone.

She wasn't indifferent to Veratia occupying such an important position in Harry's heart, but out of respect for Veratia's abilities and responsibilities, she accepted the arrangement.

"I'm glad you understand, Cass," Harry said sincerely, a huge weight lifted from his heart. At the same time, he felt a pang of guilt and heartache for Cassandra's understanding, knowing it wasn't easy for her, given her pride.

"Veratia's involvement will definitely make the project progress more smoothly. Moreover, the checks and balances between her and the Godfather can also minimize the concentration of power in one place."

"Checks and balances?" Cassandra raised an eyebrow, her tone extremely sarcastic. "Our good Godfather Mr. Black, will probably just find ways to give you the green light. In his eyes, it makes no difference whether the Minister of European Ministry of Magic is Grindelwald or you. Expecting him to check and balance you? You might as well hope Peeves suddenly develop a love for following school rules."

Her words were blunt, but there wasn't much real malice in them; it was more like a slightly teasing rant.

Harry couldn't help but laugh, Ron chuckled, and Hermione laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"So," Cassandra changed the subject, her gaze refocusing on Harry, "Since Grindelwald can provide official endorsement as Minister, then, as the Secret Keeper for this project, Mr. Potter, have you considered what more substantial role you could play besides secrecy and testing? Are you content to be just a mascot kept in the dark, only finding out bits and pieces when needed?"

That's what they said, but Harry always felt that Cassandra's words had a hidden meaning.

Her words probably meant more than just what they appeared to be.

However, he knew his own limitations, and besides, he didn't really care about these things.

You'd be better off playing a couple of Quidditch instead.

"It's nothing," Harry shrugged. "You know I'm not interested in power or anything like that. I'd rather waste my time on those boring things than play a couple of Quidditch."

Cassandra was somewhat amused and exasperated. She raised her hand and gently pressed her temples with her fingers, as if trying to relieve a sudden headache.

"Heh—" she chuckled softly, a hint of indulgence and resignation in her voice. "Yes, our the Savior isn't interested in 'power.' After all—"

She deliberately dragged out her words, her gaze sweeping over Harry.

"Your girlfriend is the European Ministry of Magic, your Godfather is the British Ministry of Magic, you yourself are the sole heir of the Potter Family, a living legend of Hogwarts, the Savior of the wizarding world, the Secret Keeper and inspiration for Nicolas Flamel's groundbreaking project—you really don't need to be obsessed with 'power,' Harry Potter, because in a sense, you yourself are part of 'power,' even though you are completely unaware of it, or pretend to be unaware."

"There's no room for that many people," Harry joked with a grin. "It's not that exaggerated. I just prefer things to be simple and straightforward."

"Like riding a broomstick and flying all over the place, or flying for three hours just to catch a little golden thing?" Cassandra said, raising an eyebrow.

"And being with friends, without having to overthink things," Harry added, "Like right now."

Cassandra met his gaze for a moment, the helplessness in her eyes gradually replaced by a softer light.

She certainly knew what kind of person Harry was, and it was precisely Harry's easygoing nature, his pursuit of simple happiness, and his innocence and straightforwardness that deeply attracted her.

Sometimes I really want to stomp on his face.

"Very well," she finally sighed softly, rising gracefully, "since our esteemed Mr. Secret Keeper prefers blue skies, gentle breezes, and Quidditch pitch to tedious meeting minutes and authority delineations—"

She walked over to Harry, reached out and straightened his already disheveled collar, the movement as natural as if she had done it a thousand times before.

Oh, it was indeed done many times a hundred years ago, but it was never this gentle.

More often than not, it's "Potter! You careless little Troll!" or "Potter! If you keep this up, I'm going to deduct your Galleon!"

"So, as your—" she paused, seemingly searching for the right word, "a close friend and advisor—"

"And a girlfriend," Harry shamelessly added.

Cassandra paused in her movements.

"Isn't your girlfriend Grindelwald?" she asked with a smile, posing the most crucial question.