Among the leaders of many countries, wizards had never truly been a secret.
Yet most of those in power had never taken wizards seriously. Some leaders in America even regarded them as nothing more than circus clowns who could perform a few tricks.
Now, however, the Death Eaters' actions had proven the power of wizards. Their bodies might be just as frail, but before magic, technology seemed more like a joke.
"How could... this happen?"
The Prime Minister's emotions churned violently. The Chief of Defence Staff seated below him—an old general with graying hair who had fought in multiple wars—was equally ashen-faced. Slowly removing his glasses, he wiped the lenses with trembling hands, as though the motion could help him process everything he had just witnessed. "What... what exactly was that?"
No one could answer him.
At last, the Prime Minister spoke with difficulty, his voice so hoarse it was nearly inaudible. "Contact... contact those people. The... people from the 'Ministry of Magic.' Tell them that no matter what agreements or rules there were before... we need help! Immediately!"
Elsewhere in London, the Ministry of Magic's Emergency Operations Hall was equally chaotic.
The red glow of emergency alarms flashed throughout the hall. Owls and Patronuses arrived like snowflakes, each bearing more horrifying news than the last. "Urgent contact from the Muggle Prime Minister's Office! A large-scale supernatural conflict has erupted in East London! Muggle forces have intervened and suffered devastating losses!" "Emergency notice from the International Confederation of Wizards! An unknown force is openly using large-scale destructive magic in a Muggle area! Suspected coordinated action by the Death Eaters!"
"Message from St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries! There are already massive Muggle casualties! The Ministry of Magic is urgently requested to intervene!"
Minister Fudge stood helplessly on the