The Lost Suitcase
The political system in the Wizarding World is very different from that in the Muggle world.
As a nominal United Nations, it doesn't have much power; it's controlled by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the Secretary-General is essentially a figurehead.
The Wizarding World is different.
The International Confederation of Wizards is a powerful organization that can interfere in the sovereignty of various countries.
The renowned "International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy" was researched, formulated, and strictly enforced by this organization.
The International Confederation of Wizards can also review draft legislation from various countries through the International Magical Law Office to ensure it does not conflict with the International Statute of Secrecy.
If they deem there to be a conflict, the draft legislation of each country's Ministry of Magic will be immediately rejected and declared invalid.
In other words, the United Kingdom must obtain the International Confederation of Wizards's approval before it can enact a law.
There's a lot of room for maneuver here!
If someone says you can't do it, then you can't, no matter how good you are!
This is a form of interference with sovereignty.
Therefore, the Foreign Affairs Department of the United Kingdom Ministry of Magic is actually an "internal diplomacy" under the International Confederation of Wizards, and its independence is greatly limited.
The members of the International Confederation of Wizards are appointed by the Minister for Magic of each country and approved by Wizengamot; neither can be dispensed with!
Of course, they want to fight for their own national interests.
Dumbledore was the United Kingdom member of the International Confederation of Wizards, and he was elected president of the International Confederation of Wizards in the election!
However, the president cannot have absolute power; he is subject to natural constraints and is at risk of being removed from office.
If Minister Fudge doesn't agree to Dumbledore becoming a member of the International Confederation of Wizards... you won't even be a member, let alone continue as president!
If William were to promote Hermione to the ministerial position and then become the president of the International Confederation of Wizards, he would truly have absolute power and a secure position.
Hermione couldn't possibly take him off!
This is what it means for officials to protect each other.
In addition to these, the International Confederation of Wizards is subject to other constraints.
It can interfere in the internal affairs of various countries to a certain extent, but it cannot manage them directly. It must issue orders through the International Magical Law Office of each country.
This office acts as an intermediary and lubricant; International Confederation of Wizards issues orders, the Legal Office is responsible for relaying them to the Ministry of Magic.
In theory, Dumbledore does not have the authority to directly command wizards within a particular country.
As Cregan stated, he had not received orders from the Legal Office, so he naturally had no need to concern himself with Dumbledore, even though he was the Master.
This is a strategy to create a time gap, aiming to deal with Newt first during this process!
Dumbledore had no choice but to first authorize William, as the youth representative, to exercise the rights of the United Kingdom -Wizengamot.
William had no right to extradite Newt, but he did have the right to visit Scamander, a right granted by Wizengamot.
That's also the reason he came today!
Cregan couldn't refuse. He remained silent for a moment, then led William and Hermione toward the hall.
Miss Costa waved and told William that she finished work at eleven o'clock, and that after visiting Scamander, he shouldn't forget to come and see her.
France women are passionate and outgoing; England girls are far less so in this respect.
Of course, England girls are much more capable of violence, and for his own safety, William certainly wouldn't come.
The three of them passed through the front hall and arrived at the central hall, where a huge statue was placed in the most conspicuous position.
The statue features iconic elements such as the France tricolor, hat badges, and the Phrygian hat.
Below the statue is a row of mottoes: Incanté, Envouté, Conjuré!
Hermione looked at the words curiously, and William explained, "The proverb means 'to cast a spell, to incantation, to summon.'"
"How was it?" Cregan asked, also speaking fluent English. "Do you like our motto?"
William frowned; the France loved asking United Kingdom wizards these kinds of questions.
Phoebe asked this several times.
This is certainly not a question that can be answered easily.
Admit you like this phrase; the France will think you're a very unromantic wizard who prefers simplicity and directness.
They say you hate it, yet they also say you use it as a daily habit.
You're clearly making things difficult for me, Fat Tiger!
"The wizard who said that must be very remarkable." William avoided the trap.
Cregan smiled and instructed an Auror to take the two to see Newt.
The Auror led William and Hermione into the elevator.
The three of them emerged from the fifth basement level and headed towards the room at the end of the road.
"She can't go in." An Auror blocked Hermione's way at the door.
"Miss Granger is my private secretary," William said casually, "Responsible for recording Mr. Scamander's testimony."
Hermione nodded quickly and took out a quill pen and a roll of parchment from the Safety Watch.
"If you have any objections, you can report me to the International Confederation of Wizards." William flicked the Wizengamot badge on his robe and said softly:
"But you'd better not stop us, or I'll think you're showing contempt for the International Confederation of Wizards and for Chairman Dumbledore."
The Auror hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside.
William led Hermione into the room, and the door was immediately closed.
Scamander's trench coat was gone, replaced by prison clothes, and he was handcuffed with thick magic rings and strapped to a chair.
There were also a large number of Matagot crouching in the room.
The Matagot is a spiritual creature responsible for guarding the French Ministry of Magic and monitoring prisoners.
"What happened?" William sat down in the chair. "I received a letter from Professor Dumbledore and was shocked. How did you get arrested?"
Newt gave a wry smile, his eyes darting around, and he went into withdrawn mode.
"Didn't Professor Dumbledore ask you to go to United States for Easter?" William asked.
William discussed it with Dumbledore and concluded that it would be most appropriate for Newt to keep an eye on Tom.
He has experience dealing with the Dark Lord!
"I was planning to leave, but something came up. I discovered traces of Vinda Rosier's activities in Paris."
"Vinda Rosier?" William was taken aback.
"She's a Grindelwald's Acolytes, Grindelwald's assistant back then, and a woman who idolizes Grindelwald."
Newt glanced towards the door, then said uneasily, "But let's not talk about that now, William, my suitcase..."
Don't tell me it's lost?
Newt paused for two seconds, then nodded.
"How could it be lost?" Hermione asked anxiously.
She had seen that box at Nicolas Manor; it contained perhaps more Fantastic Beasts than Hogwarts.
"I was searching for the Mysterious Circus in Place Cachée when I was suddenly attacked. When I woke up, the box was gone, and I had been captured by the Auror."
"Could it have been taken by the French Ministry of Magic?" William frowned.
"It shouldn't be," Newt sighed. "They're looking for that box too."
"But you'd better find it before them, because some of the Fantastic Beasts inside are illegally transported and unregistered."
If I get caught, I'll definitely be convicted, and those animals will be killed.
"For example..."
"Hagrid's dragon— Norbert."
"..."
(Although the word "saint" sounds noble, in translation, Grindelwald's followers never used the term "saint"; they were always referred to as "Grindelwald's Acolytes.")