Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Draco frowned, clearly trying to process what he had just said.

Pansy and Daphne quieted down, waiting for Henry to continue.

Henry didn't rush to speak; he picked up the teacup beside him and took a small sip to moisten his throat.

"Think about it," he put down his teacup, "what was the magical world like hundreds of years ago?"

"Back then, there was no secrecy law, and the Malfoys had connections with Muggle high society," Draco replied.

“Yes,” Henry said. “Back then, your family’s survival strategy was to navigate between Muggle nobles and wizards, maintaining relations with both sides. The Malfoys followed William the Conqueror to England to help him fight his magical enemies; the Parkinsons kept a low profile on the border, ready to switch sides at any time; and the Greengrasss stayed away from the center of power, specializing in what was needed regardless of who was in power.”

"These strategies were appropriate for that era because that's how the world was back then."

Daphne said softly, "Then the secrecy laws were implemented, and the world changed."

“Yes,” Henry said. “After the Law of Secrecy was implemented, wizards and Muggles were completely separated. Your family needs to readjust; some have adapted well, and some have not.”

He looked at Draco.

"The Malfoys have adapted very well. You have transformed from wizards who fought for Muggles into a pure-blood family in the wizarding world. You have positions in the Ministry of Magic and influence in all aspects. Your traditions have helped you complete this transformation."

Draco nodded, clearly understanding what Henry meant.

Henry then looked at Pansy.

"The Parkinson family adapted to these changes; your family strategies helped you survive every power shift."

Pansy nodded thoughtfully.

Finally, Henry looked at Daphne.

"The Greengrass family has adapted best. You have never been at the center of power, so the turmoil there affects you the least. Your knowledge is needed no matter who is in power, so you have always been very stable."

Daphne said softly, "That's what my father said too."

Henry smiled and said, "So tradition is not static; it is reinterpreted and reapplied in different eras. Tradition is the answer, but not the eternal answer. Because times change, and the problems we face also change. But the wisdom contained in our tradition is something we cannot abandon."

A silence fell over the group as they pondered Henry's words.

Draco suddenly asked, "So what's the problem we're facing now?"

"What do you think?" Henry asked.

Draco pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, "The Law of Secrecy has been in effect for hundreds of years, and the magical world has been stable, but recently it seems... it seems to be unstable again."

"Why?" Henry asked.

Draco seemed to be making up his mind, and after a long pause, he slowly spoke: "Because of God... the Mystic."

The moment the name was uttered, the atmosphere immediately sombered.

It has to be said that the codename "Mysterious Man" is still incredibly intimidating in the British magical world.

"Why?" Henry turned his head. "The Mystic has fallen, and the magical world is now thriving, a vibrant and flourishing place. Why do you say it's unstable again?"

"Because of Fudge?" Draco asked tentatively. "Your Highness, you previously mentioned that Fudge and Dumbledore..."

"No," Henry waved his finger, "Even if there's a rift between the two of them, it can't make the wizarding world unstable, Draco. You're shooting the arrow before drawing the target."

Draco was stumped by the question, opened his mouth, and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Pansy whispered from the side, "But Fudge has been making some big moves lately. He's replaced several people. My dad said he's purging Dumbledore's men."

"Big moves don't necessarily mean instability," Henry said. "It's just a change of personnel, not a war. The Ministry of Magic has personnel changes every year, it's normal."

Daphne asked softly, "So, Your Highness, you mean... the conflict between Fudge and Dumbledore won't destabilize the wizarding world?"

Henry shook his head.

"I didn't say it wouldn't happen. I meant you're oversimplifying the problem."

At this point, Henry paused briefly, glancing at the group of people.

"The conflict between Fudge and Dumbledore does exist, but that's just the surface. The real problem lies deeper."

Draco frowned. "Deeper? Where?"

Henry did not answer directly, but instead asked a question.

"Have you ever wondered why Fudge would be suspicious of Dumbledore?"

Draco thought for a moment and replied, "Because Dumbledore is so influential? Everyone wants to listen to him?"

"Yes, but that's the result, not the cause," Henry said. "What's the cause?"

Everyone fell silent.

Henry continued, "Dumbledore helped Fudge. When Fudge first became minister, he consulted him on everything. But now, Fudge is showing signs of distancing himself from him. Why?"

He didn't wait for Draco and the others to answer, but continued, "Because Fudge felt threatened. But the threat wasn't given to him by Dumbledore; it was given to him by himself."

Daphne asked, "To give it to yourself?"

“Yes,” Henry said. “Fudge has a question in his mind: Do I really have the ability? Is my position due to myself or because of him? If I leave him, can I still stand on my own two feet?”

"This isn't a question Dumbledore asked; it's a question Fudge asked himself. So no matter what Dumbledore does, Fudge feels threatened. It's an inner demon, not an external enemy."

Several people nodded thoughtfully.

Pansy asked, "What does this have to do with the stability of the magical world?"

"It's very important," Henry said. "Because Fudge isn't alone; many people in the Ministry of Magic have similar inner demons. They fear Dumbledore, fear his influence, fear that a single word from him can change the course of events. This fear makes some people want to weaken Dumbledore, and others become more dependent on him. This tug-of-war between the two sides creates turmoil."

Draco asked, "So you just said this isn't the real problem?"

“Yes,” Henry said, “because that’s just the surface. The real issue is the relationship between the wizarding world and the Muggle world.”

"The Muggle world?" Pansy asked incredulously. "What does that have to do with us?"

Henry looked at her, chuckled, and asked, "You think it's okay?"

Pansy wanted to argue, but ultimately shook her head.

"I don't know, I've never thought about it."

Daphne said, "The Secrecy Act separates us, so the problems of the wizarding world shouldn't concern Muggles, right?"

Henry smiled.

"Do you know what it felt like when Muggle-born wizards first came to the wizarding world a hundred years ago?"

The group exchanged glances and all shook their heads.

"Inferiority complex," Henry said. "They'll feel inferior. Because the world they grew up in doesn't have magic. They'll find moving pictures, flying brooms, and talking hats amazing, and they'll also feel incredibly small. They'll think the magical world is far more advanced than the Muggle world."