Shadow of the Beautiful World

August 17, 1998.

Merlin, wearing a gray rest suit, appeared again at London's Heathrow Airport.

All the things at hand seemed to have come to an end, so after Fury gave him a vacation, Merlin came to Europe again. He plans to take a long trip to comfort himself for the fatigue of recent years.

But he didn't come alone.

Wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a backpack, and short hair, Eric with a happy face dragged a trolley case and followed behind Merlin.

This is the first time for the 17-year-old to come to Europe. He still wears a camera around his neck and looks like a backpacker.

Hilter's Record Store.

Merlin waved over a taxi and gave the driver an address. As the vehicle started, Merlin leaned on the back seat, and he said to Eric who was looking out the window beside him:

I said, you will graduate from high school next year, which school do you want to go to?

Is there still a choice? Of course it's mit!

Eric said to his guardian without looking back:

I have a plan for my life, Merlin.

Yeah?

Merlin pouted noncommittally, and said softly:

Then who left the ticket in the room this morning?

That was just an accident!

Eric said with some embarrassment:

It's my first time in Europe. I'm a little excited. Oh, yes, Merlin, Ron is going to invite me to his house. He said that his home has just been rebuilt and he owns a big house. He said he There are many rooms in the new home, and I can live with him this summer.

sure.

Merlin took out his mobile phone, looked at the files in the mailbox, and said casually:

Your vacation is up to you. But don't forget what I ordered. After the new semester starts, there will be a girl who has just transferred to Imperial High School and needs your care. She will live in Mei's house. I will not take care of her. The boss is in charge of her daily chores, so she leaves it to you.

Is that pretty girl Charlie?

Eric's eyes lit up, and he remembered the scene when he had dinner with the beautiful and generous Miss Charlie a few days ago, and he suddenly snorted confidently:

Then leave it to me!

Um?

Merlin glared at Eric, he instinctively felt that this guy was thinking of something impolite.

But that's a matter between young people. The now serious Coulson also had absurd past when he was adolescence, so as long as no one is killed, let them go.

I said, Merlin, you are on vacation!

Ten minutes later, a bored Eric turned his head to watch Merlin send and receive text messages. He complained:

Don't be too busy with work, you just saved the world, at least give yourself a vacation.

Well

Merlin looked at the phone in his hand, and then at Eric. After a while, he shook his head, sent the last message, and put the phone in his pocket.

Looking at the scenery outside the car window, he said:

Yeah, it's a vacation. This time, let's take a good rest.

Soon, the taxi stopped in front of Hilt's record store, and Merlin led Eric into Diagon Alley full of wizards. This place is much more prosperous than when Merlin came last time, but it still has a somewhat bleak atmosphere.

From letters from several young wizards, Merlin knew that Voldemort had died in May, and the wizard war had ended by then. But now it seems that the aftermath of the wizarding war has not dissipated yet.

The British wizarding world has suffered almost a devastating blow during this turmoil. It is estimated that it will not be possible to restore its order within 5-10 years.

After all, the number of wizards is really too small.

And there were so many wizards dressed in strange clothes in Diagon Alley, and no one cared about Eric and Merlin's Muggle costumes. Eric took this purely as a travel experience, he kept picking up the camera to take pictures, and Merlin purchased a lot of magic materials he needed, and before leaving, he gave Eric the magic material in Madam Malkin's robe shop Made a custom suit.

This guy is going to have a prom next year, and he can't go to the prom in an old suit.

And he's coming of age too, time to get a suit of his own.

After the big purchase was completed, Merlin took Eric to the Burrow, which was the Weasley family's mansion, through the connection of the Floo network.

When the two walked out of the burning fireplace, the large and bright living room in front of Merlin's eyes was already full of people. Apparently, they were having a party, and Merlin and Eric were the last to arrive.

Merlin!

When she saw Merlin appearing in the gray suit that had never changed for thousands of years, Hermione, who was holding a drink and chatting with Ginny, called out, and rushed into Merlin's room like a child regardless of the public. in the arms.

On the other side, Harry and Ron also warmly greeted Eric who came to the Burrow for the first time.

Although it was somewhat strange for a Muggle to appear among a large group of wizards, for Merlin's sake, none of the people present showed too weird expressions.

Besides, Eric is not the only Muggle who came to this family gathering today.

Hermione's parents were sitting in the living room, chatting with Mr. Arthur while tasting the weird magic wine.

Like Hermione's parents, Mrs. Granger, and Muggles like Eric, who entered the wizarding world because their relatives are wizards, occupy a huge number in the entire wizarding world. They are intermediate elements between the wizarding world and the Muggle world, and are under the dual jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic and government departments.

They are not allowed to reveal the existence of the wizarding world to ordinary people, but they can also see the magical scene of the wizarding world. In fact, so far, in fact, 70% of the rumors about magic are spread by these people out.

They are uncommon, but by no means rare.

Well, the ring is nice.

Merlin touched Hermione's hair affectionately. He noticed the amber ring on Hermione's left finger. Like a good elder, he took a glass of wine from the side and said to Hermione in a low voice:

Have you confirmed your relationship with that stupid boy Ron?

Um.

Hermione had a shyness of a girl, she glanced at Ron who was fighting with Eric, she sighed, and said to Merlin:

Ron proposed to me a few days ago, and the parents of both parties also agreed to this marriage

But you don't look happy.

Merlin took a sip of his drink, looked at Ron, then at Hermione, and said:

Actually, you should know that if you don't agree, you can refuse. At worst, you will live in North America in the future. With me, even a pure-blood wizard family can't force you. What's more, Mr. Arthur and Mo Madam Li is not an unreasonable person either.

It's not that I don't want to, Merlin.

Hermione said to Merlin with her adolescent melancholy:

I don't hate Ron. In the final battle with Voldemort, he was very brave and had a hint of heroism in my imagination. But how should I put it, he is far from the person I know and wants to spend my life with. Its image is much worse.

And it came so suddenly, I wasn't mentally prepared for it at all.

Hermione glanced at Merlin, who coughed lightly, and he said to Hermione in an elder tone:

Imagination can only be imagination. We always have to live in reality, find someone who is not the best, but the most suitable person to marry, and spend the rest of our lives together, little Hermione.

More than anyone else, I hope you will be happy in this life. Although we are not related by blood, in my heart, you will always be my cutest little sister. As long as you need me, I will definitely appear by your side as soon as possible.

He put out his finger, squeezed Hermione's face, and said:

Well, when is your wedding date?

Hermione giggled and dodged Merlin's fingers, saying:

It's still early, two years later.

Oh, it looks like I have plenty of time to prepare my wedding present.

Merlin smiled and said to Hermione:

Don't forget to send me an invitation when the time comes.

Then you have to bring your female companion to the stage.

Hermione smiled too, and that smile was as sunny as it had been every time we met in the past few years. She winked at Merlin slyly, and said:

I have found my home, and it's time for you to find yourself a haven of rest.

Ahem, let's talk about this later.

The first person that came to Merlin's mind was Carol who was still looking for himself in a corner of the stars, and the second image was an unreliable black-clothed female mercenary who hadn't been seen for several years.

Unfortunately, neither of these two people is suitable to bring to Hermione's wedding.

A few minutes later, Ginny called Hermione to go to her house to help her choose clothes for the Hogwarts graduation ball. Merlin held a drink and greeted every familiar wizard in this big house.

Although he didn't have much contact with the British wizarding world, through the leadership of Mr. Arthur, the owner of the Burrow, he also met many wizards who were on the side of the Order of the Phoenix. And Mr. Ollivander, the master wand maker who has always only focused on making wands, also unexpectedly attended the party today.

Merlin sat with these orthodox wizards. Taking this opportunity, he asked many questions he encountered in magic learning. And Merlin was also a wizard who participated in the war against Voldemort. Although he had an unclear relationship with the devil, but for the sake of what he did for the British wizarding world, the orthodox wizards did their best to answer Merlin's question. question.

Merlin felt that this trip was worth it.

In 4 hours, he learned more knowledge from these wizards than he studied alone for a year.

It seems that things like magic cannot be done behind closed doors.

The study time always passed very quickly. In a blink of an eye, the time was approaching the evening. After a sumptuous dinner, the guests left one after another. Hermione's parents will stay at the Burrow for a while to discuss Hermione and Ron's marriage with members of the Weasley family.

Merlin didn't bother them, because of Hermione, he didn't really want to get involved in the matter.

After dinner, Merlin came to Ron's bedroom.

Sure enough, as Ron said, at the end of the Wizarding War, the Burrow was burned down by Death Eaters. After the house was rebuilt, Ron got a spacious and well-lit bedroom, which would be his and Hermione's in the future. residence.

After seeing Merlin walk into the room, the three young men who were sitting on the bed playing magic cards immediately put away the Galleons in their hands. Obviously, there was an element of gambling in their play just now.

But how could this little trick be hidden from Merlin?

He shook his head, reached out and knocked hard on the heads of the three young men.

Gambling is not allowed! Winning or losing is meaningless. You have to understand that everything in life is uncertain except death. Gambling is always the most stupid behavior.

You're talking more and more like Professor McGonagall, Merlin!

Ron held his head and complained to Merlin:

You are only 9 years older than me, but the way you speak now is like my parents' generation!

Then I'm your elder too, you bastard!

Merlin looked at Ron sternly, and this direct gaze lasted for half a minute, until Ron really started to fear, and when Harry and Eric in the room felt that the atmosphere was not good, Merlin suddenly sighed .

He reached out and patted Ron on the shoulder.

In a serious and low tone, he said to the young man in front of him who was not yet 18 years old:

Hermione is one of the most important people in my life. I hope she will be happy in this life. Ron Weasley, can you give her happiness?

I

Looking at Merlin's eyes, Ron felt a little parched.

He looked at his two friends for help, but whether it was Harry or Eric, their expressions became serious.

Obviously, the question Merlin asked was also a question they cared about. Hermione was also their friend, and they also hoped that Hermione would have a perfect and happy life.

I can!

Gritting his teeth, Ron looked directly at Merlin, his blue eyes shining with courage and responsibility, although his eyes were still a little dodgy. After all, he saw with his own eyes how Merlin led the Muggle agents to slaughter the terrifying Death Eaters like chopping melons and vegetables.

Facing such a person, how could he not be afraid as a minor?

very good.

A fleeting smile flashed across Merlin's face, and he said softly:

Remember your promise, Ron, I'm watching you.

If you dare to make my little Hermione cry once, I'll let you cry as much as you want. You know, I've always said what I said.

Looking at Merlin's expression, Ron shrank his neck subconsciously at this moment, and he felt a cool wind blowing over his neck.

Okay, don't be nervous.

Merlin waved to Harry and said:

Come, Harry, our great hero, the Demon Slayer, come and tell me how you killed Voldemort.

I've always been curious about Voldemort's sad ending after all the Horcruxes were destroyed.