After Christmas, Marvolio and Cynthia stayed at Fawley Manor for several days, enjoying their holiday break.
This rare gathering provided them with an opportunity to discuss future plans and exchange ideas about magic. Tver, in particular, sought their insights—especially Marvolio's understanding of the soul—to enhance his soul-transformation abilities. He was now able to partially restore the magic after transformation, but the process was still unstable and required their expert guidance.
But—
"Come on, we don't even know soul metamorphosis—how can we advise you?" Marvolio sighed helplessly.
Well, to be honest, Tver had only asked casually, never expecting much. As Marvolio put it, he still depended on Tver's expertise to help him fuse the souls within the Horcruxes. But this led to a new question.
"If those Horcruxes merge together, how do you determine which one takes precedence?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"Hmm, probably have to fight it out?" Marvolio replied uncertainly.
Truth be told, he was skilled at splitting souls, but soul fusion? He'd never attempted it, nor even considered it.
"According to the teacher, it won't be pleasant. So pray for your own well-being. Best to practice your soul-related abilities more. Otherwise, we'll end up having to train a whole new Marvolio," Tver said lightly, lounging comfortably in his chair as he teased.
In Tver's understanding, it would likely form a multi-personality soul in the short term, gradually merging all the Horcrux memories into a new Voldemort who seemed to have personally experienced everything. However, since nearly all the Horcruxes were dormant, the experienced Marvolio could easily become the dominant entity.
Marvolio quickly grasped the situation, and a wave of relief washed over him. He certainly didn't want to revert to his former mad, bloodthirsty self.
"By the way, how's that matter I asked you to monitor?" Tver turned his head to look at Cynthia.
"The International Confederation of Wizards' Conference will convene this summer, as scheduled. As a Deputy Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, I've successfully secured an opportunity to address the assembly," Cynthia replied, slightly tilting her head. Her snow-white neck made her resemble a beautiful swan.
"Barty Crouch Jr. is currently focused on the Quidditch World Cup. However, considering that Dumbledore might propose the Triwizard Tournament at the conference, they've sent me as Britain's representative."
"But what they haven't noticed is that I've changed the speaker to you."
She gave a playful wink, her bright eyes sparkling, clearly using a little underhanded trickery.
"Finally decided to reveal your existence?" Marvolio quipped.
He reclined lazily in his chair, bathed in the last rays of winter sun. Of course, Tver and Cynthia sat with equal ease, as if they were discussing plans for a summer vacation.
"I have to get the magical world thinking, but not reveal too much," Cynthia said, her tone calm and deliberate.
"Only when they figure out a path themselves will they truly embrace our ideals—at least the visionary ones among them."
Tver narrowed his eyes, looking out the window. As January approached, the snow outside had begun to melt.
Just like the history of the magical world—about to turn the page!
"What about those lacking foresight?" Marvolio sat up straighter, his curiosity piqued.
"They're destined to vanish into the annals of history."
"Even if they stand in our way?"
Unlike Marvolio, Tver kept his expression impassive.
"Once we've won over the majority, who do you think could stand in our way, besides Dumbledore?"
"Besides, we won't harm them. We'll just politely ask them to keep quiet and watch the transformation of the wizarding world unfold."
He leaned back comfortably in his chair, even crossing his legs with an air of leisure.
Looking back at Voldemort's and his own master's failures, Tver saw that the root cause was always failing to win over the majority. This time, he had planned carefully. He'd arranged for Professor Burbage and the upcoming conference speech to make the international magical community gradually realize that the Statute of Secrecy was outdated.
After that, various discussions would naturally emerge. By then, even if he proposed the most shocking ideas, they would simply be part of a friendly debate, not subversive acts against the Statute.
After all, what could be wrong with ideas meant to protect wizards?
"What about the Muggle side?" Cynthia suddenly asked.
"Why do you ask?" Tver was somewhat surprised.
Although he had entrusted the face mask business to her, he hadn't expected her to start thinking from a Muggle perspective so quickly.
"Well, while handling matters for the Face Mask Alliance, a Mr. Ian Russell requested to meet the company's boss."
"The real owner," Cynthia emphasized.
This immediately caught both Tver's and Marvolio's attention.
"What do you mean? Has he discovered Jeff's existence?"
All company affairs were remotely managed by Cynthia through Jeff, who posed as an anonymous, behind-the-scenes investor. If he had detected Jeff's presence, it would be entirely within Tver's expectations. In reality, for anyone paying attention to the company with even a modicum of political savvy, uncovering the existence of an investor wouldn't be difficult.
Cynthia frowned slightly, a bit hesitant.
"No, I don't think his words referred solely to Jeff. In fact, I suspect he might have realized the magic exists…"
Marvolio curled his lip in amusement.
"Probably that little elf let something slip. It's not impossible—"
"Impossible," Cynthia countered sharply. "Jeff only appears at the company office, and Russell has never been there. Even that message was passed to Jeff through his manager."
"And apparently, during the Alliance meeting, he was unusually insistent, repeatedly emphasizing how effective the face masks were—almost like magic."
"It seemed a bit excessive…"
Marvolio's interest was suddenly piqued. He nudged Tver's crossed leg.
"This is an intriguing character. Shouldn't you, the real boss, step in personally to see if he stumbled upon it by accident?"
"See what?" Tver stroked his chin thoughtfully, asking casually.
"How he uncovered the magic, of course," Marvolio said matter-of-factly. "Given Cynthia's abilities, the only thing that could lead her to such a conclusion would be a spell by the Obliviator that slipped through the Ministry's net."
Tver nodded in agreement.
Such occurrences weren't unheard of; in fact, they were fairly common. Especially during Voldemort's rampage and the night he was defeated, many Muggles had witnessed magic firsthand. Most instinctively dismissed it as an illusion and ignored it. Only a small minority, who firmly believed and openly discussed it, had their memories erased by Ministry officials. But it couldn't be ruled out that some cases slipped through the cracks.
After considering it for a moment, Tver made his decision.
"Regardless, I'll go and meet this Mr. Russell."