Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 264 Longbottom Party

On Saturday evening, in an old and remote suburban village in West Yorkshire, Britain, an old house was brightly lit.

If you didn't see it with your own eyes, it would be hard to believe that such a vast manor would be built in such a remote and desolate village. A row of exquisite and luxurious antique-style carriages was parked at the entrance. A wizard with slightly mottled hair and wearing a light brown suit stood next to the carriages, looking into the interior.

His hair was neatly combed, with thick roots, but a few strands at the ends were dry and frizzy. He was slightly thin, and the brooch he wore had a logo outlined in copper wire. In the moonlight, four animals surrounded the letter H. When the back of his collar was turned up, a white special offer rental sign would occasionally be revealed.

He reached out and touched the air in front of the carriage, occasionally raising his eyes as if waiting for his companion.

There were no animals in front of the carriage, but one could hear heavy, long breathing, the unseen hooves pounding in place, and the scaly wings stirring up a slight gust of air.

A sudden evening breeze stirred the velvet curtains at the front of the carriage, and the bright kerosene lamps inside illuminated the interior of the carriage without the aid of moonlight.

This Thestral carriage, made by Hogsmeade Magical Boutique, was expanded with the Unseen Stretch Charm to create a complete living space, complete with bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. However, only the outermost room was used tonight. The passengers in the carriage were dressed in black formal attire, with Hogwarts crests pinned to their chests, and carrying wands and invitations.

He rose, lifted the curtain, put his wand in his inner pocket, and handed the invitation to his waiting companion outside.

"Why did you have to make me attend the party with you?" The wizard spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone helpless but not aggressive, clearly indicating a mild-mannered personality.

Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and a former core member of the Order of the Phoenix, and Melvin Remus, the Muggle Studies professor and a foreign wizard recruited by Dumbledore, will represent the Order of the Phoenix and Hogwarts at tonight's meeting.

This party was a ceremony to announce the Longbottom family's revival. As an important guest invited to the event, Melvin couldn't refuse the kindness of others, but he also didn't want to attend alone, so he had to drag Lupin along.

“Because no one else wants to come. Dumbledore almost never attends banquets outside of school, Professor McGonagall and the others don’t like these occasions, not to mention Professor Snape,” Melvin said softly with a smile, indeed unable to find anyone else to come.

Lupin's gaze swept over the family crests on the carriage beside him: violets, irises, khalasars, vultures, and snakes of various forms. Almost all of them were surnames from the Twenty-Eight Pureblood Clans, excluding Death Eater enemies like Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott.

In addition, there were other guests who were not pure-blooded, all of whom were well-known wizards in the magical world: Amelia Burns, Barty Crouch, Mr. Spring, Mrs. Eckmore...

Lupin knew that Frank and Alice didn't care about pure-blood honor. Longbottom's invitation to these wizards today was probably to announce his return, his return after thirteen years of silence and decline.

In addition, it's probably about displaying feathers and claws, hoping that those who have encroached on the Longbottom family's interests will voluntarily spit out what they've swallowed.

Upon leaving the carriage and arriving at the manor gate, house-elves immediately came to greet them. Melvin handed over the invitation, which the elf glanced at briefly, its bulging eyes inadvertently sweeping over Lupin. After a slight pause, it still bowed respectfully and led them to the venue.

Lupin subtly shifted his gaze. The suit was rented from a fancy clothing store, cheaper than buying a second-hand gown. He was a newly appointed professor, had just received his first month's salary after a few days of good meals, and didn't have much savings. He didn't plan to spend most of his salary on an impractical gown.

Melvin suggested using Galleons (issued by the fairies) to buy gold, and then using the gold to exchange for Muggle currency. The top of Hogwarts' salary would be enough to buy a nice Muggle suit.

However, this kind of operation involves a gray area of ​​secrecy laws, and it is still somewhat unacceptable for a law-abiding wizard like Lupin to engage in such borderline activities.

No wonder he's been a wanderer for so many years, no wonder he, as a wizard, has to suffer from hunger and cold. He truly is a law-abiding wizard citizen. Although Melvin didn't understand, he still expressed his respect.

The two entered the manor's foyer and proceeded into the main hall of the reception.

A few minutes later, the mahogany doors of the spacious rotunda opened, and Melvin was met with several piercing, burning gazes as he entered. Frank's hands were already clenched around his right hand, shaking it repeatedly, his expression excited and his words choked with emotion.

Alice stood to the side, her eyes also red. Behind her, Augusta, Agil, and a group of Longbottom's relatives all stepped forward to express their gratitude. "Mr. Levent is a friend of the Longbottom family forever!" someone shouted.

It seems that news of Melvin's treatment plan has already spread among the relatives. Since the pure-blood families are all related, it will likely spread far and wide soon. I wonder how furious Umbridge and Fudge will be when they find out.

The young wizard favored by Dumbledore healed his old followers, a powerful member of the Order of the Phoenix, a senior Auror, and two spies planted within the Ministry of Magic.

Melvin smiled and nodded in response, which other wizards saw as humble and polite. Compared to the founder of the Magic Mirror, the recipient of the Order of Merlin, and the nominee for the Medal of Valor, healing two injured Aurors was a trivial achievement.

Actually, he just didn't want to put in the effort to deal with such situations.

"Mr. Spring has already told us that the potion to heal the injuries and the plan to restore the memories were all provided by you, Mr. Levent. Alice and I are sincerely grateful."

When Frank expressed his sincere gratitude, he still held Melvin's right hand tightly. Melvin shared some of the same qualities as Neville: he was somewhat clumsy in speech, but simple and earnest, and he stuck to what he believed in.

“Neville also said that you took great care of me at school,” Alice said sincerely.

“It’s what a Hogwarts professor should do, and Headmaster Dumbledore also hopes you will get better.” Melvin smiled gently, trying to withdraw his right hand without making a sound, but he couldn’t.

Augusta also stepped forward and solemnly promised: "The Longbottom family will remember your help for generations to come!"

Melvin nodded and smiled.

“I am Agil, Neville’s uncle, Professor Levent. If there is anything we need, just say the word, or send a letter by owl, and our whole family will be out in force with wands!”

"..."

This must be the uncle who threw Neville out of the attic window to unleash his talent; no doubt, he's a Gryffindor graduate.

Melvin continued to nod and smile.

The whole process lasted half an hour. This party was meant to showcase the Longbottom family, with Frank and Alice as the main characters. However, they were willing to demonstrate their gratitude to Melvin in front of all the guests before the party even started.

After the party officially began, Melvin's appearance attracted the attention of many wizards. Although the Longbottom wizards dispersed to socialize and chat with other guests in order to show their influence, more wizards gathered around to offer their greetings, inquire about matters related to the Mirror of Shadows business, and ask about Dumbledore's recent situation.

Melvin didn't want to discuss business or socialize in this setting. After dealing with the first few groups of wizards, he shifted some of their attention to Lupin, claiming that he was the headmaster's preferred representative.

He quietly slipped out of the main venue and went to the adjacent courtyard for some fresh air.

“Professor Levent, may we have a chat?” a voice asked from behind the statue of the Longbottom Ancestor.

"Mr. Springer?"

Melvin looked up in surprise. It was Herbert Spring, the vice-director of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Illnesses.

(End of this chapter)