Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 334 Weekend
Hogsmeade, the village's main commercial street.

The stone path, damp with dew, was not yet completely dry. The moss and wild grass, which had been covered by snow all winter, had already sprouted green shoots. The two professors appeared at the village entrance in a phantom form and walked into the village along the stone path.

Hogsmeade's reputation gradually spread. While not as bustling as Diagon Alley, it had its own unique charm. During Hogwarts' school closures, tourists from all over flocked to the area. This time of year happened to be peak season; with winter turning to spring, wizards were beginning to purchase supplies for the new year.

A few shops along the street have already put on Easter decorations.

Clouds and mist drifted over from the distant mountains. Looking closely at the streets, one could see ribbons and flags of various colors tied to the road, spring flowers adorning the signs, and Easter eggs, rabbit dolls, and all sorts of cookies and cakes displayed in the shop windows.

Honey Duke's freshly made syrup is ready, its sweet aroma filling the air.

Melvin walked along the slightly slippery cobblestone path, with Lupin beside him. They lingered as they made their way to the Central Post Office, glancing around and whispering about the shop's decorations. Every now and then, they would go into the shop to order supplies for Easter and settle accounts for the previous quarter.

Sometimes they would encounter shop owners who were idle but talkative.

Several shops on this street have already started doing business with Muggles. The Ministry of Magic has asked the shops to keep it a secret, and the ledgers and invoices are also considered confidential by each shop. But the neighbors have been together for decades and know each other inside and out, so it's impossible to keep it a secret.

The exact amount is unclear, but we can guess whether it's a big or small profit.

"Professor Levent, Professor Lupin..."

The owner of Pippin Pharmacy saw the Muggle Studies professors passing by and quickly stopped them, asking in a low voice, "Professors, I'd like to ask how Muggle sugar is made? Is it very cheap?"

"Weren't we supposed to keep this confidential? How did you find out?"

"Who doesn't know this street?"

The pharmacy owner immediately launched into a long, detailed explanation:

"Ambrosio is having an early Easter sale, and the price of those candies has been reduced by more than half. It's clearly a low-profit, high-volume snack. If it were at the original cost, they would lose money selling underwear like this. But now the couple can't stop smiling. Who can't guess that it's because the raw materials are cheaper?"

Melvin and Lupin couldn't help but smile.

These merchants keep a close eye on business on the same street all day long, and no change can escape their notice. The Ministry of Magic and the Muggle government have begun preliminary cooperation, and the first to be affected are food ingredients.

Some wizards also run farms and ranches, engaging in large-scale planting and using magic to control pests, water plants, and even make them take root, sprout, flower, and bear fruit in a short period of time...

However, the wizard's magic could never overcome the power of nature. Due to the limitations of Gamp's transformation law, the wizard could not conjure food out of thin air or use magic and potions to accelerate plant growth. The source was still the land and water.

Water is easy to solve; clear water, like a spring, can condense moisture in the air. As long as you keep the magic wand, you'll have a continuous supply of irrigation water.

However, the nutrients in the soil are difficult for magic to change. Although alchemy developed the theory of elements long ago, wizards still cannot correctly understand the nutrients needed by plants. Hogwarts Herbalism class still teaches the traditional method of piling up dragon manure.

Whether a farm is rich or poor depends solely on a few pieces of experience passed down by word of mouth.

On the other hand, Muggle fertilizers have seen rapid development in recent decades, with large-scale cultivation far exceeding that of wizards. Not to mention the agricultural techniques involved, such as photosynthesis, intercropping, and seed selection.

With gold as currency, the same amount of gold could buy several times more crops and byproducts in Muggle society.

Melvin looked at the eager pharmacy owner and asked with a smile, "These businesses used to be controlled by the pure-blood families, right? Froome changed the raw material suppliers, didn't those pure-blood families have any objections? Didn't they raise the rent or cause you any trouble?"

“Some pure-blood fools are protesting, claiming that Ms. Burns violated the secrecy law and threatening to expose her crimes to the International Confederation of Wizards, but these are only a minority. The truly intelligent ones have already begun to inquire about the application process for doing business with Muggles…”

The pharmacy owner glanced around to make sure no one else was eavesdropping, then chuckled and revealed what he had overheard:
"Do you know the Bokin-Bock Antique Shop in Knockturn Alley? Mr. Bokin is a true pure-blood. When he found out he submitted his application late and wasn't on the first list, he was kicking himself. He got drunk at the Leaky Cauldron and bought the whole place three rounds of mead!"

"He'll definitely regret it even more when he wakes up the next day."

"Who says otherwise..."

The pharmacy owner leaned closer to the young professor: "Professor Levent, I heard that you were deeply involved in the formulation of this policy as an advisor, and Ms. Burns often writes to consult you... Um, is there any inside information you can share with me?"

"You've already found out everything, what more inside information do you need?" Melvin was a little amused and exasperated. These shop owners knew more about some details than he did.

"Some things feel more reassuring to say when they come from your mouth, Professor."

“There’s no such thing as a sure thing in business,” Melvin shook his head.

The pharmacy owner scratched his head, saw the two out of the store, and gave them two bottles of energizers that were about to expire before they left.

After being delayed for more than ten minutes, the two left J. Pipin Pharmacy. They had almost finished their business for the day, so they were no longer in a hurry to purchase or borrow money. Instead, they swished around the energy drink that the boss had given them, treating it like a beverage and taking small sips here and there.

As Melvin walked to the end of the street, he looked back and saw the pharmacy owner and his neighbor huddled together, each holding a nearly expired energy drink, standing in front of the shop window, talking amongst themselves as they looked at them.

You can't hear the specifics of their conversation, but you can vaguely guess what they're talking about.

Melvin felt a sense of joy, even more fulfilled than when he established the Magic Mirror Club.

"From now on, wizards will have to actively contact Muggles."

Lupin, sipping his energy drink, seemed to understand the significance of this trade and exclaimed with a smile, "For four hundred years since the enactment of the Secret Law, this kind of business has only been conducted on a small scale in the black market. To formulate practical policies to help wizards and Muggles do business is a historic move."

"This is the significance of Muggle studies."

"It will take a long time to perfect, it must be very troublesome, right?"

“Ms. Burns is now sending two letters every morning and evening, asking about the details of the bill. Recently, she’s even gotten into the concept of tax law, which is even more troublesome…” Melvin sighed.

“When Fudge was a minister, he would write to Dumbledore for advice when he encountered problems. Wizards outside said that Fudge was Dumbledore’s yes-man. The way you and Ms. Burns interact is very similar to that time. I hope Fudge’s situation will not repeat itself.”

"Ms. Burns used to be a member of the Division of Execution. During the Wizarding Wars, she even dared to stand up and publicly refute Voldemort, but no one dared to call her a yes-man."

Melvin paused for a moment, then shifted the topic to Remus: "I heard you're planning to quit your job to find the werewolves, what's going on?"

Lupin was silent for a moment. "Melvin, you often uncover many secrets that no one else knows. Hiding them from you is pointless, and I don't want to hide them from you either." He downed the stimulant in one gulp, thin steam rising from his nose and ears.

“Umbridge’s Anti-Werewolf Act drove many werewolves away from the wizarding community, forcing them to join the nomadic werewolf packs in the wilderness. The Ministry of Magic angered Greyback, and now that the act has been repealed and shelved, they’re back, lingering around the wizarding community. I don’t know exactly what they’re planning, but it’s certainly not something good…”

Greyback's werewolf pack was infamous. During the last Wizarding War, they sided with Voldemort and tried to join the Death Eaters, but were ostracized by the pure-bloods Malfoy, who considered the Dark Mark on their non-human creatures a defilement.

But Greyback remained devoted to Voldemort, and because of the contagious nature of werewolf disease, they caused even more horrific tragedies and unrest, posing a greater threat than the Death Eaters.

"Leaving Hogwarts, forging an identity, infiltrating Greyback's inner circle... what's the plan after that?"

Melvin slowed his pace and asked, "I didn't hear any encirclement plan. Giving up a peaceful and happy life and risking one's life just to deliver intelligence?"

“I plan to win over a group of innocent werewolves, those who were forced to leave because of the anti-werewolf law. I want to help them get rid of Greyback’s control.”

"What kind of plan is this? What are the specific details?"

Melvin asked quietly, "Do you know which werewolves are kind and innocent, and which are bloodthirsty and cruel? You find them, then stand up and empower yourself [loud voice], and use a speech to persuade them to follow you?"

"By infiltrating and observing for a long time, I can distinguish who the good people are."

"And then use your personal charm to win them over, making them follow you even when they're hungry?"

Melvin shook his head, rattling the vial: "What kind of plan is this? We might as well lie in wait and use the Imperius Curse to control them when the opportunity arises."

“This…” Lu Ping stood there, stunned.

Melvin silently savored the stimulant he was about to take, casually pointing out a flaw in his colleague's plan.

During the last Wizarding War, Lupin was just a young wizard who had recently graduated. After becoming a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore didn't give him many dangerous combat missions. He was mostly assigned to intelligence gathering and information relay, and he was severely lacking in certain areas of experience.

Lupin's plan was to infiltrate the werewolf group to gather intelligence and transmit information, as if with this intelligence, everything else would fall into place.

But reality is not so simple. Melvin easily discovered the flaw in the plan and casually pointed it out, leaving Lupin stunned. Some things cannot be accomplished by sacrificing oneself or moving oneself; some practical solutions are also needed.

Lupin stood on the street corner, holding an empty bottle, his eyes gleaming.

Melvin shook the bottle, which had only a few drops left, and offered his suggestion: "I have connections with Dean Herbert Spring of St. Mungo's Hospital. The Magic Mirror Club donates a considerable amount of wealth every year. I can persuade Ms. Burns to bring Dean Spring into the fold to establish a special department for werewolves, to develop and improve the wolfsbane potion, and to subsidize its sale."

Upon hearing this plan, Lupin suddenly sobered up and casually tossed the empty bottle aside.

"You mean, use wolfsbane potion to lure the werewolves forced to follow Greyback, so they break free from control and return to the normal wizarding community?"

Melvin nodded: "A werewolf who is willing to exchange labor for reward and then use the reward to buy potions shouldn't be too bad."

Melvin didn't think long before making the suggestion. According to his plan, Voldemort's resurrection was imminent, and these restless werewolves had to be dealt with as soon as possible.

With Ms. Burns replacing Fudge as minister, the Death Eaters in Azkaban no longer had a chance to escape, and the Death Eaters who escaped trial, led by Malfoy and Nott, would not sincerely respond to Voldemort's call.

Greyback's werewolf gang is a bunch of crazy and violent terrorists. Although they haven't caused any trouble yet, a madman is a madman, and who knows if he'll suddenly have a fit?

He promised Dumbledore that the entire resurrection process would be under the control of Hogwarts.

Melvin paused briefly, then continued, "As for Graybuck and his die-hard followers, investigate them thoroughly during your infiltration, and find an opportunity to gather them together and wipe them out in one fell swoop."

“Greybuck is a rather…complicated guy.”

Lupin frowned slightly, a memory flashing through his mind: "This guy is extremely cautious, almost like a real wolf. Any slight disturbance will startle him. Mad-Eye of the Ministry of Magic organized several raids, but they couldn't catch him."

He sighed: "After all, he's not a mindless beast, but a cunning dark wizard."

"Don't worry, even wolves can fall into traps."

Melvin finished the last sip of the energy drink, threw the glass bottle into the trash can, and the two returned to Hogwarts together.

Lupin walked along the road, filled with hesitation and worry about the werewolves' future.

Melvin moved with light steps and great confidence, determined not to let the werewolves disrupt his envisioned future.

……

Around noon, at Pig Head Bar.

Umbridge, draped in a black veil with his head tucked into the hood, ignored the tavern owner's curses, ordered a bottle of eggnog, and found a seat at the tavern entrance.

Pig Head Bar must have just opened recently, as there weren't many customers. The bar owner wasn't interested in entertaining guests either, and he was swearing and cursing vehemently. If this were back when he was the deputy minister, he would have found a reason to shut down the bar long ago.

But today, Umbridge remained silent; she didn't want to cause trouble or attract anyone's attention.

Today's operation was very secretive; no one knew she had come to Hogsmeade.

According to the Ministry of Magic's records, Umbridge, an ordinary employee, had taken three days of sick leave. Today was the second day, and she was currently lying at home, suffering from a high fever due to the flu and feeling confused.

Even the outfit was bought from a Muggle clothing store and modified with Transfiguration.

Umbridge shook his head, suppressing the many thoughts surfacing in his mind. He took a sip of the unpleasant eggnog, tugged at his hood, and stared straight at the street outside.

This location offers a wide view, with an unobstructed view of the street and the wizard customers coming and going.

She found out everything: Levent was going to Hogsmeade to settle her shopping bill today, and would pass by the Hog's Head on her way back to Hogwarts.

We can definitely intercept him here!
(End of this chapter)