The Return to Hogwarts

Giants such as Mrs. Scoole's All-Purpose Stain Remover, Butterbeer, Cornflower, Comet Trading, Sweeping Brooms Ltd., the restructured Cosmic Brooms Ltd., and Nimbus Racing Brooms offered him substantial incentives, reaching out to him through the Ministry of Magic in hopes of securing endorsement deals.

If Amosta wanted, he could become a millionaire instantly, but he rejected all these collaboration offers without exception, because they were just a burden to him.

Magic is the most important thing, and Amosta never forgot that.

To avoid harassment, Amosta stayed in a hotel room in London that the Ministry of Magic had booked for VIPs for five whole days without leaving the room. During those five days, he did one thing: write a reply.

Although most of the letters were worthless, a considerable number were not to be ignored.

Meanwhile, Fudge, who had served as Minister of Magic for over a decade, was enjoying unprecedented treatment these days. Wherever he went, people would congratulate him with respect on the Ministry of Magic's achievements, which made Fudge even more grateful to Amost Blaine.

The Ministry of Magic has taken a huge advantage of Amos Tower, a fact that is perfectly clear to the higher-ups within the Ministry.

If it weren't for Amosta, they would still be embroiled in two colossal scandals: Sirius's escape from Azkaban and the impending revelation that the real killer of the Potters was Peter Pettigrew, while Sirius Black was actually innocent.

Previously, Fudge believed that the reward he gave Amos Tower was more than enough to cover his 'loss,' even excessively so. But seeing the Ministry of Magic's rapidly rising approval rating, Fudge knew that he was far from repaying Amos Tower's favor.

Chapter 335 Visit

2023-06-18

Amosta used a little trick when he left the hotel; he changed his appearance in order to cause unnecessary trouble.

Although he hadn't left his room these past few days, through letters and the various newspapers delivered to him every morning, he roughly knew just how much of a stir he was causing in the magical world.

To be honest, Amosta didn't aspire to be a celebrity; he preferred to live comfortably in the shadows. But ever since that night on the beach when he destroyed the cave where Voldemort had hidden his Horcruxes, he had come to understand one thing.

If Voldemort were to return to the wizarding world someday and, with his wicked intentions still intact, were to try and stir up trouble again, it would be nothing more than a beautiful wishful thinking to remain uninvolved and untouched by Voldemort's wrath.

In reality, he couldn't just stand by and watch so many innocent wizards and Muggles die tragically, like the undead in the lake.

Is Voldemort scary?

For the average person, this is a question that requires no thought to answer, but for Amosta or Dumbledore, the answer is not frightening, but rather extremely difficult.

If the conflict reignites, it is highly likely to escalate into a protracted war, the outcome of which cannot be determined by a single duel, but rather by a confrontation between two or more large groups.

Led by Voldemort, there are radical families within pure-blood wizarding households and groups of dark creatures long dissatisfied with the wizard-dominated magical order. Also included are forces represented by Dumbledore, hoping for a peaceful and gradual transformation of the magical world. Finally, there are the 'conservatives' represented by Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister for Magic, who prefer to maintain the status quo and reject both change and a return to the Middle Ages.

When the three forces are locked in a power struggle, Amosta must ensure that his independent voice is heard; otherwise, to put it bluntly, he will become a 'super henchman,' either for Dumbledore or the Ministry of Magic.

Therefore, he had to make some 'sacrifices'.

St. Mungo's Hospital for the Injuries and Wounds is not far from the Ministry of Magic, but it is not built underground like the Ministry because it is not particularly hygienic, and many patients need to enjoy plenty of sunlight. You can't just fool patients by showing them a glimpse of sunshine through the windows.

However, in terms of the style of the entrance, St. Mungo's is quite similar to that of the Ministry of Magic.

St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Arts is located on a Muggle shopping street in downtown London. The wide street is lined with Muggle clothing stores and boutiques, so it has a considerable flow of people.

"It's strange, the rent here isn't cheap, but it's never been open for business—"

A Muggle woman carrying several bags passed by Amostella. Despite her changed appearance, Amostella exuded a unique aura that caught the Muggle woman's eye, prompting her to complain about the shop Amostella was looking at.

Before Amostra stood an old-fashioned red-brick department store called TaoTao Co., Ltd., its dilapidated and deserted appearance mirroring that of the telephone booths at the entrance to the Ministry of Magic.

The shop window contained only a few broken mannequins, each wearing a wig askew, in various poses, dressed in clothes from at least ten years ago. A large sign reading "Closed for Renovation" hung on the dusty door latch.

Although Amosta knew the location of St. Mungo's, he had never 'consumed' there before. His potion-making skills were also outstanding. He had taken care of the magical backlash he suffered from failed experiments with new spells or the injuries he had sustained while on a mission in the Underworld.

After a moment's hesitation and a lingering gaze, Amosta pressed his face close to the ugliest dummy.

“I am Amostall Blaine from Hogwarts, here to visit my students and colleagues.”

The mannequin in the shop window nodded slightly and beckoned Amosta with its fingers interlocked. Amosta then noticed a change in the space in front of him, as an invisible door opened in his field of vision.

Outside, the streets were bustling with traffic, but the waiting room of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries was just as noisy. Many patients in line were making very strange noises. Amosta saw a witch in the queue, covered in sweat, who seemed to have misused a shapeshifting spell. Her face had become square and broad, and she was emitting sharp whistles as she inhaled steam.

The front page of the Daily Prophet, which the witch was holding to cool herself down, featured a photo of herself attending a press conference a few days prior.

Those who appear here are either enduring pain or so busy that no one pays attention to the curious gaze of an ordinary-looking wizard.

At the front of the line of patients was the information desk, behind which sat a plump blonde witch. However, she rarely paid attention to the patients' questions, only impatiently pointing to a large sign next to her, her thick hands tightly clutching a newly published copy of "Wizarding Weekly".

Whenever she had free time, this plump blonde witch would gaze longingly at a young wizard with gentle features and an upright posture on the cover of a weekly magazine.

Amosta shuddered and quickly looked away.

He didn't ask which ward Draco Malfoy was in; he simply glanced at the sign and knew he should go to the Curse Damage Department on the fifth floor.

Following the staggering patient, Amosta walked out of the waiting room and down a narrow corridor lined with portraits of famous therapists, including one of Audrey Foley.

A string of crystal bubbles, resembling soap bubbles, floated beneath the ceiling of the corridor, each containing a candle for illumination. The therapists' offices on either side were frequented by unfortunate wizards. As Amostella passed by one of the doors, a sudden blast of yellowish stench wafted out, and faint wails could be heard from behind the tightly closed door.

In fact, apart from his childhood in an orphanage, he hadn't stepped into a hospital in the last ten years or so. Of course, the school hospital is an exception.

Upon reaching the fifth floor, Amosta had already sensed Draco's magic amidst the chaotic magical environment. He was in a ward at the far end of the long corridor, separated from the messy surroundings by a large golden wooden door. There, a portly middle-aged wizard was also flipping through today's Daily Prophet.

Among pure-blood wizarding families, the Malfoy family is second to none in terms of bestowal.

Lucius Malfoy would certainly not want Draco to be crammed with a bunch of 'lower class' people, so it's safe to assume that Draco will be served by St. Mungo's best team of healers.

Sorry to bother you--

Amostella tapped the wooden table in front of the middle-aged wizard with her finger, and, meeting the slightly vacant and bewildered eyes that had been set down after the newspaper was put down, politely said...

"I'm here to visit Draco Malfoy. Could you please open the door?"

"Oh!"

The middle-aged wizard hurriedly got up to open the door, but only when his hand touched the lock did he realize what was happening. He turned and warily stared at Amosta, who now wore a different face.

"Did you make an appointment and get permission in advance, sir? If not, according to the rules, I cannot let you in!"

"Ah, what a pity, I only decided on a whim and didn't give you any advance notice—"

Amosta smiled and said, "Well, could you please go and announce my arrival? Tell him I'm a professor at that child's school, and I personally taught him the Levitation Charm. I'm sure he'll let me in."

Do you really need to teach someone the Levitation Spell step by step?

The middle-aged security wizard stared at Amosta suspiciously, inwardly grumbling, but then his eyes widened, and he excitedly waved the newspaper in his hand at Amosta.

"Professors at the school—you mean Hogwarts, then—you must know Mr. Amostella Blaine. He's quite famous, isn't he? I mean, uh, perhaps it's a bit presumptuous, but could you help me get his autograph? I wrote to him, but it's been three whole days and I haven't received a single reply!"

Oh, I really miss the days before Lockhart's accident. He never made me wait more than a day!

Chapter 336 The Unpretentious Rich

2023-06-19

Back in school, Amosta's office door had been slipped letters through the crack by energetic upperclasswoman girls, but being told about her admiration to her face by a middle-aged man was something Amosta had never experienced before.

Through his incessant rambling, Amostella learned that the wizard's name was Anison Cowan, who dreamed of becoming an Auror to fight the darkness. Unfortunately, he hadn't earned two NEWTs certificates when he was at Hogwarts, so joining the Ministry of Magic was out of the question, and he could only come to St. Mungo's as a doorman.

He only stopped talking when Amosta promised to get him an autograph.

"I'll go inform you, sir. While I'm at it, could you please register your personal information?" Anison said with an innocent shrug.

"As you probably know, those noble and important people don't like any accidents to happen."

Anison pointed to the large notebook on the table and the quill pen stuck in the ink bottle, then opened the door and squeezed through the crack, muttering complaints as he left.

"Oh, Malfoy, that family is difficult to deal with, they always have a long face—"

Amostella chuckled to herself. Draco had been controlled by his old colleague with the Imperius Curse for so long; Lucius must be extremely annoyed by it.

Anison returned quickly. Amosta had just filled in his name and the patient's information in the register when the golden door creaked open, and Anison squeezed out through the crack. Behind him, Lucius Malfoy braced himself against the automatically retracting door and slipped out.

"Phew, that's him--"

The round trip was a huge drain on Anison, but he didn't dare to be too unrestrained in front of Lucius Malfoy, so he suppressed his breathing and said.

The face that came into view was as gloomy as expected, and at this moment, the light gray eyes set in this gloomy face also revealed a trace of surprise and vigilance.

Before Lucius could even begin to question him, Amostella spoke first.

“Let’s go inside and talk, Mr. Malfoy. I don’t want to cause a commotion here.”

The familiar voice and tone immediately made Lucius realize that the stranger in front of him was not a fraud. Considering Amostra Blaine's popularity in the wizarding world these past few days, Lucius immediately understood his intention.

"Please come in--"

Lucius pursed his dry lips and led Amosta into the VIP area.

Although it's just a door away, the environment here is noticeably more tranquil. The colors of the floor tiles and walls are softer, and the air is filled with a refreshing fragrance. Various admirable ornamental bonsai trees fill the walkway.

Because there were people in the corridor, Amosta and Lucius didn't talk. They walked past a magnificent circular lounge and stopped in front of a wooden door inlaid with gold patterns.

"Please come in--"

Lucius made a gesture and pushed open the door.

When the ward unfolded before him, Amosta finally understood what these extravagant pure-blood wizard families were all about.

This is a room about the same size as Dumbledore's emptied office—expanded by the Unseen Stretching Charm, with two large chandeliers made of thousands of pure white crystals gleaming in the bright sunlight on the dome engraved with artistic patterns.

The soft carpet underfoot was made of velvet, and the exquisite oil paintings hanging on the walls were clearly not graffiti.

On one side of the room, inside a fireplace built of bricks and stones carved with mermaids and Veela, a gentle flame radiates warmth throughout the room. The wood used as fuel is clearly not ordinary pine but sandalwood, and the perfectly balanced fragrance that permeates the air is truly delightful.

"Sinful rich people—"

Amosta had returned to his original appearance, and he marveled at the palatial, luxurious room.

On the large bed by the window, Draco sat up excitedly from his reclining position. He seemed to want to get out of bed to greet Professor Blaine, but his lover, Narcissa Malfoy, stopped him.