The Return to Hogwarts

"I think, if I'm not mistaken, you're a Muggle-born like me, right?"

"Yes,"

Amelia nodded, and a look of reverence returned to her eyes as she gazed at Amosta.

The distinction between pure-blood, half-blood, and pure Muggle blood exists in all magical civilizations around the world. Generally speaking, Muggle blood is always at a disadvantage. Even when they are in school, they can outdo others with their hard work and determination, but once they enter society, they will always be a step behind in all walks of life because they lack the protection and connections of their parents. Her situation is already considered to be one of the best among Muggle-born individuals.

Therefore, from a results-oriented perspective, there will always be arguments that Muggle-born wizards are inferior to pure-blood and half-blood wizards. However, the appearance of Amosta Blaine provided all Muggle-born wizards with an excellent example to refute the above absurd arguments.

"I suppose you didn't grow up in New York, did you?"

Amosta scrutinized Amelia.

"Perhaps it's just my imagination, but I think your accent has a bit of a London accent?"

"Oh, actually I did grow up in New York."

Amelia explained,

"My English accent is due to the influence of my parents, who are actually from London."

"Oh, really?"

Amosta picked up his glass, took a sip, and said with a slight regret.

"It's a real pity, we could have been classmates."

"I hope I didn't miss any interesting topics."

For some reason, Remus Lupin didn't return for a long time. He came back with a waiter pushing a food cart, and as soon as he entered, he raised his eyebrows at Amosta and said with a smile.

“I thought you were lost, Remus,” Amosta said calmly, ignoring Remus’s 'teasing'.

With the help of alcohol and food, the atmosphere of the conversation became very pleasant, and Amelia no longer felt so nervous.

She discovered that both Mr. Blaine and the older Mr. Lupin were very easy wizards to get along with. Mr. Blaine, in particular, was witty, humorous, and down-to-earth; he seemed like an ordinary wizard, and it was impossible to imagine that he was once a great sorcerer who had accomplished such amazing feats.

Moreover, Mr. Blaine's attitude toward injustice is admirable. In a different context, she asked herself if she could not have been so calm if she had experienced what the other person had gone through.

At the same time, Mr. Blaine frankly stated their purpose in coming to New York: to obtain a sales license for a magical alchemical tool. It was truly a fascinating device. Recalling her early days at Evamony, she recalled the unimaginable hardships she endured to keep up, and how much easier it would have been if the school had possessed such a 'learning machine' back then.

Of course, the key to this instrument is not to help professors 'slack off', but its greater significance lies in popularizing magic education and training elites, and its value is immeasurable.

“I’d be happy to write a letter to Professor Leiden for you, Amosta,”

Slightly tipsy, Amelia, after seeing the demonstration by Amosta and experiencing the prototype firsthand, said indignantly,

“He is the Dean of Thunderbird Academy, a very wise wizard. I believe he may see the value in popularizing this instrument if it does not pass the joint review in a week.”

"Thank you for speaking up for me, Amelia."

Amosta said with a smile

"I believe I can overcome all obstacles and make it convenient for people."

Chapter 888 Surveillance

2024-04-29

Amos Blaine did not deliberately publicize his arrival in New York through any channels, but the news of the famous Amos Blaine landing in New York still spread like wildfire.

Starting at noon the next day, a number of wizards of unknown origin began to appear in the corridor in front of Amosta and Remus's doors. These wizards did not knock on the doors, but instead pretended to be normal guests coming and going. However, when they passed by their rooms, they would prick up their ears to eavesdrop on the sounds inside.

The suites where Amosta and Remus stayed, and even the rooms to the left, right, and above and below Amelia's, were all booked.

These guys who booked the rooms were big spenders, throwing down thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars at once, seemingly determined to 'stay' until Amosta leaves.

"Was this the work of the Magical Congress's Security Department?"

Although these people remained rational and measured, and did not attempt to use magic to eavesdrop on the conversation in the room, it still annoyed Remus. He looked at Amosta, who was sitting at the desk reading a letter, and the usually gentle man now had a very ugly expression.

I don't think so--

Whip has already received approval from the Ministers of Magic of the countries that are Durmstrang's main source of students. They will meet with Durmstrang's board of directors soon to push for him to become the headmaster of Durmstrang.

This was undoubtedly good news, but Amosta didn't seem particularly surprised. He knew that with Whip's experience and prestige, he was certain to get it done. However, the situation reported by Sirius was not optimistic.

Originally, Amosta used Hermione's attack to push for the expansion of the British Ministry of Magic's striker team, and with his and Amelia's support, one in the shadows and the other in the open, Sirius was very likely to take over the leadership of the team as her second-in-command.

But after the second match, the relationship between Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic deteriorated sharply. Fudge did not immediately expel Sirius from the Ministry of Magic, which was already a result of Amelia's efforts to protect him, but Percy suffered as a result.

It's no secret that the Weasley family has a close relationship with Dumbledore. Moreover, Sirius Black, under Dumbledore's instructions, has invited Arthur to join the Order of the Phoenix. With rumors circulating within the Ministry of Magic becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, Arthur has made some remarks to warn people to be cautious.

This angered Fudge, who, citing Percy's failure to discover in time that his superior had been kidnapped and assassinated, banished him to the Centaur Office. In terms of leisure, perhaps only the Ghost Office could rival it.

Therefore, the batting team that is currently being formed has been handed over to the highly successful Delilah, who is now enjoying a reputation that rivals that of his superior, Rufus Scrimgeour.

After writing a letter to Sirius, instructing him to remain calm and composed, Amosta stuck his quill into the inkwell, stood up, and stretched.

"Well, although I have never had any direct contact with that Trak Grevis, all indications suggest that he is not the kind of wizard who likes to do unnecessary things."

"What do you mean?" Remus didn't quite understand.

"Since he publicly took my wand and made Amelia follow me—"

Amostella smiled at Amelia, who looked slightly embarrassed and was pretending to read a book on the sofa.

"This shows that he doesn't mind people knowing his thoughts and concerns, so there's no need for him to send so many people here without prior notice—"

Remus frowned, thought for a moment, and then reluctantly nodded.

"Then they are?"

"I guess it was sent by wealthy and powerful families who learned of my arrival in New York through various channels."

Amosta said calmly,

"Moreover, since they have already found out that I am here, they must also know the purpose of our trip. It's just that they don't want to believe that I came here just to do business."

They probably wanted to confirm whether I would interfere in the ongoing election. They wanted to know if I supported Chairman Kouhaug's re-election, or if I supported the dark horse of this election, Deradamon Greenstinch, a descendant of one of the original twelve who followed Chairman Josiah Jackson in founding the Magical Congress.

"Mr. Greenstinch has no chance."

Perhaps to make up for feeling apologetic about being watched, Amelia muttered something under her breath. Last night, thanks to someone's masterful persuasion with alcohol, she had drunk a little too much and her head was still throbbing.

Amosta shrugged, indicating that he didn't care about the issue.

Amelia, however, looked displeased. She closed the book, stood up from the sofa, and said solemnly,

“They have no right to spy on you, Blaine Amosta. It’s completely illegal. I can expel these people, and if they don’t want to, I’ll ask Mr. Grevis for his assistance.”

How can you prove they are spying on me?

Amosta smiled and shook his head.

"They could easily say it's just a coincidence. Or that they are my admirers who came just to see me up close. That makes sense, doesn't it? After all, they didn't disturb my peace or try to cast any spells on the house."

Amelia froze, speechless.

"Are you just going to let this entire trip to New York be under their watchful eyes, Amosta?"

Remus was somewhat dissatisfied. Having learned management from the fairy and dealt with so many educational machine supply chain manufacturers, Remus was becoming increasingly willing to express his normal emotions.

“I thought we needed to visit the wizards who might interfere with the review results individually before the joint review meeting, but if so many people follow us, we won’t be able to do anything.”

"There is only one obstacle standing in our way: Remus."

Amosta smiled knowingly.

"That's Mr. Grevis, you know, the one who refused to sign a sales license to us because he thought the equipment we wanted to sell wasn't safe enough. And the Grevis family has been deeply involved in the U.S. Congress for centuries. Without his approval, we couldn't achieve our goal."

Visiting others is futile in the current situation, and may even be counterproductive, because the wizards here are more likely to believe that we are lobbying for a particular candidate.

Now, Remus was speechless. He couldn't believe how complicated the situation was, and he even began to think that his and Amosta's trip to New York was a mistake, that they had come at the wrong time.

As Amelia listened to Amosta and Remus discuss Mr. Grevis, who was about to become her boss, her lips were pressed tightly together, not because she was annoyed by them, but because she was confused.

She had already seen the marvelous alchemical apparatus last night. Amostella told her that it wasn't something he accomplished alone, but rather the result of the combined wisdom of many faculty and staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including Professor Albus Dumbledore.

Amelia considered this a strong guarantee, and she didn't understand why Mr. Grevis hadn't agreed to their application before.

But there's no use saying anything now; they have to wait until the joint review committee begins.

"While I don't think it's appropriate to visit other people right now, you're right about one thing, Remus."

Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere in the room, Amosta thought for a moment and then walked to the coat rack, took out his coat, and put it on.

"Of course, we can also do some groundwork."

"where are we going?"

Seeing this, Remus immediately put on his coat as well, while Amelia silently stood up from the sofa.

"I've heard there's a good place here to get information."

Amostella smiled as she watched Remus busily casting protective magic on the room.

"Blind Pig Bar. Let's go, hopefully we can shake off our pursuers."

Chapter 889 Cat

2024-04-29

Before arriving in New York, Amosta hadn't expected to receive a warm welcome from the Magical Congress of the United States; Remus's repeated rejections of his application already indicated something.