The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 416 The Mistress of the Manor

The relationships between people are truly amazing.

Sometimes, even after spending a long time together, you can't remember each other. Just like some of the young wizards at Hogwarts, there really are seven years when they are like strangers.

At other times, even though they have only met a few times, they can remember each other clearly, just like Pasander, the ticket seller on the Knight Bus.

However, this was not the time for catching up and chatting. After a brief delay, the Grangers and Hermione got out of the car.

……

"Welcome, Mr. Granger, Aunt Mia!" Ino greeted warmly as she stood in front of the manor gate.

After getting off the bus, the Grangers were also captivated by the scenery of Hogsmeade: the dreamlike decorations, the ornaments hanging all over the street, and the adorable snowmen waving their arms.

Unlike the shabby Leaky Cauldron or the commercially-oriented Diagon Alley.

Hogsmeade, a wizarding community, fulfilled all their fantasies about magic.

Mr. Granger, in particular, was practically overflowing with curiosity and inquiry in his eyes.

However, as Ino's voice rang out, the two quickly came to their senses.

"Thank you for the invitation, Ino!" Mrs. Granger said with a smile, seemingly oblivious to the toy-like house before her.

"Long time no see, Ino." Mr. Granger nodded slightly, but seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"Please come in! After dinner, we can stroll around Hogsmeade together."

Outside the door, Ino noticed the problem and promised to go shopping together after dinner.

……

Enter through the only normal gate of the manor.

The Grangers stared in astonishment at the scene before them. They thought they knew enough about magic, but the situation was still beyond their comprehension.

From the outside, the house appears to occupy less than 20 square meters, but once you step inside, you realize that it is incredibly spacious.

The auditorium on the first floor alone is about half the size of a football field.

"This...this is really too magical." Mr. Granger was at a loss for words, and after racking his brains for a long time, he could only attribute it to magic.

Seeing her parents' surprised expressions, Hermione proudly began to describe the layout of the house.

"Mom, there's a big vineyard behind the house, but it's winter now. Otherwise, I'd like to make some wine myself in the summer..."

The house belongs to Svenburn, but the winery belongs to Granger.

The vineyard behind the house was gradually expanded by her using an extension spell over the weekends.

Hermione was initially worried about violating the Ministry of Magic's rules, but after consulting with Professor Snape, she was completely relieved.

In Professor Snape's words, no one would want to offend a Potions Master who hadn't graduated yet, especially since the potions she created solved the werewolf problem at its root.

Once the problems are completely resolved and subsequent reports come out, even if she uses an extension charm to expand the Ministry of Magic's restrooms into a swimming pool, no one will gossip.

Hermione chuckled whenever she recalled Snape's naive and clueless expression when he spoke.

However, she also thought about the underlying issues surrounding this matter. It seemed that the Ministry of Magic's system and rules were not perfect, or perhaps too free.

A very simple problem, if magic so desires, can be amplified infinitely, even to the point of imprisoning a person in Azkaban.

Similarly, the Ministry of Magic can choose to turn a blind eye to the same problem, as long as one doesn't foolishly flaunt it in front of the public.

……

Thoughts began to arise.

Hermione shook her head gently, clearing her mind of her worries, and gestured for her parents to sit down.

As the group sat down, a creaking sound suddenly filled the auditorium.

A trolley identical to the one used by the Hogwarts Express to sell sweets drove out of the dining room on its own, carrying a complete tea set and plates of various pastries.

As the cart came to a stop, the teapot on it caught Mr. Granger's attention.

This is a large-bellied teapot, one foot in diameter, typical of the Victorian era, and its craftsmanship reflects the exquisite and luxurious style of that time.

The teapot's body is designed to be rounded and full, like a noblewoman in a gorgeous long dress, elegant and dignified.

The teapot is covered with a delicate and glossy glaze, a light ivory white, and its handle is thoughtfully engraved with patterns, not only for aesthetic purposes but also for ease of gripping.

"A Victorian-era, classic teapot...it's beautiful, a true work of art..."

Mr. Granger remarked with admiration that, unlike his wife and daughter, as a dentist who moved around high society, he immediately noticed the difference in the teapot.

"Thank you for your compliment, sir!" A pleasant yet dignified voice rang out.

As the main subject of the discussion, the white ceramic teapot floated in mid-air, politely responding to Mr. Granger's praise.

"Good heavens, this... the teapot is talking..." Mr. Granger's face was full of surprise.

In fact, not only him, but even Mrs. Granger looked surprised.

However, no sooner had Mr. Granger finished speaking than the little cart beside him spoke, clearly with emotion:

"Is it strange that you can talk? If it weren't for the fact that you're the mistress's father, I wouldn't even want to bring you food."

The stroller's words made both Grangers blush. Hermione was shy about being called "mistress," although she had been addressed that way at the manor before, but this was the first time she had done so in front of her parents.

Mr. Granger, however, seemed somewhat bewildered, as if realizing he had made a common-sense mistake. But what puzzled him was that neither the Daily Prophet nor any of his previous Diagon Alley observations had ever mentioned talking furniture.

Mrs. Granger chuckled softly, covering her mouth. She had observed her husband and daughter's behavior. But more than her clumsy husband, she cared about her daughter's attitude; now it seemed as if everything had already happened.

The guests might not care about this little joke, but as the host, Ino had to make a gesture, so he immediately raised his head slightly and said:

"Old Jack, write this down. The stroller will be locked up for a day."

As soon as the words were spoken, an aged voice rang out in the auditorium on the first floor: "Yes, my master."

As the main body of the entire manor, Old Jack usually seemed to be asleep, quiet and undisturbed. But everything that happened in the house was within his perception range, just like a butler who was always at his beck and call.

"Ino~ It's just kidding."

Hermione's voice was drawn out, almost like a plea, as she tried to plead for the stroller.

The reason is simple: the other party was the first piece of furniture to address her as the mistress after she entered the manor.

……

Interludes are always short-lived.

After the stroller was finished, we enjoyed a warm cup of black tea on a winter's day and exchanged Christmas gifts.

The gift was different from what was expected. As a dentist, Mr. Granger gave her a new Philips razor, while Mrs. Granger gave her an electric toothbrush set instead.

When Ino opened the gift in front of him, he found Mr. Granger looking at him expectantly.

He was all too familiar with that look in his eyes; it seemed that no matter how old a man was, there was always a boy inside him.

Ino snapped his fingers lightly, and the brand-new razor instantly let out a childlike sigh.

"Please take the razor back with you; consider it a return gift. It might be a very long time before I need to use it."

Ino handed the newly awakened razor to Mr. Granger, who immediately broke into a childlike smile.

(End of this chapter)