My partner at Hogwarts is Tom

Chapter 81 Reply

Over the next few days, the daily life at Hogwarts Castle was completely transformed into a "picture book" style.

In the corridor, you can see little wizards carrying red and white equipment, walking around cautiously.

They would stop occasionally and tap the screen frantically at the ancient tapestries on the wall, an old tree outside the window, or even armor decorations, hoping to trigger an "encounter" or "discover" of new magical creature projections.

"I've heard that you're likely to encounter magical creatures made of grass near the greenhouse!" a Hufflepuff student said mysteriously to his companion.

"Going to the Astronomy Tower at night might be related to moonlight!" Ravenclaw's reasoning was as consistent as ever.

"Wouldn't there be mischievous Pokémon in the places where Peeves often causes trouble?" This was Gryffindor's line of thought.

The castle seemed to have transformed into a giant, augmented reality adventure park.

The Pikachu was both confused and excited by the sudden increase in students "taking pictures" of it while holding up blocks.

Its pranks became more frequent, but as a result, several older students recorded its various mischievous "ecological behaviors" in a picture book, which almost made it furious.

However, the allure of new things is always accompanied by side effects.

In class, the professors quickly noticed something was amiss.

In Potions class, a fourth-year Gryffindor student stared at the Pokédex screen on his lap, grinning as he watched his thorny creature roll around in the virtual grass, completely unaware that the potion in the cauldron had turned a dangerous deep purple.

Snape slid silently behind him like a bat, his black robes billowing, his icy voice like the hiss of a viper.

"It seems that Mr. Potter's friend in the same courtyard considers the interaction with the virtual hedgehog more important than the wondrous transformation of the Water of Life and Death?"

"Teach, instruct —"

"Gryffindor -10 points. Pokédex confiscated. One-week detention to deal with the slug."

Snape expressionlessly pulled the red and white device away, his movements so fast they created a gust of wind.

During the Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes spotted a Ravenclaw student secretly using the Pokédex's "instant messaging" function to "chat" with a friend in the distance under the table.

"Miss Crevy, the classroom is for learning Transfiguration, not a tea party. Ravenclaw, deduct five points."

The illustrated guide will be kept by me for now. Leave it with you after class.

Some students even slack off during Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Lockhart himself didn't notice; he was busy practicing his smile in front of the mirror, while Filch on patrol caught several of them.

The most ridiculous thing is that in Victor's own magical creature protection class, he also caught a few clueless little wizards.

They probably felt that chatting using a picture book during the inventor's class was the safest option.

Tom nimbly leaped over and slammed his paw on the screen, then looked up at Victor and meowed, his emerald cat eyes conveying a sense of "look at these little brats."

Victor sighed and stepped forward: "Looks like my class isn't immune to the rules either. Hufflepuff gets three points deducted, Pokédex confiscated, and after class you'll have to help Hagrid clean up the Flobber Caterpillar slime."

Similar scenes played out in classrooms across various subjects.

Professor Flitwick's Charms class, Professor Sprout's Herbalism class, Professor Sinister's Astronomy class —

None escaped unscathed.

The professors' approach was remarkably consistent: deduct points, confiscate the illustrations, and impose additional labor confinement.

After more than a dozen Pokédex entries were confiscated, and Professor McGonagall solemnly reiterated in the Great Hall that "classroom discipline is sacred and inviolable."

After the rule that "any items unrelated to this, including the Pokédex, are not allowed to be used in class," this unhealthy trend of slacking off in class was finally curbed.

Even if the young wizards love the encyclopedia, they can't afford the risk of repeatedly losing points and losing their exploration privileges.

Outside the castle, new happenings at Hogwarts can never be kept secret.

Reporters from The Daily Prophet quickly seized on this hot topic.

A few days later, a report was prominently featured on the front page of the newspaper.

The accompanying image is a large magical photograph taken by Colin Creepy during a public lesson, showing George carrying a Niffler on his shoulder, Fred with a Keborah floating beside him, and Victor smiling in front of them.

The headline reads: "Hogwarts Sparks a Pokémon Revolution! Scamander Invents Revolutionary Magic Learning Device!"

The article describes the function of the picture book in detail and with a touch of exaggeration, emphasizing its great success in combining educational value with entertainment.

Several excited students were also interviewed, citing Professor McGonagall's official assessment of it as an "innovative teaching aid."

And Dumbledore's mild statement that he "looked on it with pleasure and that it was full of potential."

Of course, the minor disruptions that occurred in the classroom as a result were also mentioned, along with the school's response.

The report immediately attracted widespread attention in the magical community.

Shop windows in Diagon Alley were crowded with wizards reading newspapers, and the number of letters sent to Hogwarts from the Owl Post Office inquiring about details surged.

The person most provoked was Gilderoy Lockhart.

He was in his Defense Against the Dark Arts office, looking at the large photograph of Victor and the twins on the front page of the newspaper.

The words "genius invention" and "another contribution from the Scamander family" in the article made him so angry that his face turned pale, and his carefully styled curly hair seemed to lose its luster.

"What a cheap trick to please the crowd—" he gritted his teeth as he looked at Viktor in the photo, then glanced at the row of smiling portraits of himself on his wall.

"Educational significance? I think it's just a distraction! What Hogwarts needs is solid Defense Strategy instruction, like I wrote in my book! Not—not electronic pets!"

He picked up a quill pen, seemingly wanting to write an article to refute it, but hesitated for a moment and then put it down. He hadn't fully grasped the principles of the encyclopedia yet and was afraid of saying something wrong and revealing his ignorance.

This feeling of having his limelight stolen, yet being unable to do anything about it, made him so jealous that his face contorted.

Meanwhile, Victor received a deluge of letters in his Hogwarts office.

The owls were practically lined up on the windowsill.

Most of the letters came from merchants, investors, and even some ancient families of alchemists or magical artifacts in the magical world.

Although the wording differs, the core meaning is highly consistent.

Inquire about the commercialization potential of the "Pokémon Pokédex," seeking collaborations, agency agreements, investments, or even patent buyouts.

"Dear Mr. Scamander, our company, Perfect Potion, is deeply interested in your invention and wishes to obtain an exclusive production license with very favorable terms."

"Professor Scamander, we are Zoco's Joke Shop. We believe your illustrations perfectly match our brand image. Would you be willing to discuss a collaborative custom-made product?"

"Victor, I'm your uncle's old friend, Patton. Interested in discussing expanding this little thing to the American market? Profit sharing is negotiable—"

Viktor sorted the letters into categories, but did not rush to reply.

He knew that such a groundbreaking product needed to be treated with caution.

Choosing partners too early or arbitrarily may harm its long-term development and even deviate from its original educational purpose.

He needs time to observe the magical world's reaction, and also time to revise and improve the subsequent versions and maintenance systems of the encyclopedias that will be sold in the future.

It is even more important to ensure that this project takes root firmly within Hogwarts.

Cooperation is inevitable, but he will choose partners who share his vision, have a long-term perspective, and respect his core design.

Among the numerous business letters that arrived, two letters from his family members made him feel especially warm.

One of the messages was a "friend message" sent directly from Grandma Polpontina Scamander using her Pokédex.

She shared a photo of herself with her partner—a pixelated cat-leopard with sharp eyes and an elegant posture—along with a voice message full of laughter.

"Dear Victor, this thing is so interesting! My Sentinel chased away several goblin projections that were stealing herbs in my garden! Your old man's still sending letters by owl!"

"By the way, he chose a Moon-obsessed Beast and spends all day grinning at the screen, dancing with it under the virtual moonlight—it's hilarious! We're all so proud of you, darling."

The other letter was a long parchment letter sent by Grandpa Newt Scamander via traditional owl mail.

The handwriting was slightly shaky but very neat, showing the writer's seriousness.

"My dear grandson Victor"

"The Pokédex you sent by owl has been received. Please forgive the slow response of an old man accustomed to dealing with parchment and ink. I must say, it is a brilliant, benevolent, and visionary invention."

"It brings people closer, makes knowledge come alive, and more importantly, it builds a safe and beautiful bridge between young minds and amazing life."

"I experienced virtual exploration," I said. In that wondrous world connected to the space of your suitcase, I felt as if I had returned to my youthful travels. But this time, there were no misunderstandings, no dangers, only pure curiosity and the joy of encounters.

"My companion—well, Tina may have already told you—is a Moon-obsessed beast. It's quiet and gentle, reminding me of many peaceful nights. It's a very special feeling."

"You have skillfully blended contract magic, spatial expansion, educational concepts, and even a touch of the essence of games. This is not merely an achievement of alchemy or magical artifacts, but a great boost to the cause of magical creature conservation."

Teaching the new generation respect and understanding through fun is far more effective than simply lecturing or demonstrating in the past.

"The students of Hogwarts are fortunate. The support of Dumbledore and Minerva is crucial. Regarding your long-term space affiliation plan, it's bold and challenging, but if successful, it will be a tremendous benefit to both Hogwarts and your space. proceed with caution and prudent steps."

Your grandmother and I are doing well. Don't worry. We are incredibly proud of you.

"Love you, Grandpa Newt Scamander."

The affirmation and support from my family were like a warm current, dispelling the fatigue brought on by the disturbances from the outside world.

Viktor carefully put away his grandfather's letter and looked out the window.

In the courtyard of Hogwarts, you can still see groups of students exploring with their picture books during their free time.

The castle's ancient stone walls and the modern, high-tech red and white equipment create a wonderful harmony.

Arguments, boasting, cooperation, exploration, minor transgressions and punishments—all of these constitute part of this new chapter in history.

He knew this was just the beginning.

The changes brought about by the illustrated guide will continue to unfold, and external attention and internal adjustments will also continue.

But looking at the young faces immersed in the joy of discovery, feeling Tom's trusting embrace on his shoulder, and experiencing a growing and clearer magical resonance with Hogwarts Castle deep within his heart, Victor's heart was filled with certainty and anticipation.

The seeds have sprouted, and the bridge is being stabilized.

Ancient and modern, castles and wilderness, wizards and magical creatures—many more unexpected stories are destined to take root, sprout, and flourish in this land shrouded in magic.