Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 759 Recruiting Miss Granger

Night falls in New York.

The stars on the seashore are nowhere to be seen.

Only the bright, flashing neon lights, the shimmering lights on the exterior walls of skyscrapers, and the car lights flowing on the streets—the lights of the entire city come together like a sparkling spider web.

In the lounge of a hotel next to the airport, the table was set with complimentary drinks from the vendor. Champagne in the stemmed glasses was slowly and continuously releasing bubbles, adding a few wisps of ethanol aroma to the air.

Loren sat on the sofa, listening quietly to Mr. Kohauer's proposed solution.

Actually, it was the result of discussions with Minister Scrimgeour, and Dumbledore might have been involved as well. The plan showed Loren considerable respect.

He truthfully disclosed some battle information to the wizarding world, stating that a mysterious wizard had helped the Ministry of Magic defeat Voldemort. The Magical Congress of the United States and the Ministry of Magic would not steal credit, and would do their best to help Loren obtain the honor and merit he deserved. He persuaded several countries to award him the Order of Merlin, but kept his identity information confidential.

Loren thought the service was indeed very thoughtful.

The Wizengamo Wizarding Order, with Dumbledore's proposal and the Ministry of Magic's full support, will fight for a trial seat belonging to Loren.

Membership in the International Wizarding Federation is a bit more complicated; one needs to reveal their identity to the Minister of Magic, one of the core members, in order to secure a seat. The International Wizarding Federation Congress is held every four years, meaning Loren can remain anonymous and appoint a representative to participate in relevant decision-making.

They only made some concessions on the issue of protecting the identities of the individuals.

After a moment's thought, Loren decided to accept the seats in Wizengamo and the International Wizarding Federation. After all, these were the top tiers of wizarding power, something many wizards could never achieve in their entire lives. Whether cooperating with a certain Minister Granger or carrying out his own plans, this would reduce a lot of resistance.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Kohauer, and Minister Scrinker."

"We should be thanking you."

"..."

Another round of pleasantries ensued, with toasts clinking and clinking glasses, the air thick with the scent of power transactions.

Kouhauge shifted his gaze from Loren and turned to look at the woman beside him. He saw Miss Granger looking down at the bubbles in her wine glass, her eyes sparkling. Occasionally, she would glance up at him and Rufus, a thoughtful expression on her face.

It's as if I can see the shadow of the former president, Serafina Piqueli.

Kouhauge immediately shook his head, clearing his mind of these thoughts: "Miss Granger, may I ask how much longer you will be staying in New York?"

Hermione looked confused: "What's wrong?"

"Nancy told me you're very interested in the Magical Congress of the United States, and I'd like to invite you to study in my department." Kohler paused for a moment, then explained in detail, "It's just a temporary working group, mainly responsible for this operation to eliminate the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Of course, the most crucial part of the battle is over; what remains is some cleanup work, mainly handling the aftermath of that night's battle."

Upon hearing this, Scrimgeour, who was standing nearby, immediately frowned, his slightly gray eyebrows furrowing, and his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses sharpened.

Hermione's eyes sparkled, and her voice was light: "May I ask what exactly it includes?"

"Of course." Kouhauge seemed to have exceptional patience. "Our working group mainly focuses on communication and liaison, or you could say overall planning. For example, we coordinate with the Muggle government and communicate with relevant environmental departments to promote ecological restoration near the airport."

At this point, he shrugged helplessly and said to Loren, "Although you used incredible magic to restore the airport to its original state after the battle, the earthworms and dung beetles underground can't be resurrected. These subtle ecological differences may reveal some unusual signs, and we need to take timely preventative measures."

"Thank you for your help..." Loren nodded and smiled, playing along with his performance.

"Then we confirmed that the Muggles had no abnormal memories, promptly called the memory erasure team, and checked the airport's video recording equipment. According to our Muggle experts, the key is the black box inside the plane, the black box... whatever the black thing is, Muggle stuff always has such a convoluted name..."

"There's also the werewolf research project that started two years ago. We need to find a way to check on the Muggle's research progress to ensure that all experiments are within safe limits and that no harm is spread."

Kouhauge mumbled a lot of things, all of which sounded interesting.

Contacting the Muggle government to explore possibilities beyond secrecy laws, the werewolf project involves non-wizard magical creatures and can accumulate experience in freeing house-elves.

Hermione listened quietly, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"So, Miss Granger, would you be interested in interning in my work group?"

"It is my honor, Mr. Kohauer."

"I already told you, just call me Samuel."

"Uh, I understand, Mr. Kohhausen."

"Haha... See you tomorrow morning then."

Kouhauge smiled broadly, turned around and beckoned his two subordinates to leave. Before they left, he specifically reminded them, "Remember, it's on the 7th floor of the Woolworth Building. Turn right after you get off the elevator and it's the first office there. Nancy will take you there."

Scrimgeour remained silent, nodded to Loren and Hermione, and then turned and left.

With a slight limp, he moved quickly and soon caught up with the three who had left earlier. His rough and irritable voice could be faintly heard from outside the door.

"Kohauer! What do you think you're doing!?"

"Calm down, Rufus. I'm just inviting an outstanding student to intern in my work group."

"She's a student at Hogwarts! She'll be working at the Ministry of Magic after she graduates!"

Who can predict the future?

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to! Kouhaug! Are you interested in Granger? You're clearly after Morgan!"

"In fact, I genuinely believe that Miss Granger is exceptional."

"And what about Morgan?"

"Mr. Morgan is also outstanding."

"See! You admit it now, I knew it!"

"..."

The voices of the two officials outside the door gradually faded into the distance.

Loren listened intently and could still hear some lingering sounds. Minister Scrimgeour seemed to be getting increasingly agitated, but unfortunately, the soundproofing in the high-end hotel was too good, and the sound quickly disappeared completely.

Thinking about the last few words, Loren couldn't help but laugh: "Miss Granger is quite popular. Are you planning to become Minister of Magic or President of the Magical Congress?"

"Don't you know who's truly popular?"

Hermione glanced at him, then got up and walked towards the room: "I know they're trying to curry favor with me in order to get on good terms with you, Mr. Morgan, Dumbledore's successor, and the legendary wizard of the next hundred years."

"They are short-sighted; they only see the magic and don't know the real treasure."

"Who knows what you're really thinking?"

Hermione hummed twice and glanced at him sideways with her beautiful eyes.

She was currently just a student who hadn't graduated yet, at best a young witch with excellent grades. Apart from publishing some articles in niche publications, she hadn't achieved anything. Meanwhile, he, at such a young age, had already demonstrated strength comparable to legendary wizards. There was no need to hesitate about who was more valuable.

However, this is only temporary.

After graduation, some plan to stay at home as stay-at-home husbands, while others aspire to become ministers and change the magical world!

No matter how powerful the magic is, with her efforts, there will never be a dark wizard as powerful as Voldemort in the future.

The stars and silver moon outside the window had quietly shifted positions. The room was still the same; the cleaning service had already finished, and the toiletries had been replaced. Hermione checked the pendant to confirm her outfit for tomorrow. It was her first day of internship, so she needed to be a little formal. She also set her wake-up time for tomorrow morning to make sure she wouldn't be late.

Mr. Morgan went into the bathroom and took a shower.

Hot water splashed onto the ground, emitting warm, hazy steam.

For a young couple, the sound of splashing water is undoubtedly suggestive, and the one inside is the beloved boy, who is objectively good-looking and has excellent kissing skills.

Hermione thought for a moment and then turned the dial a little more, adjusting the alarm clock's ringing time slightly later.

Lost in thought, Loren emerged, drying his wet hair.

Hermione turned to stare at him, her feelings indescribable as she went into the bathroom.

Always keep my mother's advice in mind, and also consider my work performance tomorrow...

A dozen minutes later, Hermione came out of the room. Her hair had been magically dried, but her eyes were a little unfocused.

Are you sleepy?

"Um?"

Go to bed early.

"Huh? Oh..."

Loren pulled Hermione into the covers, and they lay side to side, their warmth bringing a sense of security. Hermione nestled in his arms and gradually drifted off to sleep.

This guy is still quite reliable.

……

Wiltshire, Westoverton, Nott House.

A convoy of vehicles was slowly moving through the sky, leaving behind the sound of flapping wings.

The first to land and stop were several all-black carriages. Even more strangely, the carriages in front were suspended in mid-air, making a sound of horseshoes hitting the ground when they landed. Judging from their design, they were Thestrals, which were used by Hogwarts students. These expensive magical creatures had actually been purchased privately, and several of them appeared at the same time.

The entire estate's scale was now in sight.

As a long-established pure-blood family, Nott Manor is smaller than Malfoy Manor. After all, the Nott family did not have the same good relations with the Muggle kings as their ancestors, and did not hoard and annex the land of the surrounding residents before the enactment of the Law of Secrecy. However, the family fortune accumulated by generations of smuggling, trading and reselling is enough to exceed that of most wizarding families, and the manor is still considered luxurious.

Enough to host a private party.

The invitation was extended by the current head of the Nott family, who is nominally the heir only because he is a student.

Most of those invited were from pure-blood families, with some or all of them having Death Eater relatives. They were similar to the hypocrites of the past, but this time the scope was much broader. Those who had served time in Azkaban, those who had escaped trial, and in short, those whose Death Eater relatives followed Voldemort and whose families did not support them were all invited.

Their connections were established at the school, and over a dozen students had graduated in the past two years. They communicated through communicators sold by the Malfoy family, exchanging information, transferring assets, and preparing for any potential purges by the Ministry of Magic. Others were preparing for Voldemort's victory, but those preparations were kept secret.

Families that have survived for thousands of years always have their own ways of continuing.

Several well-informed families were able to find out news from New York, and even receive hints from Death Eater relatives, such as a secret vault being opened, or certain trinkets with secret markings being resold...

But recently, something has happened. Several core Aurors of the Ministry of Magic have not shown up for several days. The Magical Congress of the United States seems to be carrying out a major operation. The Death Eaters' relatives have completely disappeared without any news, and there has been no word about the Dark Lord either.

It's said that the Malfoys have returned, and their elves have bought the ingredients that the Malfoys love to eat.

Something huge must have happened.

"Please come this way, guests!"

House-elves emerged, some pulling the Thestrals, others leading the way.

A figure stepped out of the Thestral at the far end. He was wearing a long robe with black and dark green stripes, had fair skin, and eye-catching platinum blonde hair. He had a faint smile on his face and greeted the people around him in a friendly manner.

A group of guests walked across the lawn toward the castle inside the estate.

Upon entering the reception room, Draco naturally walked over to Goyle, patted him on the shoulder, and gestured for him to sit next to him, which Goyle readily accepted.

A few minutes later, a man with the Nott family crest embroidered on his chest walked in.

"Theodore, why did you call us all here? Is there any news from New York? Any news from the Dark Lord? Or any news from the Magical Congress of America? What preparations do we need to make?"

"Calm down."

The invitation to the gathering was given by Theodore Nott, who spoke calmly and expressionlessly about the news he had recently received.

The Nott family is not very powerful, and their wealth is not comparable to that of the Malfoy family. The previous patriarch, Old Nott, was not very prominent, nor was he prominent among the Death Eaters. He was still not very prominent under Theodore. He excelled in Potions, but his Transfiguration and Charms subjects were just average.

Theodore did a lot to build the secret team, but in most people's eyes, Draco was still the core, and he was just assisting from the side.

Theodore's information was no better than that of other families, but he was good at analysis and planning for what was to come, just like when brewing a potion, he grasped the properties of each ingredient and knew in advance the reaction of the next step.

"...It's certain that the Ministry of Magic and the Magical Congress of the United States have organized a joint operation, and it's quite large-scale. If that Dark Lord is the ultimate winner, the situation wouldn't be so calm; the newspapers would probably have already issued a warning, just like last time."

"We've had no news from them for a long time, and I think we all know what that means..."

"Did you gather us together to discuss how to help them escape trial?" The one who asked the question was Carlo's nephew, who had already graduated.

"On the contrary, I am advising you to give up and abandon those Death Eaters who have already been captured."

The young wizards in the reception room were taken aback by what they heard, and then began to chatter amongst themselves.

(End of this chapter)