Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 760 Principal Fontana's Good Intentions

Early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly.

To make a good impression on her colleagues, Hermione got up early to wash up, chose a dignified wizard's robe, hesitated for a moment, and then changed into a simple but appropriate outfit.

A simple black coat paired with a white shirt, with a slightly casual suit style. The basic and classic design has almost no pattern, making it hard to tell whether it's Muggle clothing or wizarding gear.

Loren clicked his tongue in approval. The intellectual girl looked really good in this outfit, and it even had a bit of a uniform fetish feel to it.

Hermione dragged Nancy to breakfast, but she couldn't remember what food was on the plate or what the jam tasted like. The entire breakfast session was spent asking about the organizational structure, staff system, salary structure, working hours, and promotion path for ordinary employees of the Magical Congress of the United States...

What are some of the key policies of the Magical Congress of the United States in recent years?

"Well……"

"How's the security system you've established in conjunction with the Muggle government to control werewolves?"

"Well……"

"How do you werewolves manage to live independently after leaving their support?"

"Well……"

"I heard you've recruited werewolf employees. Will you provide them with promotion opportunities and allow them access to core power?"

"Well……"

This soon-to-be intern is indeed very intelligent; his questions are to the point, his insight is accurate, and his words are sharp.

Nancy was sweating profusely from the questions. Miss Granger acted like a newspaper reporter, as if she might be making headlines in tomorrow's New York Ghost. If Mr. Kohauer hadn't specifically instructed her, no one in the entire working group would have dared to answer these questions truthfully.

Hermione, who was unaware of this, felt something was strange.

Every time she asked a crucial question, Nancy's expression was subtle, yet she wouldn't directly refuse to answer. She would always hesitate, revealing only superficial information, only to be probed further by Nancy's questions...

After breakfast, Miss Nancy Boot's eyes were completely numb, and she became responsive to every question.

Loren, who was dining at the same table, overheard the entire process and secretly marveled at how terrifying Miss Granger's interrogation techniques were; he really wanted to experience it someday.

After breakfast, Hermione went to work.

Loren didn't go to Woolworth House. He wanted to talk to Dumbledore. After asking around the hotel without finding any information, he used his spatial magic to teleport back to Greylock Peak.

The air in the mountains is fresh.

He didn't barge directly into Iphamoni Castle, but stopped outside the school gate and slowly strolled into the school. The morning sunlight slanted through the branches and leaves, not too bright, and the faint sounds of chirping birds and rustling insects could be heard on both sides of the shady path, making the forest seem even more tranquil.

A waiter from Pukch nimbly climbed to the treetop, carrying a pair of life-sized gardening shears, and began trimming the branches. He paused when he saw the person approaching, but relaxed after confirming his appearance, allowing the wizard to examine him as he walked into the campus.

The goblins in the bushes quietly moved away, startling a rustling sound as the branches and leaves swayed.

A small river flows gently in the distance, with a magical shimmering light beneath its surface; it's unclear whether it's the legendary long-horned water snake.

It made him seem like Iphamoni's student.

Loren stood watching the magical creatures for a few minutes when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he saw a gentle-looking wizard standing at the end of the road.

Principal Fontana, with a golden Gordi knot tied around his neck, smiled and greeted the gardener from the tree, and soon came closer.

Good morning, dear Loren.

"Good morning," Loren nodded in greeting.

"If you're here to see Professor Albus and Professor Snape, you're probably going to be disappointed; they left yesterday afternoon."

"Is that so..."

Loren thought for a moment, then took out his communicator and sent a message to the two of them. A few minutes passed, and as expected, there was no reply.

Remote instant messaging has made things convenient for everyone, except for these two guys.

Professor Snape has probably gone back, but the exact location is uncertain. It could be Spider's End, Hogwarts, or Godric's Hollow to pay respects to Lily Potter's spirit.

Headmaster Dumbledore's whereabouts are even more difficult to predict.

Principal Fontana stood quietly to the side, occasionally chatting with the gardener, Pukchi. Life in the mountains was a bit boring, and the situation outside was complicated. Going out might force him to take on a lot of work outside his job duties. Having a guest would make things more lively.

After he put away the communicator, Fontana spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Don't worry, it's almost mid-August, and school will start in three weeks. We'll see each other again when school starts."

"I'm not in a hurry..."

"I heard Miss Granger will be interning at the Magical Congress for a while. If you get bored, you're welcome to visit Iphamony. School is starting soon, and our library and alchemy research center will be opening soon." Fontana smiled gently. "Books and those interesting things are perfect for passing the time."

"I am very interested in alchemy."

"Speaking of the research center, some professors at the university have already submitted their research topics for next year. They heard that the Snake Tree was burned by Fiendfire and proposed to study the properties of the remaining ash and observe the Snake Tree's regrowth process." Fontana paused for a moment, "If you're interested, you can go and take a look while they're back to collect the materials."

"That sounds like the field of Potions."

"Professor Snape praised your potions skills."

"Will he praise me?"

"I shouldn't be senile yet, and my hearing is perfectly fine."

Fontana led him through the castle to the woods behind it. The vine fences had been removed, and the snake tree had been burned down to just a stump. He couldn't help but sigh, "It is said that it takes three hundred years for a snake tree to grow from a bud to a large tree. With the care of the herbalist professor this time, it should be faster. I wonder if I will be able to see it flourish again before I retire."

"The roots and the source of magic are still there, so new buds should sprout soon, but it will probably take some time to return to its original state."

Loren crouched down and examined the tree stump closely. The outer layer was charred black and crumbled easily when he gently squeezed it.

The ashes still retain a vigorous vitality, echoing the vigorous vitality that is being nurtured beneath the soil.

Loren subconsciously analyzed the magic and medicinal properties of the ashes, and many potion recipes flashed through his mind.

This is an extraordinary medicinal herb.

The vibrant life force surpassing even unicorn blood, completely devoid of curses and toxicity, makes it ideal for incorporating potions like White Essence and Bone-Generating Essence. This greatly enhances healing efficacy; unless one is instantly killed by a killing curse, a single dose can revive them. Even for those aging naturally, potions made from this ash can extend lifespan by several months.

"Take some if it's useful to you," Fontana explained. "Once the other professors come back, they'll be divided up for research, and it'll be troublesome to take some then. Hide some before they know."

"..."

Loren paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "You're just letting me take it for free?"

"It's just some ashes."

Fontana spoke calmly and casually, with a hint of Dumbledore's style: "If you're worried, you can consider this an investment, a gift from Ilfamon to curry favor with you and Hermione."

"You think highly of us?"

"Evermony's school atmosphere is more open than Hogwarts'. We admit students from more diverse backgrounds and have a better understanding of Muggle society. Even without the gift of prophecy, we can foresee future trends..."

"You have excellent taste."

Loren bent down, picked up a pinch of ash, and put it into a glass test tube.

I wonder if Professor Snape secretly packed some up and took some back to study properly, so that he wouldn't get lost and confused about his life goals. Maybe he could even get a Merlin badge based on his potion achievements, just like Damocles Belby, who invented the Wolfsbane Potion.

As for himself, he can be the second author or the corresponding author.