I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 48: Payment Required

"."

Uh—the atmosphere suddenly became strange.

Harry and Ron quickly shut up, preparing to wait and see what would happen.

"Hey! Wait a minute." Seeing that she was about to run away, Owen quickly called out to her.

"This is a forbidden forest, teeming with death and danger. Have you seen that eight-eyed giant spider?"

"With those mouthpieces, they'll bite you with a satisfying crunch." Owen couldn't help but smile.

"Come here, let your brother protect you."

"Haha!" he finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. Especially when he saw Hermione's resentful expression as she wanted to bite him to death but remained unmoved, he was so happy that he could barely stand up straight.

This left Harry and Ron, who were standing nearby, completely stunned.

Who the hell is this person?

Damn it, that's inhuman.

They used to think Irving was a bit evil, but now it seems he's not evil at all, he's downright psychopathic.

However, it must be said that Irving saved them once again.

Harry made a mental note of it, then said, "Owen, thank you."

"Thank me for what?" Owen suddenly smirked, turned around and walked away, saying as he went, "No, don't get me wrong, I'm not here to save you guys, I'm here to, oh right, to do this job."

Taking two steps at a time, Irving dragged his legs, which were no longer behaving themselves, to the dried-out corpse.

unicorn.

What a pitiful life, because every part of it is a treasure.

Yes, this truly proves the saying: "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Looking down at the radiant figure, Owen raised his wand and cast a subtle shrinking spell.

He then put it into the black cloth bag he always carried with him.

Then, turning to the three Gryffindors, he said, "This is your reward for saving you! Don't tell anyone, especially you, Miss Granger."

"In your heart, am I that kind of person?" Hermione retorted stubbornly.

If it weren't for those eyes, so full of moisture and sparkling with light, being so eye-catching, Irving would have truly believed in her strength.

"That's up to you, Miss Granger. I've heard plenty of bad things about you."

"Call me Hermione," she said. "What bad things have you heard?"

"Okay, Miss Granger, well—not much, so you're just petty, arrogant, haughty, and all that." Owen forced himself to stay alert, shrugged, and explained everything in detail.

"."

The little witch fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, she finally spoke, "I don't care what they think of me."

"Hmm! Very energetic." Owen gave her a thumbs up.

"By the way, there's something I'd like you to do me a favor for."

"What?"

"Just a little while! Just carry me back to the castle."

"What?" The little witch was taken aback, not understanding what he meant.

"I mean, three, two, one."

That's all.

Irving tumbled and fell to the ground.

Very punctual.

"Irving~"

------

The midday sun in April shone through the stained glass windows, which were carved with all sorts of wizard paintings, and onto the hospital beds in the school hospital.

Outside the window, the chirping of birds sounded like owls celebrating the fall of the demon king.

However, it is clear that their joy will soon turn to sorrow.

Because someone had already opened their eyes, trembling and struggling.

"Professor?" The dry voice sounded as if he hadn't spoken for five hundred years.

When Owen opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Dumbledore stealing his candy beans.

His bedside was filled with all sorts of snacks and flowers.

He didn't know who gave it to him.

"Oh! You're awake!" The shameless old thief continued to open a packet of multi-flavored beans.

He took one out, took a bite, and said, "Mmm! It tastes like chili oil."

"Is it a new product? It's quite rare to see one like that!"

"Professor~~~" Irving weakly propped himself up on his arms, trying to stand up.

"Don't move," the old headmaster said. "Although you're not seriously injured, the feeling of having your magic depleted is unpleasant."

"It's like running a hundred feet in one breath."

"Professor, that's not what I meant—" Owen, with a sore back and aching teeth, licked his dry, cracked lips.

"You mean Harry and the others?" Dumbledore smiled. "Don't worry, he's fine. Madam Pomfrey healed his injuries in just one night, and he was bouncing off to class the next day."

"As for Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, they are just tired, but otherwise perfectly normal."

"No—cough cough," Irving coughed a few times.

The old headmaster then picked up the conversation: "You want to know the identity of that mysterious wizard from that night?"

"Hmm—" Dumbledore popped another Flavor Bean into his mouth, a peculiar light shining behind his semi-circular spectacles. "I think you've already guessed it, haven't you?"

"Ahem—I guessed it, it's Voldemort." Owen swallowed, clearing his throat, and said, "Whether I am that person, Professor, I meant that if you want to eat my things—you have to pay, one candy and one cico!"

"."

His words left Dumbledore speechless. The old headmaster's gentle face instantly froze, and the chocolate he was holding floated on his desk.

About half a second later, he suddenly and quickly put the candy back down.

"You even treated me to hot pot before—" Dumbledore looked at him and complained like a child.

"Um—Professor, I can treat you, but you can't just freeload every day. Even the richest family doesn't have enough to eat." Owen, who seemed to regain some strength at the mention of money, continued like a machine gun, "Besides, it's just a marketing tactic. I'll treat you to late-night snacks for a week, and once you get used to it, I'll start charging you. Isn't that a win-win situation?"

"Don't say you won't eat, because if you don't eat then, you'll be hungry."

"."

The old principal found it hard to look directly into Irving's piercing eyes.

Because he's right.

For the past few months, he's been having hot pot and late-night snacks every night.

Now she even invites her old best friend, Professor McGonagall, to eat with her.

A little fire, a little wine, a little chat.

All the past glories are now just a topic of laughter.

Just the day before yesterday, the deans of the four colleges organized a group dinner.

Right in the principal's office.

Those were the most relaxing days I'd had in years.

"Perhaps you can give me a discount," the old principal suddenly changed his tone, "After all, I am the principal, and I should have some privileges."

"Oh! No problem, I can sell you all my newly developed dishes at a 20% discount." Owen was frantically calculating in his mind.

Hmm! Stir-fried potatoes with potatoes is a new dish, and stewed potatoes and yams is another dish.

What else?

Stir-fried duck with pineapple, steamed lean pork with figs. And then, a classic English dish: Stargazing Pie.

Wow! He could come up with ten of these kinds of bizarre dishes a day!

ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh, I'm starting to slack off now, hahaha, so happy, I can make money again.

(End of this chapter)