Mysterious Journey

Chapter 1272: Ripples from All Sides

Evening, the open space in front of Hogwarts Castle.

The originally empty and flat ground had been transformed beyond recognition, with seven or eight giant bonfires blazing.

Magical orange fairy lights adorned the fences on both sides of the area, while a row of simply prepared ingredients lined the fence.

These were mostly skewered items, such as fish, mushrooms, beef, and pumpkin… but there were also larger items like tomahawk steaks and roast suckling pigs.

In addition, various drinks, snacks, and desserts were scattered around the area on various tables, for parents and students attending the bonfire party to grab at any time.

Between the myriad of foods and the burning giant bonfires were hundreds of simply decorated wooden stools, each with a round wooden table in the center of every seven or eight chairs.

“So, Hogwarts' idea is for us to do it ourselves?”

Mr. Greengrass raised his eyebrows, looking somewhat displeased at the empty space.

Although the school had notified them in advance that no house-elves would be present at the bonfire area tonight to handle the cooking.

However, he had expected at least some servants on standby—instead, there was nothing but ingredients, and no one to serve…

“The bonfire area has a continuous levitation charm cast on it, the ingredients can be placed directly beside it for grilling, and timers and instructions are also prepared.”

A dry voice said softly, the coolness in the voice not even overwhelmed by the heat waves from the bonfire.

Mr. Greengrass turned his head rather uncomfortably, looking at the ghost hovering beside him.

The Slytherin house ghost, the Bloody Baron, who was also their guide.

As for Professor Snape, who should have been responsible for their guidance and introduction, was currently checking the status of the spells and the processing of the ingredients by the bonfire.

Strictly speaking, there were still house-elves present at the bonfire party tonight, but they seemed to be only responsible for replenishing and pre-processing the ingredients.

“Mr. Baron, what about the students and parents from the other three houses? We mean, are you sure you didn't misread the time—"

Mr. Greengrass looked around, no longer dwelling on the grilling issue.

He had to admit that the environment was very well arranged, not at all like the simple outdoor barbecue he had imagined.

And the Hogwarts professors had previously given a rough explanation of the reason for this arrangement:

The theme tonight was a parent-child barbecue, aimed at promoting the relationship between parents and students, and enjoying life.

Holding a bonfire party by Hogwarts Castle was both a large bonfire party planned for the students and a social space for parents to freely interact.

For Mr. Greengrass and others, the "social space" factor had suddenly become particularly important tonight—Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic were about to undergo changes. As the cornerstone of wizarding society, these pure-blood wizarding families had to find ways to keep up with the tide of change. In addition to expanding market operations, they also had to find more allies.

Most of the wizarding families in Slytherin House had rich government connections and financial reserves, but they lacked the operational experience and wisdom for socialization.

However, the parents of the other houses could obviously provide these things.

Especially Ravenclaw House, in the eyes of most wizards, Ravenclaw graduates were high-quality R&D personnel.

Perhaps in the past they were not so important, but at the cusp of countless new industries, the importance of Ravenclaw wizards suddenly became prominent.

Smart people who didn't care so much about money, weren't too radical, and had relatively pure blood were the preferred cooperation partners for Slytherin House's pure-blood families.

“Strange… the time should be correct. Perhaps the other houses were delayed by something?”

The Bloody Baron raised his head, glanced at the clock tower in the distance, and looked puzzled.

“Well, a little later won't matter—"

Mr. Greengrass nodded, exchanging glances with the wizards clustered around him.

“This is good. Let's continue to discuss and refine our wording, control the scope—while also showing sincerity.”

Judging from the tone of the Hogwarts professors, the Ministry of Magic's decision was imminent. They had better finalize some cooperation intentions tonight.

Otherwise, once the Ministry of Magic officially announced the "marketization" decision, the ancient pure-blood families would only be at the mercy of others, passively picking up scraps from the officials.

On the other side, Lucius Malfoy was also quietly discussing the "cooperation" with his wife.

After all, the "magical sanitary napkin" market would inevitably fall to the witches. As a somewhat proud and reserved gentleman, Lucius had not yet crossed that hurdle in his heart.

At least before the novel brand he was in charge of opened up the market, he thought it was best for his wife to first communicate and inquire about the market. Ravenclaw House, which gathered a large number of witches, was obviously an excellent opportunity—he planned to first subtly understand the witches' needs today, and immediately start promoting the industry proposed by the witch princess after returning to Malfoy Manor.

“Lucius, why did you suddenly think of investing in this…”

Narcissa looked at her husband in surprise. If Mr. Malfoy's expression wasn't so serious, she would have almost thought he was deliberately joking.

In fact, when Lucius solemnly pulled her aside to discuss "magical sanitary napkins," Narcissa's first reaction was whether her husband wanted another child.

“Ahem, I have some special channels of my own, Narcissa. This is the cornerstone of the Malfoy family's future.”

Lucius Malfoy looked around, lowered his voice, and said solemnly.

“The International Confederation of Wizards, the Ministry of Magic is planning to gradually open up the magical market.”

“The change is not only aimed at the magical world, but may also involve the non-magical world. This is an unimaginably huge market.”

“The Greengrasses want more profits, while I have found a corner that no one is paying attention to. The Malfoy family may be able to secure exclusive operating rights.”

“So, you plan to become the ‘sanitary napkin tycoon’ of the magical world?”

Mrs. Malfoy raised her eyebrows and glanced at Draco Malfoy behind them,

“And… it sounds like you also plan to let Draco inherit this… um, industry in the future?”

“Low-key, important, irreplaceable, yet unobtrusive—what's wrong with that? The Malfoy family has always been like this over the years.”

Lucius nodded rather seriously, turning to look at his son.

“Besides, this way Draco will have the opportunity to meet more excellent witches, won't he?”

Obviously, the witch princess had given the Malfoy family unimaginable long-term security.

This reminded Lucius of the story of his ancestor following William the Conqueror. He had to firmly grasp this future.

“Um, okay—I'll talk to the ladies…”

Narcissa Malfoy pondered for a moment, then nodded lightly in agreement.

As a daughter of the Black family and the mistress of the Malfoy family, her social circle in the magical society was actually wider than her husband's.

At the same time, similar conversations were taking place among the other parents of Slytherin House.

Compared to the other three houses, the people of Slytherin House were the first to interpret the future trends from the changes at Hogwarts.

As the most recognized group in the magical world, the most ambitious, their goals can be said to be quite clear—they want to continue the glory of pure blood in the new era.

And the first step is to unite with Ravenclaw, which has the most outstanding magical talent and wisdom…

Just as a group of Slytherin adult wizards were secretly planning, a dense sound of footsteps and conversations suddenly came from the entrance of the castle.

They're here!

The Greengrasses, Malfoys, and others perked up and looked towards the entrance with anticipation.

The golden-red and yellow-black house robes converged into a bright stream of people, pouring out of the castle entrance like a tide.

Gryffindor and… Hufflepuff?

The Slytherin parents looked at each other, knowingly shaking their heads lightly.

These two houses were not the best cooperative partners. They didn't want to cooperate with mindless brutes or foolishly honest people.

Under the Greengrass's hints, most of the parents of Slytherin House acted as if they didn't see the parents and students of the other two houses, continuing to talk quietly in their own small circles, occasionally taking some food from the dessert table to satisfy their hunger, waiting for their chosen best ally to appear—it wouldn't be good to chat if the grilling times were staggered.

And Gryffindor House, which had just experienced an "intense" battle, and Hufflepuff House, which had eaten a lot of "melon" (gossip), naturally wouldn't go out of their way to be friendly.

The parents on both sides, seeing that the Slytherin House didn't seem to be waiting for them and didn't intend to grill around the bonfire, didn't say anything.

After all, since last year, Slytherin House's tastes had been very strange. Maybe these things didn't suit their tastes.

Under the advice and guidance of the students, the parents of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Houses chose their favorite foods and gathered around the bonfire to grill, chatting and laughing.

“Hey, Mr. Greengrass, why don't you take some ingredients and go over there to grill and chat together?”

Aileen looked at the Slytherins sitting on the edge of the bonfire with confusion. These pure-blood wizards wouldn't even disdain to grill themselves, would they?

As the head of Hogwarts' House and the head chef, she still had to ask the reason.

Otherwise, in the end, it wouldn't be right to make people eat only cold food at a good bonfire party.

“Oh, we want to wait for everyone to arrive—"

Mr. Greengrass replied elegantly, glancing unobtrusively into the distance.

“After all, not everyone is so eager to eat. It's basic etiquette and upbringing to use knives and forks after everyone arrives—"

“Oh? Are you talking about Ravenclaw House?”

Aileen nodded suddenly, waving her hand with a smile to explain.

“Oh, you don't have to wait for them. Most of their parents left early.”

Unexpectedly, Slytherin House was quite graceful. It seemed that she had been prejudiced against them before?

“Everyone who is attending the bonfire party tonight has arrived. Slytherin House doesn't have to wait anymore—you should go over there and grill some, or all the delicious food will be grilled.”

“Most of Ravenclaw's parents… left early?!”

Mr. Greengrass was suddenly stunned, his gaze subconsciously falling on the other two houses who were having a lively time not far away.

So…

Their carefully prepared rhetoric for joint business and opening up new markets…

Either it rotted in their stomachs, or they now had to try their luck with the reckless lions of Gryffindor and the stupid badgers of Hufflepuff?!

…………

Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Magic.

Just as the pure-blood families feared, various high officials were gathered together to discuss important matters.

The only slight difference was that they were not discussing the macro changes in the magical society and market…

“Dumbledore is confirmed to have left? Hogwarts has no headmaster for the time being?!”

Cornelius Fudge rubbed his hands nervously, and his breathing suddenly became heavy after hearing the affirmative answer from Kingsley again.

“Then…”

“Um, I mean… everyone, perhaps we need to issue a special Educational Decree…”

“Hogwarts cannot be left in an ungoverned state for a long time. The Ministry of Magic, um, we have an obligation to help them through the chaos…”

————

————

Coo Coo peek~