A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 616 The drunkard doesn’t care about drinking

In the Scottish Highlands, on the shores of Loch Ness, the late summer wind carries a damp chill, blowing through the dark green pine forests and rippling the surface of the lake.

An unassuming hunter's cabin stood alone in the shadows of the woods, its rough stone walls covered with dark green moss, and wisps of smoke rising from its chimney.

Inside, Jack Smith was leisurely stirring a pot of game soup that was simmering and bubbling on the fireplace, filling the air with its aroma.

His expression was calm, his movements steady and unhurried, as if he were one with the warmth of the fireplace, the sound of the pines outside, and the whisper of the lake. Only the occasional sharp glint in his deep eyes, like that of a hawk, vaguely hinted that he was no ordinary old man.

Just then, a slightly piercing sound of air bursting came from outside the cabin; it was the sound unique to Apparition.

A moment later, there was a knock on the wooden door, the "thump thump thump" sound carrying obvious anxiety and haste.

Jack didn't even look up, his stirring rhythm unchanged, and said, "The door isn't locked."

The door was pushed open, bringing in a cool lake breeze.

A middle-aged wizard, wearing worn dragon-skin gloves and with strange, faintly glowing plant sap on the hem and cuffs of his robe, strode in.

Jack smiled and said, "Garrick, what's the matter that makes you so eager to see me?"

The visitor was Mr. Garrick, the editor-in-chief of "The Flower Hat" magazine, a highly respected scholar in the field of herbal medicine, and one of the very few people who knew Jack's true identity and legendary past.

“Mr. Smith,” Garrick said, closing the door behind him behind him. He didn’t bother with pleasantries and spoke in a rapid-fire tone, “I’m sorry to interrupt your lovemaking with Ms. McGonagall, but the situation is urgent, so I had to come directly to you.”

Jack gestured for him to sit on the rough wooden stool opposite him, ladled a bowl of steaming, thick soup with a wooden spoon, and pushed it towards him, saying with a smile, "Have a sip of soup to warm yourself up, then tell me slowly."

“I remember you loved drinking this when you were little.”

Garrick reluctantly sat down, took the soup bowl with both hands but had no heart to taste it, simply placing it on his lap.

"It's about the Advanced Magic Research Institute that Professor Dumbledore has been setting up in recent years." He took a deep breath, trying to make his narration more organized. "As you know, this project has been secretly in preparation for many years, aiming to establish a top-notch academic institution that completely surpasses the level of Hogwarts education, bringing together the world's most outstanding wizarding minds, and dedicating itself to in-depth basic research on magic and revolutionary innovative applications."

"The venue has been chosen to be Lukwood Castle, where the Triwizard Tournament was held this year. It is currently undergoing large-scale restoration and magical transformation, which will consume a huge amount of resources. It is expected to be officially unveiled next fall."

Jack nodded, indicating that he was fully aware of the information.

The grand idea for this magical research institute originated from a conversation between Charles and Dumbledore, with the aim of creating the highest academic sanctuary in the magical world.

It does not teach basic magical knowledge, but focuses on groundbreaking explorations of cutting-edge magical theories, systematic deciphering of ancient runes and lost spells, practical applications of advanced alchemy, in-depth analysis of the characteristics of magical creatures and research on symbiotic relationships, and revolutionary innovative formulas in potion-making.

The institute will establish different professional departments, hire recognized masters from all over the world as "chief scholars", and strictly select adult wizards with a solid theoretical foundation and practical experience as "trainees".

Their research findings will directly influence and even guide the future development of the entire magical world, which is of profound significance.

Dumbledore originally intended for Garrick, who was learned, of good character and had excellent management and coordination skills, to be the first Dean.

Jack knew even better that Charles had guided Dumbledore to build such an institute solely for one person.

Seeing that Jack understood the background, Garrick continued eagerly, "Everything was going well, and I had been preparing for it all along."

"But recently, with the change of power in the Ministry of Magic, the winds have completely shifted!"

“I have very reliable inside information that Dolores Umbridge—you may have heard of her, the tough one, the current Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic—has developed a great interest in this research institute.”

"No, it's coveting!"

Garrick's face showed a mixture of deep worry and intense disgust as he continued, "Rumor has it that the reason she was willing to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts was entirely to use it as a stepping stone."

"She intends to use this academic year to create a persona suitable for teaching and magical research. Once the research institute is officially established next year, she will leverage her deep roots in the Ministry of Magic and her complex network of connections to use bureaucratic procedures and political maneuvering to seize actual control of the research institute!"

"Mr. Smith, we must not let her succeed!"

"Letting someone like her, who only cares about power, take charge of the highest academic institution in the magical world would have unimaginable consequences. It would be a complete desecration of pure knowledge and serious research, and the research institute would become a tool for her political ambitions!"

Garrick became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the soup bowl. He could hardly imagine what a disaster it would be if a bureaucrat like Umbridge, who valued red tape, was extremely power-hungry, hostile to academic freedom, and lacked any basic respect or understanding of the true depth of magical research, were to lead the research institute.

The research institute needs a scholar-leader who understands and is wholeheartedly committed to pushing the boundaries of magical knowledge, not a calculating politician.

Jack listened quietly to Garrick's excited statement, his expression remaining largely unchanged, as if the news were merely a gentle breeze passing through the woods.

He slowly took a sip of the soup in his bowl before speaking in a deep voice, "Garrick, I understand your concerns."

“I also sense your concern for the future of the research institute.”

"However, I will not take any action or make any statement on this matter."

Garrick was completely stunned, his eyes wide open, never expecting such a cold response.

Jack looked at him, his gaze calm yet profound like the waters of Loch Ness, and said, "Ultimately, this research institute is for the overall progress of the magical world and the expansion of the boundaries of knowledge."

"Whoever is more capable, wiser, and better able to lead it to achieve this grand goal stably and efficiently should be in charge."

"I don't presume that Ms. Umbridge is necessarily incapable of the job; perhaps she possesses unique management skills and...political vision?"

There was a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of consideration in his tone.

“But Mr. Smith!” Garrick said urgently, his voice rising, “her reputation, her despicable methods, what she promoted in the Ministry of Magic…”

Jack gently raised his hand, a small movement that carried a gentle yet undeniably firm strength, interrupting him.

Jack said, "Reputation and methods are sometimes not the only criteria for measuring the final result."

"Of course, I am not naive enough to completely trust her either."

“Well then,” he said after a moment’s thought, glancing at the leaping flames in the fireplace, “I will have Charles observe and see how Ms. Umbridge actually performs at Hogwarts over the next year.”

"Hogwarts itself is a huge and complex magical education system that can well test a person's true management ability, the depth of their educational philosophy, their crisis management skills, and their ability to get along with teachers and students of different personalities and backgrounds."

"If she can prove herself at Hogwarts, demonstrating extraordinary abilities, fair wisdom, and genuine dedication to the long-term development of magical research, then I have no reason to oppose her or even forcibly interfere."

He paused, then said more seriously, "On the contrary, if her year at Hogwarts causes resentment among teachers and students, creates panic and chaos in teaching, proving that her ideas are crude and her abilities are lacking, and that she is not qualified to lead an educational or even research institution, then even if she is ambitious, she will naturally lose the broad support within the wizarding world and lose her qualifications. We don't need to worry about that too much."

"It would be premature and illegitimate to intervene now, and it might even disrupt Dumbledore's plans."

Garrick opened his mouth, his chest heaving, wanting to argue further, but seeing the determined glint in Jack's calm eyes, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

He knew this old man all too well. This legendary figure, who had once turned the tide in a time of crisis and saved Hogwarts and even the entire British wizarding world (excluding goblins), was hard to sway once he made a decision.

He was filled with anxiety and resentment over Umbridge's takeover, but at this moment he could only helplessly accept this "wait and see" solution.

“I…I understand,” Garrick said, looking down at the now-steamed soup in his bowl with a hint of dejection. His voice was low. “I hope…I hope your judgment is correct.”

He secretly prayed that Umbridge's performance at Hogwarts would not be interpreted as "excellent" by the bureaucrats.

Jack picked up the ladle again, gently stirring the still-warm soup in the pot. His tone returned to its usual gentle and tolerant as he said, "Alright, don't worry."

"Keep trying this soup; it won't taste as good when it gets cold."

"The future of the Magic Research Institute is like the water in Loch Ness. The surface may be turbulent, but the water veins within it will always find their way."

Garrick quietly sipped his soup, sensing that Jack's behavior was different from before.

In the past, Jack would always help everyone, even if he was unsure, he would first find out what was going on, unlike today where he just left it aside.

Garrick had a vague feeling that Jack probably knew more about this than he did.

(End of this chapter)