days at Hogwarts

Chapter 809 Opening Ceremony

August has arrived in a blink of an eye.

Loren held the steaming milk in one hand and the fried eggs in the other, and walked lightly to the dining table: "Minister Granger, please help unscrew the jam and set the tableware."

Hermione looked up from her newspaper and silently did as she was told.

Loren put the breakfast away and sat down next to me, saying in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Minister Granger is very busy. I'm sorry to bother you with this kind of thing."

"I forgive you."

Hermione lowered her head and picked up the bread to spread jam. It was her favorite strawberry jam, with a rich fruity and sweet aroma, but the color was not bright enough. She didn't know where he bought it, and there was no label on the glass bottle.

"You're really rude."

"The Ministry of Magic is indeed very busy right now. If a certain legendary wizard who came up with the plan but was irresponsible could come in and help, it would probably ease the situation a lot."

"emmm..."

Loren hesitated for a moment and decided to pretend he didn't hear it: "When are you going to take a vacation?"

Hermione lowered her head and concentrated on applying the jam, meticulously: "This weekend is a normal holiday, but your birthday is on Thursday."

"..."

Loren frowned immediately and looked up at her.

Hermione pursed her lips and said nothing.

It was this person who, while she was working overtime last time, took Grandpa Bates and her parents out for a snack without waiting for her. They played until late at night and came back with several cold dishes. She always remembered this incident.

And I don’t know what they talked about, but several parents went out on vacation after they came back.

There are only two of them at home now.

Loren still maintained that expression, staring deeply.

Half a minute later, Hermione finished applying the jam. She met his gaze and took a bite. The corners of her mouth curved slightly. She continued, "I have applied for an early leave. I will attend the opening ceremony of the Longbottom family store on Wednesday. I will be able to celebrate your birthday with you on Thursday and the following weekends."

Loren smiled shyly: "I've only been working for half a month. Wouldn't it be a bad idea to take a vacation like this?"

"If you mind, I can withdraw my application."

“No comment at all.”

“The strawberry jam tastes delicious. Where did you buy it?”

"I made it myself. I know you like to eat it."

"..."

Hermione's eyes softened a little. She said nothing, but silently slowed down her chewing.

……

a week later.

Loren found Crookshanks and Hanhan who were looking around in advance, and told them to look after the house. Then he prepared jerky rat meat and mineral water, placed them in the courtyard and the second-floor balcony, and then went to Diagon Alley.

Affected by the International Confederation of Wizards, businesses in Diagon Alley have been doing brisk business recently. The streets are full of tourists, and even the Leaky Cauldron is packed with customers. It is hard to tell that it is not the off-season due to summer vacation.

Before, it was Old Tom who greeted the drinkers, and there was always a group of elderly wizards gathered together to chat. Now that the boss and staff have changed, those old wizards have disappeared.

When Loren and Hermione arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, they found Hufflepuff Hannah standing behind the counter, mixing drinks skillfully and dealing with customers eloquently. She looked nothing like the woman who had been so nervous that she almost fainted before the exam.

There was no time to reminisce. He ordered two butterbeers and sat in front of the counter waiting for a while. Only when Harry and others appeared did he walk towards Diagon Alley.

Not far from the Leaky Cauldron, at number 7 Diagon Alley, you can see Neville standing at the door of the shop, with his back straight and a dignified look:

"You are finally here!"

The voice was clear and crisp, a bit similar to Hannah's just now, without any trace of the timidity of the past.

"Hey, isn't this the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron?" Loren greeted Neville and shook his hand eagerly.

Harry and Ron behind him heard this and reacted slightly, but soon came to their senses. When they shook hands, they called him the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron and couldn't stop laughing.

"The Leaky Cauldron is so busy, but you didn't even bother to help Hannah."

"Well...I often help out there..."

Neville scratched his head subconsciously, looking a little embarrassed, and spoke slower. At this time, the figure of the fat classmate could be vaguely seen.

Seamus, Dean and others gradually arrived, and the scene suddenly became lively:
"Long time no see, Neville."

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"Oh, let's not talk about this anymore. You finally sent us an invitation letter... I've been on vacation for so long, I've missed you guys a little bit. After graduation, you've all been busy with work and business, and I've been idle at home. My mom is about to kick me out of the house."

Ron screamed out loud, his expression seemed particularly excited: "Me too!"

"Didn't you become an Auror with Harry?"

"Too many of my family are at the Ministry, and I don't like this job."

"..."

Amidst the chatting and laughing, a large group of people walked into the shop.

Longbottom Boutique

The sign above was shiny and new, and the window displayed a variety of goods, including exquisitely patterned woven carpets, exotic clay cauldrons, and eccentric masks painted in bright colors... Most of them were goods that were previously prohibited from entering the country, but the Ministry of Magic lifted the ban only a few weeks ago, and the store and supply of goods were already ready. This was the heritage of the Longbottom family.

The interior of the store is bright and spacious, making it very comfortable to shop.

A traceless stretching spell was cast inside the store, and the space was very wide. Goods were classified and placed on display shelves with price tags and product introductions next to them. Each area had a separate trial display stand, and there was enough space in the main aisle, even enough for centaurs or trolls to run inside.

Unlike other stores, the interior lighting here is designed with reference to Muggle supermarkets. There are no oil lamps, candles or torches visible to the naked eye. Although no electric lights are used, all light sources are hidden in the ceiling and shelf tops. The light is soft, bright but not dazzling.

It is definitely a crushing victory for stores of the same type.

"The items displayed in the window are all magic items from other countries. In fact, the main products sold here are those from ordinary magic boutiques." Neville explained to them, "The lifting of the ban has a rapid impact on merchants, but a slow impact on ordinary wizards. If they have to choose a flying prop, most wizards generally prefer to trust a flying broomstick rather than a flying carpet."

Floating in the sky above the flying props display area were still various types of flying brooms. At most, some flying brooms produced in other countries were added. The flying carpets were locked in the cabinet and not on display.

"That's right, that's right..."

Ron nodded in agreement: "Just like the previous Quebec World Cup press conference, the Arab Quebec Association proposed the flying carpet project, which was immediately rejected."

"How do you know?" Seamus asked, amazed at his erudition.

"I'm applying for the position of assistant coach for the Charlie Cannons."

"!!"

Simo immediately opened his eyes wide, filled with disbelief.

We are all in a slump, but you are secretly making progress!

"The interior design of the store was based on a Muggle supermarket. We consulted several Muggle research experts, including Professor Bubbage. In fact, wizard stores have been learning the business culture of Muggles for a long time. In the past, they only learned promotional methods, such as holiday discounts, but now they have started to study product design, store decoration and so on. We are just more radical than them."

“Will other stores also be remodeled?”

"It probably won't happen in the short term. Loren proposed the relocation plan, and it's not certain when the relocation will begin. If we have to move away as soon as the renovation is completed, then we will lose everything."

Everyone turned to look at Loren, their eyes widened.

"Why are you looking at me? The detailed plan was drawn up by the Ministry of Magic."

Everyone immediately looked at Hermione.

Hermione had a blank expression on her face and calmly pinched his arm.

(End of this chapter)