days at Hogwarts

Chapter 810 Graduates Reunion

"Your store is so big, but you don't seem to have many employees?"

"Yes, we are not like other stores that write product descriptions on the side. Customers with purchasing intentions can read it themselves. We do not make sales introductions."

"That's a good point..."

Loren nodded, expressing his agreement with the Longbottom family's business theory: "When Hermione and I go shopping, we just want to be alone, but there are always shop assistants coming over to sell us things."

Hearing this, Ginny secretly glanced at Hermione, only to see her looking around the store with a calm expression on her face. She couldn't help but reveal an envious look in her eyes.

Hermione was very calm: "Many shops in Diagon Alley are for students, but your store seems to be different. There are basically no teaching supplies on the shelves."

"This is only temporary."

Neville shook his head and introduced, "Our family has discussed this matter. There is an owl supply store, a stationery store, and a clothing store nearby. Each store has been focusing on the same field for many years. Our store cannot sell the same things. Later, we plan to sell some small toys and small items, small toys that are different from Weasley's Hocus Pocus, imported from other countries, but cheap and affordable."

"It sounds like a Muggle gift shop, no wonder it's called a boutique."

"Is such that."

Neville nodded in response.

Seamus nodded slowly, his eyes twinkling and his expression thoughtful.

He can also refer to this idea when learning the Muggle business model to open a store.

He is best at extracting the essence and making appropriate improvements.

"By the way, there is an opening ceremony today. Are there any activities planned?" Hermione asked.

"Not yet. I just want to invite you to come and take a look around, help me find out if you have any opinions or suggestions for improvement, and then have a meal on the second floor of the Leaky Cauldron. It's considered a party." Neville explained with a smile, "It's mainly because I want to get together with everyone after graduation. I'm just attending the opening ceremony by the way."

Seamus and Dean were stunned to hear this: "Gryffindor, Neville Longbottom has really matured since graduation."

"You're an adult wizard now."

"At 17, you are considered an adult wizard."

"I still like the shy Neville."

"hey-hey……"

Neville gave a familiar shy smile, "I still have to help my parents greet a few customers, run the shop and import goods for the wizards. You guys just wander around first, just tell the counter what you want to play, if you find the store boring, go outside to Diagon Alley, we'll meet at the Leaky Cauldron at lunch time."

After explaining the situation to a few people, he walked towards the back room of the store.

Everyone looked at his steady back, then slowly withdrew their gazes, all feeling a little emotional.

"Neville has really grown up."

"Aren't you the same?"

"Yes, yes." Seamus nodded and said, "You are the youngest legendary wizard, you are a formal employee of the Ministry of Magic, you are a reserve Auror of the training device, and you are about to become the assistant coach of the Charlie Cannons."

"Now that you put it that way, it seems to be true."

"It's even more magical than magic. I still remember how you looked in your first year, deliberately splashing mud and water on others during the Herbology class. Who knew you would be like this after graduation..."

"..."

A group of people were chattering and laughing, as if they were back in the Gryffindor common room, and they were scattered and wandering around.

……

The dinner started at twelve noon.

Obviously, the party was to celebrate the opening of the Longbottom family store, but the location of the dinner was on the second floor of the Leaky Cauldron, which made it hard not to make associations.

The Leaky Cauldron changed its owner and was no longer as dirty as before. Although the tables, chairs, benches and furnishings had not changed much, the old stains and grease on them had been removed. The largest room on the second floor was converted into a restaurant, which was filled with many tableware, wooden, ceramic, metal...

It looked like it was left behind by successive owners of the Leaky Cauldron and was found somewhere during the thorough cleaning.

Some of the tableware was more valuable than the ones in Blake's old house, and if they were sold they could probably be used to open another Leaky Cauldron. Some of the tableware was more broken than the stone trough used to feed chickens at the Burrow, and if thrown on the street it would just be taken away as garbage.

The Abbott family has certain beliefs that allow them to run the bar with peace of mind while keeping these things.

At this time, there was a long table in the middle of the room, which was filled with meals produced by the Leaky Cauldron. The ingredients could only be considered fresh, and the cooking methods were relatively rough. The most typical thing was that the French fries were big and thick, and it might be more appropriate to call them fried potato wedges. The other dishes were similar to French fries.

Harry once lived here for a while, so he felt particularly familiar with it.

But I have to admit, it tastes pretty good.

The chefs of the Leaky Cauldron basically serve drinkers, some of whom are older and have a dull sense of taste, so the seasoning is more prominent, but not too strong, as that would drive away normal customers. This experience in controlling the dishes has formed a unique style.

Loren avoided the potatoes and savored the lunch on the table.

Neville and Hannah sat in the main seats, greeting the guests a little stiffly, their smiles shy but bright.

They were all former classmates who had just graduated. They didn’t know what politeness or interpersonal relationships were. Everyone was in a good mood and talked about interesting things that happened after graduation.

"It's a pity that you don't become an Auror, Neville. There are many records left by your parents in the training ground."

"Really? Hehe..."

"But I broke your father's records, and now they are named after me."

"..."

Neville was speechless, but still couldn't help laughing. He waved his hand, then turned to talk to Ron about the broomstick.

Loren was laughing as he listened at the side. He lowered his voice and said to Hermione beside him, "Neville's personality has changed a bit, but Harry hasn't changed at all. I wonder if there is an instructor like Professor Snape in the Auror Office. It sounds very interesting." Hermione silently glanced at him and did not answer.

When the atmosphere at the table was at its most lively, Neville's grandmother, old lady Augusta Longbottom, suddenly knocked on the door and came in. She glanced around and her eyes lit up when she saw Loren. Then she looked at Neville and called out in a low voice, "Neville, Neville..."

Neville felt a little helpless, but he still followed him out.

Then there was a slight quarrel outside.

It's not serious, I can't hear the specific words clearly, and it disappears quickly.

"..."

Neville quickly returned to the room, turned around and closed the door, without mentioning what had just happened to anyone, as if nothing had happened. His smile was just a little lighter than before, but it soon recovered under Seamus's coaxing.

The students sitting around the table continued to raise their glasses.

……

Two o'clock in the afternoon, on the main street of Diagon Alley.

At the end of the street, where Gringotts Bank stands, facing Diagon Alley, the entire structure is built of snow-white marble.

Loren walked on the right side of the street. The shops along the street all had display windows. The glass outside was polished to a crystal clear finish, and the selling prices were highlighted in red ink. As a senior alchemist, he could easily analyze the cost of those goods and derive the profit from them. He kept calculating how many Galleons he could earn every day by making these things, and how much he should sell the new formula for if he simplified the refining steps.

Although he would not do these things due to his lazy personality, it did not prevent him from calculating how much he could earn and getting satisfaction from it.

Hermione and Ginny walked behind him, whispering together. They thought their voices were so low that no one could hear them, but he could still hear a few of them clearly.

"Hermione, how come you and Loren are dating..."

"..."

"What's wrong with that? Harry is a fool. As a Gryffindor, he doesn't even have the courage to have intimate contact with his girlfriend. He's a boy, but he's even shyer than me. He can only kiss..."

"..."

The courage to be intimate?
Not only does he have it, it's huge.

Hermione seemed to be about to look up, and Loren calmly withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the boys in front of him.

I don’t know what those roommates were talking about. Some of them seemed to be thinking about something, some had a dazed expression on their faces with their bellies bulging, and some were screaming and chattering, not looking very smart.

"It's a bit boring."

"Let's go to Knockturn Alley next door."

"What if we meet a dark wizard?"

"That would be perfect!"

"I recently learned a new spell."

"..."

The noisy voices echoed in the street. Seeing them approaching, pedestrians and shop assistants all showed alert expressions, and only breathed a sigh of relief after watching them leave.

Loren looked at Neville, who had a dazed expression, and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder: "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing... nothing." Neville was a little flustered.

"Has your grandmother ever told you that you are not very good at lying?"

"..."Neville's ears began to turn red again, just like when he first entered school.

Loren found it funny: "Does your grandma want you to tell me something?"

Neville nodded subconsciously, then quickly shook his head.

"Just tell me directly. I will reject unreasonable things directly. I am not the kind of person who would help others even if it means putting myself at the expense of others."

Neville opened his mouth and hesitated for a long time before whispering, "The matter of the space-shifting device involves a huge business. My grandmother..."

"That's right."

Loren nodded thoughtfully.

According to the originally agreed plan, the space-shifting device was to be coordinated by the Egyptian Alchemy Research Center and assembled by various magic academies to achieve mass production, while the raw materials were purchased by the International Confederation of Wizards, and the funds were provided by wizard governments of various countries and various magical creatures. Nott and Draco were responsible for purchasing and transportation, and earned a limited profit from it.

These are all declining pure-blood families. Compared with monetary profits, they are more interested in converting their remaining connections and channel resources into family foundations and building good relations with the Ministries of Magic in various countries.

Before the Longbottoms recovered and were discharged from the hospital, Neville had not yet shown his current talent, and the Longbottom family was almost on the verge of decline. Now that the situation has improved, Mrs. Longbottom is still anxious, which is understandable...

Moreover, the political resources of the Longbottom family can indeed speed up the implementation of the plan.

Loren thought so and agreed with a smile: "These matters are now handled by the Malfoy and Nott families. If you want to participate, I will write a letter to tell them."

Then a smile appeared on Neville's face again.

The streets still echoed with the noise of young wizards.

"Harry! Look at this! Look at this!"

"Don't shake me, I ate too much at noon."

"It's the Firebolt Collector's Edition!"

"Wow!!"

(End of this chapter)