Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 275: The Accepted Invitation
Not long after, while Sheen was brewing potions in the cellar, many more letters arrived.

Professor Snape frowned as he watched the owls drop letter after letter onto the cellar table, but ultimately resisted the urge to shove them all into the cauldron.

The letters were a jumbled mess—first, there was the overwhelming media coverage. The buzz surrounding "Mr. Hermes" had never died down; in fact, it had intensified again because some wizards had managed to open his Chocolate Frog cards.
Then came the report on the fairy tale cookie series. After two openings, the reporters finally confirmed the types of cookies sold.

Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but this time it's a little different. The sign at the entrance has been updated, and the photos in the report clearly show the words: "The Cerberus series will be available soon."

The wizards' enthusiasm nearly turned the shop upside down; every day, people would crowd around the shop's entrance, hoping that the mysterious alchemist would change his mind and issue some public invitations.

The allure of the Cerberus goes without saying, but most importantly, this shop has undeniable potential!
If we already have Cerberus, why can't we have Thunderbird?

If we already have the Thunderbird, why can't we have the Cat-Leopard, the Bird-Snake, the Phoenix...?

Just thinking about it is enough to get any wizard excited.

And so, the shop, which opened only once a month, was always crowded with people. Its agent, Quirrell, spent his days studying dark magic and defense against the dark, occasionally throwing out fools who tried to break in and contacting the Ministry of Magic to send them straight to Azkaban.

In fact, wizards are always used to taking such "shortcuts".

When the Philosopher's Stone was created, two or three wizards would try to steal it every week, and they would never return.

This also proves that wizards who truly stand at the top of the magical world must possess formidable personal strength.

There may be no power here, only stark differences in magical skill levels.

Or perhaps, magic is power.

After the overwhelming media coverage, came a separate letter:

Dear Mr. Green:

With your consent, an invitation has been sent to the Chocolate Frog Committee, and Fairy Tale Corner will open tomorrow.

—Your loyal: Quirrell

One hundred Galleons to purchase an invitation letter was the last request made by the Chocolate Frog Committee.

Sheen roughly guessed what they were going to do and didn't object.

Following this letter were letters from Ron, Harry, and others, all expressing their hope that the people in the Hope Cottage would go to Diagon Alley to buy books together in two days, and everyone wrote to inquire about Sheen's schedule.

As Sheen replied, an owl flew toward Professor Snape, who gave it a cold glance and took the invitation from its talons.

By this time, Sheen's crucible had cooled down, and he put the many crystal bottles he had placed there into a box.

Sheen can make some simple potions himself, but some of the potions Professor Quirrell needs are not so simple, so Professor Quirrell usually goes to Knockturn Alley to buy them.

……

July passed amidst a violent storm.

Shin gradually mastered his Animagus, and his soul transformation reached the [Beginner] stage.

On the very day the torrential rain subsided, Fairy Tale Square was about to open for business.

The entire British wizarding world was buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating receiving that invitation.

These invitations are now being secretly sold for hundreds of Galleons, but unfortunately, they are imbued with special magic, so buying one doesn't work.

This was not for sale; it was discovered by the son of an old wizard who had passed away during this period, after he was stopped at the door.

The Daily Prophet is giving this story extensive coverage, even overshadowing news of Lockhart's upcoming book signing.

After all, who could blame them when this special interview with "Mr. Hermes" was released? As if to generate buzz, the Chocolate Frog Committee published an exclusive interview within the second week of launching the new card.

At the same time, a major announcement was made – one of the Hermes cards had an invitation to Fairy Tale Workshop attached to the back.

This nearly doubled the crowds in Diagon Alley, and even attracted wizards from many other countries.

Sheen paid no attention to the external fluctuations, and was slightly surprised to see the gloomy figure beside him.

The professor actually wanted to go with him.

"Have you forgotten that you are still in lockdown—"

Professor Snape said ominously,

"You'd better hurry—Sheen Green—"

His voice was drawn out, but the oppressive feeling was no longer so strong.

in the corridor.

Sir Cadogan donned his helmet, which he hadn't worn in a long time, obscuring Lady Violet's facial expression.

Only after the two figures in black robes, one large and one small, disappeared did the knight bury his head in the mane of his pony and gulp down wine.

Lady Violet and the fat lady then noticed that he was crying uncontrollably:
"Madam, do you know?"
Wizards' courage always falls into two categories: one is reckless courage, and the other is courage to endure humiliation and hardship.

Which of these two kinds of courage is more noble? We still haven't been able to determine which is superior…

The knight spoke in a language no one could understand, only gulping down his wine, and then challenged the monk who had provided it to a duel. His reason? They had tried to peek at Miss Sunflower's skirt in the last century…

Monks are certainly lecherous, a fact well-known in Hogwarts portraits, but it's rare to find a knight who remembers such a dark stain over centuries.

The fat lady finally understood why the knight could always find someone to duel.

……

Diagon Alley, in front of shop number 77.

The shop is not open yet.

A small stall selling chocolate frogs was set up nearby. Without invitations, the wizards, looking eager, lined up in front of the stall.

Harry and Ron were among them.

They came with Fred and George, and unlike some absentee shareholders, Fred and George ran the shop with passion every day.

Now they've even rented a shop in Hogsmeade Village, and the two are excited to open Magic Tricks House all over the world.

Thanks to them, Harry and Ron were also able to buy some Chocolate Frog cards, as Ron had always wanted to collect the "Hermes Cards".

The fireplace inside the fairytale workshop was suddenly lit, and the orange lights came on.

Amidst a tense and noisy atmosphere, Fairy Tale Square opened its doors.

Wizards flocked in—they had been looking forward to this day ever since they received the invitations.

Professor Snape stormed into the shop like a dark cloud, and his expression turned terrifying the moment he saw Quirrell.

He drew his wand and pressed it against Quirrell's chest:
"Ah—I thought you'd be smarter—like getting out of England—"

(End of this chapter)