Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Water Margin

Chapter 283 Connelly's Rich Scarface

Picking up where we left off, Harry was talking to Hermione when he suddenly heard that the news had spread. He was secretly startled and said, "How did the news get out?"

"Of course the Aurors will ask where all these expensive potions came from. Even if Scrimgeour didn't say, they would guess it was you."

Hermione took a newspaper from her bosom and slapped it into Harry's hand.

When I looked at the Harry Potter magazine, the ink was faded, indicating it had been printed just the day before. The first line, with a title as large as a bowl, boldly proclaimed: "The Savior, the Philanthropic Wizard."

Although there wasn't a single picture of Harry in the newspaper, hundreds of "Harry Potter" references jumped out from between the lines.

It turned out that the Aurors' testimonies were recorded accurately. One said, "Harry's potion saved my life," and another said, "Mr. Potter's supplies are more than the Ministry of Magic's."

Everyone was chattering away, practically ready to become disciples of this scarred man.

Harry glanced at the cheesy parts and felt a chill run down his spine. He clicked his tongue and exclaimed, "This pretentious, affected writing is sickeningly sweet! I only read three or five lines, and it felt like I'd swallowed ten pounds of lard—it sent shivers down my spine!"

Upon hearing this, Ron chuckled and said, "Unfortunately, Fudge doesn't see it that way. He thinks this is a provocation against the Ministry of Magic on your part."

He also took another newspaper from his pocket; the ink smelled fresh, indicating it was printed today. The first thing he saw was "Magic."

The title is "Major Exposure of Frontline Supply".

Looking closely at the list below, one sees ointments made from dragon's blood, treasures woven from the hide of poisonous horned beasts, and weapons forged from the bones of poisonous leopards: rare and precious treasures are brought out as if scattered pearls, completely overshadowing Harry's previous righteous deeds.

Harry read through the frivolous words on the page and sighed repeatedly, "Fudge is such a petty rascal, acting like a child, yet he sits in the head of the Ministry of Magic."

"Does he think this is some kind of temple fair where people show off their wealth?"

"Forget it, let's not talk about him anymore." Hermione reached over and took the newspaper, her eyes fixed intently on Harry. "How's your big money-making plan going? Did it succeed?"

Harry laughed and said, "How could I not? If I were to break, how could I face my older sister back at school?"

Before he finished speaking, he took out an object from his bosom. It was a bright, golden Hufflepuff cup.

He placed the golden cup on the bed before recounting in detail how he had broken into Gringotts.

Ron was stunned and couldn't come to his senses for a long time. He never imagined that Harry's brilliant plan to make money was to raid the Death Eaters' vault.

Hermione bent down to examine the golden cup closely, her brows furrowed tightly. After a long while, she slowly said, "This is bad—we've been assuming Voldemort was resurrected using the Hufflepuff's Holy Grail—"

"Now it seems there's another Horcrux that none of us know about."

Harry exclaimed, "Big sister, you've hit the nail on the head! I'm afraid that Voldemort, that bastard, has other Horcruxes besides these."

"If we allow it to multiply like this, even if we had 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, we would not be able to kill it all or eradicate it completely."

The three sat around and discussed for a long time, but their conversation kept going around in circles, like a boat sailing in the fog, and they couldn't come to a conclusion.

As the sun began to set, Harry's stomach started rumbling again, so he stood up and said, "As the ancients said, 'A full stomach makes one calm.' It's getting late, so why don't we go to the Great Hall to eat first and then make our plans?"

Ron and Hermione both agreed, and the three of them immediately left their dormitory and headed straight for the Great Hall.

As soon as Harry entered, the students in the room burst into cheers and greetings, chattering excitedly.

Harry returned the greeting with clasped hands, then sat down on a long bench, waiting for the food to be served.

After about half an incense stick's time, suddenly the empty plates on the table clattered and jingled, and in an instant, roast goose, smoked fish, pork chops and other dishes appeared.

Harry stared intently, then frowned, saying doubtfully, "Huh! Am I seeing things? Why is the portion smaller than usual?"

"You all see, in the past these pepper sausages were as thick as lotus roots, and you couldn't swallow one whole. Now they're as thin as reeds, and you can swallow three or five in one go without any problem."

Ron, who was loudly chewing his food, slapped his forehead upon hearing Harry's words and mumbled, "Sorry, Harry, I forgot to mention that—I'll tell you after I finish eating!"

Hermione sighed and explained, "The Ministry of Magic has withdrawn its subsidies for meals at Hogwarts, and now the kitchen no longer has unlimited free ingredients."

"Although Fudge didn't say the reason explicitly, I think it's most likely because the war is getting more and more serious. You may not know this, but in the few days you've been gone, the French wizards have been on the verge of defeat."

Harry ignored Hermione's follow-up question and stared at the food on his plate, asking, "In that case, where did all this pasta and meat come from?"

'

"We'll use our tuition fees."

Harry remained silent for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, "Hey! I've got a good plan!"

"After the meal, I will trouble you, elder sister and brothers, to gather all the brothers and lead them to the secret room. At that time, it will be done in this way and that way."

After he finished speaking, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, and although they did not fully understand what he meant, they nodded in unison.

Harry hastily ate a few mouthfuls of food to fill his stomach before heading to the Chamber of Secrets.

After everyone finished eating, Ron and Hermione summoned the heads of each house, saying that Harry had important instructions to give and that they should pass them on.

Upon hearing that it was Harry who had summoned them, none of the leaders dared to disobey, and they all gathered their own students and went with him.

Upon entering the secret chamber, they found Harry already standing in the center, burning incense and bowing before the statue of Guan Yu. The high school students, knowing Harry's deep respect for Guan Yu, all held their breath and remained silent.

Seeing that no one around her spoke, Hermione stepped forward and asked, "Harry, what are you doing?"

After offering incense, Harry turned to the crowd and sighed, "The war continues unabated, and countless heroes have fallen at the hands of the Death Eaters. Whenever I think of this, my heart burns like ice."

Upon hearing this, all the students in the room sighed in dismay.

Ron scratched his head and said, "But Harry, didn't you just donate 20,000 Galleons a while ago?"

"Oh dear! Brother, you're mistaken!"

"These 20,000 jinlong are a mountain of gold on their own, but if poured onto the front lines, they are nothing more than a drop of dew on parched land."

"Even if you break this coin in half and divide it among the Aurors, how many pieces will each person get? What good will that do?"

Harry's words were so poignant that everyone sighed and lowered their heads.

Just as he was about to say something more sentimental, a man suddenly burst out from the crowd, clutching a handful of jingling coins, and shouted loudly, "I'm willing to donate!"

"Although I dislike the Ministry of Magic, I believe we cannot let the wizards on the front lines sacrifice themselves in vain!"

Ron and Hermione were taken aback, never expecting that there would be such a righteous person among the Boxers. But upon closer inspection, they recognized the man as Harry Colin Jr., which was no surprise.

Harry secretly cheered and immediately returned the salute, saying, "A true hero! You are indeed a hero!"

"If all wizards in the world possessed such loyalty, how could the Death Eaters not perish!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and shouted, "I'll add another 20,000 Galleons today to buy some mana potions and magic resistance suits to send to the front lines."

"If any of you brothers and sisters have any spare money, whether it's silver sikes or copper nats, even just a single coin will do you good, as a sign of our unity and concerted efforts!"

The students in the room, all young and full of youthful enthusiasm, immediately responded to Harry's words with a chorus of agreement. One reached into his pocket, another opened his purse, and coins jingled and clattered into the bag Hermione was holding.

After everyone had donated, Harry didn't even look at the amount. He simply tightened the drawstring of the bag, drew his wand, and pointed it at the ink bottle on the table.

Immediately, a blob of ink leaped into the air and drew a line of text on the bag's surface, which read:

Every inch of land was bought with blood; ten thousand wizards and ten thousand soldiers.

Finally, a new line of small print reads: Respectfully presented by Hogwarts.

Harry tossed the bag to Ron, saying, "Brother, please make a trip to Hogsmeade and deliver this to Brother Scrimgeour in person. Just tell him that it's a token of our appreciation from all the students of Hogwarts."

Ron took the bag and stared at the words on it, but couldn't understand their meaning.

He immediately tucked the bag into his coat and laughed, "Don't worry, Harry, leave this to me!"

Seeing that everything was arranged, Harry turned his head and asked, "What day of the week is it today?"

Hermione said, "Friday."

Harry looked around at everyone, cupped his hands in a fist salute, and said with a smile, "Tomorrow is a perfect day to go to Hogsmeade for some fun. All of you, brothers and sisters, may you go and drink, eat, watch the lanterns, and enjoy the plays."

"When I returned, I simply wrote down all the food and drink expenses in Hermione's book. I'll pay for the gambling! I'll pay!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room burst into laughter and cheers.

Poems as proof:

First, persuade them to donate money to help, then invite them to enjoy themselves and pay for entertainment.

A skillful combination of kindness and severity can win people's hearts and minds.

Amidst the commotion, Hermione quietly moved to Harry's side, frowned, and whispered, "Harry, what are you thinking?"

"At this rate of spending, I think the money you've raised will only last for two years at most."

Harry laughed, "Big sister, you've got a good plan. This money of mine will last me two years. Do you think that Fudge bastard can hold onto his ministerial position for two years?"

"I'll make a big show of it and give that bastard a piece of my mind, and see how he reacts."

Seeing that he was determined, Hermione could only sigh and give in to his wishes.

The next morning, Ron took the money bag and headed straight for Hogsmeade. As he walked, he stroked the ink on the bag, and the more he pondered it, the more he felt that the words contained the spirit of war and conquest.

When the money was delivered to Scrimgeour, it was specifically stated that it was "a token of the Hogwarts students' appreciation." Upon hearing this, Scrimgeour was taken aback.

He immediately swore an oath to Ron, saying that even if he died, he would send this sentiment to the front lines.

Within three to five days, "Harry Potter" once again dominated the headlines of various newspapers. This time, its popularity was even greater than before, and everyone in the streets, alleys, bars, and hotels was talking about it with great enthusiasm.

"Look! Look! Potter definitely did this on purpose!"

"A donation from all the students of Hogwarts? This is clearly an attempt to disgust me!"

"All the newspapers are saying that the Ministry of Magic is corrupt and can't even supply enough for the wizards on the front lines!"

"And that bastard Scrimgeour! He's Potter's dog!"

In the minister's office, Fouché's desk was covered with today's newspapers, and he was berating his subordinates relentlessly.

"And there's this saying: 'Every inch of our land is bought with blood; ten thousand wizards, ten thousand soldiers!'"

"Why can't you guys come up with a powerful slogan? What use are you to me?!"

"He's not even as good as a student!"

Fudge, his throat dry from yelling, picked up his teacup and took a few sips before a staff member tremblingly asked, "Should we respond to this, Minister?"

Fudge glared at him. "Respond to what? Do you think the Ministry of Magic has too much spare cash?"

Before the words were finished, a three-foot-long blue flame suddenly shot up from the fireplace with a "whoosh." With a flick of the flame, a wise man clad in purple robes stepped out.

The man smiled and said, "In fact, Connelly, I think this might be a good idea."

"Good day, esteemed sage." Fudge quickly rose and bowed, then pressed on, "What do you mean by the method you spoke of?"

The sage dismissed his assistants, brewed a cup of tea, and then looked up to say, "You understand what I mean, Connelly."

"Now is a critical moment in the war. You are the leader of the coalition against the mysterious man. Your reputation, prestige, and credibility are more important than ever before."

"You must use your actions to silence the rumors and gossip circulating in society."

Upon hearing this, Fudge's heart stirred, but he hesitated and said, "But the money—"

Do you think we'll lose?

Fudge paused, then quickly shook his head, "No!"

"Then what is there to be afraid of?" the sage patiently advised. "Even if you have misappropriated some money from the national treasury, you can add that money to the reparations after the war ends."

"Connelly, everything must be done with the bigger picture in mind."

Upon hearing the wise man's words, Fudge's Adam's apple bobbed for a moment before he took a deep breath and said, "Please rest assured, respected wise man, I will never fail your expectations."

Within three to five days, Fudge sent supplies to the front lines, including magical candies and snacks, roasted delicacies, and even barrels of hot butterbeer.

He wrote the slogan: "Make the wizards on the front lines feel at home."

Just a few days later, Harry donated another batch of Firebolts, specifically for modifying them for Auror aerial capture.

The broom handles were all engraved with the words: "Fight the war to the end and recover lost territory."

Fudge was so angry he was practically grinding his teeth, so he spent a fortune hiring two World Series Quidditch teams to come to the front lines for a performance, making the front lines even more lively than Diagon Alley.

Before a week had passed, dozens of large sandalwood chests filled with precious potions were delivered to the front-line medical tents. The chests were inscribed with the words: "United as one, fight to the bitter end."

The inside of each box lid is stamped with a line of small print: "Special thanks to Severus Snape".

The two of them tossed around a set of gold-inlaid jade and a set of brocade rings, spending money like water on the front lines.

Unfortunately, the two never came to a conclusion, so The Daily Prophet simply started a column to comment on Harry and Fudge's actions.

Although there are many insults and slick remarks about Fudge in the streets, the hot food and wine, and the star players' performances are undeniably good things, and there are often...

Humanitarian Fortune's methods, when applied to the spirit, are no less potent than a soul-stealing curse.

These two groups argued incessantly every day, making even a wizard's duel more exciting than this.

Just as the uproar was escalating, the Daily Prophet published a headline that stunned the entire magical community of the British Isles.

Do you know what Fuji did?

He dispatched three hundred Veslas to the front lines.