Chapter 180

When Felix walked out of the L.C.A. building, it was already noon, and when he dropped by Little Red Books, to his surprise, his “Muggle World ‘Magic'” sample book is completed.

‘How efficient, no need for me to concern with it at all.’

This book, as a formal science book, is in line with his first two muggle research books, and it is expected to become a series.

At least that’s what the elegant violet dress lady said to him.

Felix also made sure to ask about things he didn’t particularly concern about before, such as how his books sold out in Britain and around the world.

And from her answer, Felix realized that there were two ways to distribute the book around the world. One is to obtain the recommendation of the Ministry of Magic in the home country, but this way, in addition to the finite places, it would be resisted by some nations because it is an official act; the other way is to become a member of the International Federation of Wizard Publishers.

The International Federation of Wizard Publishers, a relatively loose international organization of wizards, whose members are top publishers from different countries, holds a gathering every March and September to screen out some valuable books.

These lucky books would be brought to different countries to be sold in the magic bookshops.

And Felix unknowingly enjoyed this benefit. For this, he once again expressed his gratitude.

“Your books are good enough, Mr. Hap. For us, it’s a win-win situation.”

…

Felix returned to the school, and a number of professors also returned. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick decorated the great hall, and they were in a very happy mood, with Professor McGonagall even humming a little tune.

The tall, burly Hagrid walked in carrying two three-meter-long ocean pine trees, and Flitwick gracefully waved his wand to make them stand in a corner of the great hall and draped them with coloured paper ribbons.

“Felix,” Hagrid greeted gruffly.

“Hagrid, how’s the lesson preparation going?” Felix asked.

Hagrid said cheerfully, “It went pretty well, I went to the library and checked out a lot of information. I purposely looked through the new books on the market, and I dare say that the material I chose is absolutely interesting.”

“I remember that the textbook for this course has always been Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, right?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Ah, that’s the upper grades textbook, I have a new one for the first three grades to try … you told me, innovation needs to find a beta test, and then expand to the whole group when it’s successful.”

“I’m looking forward to it, Hagrid.”

Tomorrow is opening day, and the professors gather at a square table for dinner that evening. Even Professor Trelawney, whose whereabouts were obscure, arrived draped in a sarong.

She whispered to a house-elf, “Get me some sherry, dear.”

The elf stammered, “Yes, yes, ma’am.”

She disappeared, and a short while later she stumbled out holding a large bottle of wine, “I’m sorry, no small bottles were available, only this type.”

“Ha!” Trelawney’s eyes lit up, “That’s okay, this is good too, perfect.”

“Want some?” She looked to Felix and shook the bottle, the liquor kept bobbing around.

“No, thanks.” Felix politely declined.

Trelawney poured herself a glass of wine, and Professor Burbage next to her also drank a small glass.

Dumbledore appeared in front of him for the first time since they had met in France, and he seemed to be in a good mood, grinning as he accepted a plate of tea-colored pastries handed to him by Flitwick, which Felix thought maybe because he had just got rid of a tiresome errand.

At the end of dinner, he called out Felix.

“Wait, Felix. Nicolas has some books that he asked me to bring to you.” Dumbledore said with a wink.

So the two went to the Headmaster’s office and Dumbledore said in a light tone, “Just a moment, I left them on the bedside in my bedroom. During your absence, I read part of it every day.”

Felix nodded and watched as he walked up the Grand Staircase and disappeared into the first floor to his office space.

“Dumbledore’s bedroom, I wonder what it might look like?” He thought with some curiosity.

The Headmaster’s office hasn’t changed much. The spacious circular room is filled with all sorts of trinkets: the rhythmic breathing of Phoenix Fawkes on his gilded perch, the trivial sound of silverware swirling on the slender-legged table, and the grunting from the portraits of past Headmaster’s on the wall.

Felix’s gaze fixed on the Sorting Hat lying peacefully on the compartment, hesitant to pick it up and study it.

“Hey, Slytherin boy!” An uncomfortable voice spoke.

Felix turned his head to look over, it belonged to a portrait on the wall, and at the bottom of the portrait, there is a small line written in hot gold fancy letters –

‘Phineas Nigellus Black, term 1847 to 1925, graduated from Slytherin House.’

Felix asked, “Headmaster Black, are you calling me?”

The man in the portrait grunted, “Or else, is there any other living person in this room?” With his goatee sticking up, and his eyebrows thinned, he looked very unpleasant.

At the moment, he reached out to poke at the frame, “Come closer, I have something to say to you,” Seeing Felix unmoved at the spot, his tone became urgent: “It’s beneficial to you!”

Felix’s heart is filled with doubts, Even if there’s a benefit, and it is not his turn, anyway he still walked to the portrait of Headmaster Black.

The grunts in the other portraits disappeared, and they either graciously opened their eyes to stare, or half-squinted, watching the interaction between them closely.

But Headmaster Black didn’t say anything, or perhaps even if he is displeased he couldn’t do anything about it. So he said as quietly as he could, “Have you ever heard of the name Sirius Black?”

“Yeah, he’s a celebrity now, escaped from Azkaban three weeks ago,” Felix said.

Headmaster Black choked for a moment, he said with some shame, “That’s a descendant of the noble Black family, my great-grandson!”

“Oh.”

“What do you mean, you wicked kid!” Headmaster Black yelled in a small voice, but then he said slyly, “We’re all Slytherin, son, and I know what you are thinking …”

“Listen, the Black family has a long history and a rich collection of books hidden in the old mansion, not something those rags at Hogwarts can compare to, want some? Do one thing for me.”

“What is it?”

“Bring him to me, not this me, but another portrait, remember, 12 Grimmauld Place.”

Felix is very interested in the Black family’s collection, but he tested the water cautiously, “Don’t tell me that the old mansion of one of the 28 pureblood families has no defences.”

“Listen to me, don’t interrupt me, time is limited! You’ll find it, I’m sure you can do it, but you’ll need something that is unique to the noble House of Black … Oh, Dumbledore! When did you get back?”

Felix turned back, and Dumbledore had appeared at the First-floor railing, standing expressionless with two books in his arms.

“Very early, at the time, you acknowledged Sirius Black as your great-grandson.” Dumbledore walked down the steps, he walked against the light, so that his eyes could not be seen, only his powerful voice could be heard: “Phineas, the … man whom you discussed has committed an unforgivable crime.”

The portrait of Headmaster Black shouted, “Dumbledore, he is the last descendant of the Black family!”

But Dumbledore also raised the volume: “… betrayed his best friend, he also killed thirteen people, one of which was also his best friend who he spent ten years with. Do you know how he ended up, Phineas? The crew at the scene could only find one of Peter’s fingers and bloodstained pieces of clothing.”

The old man walked towards the portrait and said in an icy tone, his every wrinkle holding anger. “And now he has broken out of prison, under the fantasy of helping his old master get his power back, would not hesitate to kill his godson as godfather!”

There is silence in the Headmaster’s office.

———-

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