Miss Granger Has a Gift Too / You Can Talk Sponsorship with Old Dumbledore ...

Seeing Luna Lovegood's surprised expression, Harry knew that his gift had probably been a success.

When he first started making this pipe, he was actually imagining what kind of expression Luna Lovegood would have when she saw it, and now it seems the feedback is pretty good.

"It's better than the previous Ravenclaw's Diadem." Luna Lovegood tried sipping her drink from the filter, seemingly quite enjoying the new method.

This is not to say that Ravenclaw's Diadem is not beautiful. In fact, as a skillful alchemist, Rowena's tiara is far more exquisite than Harry's Ravenclaw's Diadem.

The problem is that Rowena, with her imposing appearance, has a slightly wide forehead and is an adult. The Ravenclaw's Diadem that perfectly matches her head shape is not very comfortable for Luna Lovegood, who has a smaller frame.

"Besides the jewels on the Ravenclaw's Diadem, I added some other things," Harry explained with a smile. "Try blowing on it."

"Blow?" Luna Lovegood tentatively puffed out her cheeks like little buns and gently blew on the pipe filter, resulting in a strange cloud of white smoke suddenly emanating from the bowl.

The shadowy figures in the mist seemed to conceal something yet to be revealed.

"I've incorporated powdered crystal balls into it, and refined it with water elements. You can use it to assist you when you need Prophecy," Harry continued, a hint of pride in his voice.

Harry was quite satisfied with how the Ravenclaw's Diadem had been transformed, which indicated that his alchemical skills had indeed improved during this period.

"Am I imagining things? Why do I suddenly feel that Luna Lovegood looks pretty good holding this?"

Looking at Luna Lovegood surrounded by a thin mist, Hermione's lips twitched slightly, feeling that her aesthetic sense seemed to be starting to go astray.

It's clearly a girl holding a pipe that looks incredibly out of place, but compared to Luna Lovegood's other items like the Butterbeer cork and carrot earrings, it actually looks the most normal thing.

"Detective Society, pipe... isn't that Sherlock Holmes?" At this moment, Colin suddenly lit up. "Luna Lovegood is the one among us who can identify suspects the fastest, so if she's Sherlock Holmes, then it's only natural that she should have a pipe!"

"That makes sense, but Sherlock Holmes should have a hat too," Will added from the side.

"Then let's get her one next time!" Tonks, always eager to stir up trouble, immediately chimed in. "I think a top hat would be perfect!"

"It should be a dress hat," Astoria Greengrass said after examining it for a moment, offering a different opinion.

"Who cares?" Tonks waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, if I see anything suitable, I'll just give it to her. Luna Lovegood has a great figure; she'll look adorable if she's dressed up!"

At this moment, her eyes gleamed with a strange excitement, clearly imagining Luna Lovegood as a doll to be dressed up.

"I already have my own hats," Luna Lovegood said casually. "Eagle and lion hats are fine. I'm also planning to have Dad order a badger hat and a snake hat soon..."

"Uh..." *N

The thought of Luna Lovegood's strange hats caused everyone present to simultaneously exchange a bewildered look.

Luna Lovegood wearing a hat with an eagle or lion on it, smoking a pipe?

Something feels off again.

"Anyway... thank you! I really love this gift!"

Suddenly, Luna Lovegood looked at Harry and gave him a bright smile.

"I'm glad you like it," Harry nodded with a smile. "Now that we've received the gift, let's eat quickly."

"Agreed!" *N

They all agreed in unison, followed by a hearty feast filled with laughter... and finally, a mess of empty plates and glasses.

The birthday party lasted until dusk before finally ending. Harry thoughtfully saw everyone off, even Luna Lovegood, who wanted to help, but he politely declined, saying that he and Hermione could clean up on their own.

"You can go back without worry. I'll help him take care of things."

Hermione, who already knew what this guy was up to, reluctantly rolled her eyes at him.

What could have been easily handled with a few spells was instead insisted on being done by two people. Looking at the mocking looks from everyone, especially Tonks before he left, Hermione now felt an urge to kick Harry a few times.

However, although Miss Granger said she was unwilling, her actions ultimately betrayed her decision to stay.

"You bastard... I knew you weren't up to any good!"

"There's nothing we can do about it," Harry shrugged with a grin. "Valentine's Day is just so unlucky; it has to fall on a Monday."

"You still remember this?" Hermione stomped on Harry's foot, annoyed. "Weren't you busy celebrating Loony's birthday? Not only did you throw a party, but you also... you even prepared that kind of gift, and you even took Ravenclaw's Diadem apart!"

"Hey... Hermione, are you jealous because I gave Luna Lovegood a gift?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow at Hermione's expression.

"I didn't!" Hermione shrieked involuntarily, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. "I did, I... what is this?"

She was about to frantically explain herself when she discovered that Harry had pulled out another beautifully packaged box from his pocket. She was completely stunned and speechless.

"Here, I was planning to give it to you tonight, but seeing how much you wanted it, I had to bring it out early." Harry stuffed the gift box into Hermione's hands. "A Valentine's Day and one-year anniversary gift, open it and see~"

"Um..."

Hermione nodded obediently, but when she opened the package, she couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise.

It was a beautiful quill pen, each of its long, white feathers combed soft and fluffy, like a drifting white cloud; the silver nib had a perfectly smooth curve, and even in the center of the quill tube, there was a faint gold line inlaid.

And lying quietly next to the quill pen was a bottle of equally beautifully packaged ink.

"Do you like it? It's specially made from the feathers of Abraxan and the Occamy Egg," Harry said with a smile. "It even comes with magic that automatically fills the ink and writes, and the ink is specially ordered Everlasting Ink. Well, what can I do? Our Miss Granger just loves doing homework, so of course I have to do everything I can to satisfy her wicked tastes."

"Ugh, that's not a weird joke!" Hermione blushed and playfully hit Harry, but she held the gift tightly to her chest.

"Thank you, I really like it. But... I... I forgot to prepare one for you..."

She lowered her head and murmured softly, her face gradually turning crimson in the night. While she was overjoyed, a sense of apology also rose in her heart.

The reason she seemed so bothered by Harry preparing a gift for Luna Lovegood wasn't just jealousy; it also stemmed from a sense of self-reproach and a tendency to 'accuse the innocent first.'

She had completely overlooked this matter, to the point that she hadn't even thought about preparing a gift for Harry.

"You don't need to prepare anything special. My gift is right here in front of you, isn't it?" Harry smiled at Hermione, gently stroking her cheek. "Miss Granger, just your presence here is more precious than any gift."

"Harry ..." Hermione's blush deepened upon hearing this.

She whispered Harry's name, slowly bringing her face closer to his, and as night fell, their figures gradually intertwined...

Chapter 405 It's possible to discuss sponsorship with Albus Dumbledore.

After Valentine's Day in 1994, Harry's life briefly returned to normal.

Of course, it's impossible for things to remain peaceful forever. After all, the current situation is complex, and there are many things he can't rely on others for, so in the end he has to do them himself.

For example, the next full moon will be in ten days, and he might even hope that he can master the art of creating clones by then...

In addition, Harry had been waiting for someone to come find him for the past few days.

But he never got to see them; instead, the Weasley family twins showed up.

"Hey Harry, Mr. Hengist has replied."

"He really wants to sell that land as soon as possible, but the price you offered was too low. He wants to know if you can raise it to 30,000."

Fred and George brought some pretty good news: it was only an extra five thousand Galleon, which was much less than Harry had expected.

"Then it's settled." Harry gave the Weasley Brothers the same affirmative answer. "Please reply to Mr. Hengist and ask him to come to the school to sign the contract when he has some free time."

Harry wasn't going to haggle over the 30,000 Galleon price anymore. Old Hengist clearly wasn't a businessman; the price he offered was the absolute lowest he could realistically expect. If Harry kept haggling, Hangeese would probably think Harry wasn't being sincere and then angrily abandon the deal.

Don't worry!

We'll arrange a time for you.

Fred and George readily agreed, but before leaving, the two brothers suddenly showed a hesitant expression, as if they wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Harry, have you heard about some of the rumors going around school lately?" Fred finally asked cautiously.

"Yes, I've heard." Harry nodded.

"Then, about Ginny..."

"George, I remember I told you two brothers this," Harry interrupted George calmly, "You two brought this upon yourselves, so you have to bear the consequences. I made it clear from the beginning... I wouldn't come forward to make any clarifications!"

"Well... alright, let's go write a letter to Mr. Hengist first."

Seeing that Harry was determined not to show up, the two brothers had no choice but to leave sheepishly.

Harry watched them leave without saying a word.

Just as he had predicted, the aftermath of the Firebolt incident finally began to escalate. Recently, Ginny Weasley, and indeed the entire Gryffindor, have faced considerable pressure from public opinion within the school.

Even though Harry was involved in this matter, he didn't want to step in and help quell it. After all, he wasn't the one who caused this mess, so why should he have to clean up the mess?

Everyone must be responsible for their own actions, Harry himself has come through that process.

When he chose to embark on this path, he was already prepared to bear everything.

Many people, such as Dumbledore, gradually began to distrust him, became suspicious of him, and even thought he was a malicious person, but Harry didn't care at all.

You have your noble ideals, and I have people I want to protect.

So... the enemy of my enemy is not always a friend, because there is another kind of relationship called a like-minded but incompatible rival!

"Sigh... well, since we've come this far as to discuss the contract, I'll just go and talk to him myself."

After the Weasley Brothers left, Harry sighed softly and headed towards the entrance to the Headmaster's Office on the third floor.

He actually had a lot to discuss with Albus Dumbledore recently, and he thought the other man would take the initiative to contact him because of the Ravenclaw issue, but Albus Dumbledore has remained silent. So Harry had no choice but to take the initiative.

"Please pass on a message for me: I wish to see the Headmaster." Harry politely asked the ugly-looking behemoth at the drooping stone gate on the third floor.

In the past, he wouldn't have needed to be so formal when he came to see Dumbledore. He could have either flown in through the window on the Seventh Floor or asked Professor McGonagall for the password. He was quite free.

But... that was in the past.

Nowadays, Harry and Dumbledore's relationship has become increasingly distant, and their meetings are more and more like official negotiations than casual chats between a junior and an elder.

"Please come in." After a moment, the gargoyle seemed to have received a reply and opened the door for Harry.

Harry climbed the spiral staircase inside the door and finally arrived at the Seventh Floor.

Dumbledore's office remained unchanged, with portraits of past headmasters hanging on the walls, whispering amongst themselves, while Fawkes rested leisurely on a branch.

As for Dumbledore himself, he was sitting at his desk with his hands supporting his chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"Harry, you've come." Upon seeing Harry's arrival, Dumbledore smiled and conjured a chair in front of Harry.

Please have a seat.

"Thank you." Harry nodded slightly and sat down opposite Dumbledore.

"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but even though the school year is only halfway over, it feels like it's been ages since we last met like this." Looking at Harry in front of him, Dumbledore seemed a little sentimental. "Time flies, doesn't it?"

"Yes, there's only a month and a half until Easter break, followed by term exams, and then the school year is over," Harry replied softly.

"Hmm, another year has passed..." Dumbledore looked deeply at the child before him, a sense of things having changed and people being different rising in his heart.

In just three short years, the young man before me has already developed such shrewdness and strength that even I dare not underestimate.

But... the path he's chosen now always makes him feel uneasy.

"Harry, is there something you need from me?" Dumbledore shook his head slightly, calming the turmoil in his heart, and looked at Harry calmly as he asked.

"I'd like to ask you for some sponsorship, Headmaster," Harry said with a smile, explaining his purpose. "I recently closed a deal in Hogsmeade and bought the Shrieking Shack and the surrounding land for 30,000 Galleon. You must know about that, right?"

"Yes, I only found out recently." Dumbledore nodded slightly. "I never expected you to close such a large deal. I heard you plan to build a nursing home on that land; that's a wonderful idea. I'm very happy for Nicolas Flamel to have a student like you to take care of him in his later years."

Dumbledore had no intention of hiding it from Harry. He knew that since Harry had brought it up with him, it meant that Harry had already confirmed his private relationship with Aberforth Dumbledore and knew about their exchanges. So he might as well just admit it openly.

"That retirement home isn't just for teachers and Scamander; retired faculty members from Hogwarts also have priority access." Seeing Dumbledore bring up the retirement home, Harry seized the opportunity to make his own request.

That's why I hope the school can give me some support.

Chapter 406 The School Governor of Trustees Can Be Scraped Out of Their Own Goods

"Oh, so what kind of support do you need?"

After learning of Harry's purpose, Dumbledore did not immediately agree, but instead inquired about the specific details of the sponsorship.

"Simply put, it's about financial and human resources," Harry explained in detail. "I've already paid the 30,000 Galleon for the initial land purchase, but I hope the school can help share some of the expenses when we hire someone to design and build the house later."

"At the same time, I hope Hogwarts can allocate me a group of House-elf to serve as caregivers for the elderly."

"Of course, in return, the retirement home will waive the basic living expenses for retired Hogwarts faculty and staff; at the same time, current students can also volunteer there regularly during their spare time."