Stark, Headmaster of Two Schools

Before the Christmas holidays, students can make one last trip to Hogsmeade.

Harry obviously couldn't go.

To help him, the twins gave him a Hogwarts Map as a Christmas present.

This map is used privately by Akali's Mystery Shop; it's a high-end, optimized version.

Its functions are basically the same as Marauder's Map, and it can display various secret passages and other people's names.

The map layout was also redesigned by Cedric and Cho.

This is a non-sale item, currently held only by members of Akali's Mystery Shop and Hermione.

Even Anne wasn't included.

Giving Harry one would be perfectly reasonable.

Because last semester, William discovered in Lupin's memory that the Marauders were actually James's group of four.

Akali's Mystery Shop map is derived from the Marauder's Map.

If the Marauders has other offspring, they will also send one.

So this group is truly pathetic. Aside from James Potter, who is married and has children, the others are all single older men.

You say the Marauders are a gay group, and that James and his three harems' adventures in the bushes... William would believe that!

This brings us to the issue of naming; the name "Marauders" is really not a good one.

Like many other debut groups such as the Death Eaters, Akatsuki, and Black Organization, it's obvious from their names that they have no future.

Akali's Mystery Shop is catchy and gives off a sophisticated vibe.

That's the difference.

For their last visit to Hogsmeade, William and Hermione didn't go; instead, they went to Hogsmeade Station.

In the morning, a red steam train slowly approached from a distance.

The Hogwarts Express never runs outside of holidays, but this time was an exception.

The train made a screeching sound as it slowly came to a stop at the dilapidated platform.

The train doors opened, the gangway descended, and the only passenger appeared at the door.

Nicolas, dressed in a dark suit and wearing black-rimmed glasses without glasses, got out of the car looking like a professor.

He was poised and refined, and gave William and Hermione a slight smile.

"Good morning, sir, welcome to Hogwarts." William smiled broadly. "Have you had a pleasant journey?"

"Of course, it's quite novel," Nicolas exclaimed. "It's my first time riding the Hogwarts Express."

"The only downside is that I'm the only passenger; I prefer a more lively atmosphere."

Nicolas didn't just decide to ride the train on a whim; the Thunderbird had caused serious damage to the train during their attack.

Dumbledore invited Nicolas to help with the repairs and, incidentally, to reinforce some of the spells.

"Ah!" Nicolas seemed to suddenly remember something, he shook his head and said with dissatisfaction:

"There's one more small problem, I almost forgot, it's terrible."

William initially thought it was a problem with the Ancient Runes on the train, but then Nicolas pulled out Chocolate Frog Card.

I bought some Chocolate Frog from the snack vendor. I haven't checked on them in ages, oh... that's terrible.

"I have to say," Nicolas said in a wronged tone, "They made me look old in the photos... I seem to look older than Albus in the pictures."

William and Hermione were amused by Nicolas.

Nicolas turned her gaze to Hermione and teased:

"Oh, Hermione, it's been a long time! You've become even more beautiful. I hope William hasn't been bullying you."

Hermione blushed and shook her head, saying in a soft, sweet voice, "No."

"Remember to write to me if anything happens, so I can help you teach him a lesson." Nicolas winked.

Hermione puffed out her cheeks, her dimples bulging, and gave William a defiant snort.

Nicolas snapped his fingers, and a golden cane appeared in his hand, which he gently leaned on.

Two years had passed, and the old man seemed much weaker than before.

William composed himself and asked with concern, "Nicolas, are you alright?"

Nicolas shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

"A body of flesh and blood. The mortal body does not last forever."

"Shall we go straight to the school?" Hermione asked. "Professor Dumbledore is already waiting."

"Let Albus wait," Nicolas laughed. "Ignore him, let's go explore Hogsmeade."

I came here many years ago, during a war... a war between wizards and Goblin.

The Goblin Rebellion of 1612 was launched at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. Nicolas was young then, only... three hundred years old!

Nicolas is truly a living fossil; with six hundred years of life experience... he is a witness to and a firsthand participant in countless histories!

Hogsmeade looks like a Christmas card:

The cottages and shops were covered with a layer of soft snow, and each house had a holly wreath on its door. Strings of enchanted candles hung from the trees.

The three of them walked along the streets of Hogsmeade, attracting countless glances, especially when a strange old man appeared beside William and Hermione.

No one recognized Nicolas; he rarely appeared in public.

"How is Newt?" William asked, ignoring the probing looks from the crowd.

"He's been released, but he's under close surveillance by the Magical Congress of the United States of America." Nicolas looked around at the shops.

"Many things over there are handled by that little girl, Babbling."

"Professor Babbling, how is she?" William asked cautiously.

"I know what you want to ask, William," Nicolas said with a strange chuckle. "She's doing very well, just a little high-profile."

"What do you mean?" William frowned slightly, realizing that things were not so simple.

"To put it simply, if you had gone to United States a few years later, she might have already become the dean and vice-principal of Ilvermorny, using your face as a cover."

"..."

Etc!

William suddenly realized something: didn't that mean he had a great chance of becoming the unprecedented... principal of two schools!

Merlin's leg hair?! That's so stimulating!

Inside the Three Broomsticks

I ran into Minister Fudge, McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick on the way; they were chatting around a table.

Harry had already sneaked into Hogsmeade through the secret passage. He was now wearing the Invisibility Cloak and eavesdropping on the conversation from the other side.

Meanwhile, Ron kept stealing glances at the still-attractive and charming widow... Madam Rosmerta.

The group was talking about Black.

Professor McGonagall described how good a relationship Black had with James back then.

They were so close that they reportedly shared the same pair of underwear, taking turns wearing it.

Professor Flitwick said that the two were like conjoined twins or biological brothers at that time.

Madam Rosmerta stated that she had always believed they were a couple.

Everyone was deeply saddened, and Harry was especially shocked. He never imagined that Black was the murderer who betrayed his parents.

"Oh, who is that person?" Minister Fudge glanced out the window unintentionally.

"Merlin!" he exclaimed, standing up. "It's Mr. Nicolas Flamel!"

"Where?" Rosmerta looked up, peering around curiously.

"Right next to William —that old man!" Fudge waved excitedly.

However, the three people outside did not notice him.

McGonagall and Professor Flitwick also turned to look, and indeed it was the famous Nicolas Flamel.

"I thought he was dead," Rosmerta said softly.

"Didn't Professor Dumbledore say in the newspaper two years ago that Nicolas Flamel had destroyed the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Yes, yes," Fudge murmured. "That's a huge inheritance..."

"Hmm?" Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow.

"No, I meant... if I donate to the Ministry of Magic, I can make a greater contribution to the United Kingdom." Fudge quickly corrected himself.

Professor McGonagall pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with distrust.

The France wouldn't donate to the United Kingdom Ministry of Magic either.

Fudge had clearly thought of this as well, and he considered it more deeply.

There have long been rumors that Stark was Flamel's student, and that Flamel was present in his life during the Gringotts incident.

The relationship between the two seems unusual.

Now that Flamel has destroyed the Philosopher's Stone, he probably won't live much longer.

He will definitely make a will, and William, as a student, may instantly become the richest man in the British Isles.

Wow~ Compared to Flamel's fortune, what is Malfoy?

Asking for 10,000 Galleon to spend as one pleases is like asking to kill Lucius!

Fudge suddenly realized that he should continue to cultivate a good relationship with William, so that he could... take advantage of him after he inherited the estate.

No one can turn down gold.

So, there's still room for discussion regarding Hagrid's Hippogriff.

This time, Fudge wants to be a good person.

I want to be a minister with a moral bottom line.

(Please vote for this post, everyone!)

(Thanks to "Deep Sea Turtle" for the generous donation.)