A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 181: The Crested Serpent

Beyond the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron, they arrived directly at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions on the north side of Diagon Alley.

According to Professor Flitwick, while this shop sold school uniforms, formal robes, and traveling cloaks, if you were willing to spend a little more, Madam Malkin would be delighted to craft a custom outfit for you.

Madam Malkin, a plump and cheerful witch, clad in a deep purple robe, greeted them, "Welcome, are you here to buy a robe or perhaps a charming dance attire, sir?" She held a tape measure and a wand in her hands.

Felix Harp pointed to Dobby, "Ma'am, not me, it's him."

Madam Malkin's gaze fell upon Dobby, and she hesitated, "Oh, um..."

"Ma'am, I was introduced by Professor Phileas Flitwick. He praised your craftsmanship."

"It's my pleasure as well."

Under Felix's words and monetary persuasion, Madam Malkin created a little suit on the spot, transforming Dobby into a whole new appearance, akin to a refined British butler.

"Sir, you're very kind to your house-elf, but I'm not sure if I should remind you, clothes..."

"Ma'am, Dobby is my friend, he's free."

Throughout their journey, Dobby kept expressing gratitude to Felix in various ways, until Felix informed him about the standardized dress code, finally settling Dobby down.

Felix led him to the long-neglected building of LCA Comics Publishers, knocking on Andis's door.

After not coming for over ten days, the smell in the house seemed to have gathered again, but Andis's spirits had improved significantly. At least he had put on a clean set of clothes.

He pulled Felix into the room, producing a stack of manuscripts and, with a heavy nasal tone, said, "I've redrawn a portion of the book, added exclusive magic, see how it is?"

Felix carefully perused them. Each comic strip page was divided into five to ten panels. Opening a page, the characters in these panels would begin to move in a fixed sequence. As the plot of the first panel concluded, the second would start playing, timing executed perfectly.

One could say that each comic strip page was akin to a segment of a film.

"The magic on it is rather intriguing," Felix commented.

If he were to add another page on top of this, allowing it to sequentially display the content of all the panels in the entire comic strip, wouldn't that achieve a cinematic effect?

He expressed this idea to Andis.

"Hmm?"

Andis pondered in his mind, "It seems feasible?" he said uncertainly.

"I don't know the magic of your publishing house unless..."

"That's a closely guarded secret." Andis hastily added.

"Well," Felix pursed his lips, gazing at the manuscript in his hands, constantly caressing its surface, "Using your professional judgment, do you think the idea I just mentioned is feasible?"

Andis didn't answer, this time he took longer to think. The more he thought, the more excited he became, pacing around the room.

"Absolutely feasible! This is a breakthrough in the wizarding world. Merlin, we're going to make a splash!"

"If you were to make improvements, how long do you think it would take?"

"Hard to say. This is new technology; it will definitely take time. I've already got two approaches in mind, I haven't been idle these years, and my grandfather's past research can be helpful too. But magic has changed, the entire process needs adjustments, including selecting the most suitable comic strip medium and pigments. This requires both time and..." Andis awkwardly stopped.

"And money?"

"... Yes."

Felix calculated for a moment, "I can provide about twenty thousand Galleons, but what can I get in return?"

Andis struggled, he was hesitating, this was a critical choice, perhaps LCA Comics would regain vitality under his hands.

But his judgments over the past decade had been wrong, what about this time?

"Are you Felix Harp?" he asked, gritting his teeth.

Felix glanced at him, puzzled. What did he mean? I've already introduced myself. The house-elf Dobby, however, proudly stepped forward and said, "That's right, this is the great Felix Harp, sir!"

Andis cast a brief glance at Dobby, not paying much attention. He looked at Felix and said slowly, "I've inquired around recently, and they say you possess considerable influence."

"Speak plainly, Andis, no beating around the bush."

"Five thousand Galleons! If you can help me deal with the Ministry of Magic, I'm willing to convert this money into an investment, exchanging it for twenty, no! Thirty percent ownership in the publishing house."

"Deal with the Ministry of Magic?"

"I hope this book can receive official recommendation and be displayed in bookstores of other countries. It would save a lot of time," Andis explained.

"Where's the trouble?"

"It's related to some pure-blood families. They might not appreciate this book," Andis hesitated in his words.

"But my previous publications didn't cause any issues?" Felix curiously inquired.

"Different publishing houses are different. I have a track record, coupled with the subject matter of this book..." He implied, and Felix understood. So, your previous published works offended some people, didn't they?

"I need to see those controversial drafts of yours first," Felix didn't hastily agree.

If Andis had issues, he would refuse promptly.

After a pause, Felix lifted his head from one of the manuscripts. He had only obtained sales data from LCA Publishers before, but he hadn't read the entire book yet.

It was evident that Andis had indeed been working hard these years to revive the publishing house. The subject matter varied, but there was a book with antagonists from pure-blood families. Although there was no specific representation of which family, it was clear that it had drawn some discontent.

Although, in his view, this was a normal creative process.

"Tsk tsk!"

Felix pondered for a moment. He needed to invest 5000 Galleons, along with limited time and effort. He also needed to address potential troubles. In return, he would gain thirty percent ownership from the other party.

He also believed in the development of the new technology and had confidence in LCA.

"That's acceptable, but I want all your magical data."

Andis paused for a moment, "Of course, that's within your rights. Just don't disclose it recklessly."

Felix nodded. Then he had no problem.

Money was a minor issue; it was this exclusive magic that he valued. However, in the future, he would at least receive a stable portion of returns, saving him from dealing in the black market.

This was different from the fifty percent ownership mentioned by the twins. He hadn't intended to take that money at all.

Andis said to him, "Let's establish a magical contract; it will put both parties at ease."

Felix had no reason to refuse. He produced a piece of parchment. A string of golden words appeared on it, outlining the obligations and rights both parties should fulfill. Afterwards, they each left their names and a drop of blood.

Under the gaze of the three individuals, the parchment turned to ashes within golden flames. But the text remained radiant, suspended in mid-air.

Soon, the golden letters melted, coalescing into two glowing orbs. One for Felix and one for Andis.

This contract belonged to the most common "Witnessed Contract," with no binding force, but it was protected by the Ministry of Magic. If any problems arose, all one had to do was take the orbs to the Ministry to file a complaint, and the Ministry would step in to resolve the issue.

With the contract orb in his hand, Andis sighed in relief.

He could say he was wagering a part of his future, but now he was filled with anticipation. This was because a mysterious friend had told him, "Cooperating with that gentleman, you'll never worry about being at a loss. He's a proud Slytherin, unlike those greedy pure-blood trash."

Felix looked at the house-elf. "Dobby, I need you to visit at least once a day, inquire about progress and troubles. If necessary, you can negotiate on behalf of me and the pure-blood families." He pointed his wand at Dobby's chest, and a Crested Serpent symbol, shaped like the number 8, appeared.

The pattern remained still, but as you gazed at it, it began to move rapidly, the emerald snake eyes sparkling.

This was the symbol Felix had imprinted on his clothes back in his fifth year. Many pure-blood families recognized it, although it wasn't used much nowadays.

"Dobby, Dobby's afraid he can't..." The house-elf hesitated fearfully.

"When you were in the Malfoy household, you did tasks like delivering letters, right?"

"But, but Dobby only delivered letters, it was similar to an owl's role."

"Then give it a try. If you encounter a problem you can't solve, come to me," Felix said calmly. "I'm also curious to know who will come to me for trouble."

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