Whether this laboratory was legitimate or not, its operations had finally gotten on the right track.
After seeing off Professor Snape—who was rushing to juggle four jobs while lying low—and waiting for the other researchers to assemble—
Jane Yu immediately organized a meeting aimed at unifying their vision and fostering collective progress.
She began by delivering a welcome address to the researchers:
"First, I want to thank everyone for being here today. Each person present is an outstanding young talent in their respective field, and I truly treasure this hard-won opportunity to work alongside you all in the laboratory in the coming days. I also want to thank Minister Bones, who couldn't attend, for her tremendous support."
Augustus, Croaker, and the various Unspeakables applauded enthusiastically, welcoming each other.
"We all know that with Death Eaters running rampant, we're living in the special circumstances of wartime. This is the backdrop for our research project's birth—we've gathered together amid crisis. But the word 'crisis' represents both danger and opportunity. It gives us a chance to develop, an opportunity for new spells and potions to be created, for new magical devices to be born, to open our eyes to the world and realize our dreams."
Another round of applause erupted, everyone's eyes filled with anticipation for the future and longing for their dreams.
"Yes!" Augustus nodded vigorously, clapping frantically. "Before meeting you, I'd never had such abundant research funding in my life! No one had ever given such strong support for my supplementary medicine research! This is the opportunity you've brought me!"
Thank Minister Bones for sending this talent and funding package, Jane muttered to herself before continuing:
"The reason for organizing this research project is that we all share a common wish: we all hope the wizarding world will return to peace, and we all oppose the extremist terrorist attacks carried out under the banner of pure-blood supremacy. We hope that through innovation in spells, potions, and various magical devices, we can support the Ministry's Aurors in their battles and prevent innocent casualties among our families and the broader wizarding population."
At these words, everyone applauded again, the sound nearly shattering the laboratory's ceiling and continuing for ages.
"Well said!" Croaker agreed. "Everyone has family—no one wants their loved ones killed. Our products are saving everyone's lives! Our inventions are for a better tomorrow!"
After unifying their vision and emphasizing the importance of project confidentiality, Jane began establishing research plans for the project team.
"Long-term, we're not just a wartime logistics R&D group. Perhaps now we're only a small laboratory, just a small workshop, but in the future, when the war ends, this place will become a high-end magical research base covering the entire industry chain, nurturing the wizarding world's most advanced magical technologies, manufacturing magical devices that greatly enhance wizard welfare. All of Spinner's End will be packed with our most advanced magical products."
Augustus and Croaker's faces unconsciously showed anticipation for the future.
Though they'd only worked with Jane on the project for a few days...
The endless research funding, advanced research directions, and collision and fusion of wizard and Muggle theories had already made them reluctant to leave.
Both simultaneously began mentally drafting resignation letters to St. Mungo's and the Ministry of Magic for after the war.
"Shortening the timeframe, over the next year we'll gradually expand the laboratory into a wartime logistics supply base. Our research scope should include defensive magical devices, offensive magical devices, auxiliary magical devices, and cover potions, alchemy, and all categories of magic."
Jane spread out a comprehensive research list, indicating the top section on "Defensive Magical Devices—Protective Clothing."
"Short-term, our urgent priority is providing Aurors with their most needed protective equipment. We must concentrate all resources and energy on researching spell-shielding clothing, tackling difficulties to enhance their anti-curse functions and cover as many dark curses and hexes as possible."
She set KPIs for the team: produce Spell-Shielding Robe and Spell-Shielding Boot prototypes within a week, and deliver the first batch within a month to address the Ministry Aurors' urgent needs.
"Now everyone can consider: how should Spell-Shielding Hat design be more reasonable? What spells are needed on Spell-Shielding Robes?"
Almost the second after she finished speaking, the discussion in the laboratory became loud enough to nearly blow off the roof!
"Spell-Shielding Hats absolutely cannot use ordinary wizard hat designs!" Augustus shouted at the top of his lungs. "A gust of wind and they fall off! Every explosion I have to hold it down with my hand to prevent it flying away—I'd rather replace it with an iron pot upside-down on my head, at least that would be stable!"
"Steel helmet with chin straps, plus anti-transformation and anti-summoning charms," Croaker reacted extremely quickly, his voice even louder than Augustus's. "Unless enemies physically grab it, the hat will be as secure as if welded to your head!"
"Great idea!" Another Unspeakable gave a thumbs up. "Can the super-strong Shield Charm on the hat be combined with a directional spell to bounce enemy curses back along their original path? Random spell deflection could easily injure teammates. I once wrote a paper on spell direction and force—"
"Why not make the boots spell-shielding too? Walking could create wind effects, and if they could make me light as a feather to speed up dodging, that would be even better—"
The researchers discussed enthusiastically, Croaker already excitedly grabbing his wand to start sketching diagrams.
It had to be said, this was a very good, explosion-free beginning—
At least the protective clothing research theme temporarily kept Augustus and Croaker away from nitroglycerin.
Finally relaxed, Jane breathed a sigh of relief.
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