The final price for the Omnoculars was five Galleons and ten Sickles per pair, which was even cheaper than Amostra's target price. There was nothing for it; Mr. Banges needed a whole week to prepare three hundred pairs of Omnoculars!
When seeing Amostra off, Mr. Banges still wore a mournful face, as if he had lost a large sum of money.
Amostra thought he was overacting a bit. The cost of most magical items and alchemical tools was forty to fifty percent of the selling price. Including taxes and operating costs, it wouldn't exceed sixty percent at most. In this business, Mr. Banges still... well, he wouldn't lose money!
The negotiation for the final seven Sickles discount was very difficult. By the time Amostra left the magical supplies shop, the sun had already risen high.
Amostra stood in the middle of the street, letting the bright sunlight bathe him, fully enjoying this rare moment of leisure. Ever since graduation, this kind of relaxed, unhurried pace of life had completely left him.
"Another more difficult negotiation..."
After a while, Amostra took a deep breath, looking towards the castle standing under the blue sky and white clouds. There was still someone waiting for him to persuade, and it was predictable that the negotiation process would not be particularly smooth.
Before noon, around 10:30 AM, Amostra returned to Hogwarts Castle again. To avoid affecting lunch time, he hurriedly ascended the marble staircase, skillfully crossing the moving stairs and entering the activity area for Gryffindor students on the second floor.
Rough voices arguing could be heard from far down the corridor. Amostra craned his neck and listened for a few moments but couldn't make out anything coherent. Being pressed for time, he quickly turned to the other side of the corridor and knocked on the door of an office along the way.
"Come in."
The stern voice from behind the door brought back memories for Amostra. He smiled faintly, twisted the doorknob, and stepped inside.
Professor McGonagall's office was much smaller than Snape's. Mountains of papers, the young wizards' homework, and teaching aids used in class were piled everywhere along the walls.
Professor McGonagall's small desk was by the window, directly facing the Quidditch pitch.
When Amostra entered, she was bowing her head, reviewing documents. With good eyesight, Amostra quickly glanced, and it seemed to be the purchase requests for teaching supplementary materials submitted by various professors for the second half of the semester.
"Oh, it's Amostra."
Professor McGonagall, who had been working at her desk, pushed up her black-framed glasses and turned around. Upon seeing who the visitor was, her tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly.
"You look much more mature than three years ago. I almost didn't recognize you."
Professor McGonagall rose to scrutinize her student, Snape's proud protégé. Her expression was much gentler than usual when facing young wizards.
To be honest, before Amostra's fifth year, her communication with Amostra was limited to a few classroom exchanges and the annual approval of his scholarship applications. Other than that, she hadn't paid any special attention to this inconspicuous Slytherin young wizard.
Until Amostra's fifth year, that night before Christmas Eve.
That single night, Amostra Blair, in a very short time, twice reset her evaluation of this child in her mind, from extreme dislike to extreme gratitude.
Since that night, she had kept a close eye on Amostra.
"Long time no see, Professor McGonagall,"
Amostra smiled sincerely. "You haven't changed much compared to three years ago."
While Professor McGonagall scrutinized him, Amostra also observed her with a smile. His previous words were merely polite flattery. To be honest, Professor McGonagall looked older than before, she was thinner, and had a lot more white hair.
This was inevitable. Meeting a headmaster as "responsible" as Albus Dumbledore, one could only say it was her bad luck.
The window in the room was open, and the faint scent of violet wine could be smelled in the air. Professor McGonagall gestured for Amostra to sit down, while she walked to the roaring fireplace and took a teapot from the mantelpiece.
"Last night, late at night, Headmaster Dumbledore left me a message, telling me about the School Board sending you back to school."
Professor McGonagall's tone carried some dissatisfaction; it was unclear who she was complaining about.
"Regardless, Amostra, welcome back to school!"
Amostra took a small sip of tea. As expected, it was so bitter it made his scalp tingle. It seemed this pot of tea was brewed by Professor McGonagall to sober up. He silently put down the teacup, having no desire for another sip.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. I'm also very happy to have this opportunity to return to Hogwarts. You know, many young wizards dream of coming back here a few years after graduation, to relive those carefree school days."
"Yes, this place holds many fond memories for many people."
Amostra's words pleased Professor McGonagall, and her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Speaking of which, if I remember correctly, this seems to be our second face-to-face conversation, right?"
Amostra nodded slightly, recalling the old days.
"You're not mistaken. It was a little over halfway through the second half of my fifth year. You sought me out for a talk, the purpose being to persuade me not to deliberately make mistakes in my homework for various subjects, and to try to show my true ability. Hmph, I'm sorry, Professor, I was indeed a bit strange back then!"
"Snape told me privately that you called that behavior 'acting like a slug to eat a dragon'. A very apt metaphor, Amostra. But this time, it's your turn to persuade me."
Professor McGonagall didn't mind chatting with Amostra for a bit longer, to gain a better understanding of him. This was also her duty as the school's Deputy Headmistress.
But unfortunately, she had a mountain of things to do today. After handling Hogwarts' daily operational affairs, she still had to create the teaching plans for all grades next year, adjust the salaries of the professors, and there were several Transfiguration essays in Transfiguration Today urgently awaiting her review.
Because of these complex tasks, while other professors were still enjoying their happy Christmas holidays, she even had to meticulously plan ahead to squeeze in time for a single social gathering.
"...Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to arrange your accommodation and office,"
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tightly, her expression becoming solemn.
"I originally planned to meet with you after dinner, but this morning, when I met Professor Snape, he incidentally mentioned your plan to me, which made me have to talk to you sooner. This matter should have originally belonged to Headmaster Dumbledore, but... well, let's not dwell on that."
Professor McGonagall's mood soured. She took a deep breath, her eyes sharp, and asked pointedly,
"I'm not questioning the feasibility of your plan, Amostra. My question is, do you think this solution is truly appropriate, to monitor the daily lives of all the young wizards just to find the Heir of the Chamber of Secrets?"
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