The chaos just now left the diagonal alley, which has been recovering its old popularity after the war, deserted again.
Amosta led a few young wizards through the street.
The street was a scene of desolation.
Shops on both sides of the compacted earth road were closed and evacuated in a hurry after the previous procession knocked down the partition wall and caused chaos, fearing their lives might be at risk.
Amosta led a few nervous young wizards to the Broken Pot Tavern.
The vast bar had no guests.
However, as Old Tom had made a big deal by ordering lunch for the parade from the department, spending a considerable amount of gold, he was not at all bothered by the bleak business now.
He hummed a light tune, standing behind the bar and wiping glasses.
"Ah, Mr. Brenn?"
As the group of people walked into the bar, Old Tom's eyes shone immediately. He ran from behind the bar, agile like a teenager or young man in his twenties, to stand in front of Amosta.
"Would you do me the honor of accepting a drink, Mr. Brenn, as a toast to your recent great victory?"
"Oh—"
Amosta smiled and laughed.
"I was just going to grab something to eat, but alright, bring me a sherry, um the original flavor—"
Amosta turned to glance at the few students behind him.
"Please give me another five glasses of orange juice."
Old Tom immediately rushed off to work.
"Sit down, please—"
Looking around, Amosta chose a window seat and combined two tables, sitting down first and gesturing for Harry and the others to sit down.
"How are your summer assignments coming along?"
Amosta put her hands together and placed them on her raised knees, her calm gaze covering the few small wizards who were sitting in a serious manner.
Everyone gave a positive response, but Harry and Ron answered with heads bowed, looking somewhat guilty.
They were not lying; they had indeed completed their summer homework. It was just that after Hermione left, the quality of their work had plummeted.
Then there was a moment of silence.
Looking at the few small kids in front of him, silent as stone, Amosta was also lost in a trance.
He asked himself if he was not someone who liked to play with authority, whether in front of students or other adult wizards.
However, as his reputation grew, more and more people unconsciously assumed a respectful demeanor when facing him.
Over the past few weeks, as his advisor assisting Amelia's rule, he had encountered many witches and wizards who were so nervous in front of him that they couldn't even speak.
Ah.
Amosta let out a soft sigh.
He didn't speak ill of others, but he was getting more accustomed to adopting a dignified posture in front of people. In this regard, Dumbledore was more adaptable.
"Sorry, Professor!"
"Pretty please!" Hermione stood up immediately, looking sad and saying, "Harry also looked pale as he stood up."
Following was Luna.
Her normally untroubled eyes revealed a rare, clear sign of tension.
As for Ron and Lavender, these two slower than others were also nervously leaving their seats.
Amosta raised an eyebrow, not saying a word.
"I shouldn't have made Harry pretend to be kidnapped by Luna."
Hermione pursed her lips and felt ashamed.
"I shouldn't have used Polyjuice Potion to become John either."
Luna also confessed her mistakes.
Amosta had a complicated expression.
He hadn't yet begun to question them, but these two girls had admitted their faults so readily.
Old Tom, carrying a tray, ran over and placed it on the table. After nodding respectfully and not saying a word, he quickly retreated.
"Sit down, please—"
Amosta picked up the glass, ran his finger across the clear rim, pondered for a moment, and then said.
"Youngness means having the right to make mistakes."
Professor Brenn did not reprimand them for their impulsiveness as they had expected, but calmly said,
"Only, those with wisdom can draw experience from continuous mistakes and help themselves grow."
Harry also lowered his head with shame, knowing that he certainly did not belong to those described by Professor Brenn as wise.
Amosta did not want to be overly harsh on these children either.
After all, their intentions were good.
As for the impulsive habit. This was a 'hereditary' illness among the little witches of Gryffindor College.
He could not expect them to be like him, born into this world from the start as a mature person.
Moreover, if Harry and these other children truly learned to read the situation, that would be a troublesome problem.
"Let's stop it here—"
Amosta brought the glass to his lips, took a light sip, savoring the delicate spiciness that burst on his taste buds. He exhaled slowly, easing his fatigue, and then fixed his gaze on Hermione.
"Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about for a while, but the matters of the Ministry have kept me busy--"
Hermione's heart, which had just eased down, rose again to her throat. She blinked her slightly moist long eyelashes and watched Professor Brenn nervously.
And Harry and the others also immediately cast curious glances towards Hermione.
"The one you set up. Hmm--"
His memory was becoming somewhat blurred. Amosta rubbed his forehead and pondered for a few seconds,
"Yes, I think it was the 'Association for the Protection of House-Elf Rights.' Do you still have plans to continue it?"
Quietly, Harry and Ron opened their mouths in shock.
Professor Brenn was talking specifically to Hermione about her silly agreement. This sounded pretty ridiculous!
Even Hermione herself had not anticipated this. She stood there, expressionless for a moment before regaining her senses.
"Oh, I have plans to continue it, Professor!"
Ignoring Ron and Harry's strange expressions, Hermione quickly regained her spirit. She said enthusiastically, "I have plans to continue it too, Professor!"
"Professor Brenn, I have a new plan on how to get more students involved in the movement to liberate house-elves from slavery!"
"Oh?"
Amosta showed an interested expression,
"Tell me more—"
Huh. Breathe.
Hermione exhaled heavily, her eyes shimmering with light,
"I realize that teaching house-elves to fight for their rights is a long and arduous path, and I cannot do this alone. I need to gain the support of more people!"
"But as I know--"
Amosta leisurely looked at Ron and Harry, who were trying to stifle their laughter and were giving her an odd face,
"You have already tried to gain more support, haven't you? But it seems to have had no effect?"
"Oh, that's because, Professor Brenn——"
Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron and said, "I was using the wrong method, Professor Brenn——"
"Awareness of the house-elves' plight is a thankless task, and I shouldn't expect everyone to be enthusiastic about it. So, I've decided to change my approach--"
As she spoke, Hermione took out the pouch containing a thousand galleons and placed it in front of everyone.
"Oh!"
Ron looked at the pouch and then at Hermione.
"You're crazy, Hermione, are you going to spend all your savings on those little creatures?"
"That's exactly what I'm doing!"
Hermione lifted her chin and chest.
"I plan to pay salaries to everyone who is willing to join the Association for the Protection of House-Elf Rights, Professor Brenn. And if someone can make breakthrough progress, I will also give them bonuses!"
"If you do this, you'll be gone in an instant, Hermione--"
Harry gave an honest suggestion, not realizing that Hermione had taken a large sum of gold from Gringotts for this purpose.
"Oh, of course I will conduct an interview for those applying to join, Harry－－"
Hermione stood her ground,
"Make sure they're not just joining the organization for the sake of the perks!"
"Be realistic, Hermione——"
Ron shook his head,
"It's actually, you can't tell who's sincere and who's insincere!"
The instant lack of support from her two friends made Hermione angry, and she wanted to argue.
"Then, if I want to join your organization, can I, Hermione?"
"Oh, of course you can, I'd love to have you!"
Hermione didn't think it through. She immediately agreed, but when she realized who had just applied, she was surprised.
"Are you planning to join Professor Brenn?"
Is that a joke?
Even Harry and Ron had expressions like they'd seen a ghost.
"Yes, you heard correctly--"
Amosta nodded, smiling and giving an affirmative response.
"Then. Are you willing to accept my entry into the 'Wise Magic-Beings' Rights Protection Association organization, Hermione?"
