Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

In the world of magic, wizards are a truly extraordinary group.

Just how extraordinary are they? Well, despite attending the same school, reading the same books, and having the same professors, the magic they master varies greatly.

A simple example: what Hermione knows, Harry doesn't; what Harry knows, Ron doesn't; and what Dumbledore knows, no one else does.

Perhaps due to population reasons, wizards never concern themselves with industrialization. The only semi-industrialized industries are newspapers and candy.

Especially chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, which are prime examples.

...

In the Great Hall.

Over a month ago, Ino had already thought about the future of the Movie Mirror, or rather, its future planning.

Because of current technological limitations, it's challenging to achieve real-time broadcasting like radio and television.

So, the only option is to reduce costs as much as possible, aiming to make it a consumable rather than a luxury. While lowering the price, it would be best to bundle the sales.

From the start of the conversation, the Weasley twins had been as quiet as possible and did not interrupt the discussion.

However, when they heard about bundling sales and the bundling target, George couldn't help but interrupt:

"The Daily Prophet won't agree, and with the newspaper selling at two knuts a copy, they can't possibly afford the cost of the Movie Mirror."

"Yes, they won't agree. The Daily Prophet's internal structure is very complex." Fred nodded seriously with a solemn expression.

Ino did not immediately refute the twins' opinions but instead shifted the topic.

"We can put aside the newspaper for now, but reducing costs and mass production need to be considered."

"I have an island in Croatia, but we can discuss this after the summer holidays. Right now, I really need to eat something."

Hogwarts has a fixed dinner time, and as they chatted, the number of people in the Great Hall had significantly decreased.

George and Fred were also sensible; after getting the answers they wanted, they didn't prolong the conversation.

Since they had already made plans for the summer, there was no need to rush.

...

Time passed steadily.

A week before the exams, the castle was abuzz with a filming craze.

Each of the four houses had their own mirror, even though there was only one per house, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm.

However, this enthusiasm was soon firmly suppressed by the professors.

This was quite normal, after all. If students focused on new entertainment trends instead of studying before the final exams, such entertainment would inevitably be unsustainable.

With the professors' intervention, the castle returned to its usual intense study atmosphere.

...

Inside the castle, there was restlessness.

Outside the castle, however, the trees were lush and full of life.

Having nothing to do, he visited Hagrid's hut again, to escape the restless atmosphere.

In the hut, Ino leisurely reclined on a single-seater sofa.

"Hagrid, will you stay at Hogwarts during the summer?"

He was curious whether Hagrid's current job was mainly as a professor or as the gamekeeper.

"Yes, I'll be staying at Hogwarts!"

Hagrid placed two bottles of butterbeer on the table and then sat down heavily on a sturdy chair, explaining in a booming voice:

"Although I'll be staying in the castle, I have some degree of freedom. As long as I prepare in advance, I can occasionally leave for a few days."

Although he said this, Hagrid had no intention of leaving at heart.

Especially after cultivating the young Acromantula, he couldn't leave, or else no one would take care of those little critters.

Ino saw through Hagrid's underlying sentiment, and because he saw it, he knew he had to address this matter to ensure closure.

"Hagrid, if possible, I'd like to invite you over during the summer…"

Before he could finish, Hagrid interrupted: "Of course, no problem. I've heard you bought a house in Hogsmeade."

"No, no! It's in Croatia…" Facing the impatient half-giant, Ino succinctly explained his thoughts.

He planned to move these young Acromantula to the dragon ranch, preventing them from disrupting the balance of the Forbidden Forest.

"An island? A dragon ranch? And you're raising Acromantula?"

Hagrid was stunned, and though his thick beard hid his expression, the shock in his voice was unmistakable.

"More or less! So, we won't need to be sneaky anymore."

Ino knocked on the table, a thin layer of frost forming on the surface of the two butterbeers.

He then opened one, and the cool, refreshing sensation of chilled butterbeer in June spread throughout his body.

"That's wonderful!" Coming back to his senses, Hagrid sincerely exclaimed.

A private island, and one far from mainland England.

It truly allowed freedom to soar and sail away.

A private territory is sacred and inviolable. Likewise, even if something needs to be investigated, only the British Ministry of Magic has the authority.

"I'll write to you with the specifics during the summer, but you can start preparing now."

As Ino spoke, he glanced out the window.

In the short time they'd been talking, the once sunny afternoon had suddenly darkened.

...

Life, sometimes, is like the weather.

There are sunny days, cloudy days, and occasionally wind and rain.

This is a natural law, no one can escape it, and no one can avoid it.

On the last day before the end of the third year.

Whether it was Percy, Penelope, or other graduates, they all became sentimental.

The things they once took for granted now seemed never enough to look at.

The library doors, the moving staircases, the corridor paintings, the house common room decorations…

Every place, every corner, seemed to hold their past shadows, a full seven years of memories!

...

On the same day, just before leaving school, Ino was intercepted again.

This time, however, it wasn't waiting in the Great Hall. The visitors came directly to the Slytherin common room.

Percy and Penelope, as the male and female presidents of the Hogwarts student council, had come to visit. The badges on their chests granted them rights within the castle comparable to ordinary professors.

In the common room.

Ino looked at the handsome couple before him and, after a brief thought, agreed to their request.

"I can only provide you with four Movie Mirrors, one for each house as graduation memorabilia. It's not a matter of money; I simply don't have many in stock right now."

Percy and Penelope exchanged glances, reaching a tacit understanding.

"Thank you! Mr. Swinburne! Honestly, having four is already very satisfying," Percy said formally.

"It's nothing! Besides, I understand this sentiment." Ino waved his hand.

"But there's one bit of good news; you can take as many graduation photos as you want. By the summer holidays, you'll be able to see Movie Mirrors in Diagon Alley, and it won't be a problem to get a copy then."

In fact, even if Percy and Penelope hadn't come, he had planned to host a graduation banquet for Slytherin before leaving, capturing memories.

Their visit just saved him some effort.