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Chapter 339: Preparing for the Future, Hogwarts' Enterprise
🕑 Added 2025-04-04 19:06:38 +0000 UTCPerhaps it was the nature of serpents, or simply Salazar Slytherin's personal preference.
The Slytherin dormitory, nestled deep within the castle's underground chambers, always seemed to exude a profound and delicate silence, allowing its occupants to sink into contemplation undisturbed.
Inside the dormitory.
Ino stood up, pausing for a few seconds before sitting back down again.
Just now, something had crossed his mind—the paintings scattered throughout the castle. Apart from the dormitories, the corridors of Hogwarts were lined with countless portraits, each one serving as an ever-watchful observer.
If not for that bloodstained letter, it wouldn't have been an issue. But now, with the letter in Dumbledore's hands, it wouldn't take long for him to trace it back to its source. By following the clues, he was bound to become suspicious.
Realizing this, Ino suddenly felt much less anxious.
At the end of the day, regardless of who was hiding in the shadows, their target was Harry. They likely wouldn't damage the castle or harm anyone else.
As for Harry? He already had enough people circling around him.
Besides, if Ino went to Dumbledore now, it would feel like he was seeking trouble for himself out of sheer boredom.
Gradually, as these thoughts settled in his mind, Ino shifted into a more comfortable position, half-reclining against the high-backed chair.
"Draco, have you decided on the name for your monthly publication? There's at most a month left. If we move quickly, we might even launch it ahead of schedule. Now is the perfect opportunity."
The abrupt change in topic caught Draco off guard. It took him a few seconds to process before he stammered,
"I—I have! It's called Hogwarts Chronicles. Since it's a monthly publication, it won't focus on breaking news but rather revisit past events, discussing them from new angles..."
Hearing Draco's explanation, Ino became interested. Delving into history and rediscovering old stories was not unlike how bards spun their tales.
"That's a great idea!" Ino immediately approved.
"When you graduate, you could pass it down to the next Slytherin to continue. And if you want to expand, you could even start a sister publication—England Chronicles. That would be quite something."
"England Chronicles?" Draco repeated, his eyes glinting as if a new idea had just taken root.
But a moment later, his excitement faded, and he slumped in his chair.
"It is a great idea… but I can't even get Hogwarts Chronicles off the ground. I underestimated how difficult this would be."
Draco looked dejected. From the moment he conceived the idea to now, so many days had passed, yet all he had become was Hogwarts' unofficial informant. Actually publishing a magazine? That was still a distant dream.
"...I've ordered the printing equipment, but I don't have any staff. They're all students, and even if some are willing to work for me, there's no place for them to do it. We can't use the dormitories, abandoned classrooms are constantly monitored by that nosy Filch, and as for places outside the castle—too many eyes, too much risk..."
Draco vented his frustrations, listing out the many obstacles in his way.
"These are all minor problems," Ino interrupted decisively, ignoring Draco's astonished look. "I have a group of highly dependable workers, and I can also secure you a classroom within the castle—a place where you won't be disturbed. Other than the Headmaster, you will decide who can enter."
"That's incredible!"
Before Ino even finished speaking, Draco jumped to his feet, overwhelmed by the sudden stroke of fortune.
Being a well-informed individual in the castle yet unable to publish his findings had been a torturous predicament.
"Don't get too excited just yet—I have conditions." Ino tapped his fingers lightly on the chair's armrest.
"Name them! Whatever they are, I'll agree to them!"
Draco turned to face Ino, placing both hands on the desk, his expression firm with determination.
To him, this monthly magazine was purely for passion rather than profit. Even if Ino wanted full ownership of it, he wouldn't mind—those printing machines weren't even worth a few hundred Galleons in the grand scheme of things.
Ino, of course, could hear the implication in Draco's words. But he had no intention of taking over his friend's project.
Sitting comfortably in his chair, he raised two fingers.
"Two conditions. First—about the venue. I can secure a suitable location, but the castle doesn't belong to me. You'll need to pay Hogwarts a rental fee. That's non-negotiable."
A rental fee.
This was something Ino had given considerable thought.
Despite being a thousand-year-old institution, Hogwarts was financially reliant on twelve school governors. The castle's expenses were covered by external donations.
It was, in fact, absurd. A school as grand as Hogwarts, with its castle, Forbidden Forest, Black Lake, greenhouses—yet it had no officially recognized source of income.
They called it "funding," but in reality, Hogwarts survived on handouts. And if those handouts were ever cut off, the school wouldn't even be able to pay its professors.
The Chamber of Secrets incident proved this point. Dumbledore had been removed from Hogwarts far too easily.
Ordinary people assumed the Headmaster had absolute authority. But in truth, that was only the case when the Headmaster commanded immense prestige. If a less renowned individual were appointed, the twelve governors would wield their power and influence without restraint.
For some reason, this reminded Ino of something amusing from the original timeline.
During their first year, Draco had constantly flaunted his father's position as a school governor, acting as though he owned the castle. This was likely a natural consequence of growing up in a household where he had witnessed the workings of power firsthand.
Unfortunately for him, he had run into Dumbledore—who not only outmaneuvered the Malfoys but eventually cost them their position on the board altogether.
Planning for the Future.
Ever since Ino saw his name appear on the Book of Admittance, he had considered developing Hogwarts' resources to reduce its reliance on external forces.
At the time, his main ideas had revolved around expanding the Forbidden Forest's potential and increasing the scale of the greenhouse plantations.
But today—by sheer coincidence—Draco's Hogwarts Chronicles had given him another idea. A student-run publication could be the foundation of Hogwarts' own campus enterprises.
It wouldn't generate much money, but at the very least, it could afford to install a few enchanted lamps along the paths for first-years arriving in the dark.
Meanwhile, Draco, upon hearing that all he needed to do was pay rent, agreed without hesitation.
"No problem! Rent, fees—whatever it is, it's a minor issue! What's your second condition?"
Draco was eager, but Ino remained composed, waving his hand dismissively.
"The second one isn't urgent. It's just about the wages for my workers. We'll discuss it once the location is secured."
Saying this, Ino stood up.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked curiously.
"To see Professor McGonagall—to set the rent."
As he spoke, Ino snapped his fingers. His cloak, hanging on a nearby rack, obediently flew into his hands.
At Hogwarts, when it came to administrative matters, the Deputy Headmistress was far more reliable than the Headmaster.
Castle Corridors.
Leaving the Slytherin common room, Ino made his way up the stairs toward McGonagall's office.
Along the way, he exchanged polite nods with several students.
Strangely, however, the ones greeting him today were mostly boys.
It seemed that after yesterday's hand-holding incident, someone had spread the news.
Ino wasn't bothered.
Unless he planned to follow Dumbledore's example and remain single for life—eventually inspiring grannies to start a Dumbledore Fan Club in his honor—this kind of attention was inevitable.
