Hermione, join me as Minister of Magic!

Originally, Percy complained slightly about his father's behavior of "knowingly breaking the law", but the increased pocket money also made him shut up obediently - he had just made a girlfriend, and the expenses were much higher than before.

Ron also knew exactly where he got his rat tonic, new robes, new textbooks, and even Mr. Weasley promised to pay him if he would become a prefect or enter the Quidditch team Buy a new "sweep"

"I wish you the best of luck in your career, sir." He pointed.

Hermione looked at her two companions suspiciously, and was discomfited to find that they suddenly seemed to know Lockhart better than she did.

Chapter 160 The Raven Staring at the Sky

In addition to Ron, Lockhart also met Percy Weasley.

Percy straightened up at the sight of Lockhart, as if eager to show something.And Lockhart took a look at him and knew what he was doing—Percy had a student president badge pinned to his chest.

"Congratulations on your election as student president." Lockhart congratulated him solemnly

"Thank you, sir. I heard that the headmaster took your opinion into consideration during this process." Percy also answered him solemnly, "It's just that there will be a lot of work to be done by the student union this year. (wls): I have to take the final exam, I'm afraid I can't breathe just because of my studies, let alone the student union..."

"Is it still bearable?" Lockhart asked deliberately, "If not, you can share some power with the subordinates."

""Probably no problem. "Percy hurriedly stopped his pretentious behavior, "I have previewed my homework in advance, and then I just need to review step by step. Not only academic performance, but also practical work experience is also very important. "

"That's true." Lockhart nodded.

Academic performance never represents a person's full strength. There are many people with high scores and high abilities—such as Barty Crouch Jr., but there are also Aurors with high scores and low abilities like Dawlish in the Ministry of Magic. day.

Don't look at Dawlish's performance in "Newts" is all "excellent", but its strength is really unsightly.

It's okay to be killed by Dumbledore one-on-three. After all, it is Dumbledore, and he is quick to move if he can pull out his wand.

But then Dawlish failed to participate in the siege of Hagrid. After Voldemort returned, he was cast with the Imperius Curse by the Death Eaters, and was defeated by her when he led someone to kidnap Neville's grandmother (Mrs. Longbottom even failed the spell test). This behavior is hard to believe that it is still an "elite Auror"

Percy will definitely work in the Ministry of Magic in the future, and Lockhart undoubtedly approves of his ability in examinations and copywriting, but when it comes to his ability to practice magic...it's better not to mention it.

Regardless of whether Dumbledore originally planned to appoint Percy as the head of students, Lockhart can now tell Percy that this is the result of his influence.

Such a result undoubtedly increased Lockhart's "credibility" with Percy. In the next year, Lockhart planned to completely turn the club he left at school into his own reserve base, and Percy was undoubtedly A key chess piece.

After entering the seventh grade, as long as Hogwarts students don't worry about their future like some idiots in their senior year, then what they worry about most now is undoubtedly the problem of work, and Lockhart intends to Use this to win them over.

"Whiz Hard's company, I can help write a letter of introduction, I believe they will give me some face, you can usually pay more attention to see who is good at writing. "Witch Weekly" is the same, you can let Kerry Miss Watt went there to apply for a job..."

Percy cleared his throat: Zhuang also plans to join me in the Ministry of Magic."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't think this is a good idea. One is inside and the other is outside. But since you insist... In short, I can also help write letters of recommendation from Witch Weekly. Remember to find me a few who are good at Girls who gossip. And then there's the oil well in Nigeria that's about to be drilled, and I need someone to keep an eye on the futures market, oil drilling, and the barges. And lastly, the Ministry of Magic. I greeted several departments..."

Percy listened intently, because he knew it was Lockhart who was doing him a favour.If the student council president can provide job opportunities to people from his own faction before he graduates, his authority will undoubtedly be greatly enhanced, which is also a good opportunity for Percy

"I understand what you mean... When we also work, we will definitely inherit and carry forward this tradition." Percy solemnly promised.

There was no need to beat the drum with a heavy hammer. Seeing that he understood, Lockhart didn't say much. After all, Percy was the only one who knew that Lockhart intended to form a party.

After chatting with Percy for a while about this year's student union, Arthur and Molly finally finished their things and walked over pushing two large trolleys.

After seeing Lockhart, Arthur hurriedly stepped forward to say hello, and told him in a low voice, don't tell his wife that he made a lot of money."

"Little vault?" Lockhart winked at him.

"No, but... that's illegal after all, isn't it?" Arthur's voice dropped.

"Then find a way to make it legal." Lockhart said lightly, "As long as it is not seen by Muggles, this does not violate the "Secrecy Act" and "Protection Act"

"Is this... not very good?" Arthur asked uncertainly.

"What's wrong? We helped Muggles lower the price of crude oil, wizards made money themselves, and the Ministry of Magic can also collect a trade tax, so the world is more prosperous because of it... tell me, what's wrong?" Loha Just open your mouth.

Arthur fell silent, seemingly convinced by Lockhart.

As long as it is profitable, capitalism can find a way to make it legal, which is the basic operation.Arthur Weasley is still a bit too timid, he is afraid to change the "processing fee" after only earning a few thousand pounds.

Maybe the mouth is wide open.

Without leaving him much time to think, Molly also rushed over, greeted Lockhart very warmly, and said that she wanted to thank him very much.

"Even Fred and George passed their exams. It's not the same with good teachers... I don't have to worry about them not being able to find a job after graduation."

"What do you mean 'Even we passed'?" Fred and George were very dissatisfied. "

"I testify...they are very good kids, they can graduate with excellent grades in any subject, if they are interested in that subject." Lockhart said with a smile.

After sending Harry here, Lockhart's mission was considered complete.The Weasleys took over the rest of Harry's itinerary, and Harry was going to spend the rest of his days at the Burrow.

"The Ministry of Magic will send two cars to take us to the station." Arthur said to Lockhart, "Harry's protection has now been raised to level one alert."

"I see." Lockhart pouted at the casually dressed Aurors behind him.

"When we get to Hogwarts, the dementors will take over the security work... If you want me to say, this is completely adding to the chaos." Arthur lost interest, "Unfortunately, the ministry is short of manpower, so we can only use them."

The Ministry of Magic has no money, so finances have always been tight. It is normal to have no budget to deal with emergencies. There is really no way for Fudge to use dementors to defend Hogwarts, because they are "free". , as long as a little happiness of idlers and creatures can pass.

It's just that during the year surrounded by dementors, the teachers and students of Hogwarts may not have a good time.

For Lockhart, it was not Hogwarts that caused him the most headache, because

He knew that Harry would not be killed by Black.

What he really needs to worry about is the dementors. With the dementors in Hogsmeade, the business of the shops there will definitely be greatly affected. As for the staff of the Ministry, it may be difficult to persuade them to join his plan.

It was precisely because of this that it took a lot of willpower for Lockhart to hold back, and he didn't immediately extend his black hand to Ron's mouse.

Forget it, there will be opportunities in the future.

Lockhart bought some magic developer for photos in Diagon Alley, bought a table with a combination lock drawer and a chair with automatic massage, and then returned to his house in London.

Although he is now the director of the "Games Commodity Trade Office" under the "Trade Standards Committee" of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, the Ministry of Magic's establishment does not even count as a grass-roots team, but an out-and-out shell.

Three hundred Galleons, which can be applied for once every six months—this is the office funds approved by the Ministry of Magic.

Although Ms Rutkin of the Trading Standards Board stated that she was also a Lockhart fan, when it came time to ask for funding, she still did not give a single Nat.And when giving him funds: Ms. Lutkin also advised him to save money, because the Ministry's funds are running out, and it was Barty Crouch's extra instructions to take care of it, so she gave so much money .

Looking at the 300 Galleons he got, Lockhart also had a deeper understanding of the Ministry of Magic's difficulties, and this also gave him greater confidence, because the poorer the Ministry of Magic, the more he will introduce a series of new financial policies in the future. , the more people will support.

Although the funding was not much, Barty Crouch still stated that he would "see the effect" within half a year, otherwise he would reconsider Lockhart's position.

After hearing this familiar order, Lockhart couldn't help feeling that at this point Crouch

Compared with the bosses in my previous life, there is no difference. I want the horse to run, and I want the horse not to eat grass, and I catch a useful guy and use it to death.

It seems that I have to be more careful, and I must not act casually anymore, otherwise I am afraid that my boss will assign a huge number of tasks, and I will be exhausted in the end.After thinking about it for a long time after his rebirth, he realized that work is for a better life, not for life to become work.

Lockhart wanted to rush to Hogsmeade immediately and secure his office there first, but when he took out his pocket watch and took a look, he changed his mind.

It's three o'clock, let's make eggs and drink tea first!Chapter 160 Settlement

After seeing the "office" chosen by Lockhart, Mrs. Aikemo, an official sent by the Ministry of Magic, was a little unbelievable.

Although she has asked many times, she couldn't help but ask again:

"My God, do you really want to live here?"

It is inevitable that she will be surprised, because Lockhart finally chose neither the second floor of the Three Broomsticks, nor the house of any resident of Hogsmeade, but the well-known house in the whole of England. "Haunted House" - The Shrieking Shack

Looking at the messy claw marks and pale footprints left everywhere in the wooden house, Mrs. Aikemo's scalp suddenly went numb.

It's just that Lockhart doesn't seem to care about it.

"No way, although it is a bit crude, but the funds are limited, and every copper nat has to be used wisely. This kind of official expenditure should be reduced as much as possible." He said.

"But it's haunted... oh, I almost forgot, you've dealt with female ghosts and ghouls

Mrs. Aikemo just wanted to continue to persuade him, but after thinking about Lockhart's experience, she suddenly felt that this seemed nothing.

Whether it's red ghosts, giant spirits, dead souls, shadows, or demons, they will only become a footprint on this guy's record list, right?

Lockhart didn't care what the people sent by the Ministry of Magic were thinking. After looking around at the Shrieking Shack, he was satisfied with the environment here.

Although the place is not very big, there are two rooms inside and one outside, one for office and one for sleeping, which is enough.

Well, bachelors, why do you need such a big house, right?

More importantly, the rent here is cheap enough.

The Screaming Shack and the secret passage below belong to the property of Hogwarts. At the beginning, Dumbledore also chose to house Lupine, the werewolf on the night of the full moon, here, and for the sake of confidentiality, he deliberately did not prevent the residents of Hogsmeade from There are rumors of being haunted here, so no one dares to approach it all the time.

Although this would cost Hogwarts less rent, it would also make the secret passage safer.It was originally left in order to send messengers in the castle to ask for help when the Muggles attacked the castle.

And Dumbledore himself is the kind of person who can say to Harry, "Smash it as much as you want, my property is too much", so he didn't pay much attention to this small sum of money.

Now Lockhart only needs to pay a small sum of 5 Galleons per month to rent this place, which can be described as extremely economical. Even if the people from the Ministry of Magic who are in charge of investigating employees' misuse of public funds find this place, they can't do anything to Lockhart. any objection.

Although if Lockhart wanted to spend his time in Hogsmeade with his personal financial means, he would not be unable to afford it, but it was inevitable that people would wonder what he was doing here.

Looking at the surroundings of the house inside, Lockhart popped out his wand from his sleeve and began to clean up: "Clean it up!"

With the sound of his chanting, most of the dust in the house was immediately removed, and the dim windows of the cabin became much cleaner.

Next, he turned to Mrs. Aikemo: "That's about it. Next, please activate the Floo network at the location of the fireplace..."

Mrs. Eckmore was in the Floo office of the Department of Magical Transport. Without the approval of someone in her office, the new fireplace would not be able to connect to the Internet, and Lockhart would have to use someone else's fireplace.

Mrs. Aikemo looked around and found that there were still dust left in many corners of the house, then shook her head slightly.

"It can be dealt with in the blink of an eye... But I have to tell you, if your cleaning ability is half as good as your ability to resist black magic, this room will not be so dirty."

Although everyone can use cleaning spells and packing spells, but the same spells, if used by people who can’t clean, the effect is not as good as those housewives. Your level of cleaning with bare hands directly determines the level of housework spells you use. .

It's like Nymphadora Tonks, she can only use the Packing Charm to pack the pile of things into a mess, but Mrs. Weasley and her aunt can use the Packing Charm to keep things in order.

Lockhart shrugged: "Bachelor, you have to understand."

"Yeah, I understand. Although it's just a colleague, I still suggest you start a family as soon as possible, so that you can work with peace of mind... Can you get me some firewood?"

In order to prevent the middle-aged woman from continuing her nagging, Lockhart hurried out of the house and picked up some dry branches from the ground.

Mrs. Aikemo lit them in the fireplace, and then took out a thing that looked like a sprayer, and sprayed it on the flames of the fireplace.

The green flame rose immediately, and Mrs. Aikemo threw something into it, and then said aloud "Hephaestus (Hephaestus)", then turned around and came back, announcing the completion of the Floo network connection .

"As you requested, this fireplace has been connected to the Floo network, and the serial number is 10086. It will be inspected every three years for the first 30 years, and it will be inspected every year after 30 years. Do you understand?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Eckmore," said Lockhart.

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Magic, employees who have connected to the Floo network must try it themselves first, so after Mrs. Eckmore helped him connect to the network, she sent it back to the Ministry of Magic directly from the furnace, leaving Lockhart alone. man, let him furnish the office himself.

Of course Lockhart would not just clean this place by himself, he called many

Bee, let him and himself clean the Screaming Shack all over again.

He arranged all the filing cabinets, desks, calendars, world maps, and British maps he got from the Ministry of Magic on the outside of the Shrieking Shack, and he planned to use it as his office, while the inside was placed Wardrobe, bed and full-length mirror, as a bedroom.

In addition, Lockhart threw the map flying carpet out of Hogwarts when he left his job in his new bedroom, and used it to cover the secret passage leading to Hogwarts under the Whomping Willow, anyway. It's no use throwing this thing in the Ministry of Magic.

While cleaning the outside of the Shrieking Shack, Dobby noticed something.

"Benevolent master, Dobby found a pile of straw, which was placed behind the door." He hurried forward to report.

"How long have you put the straw?" Lockhart continued to sort out the official clothes in his closet, "Throw it in the fireplace and burn it, just to bake the moisture in the house."

"It's still new, the place under the mat is still a bit wet, and if you throw it in the fireplace, it will burn bad ash smoke, the owner will choke, and Dobby has to stick his head into the fireplace to punish himself ..."

"Don't." Lockhart hurriedly stopped, "Your pocket butler suit needs to be made to order. If you burn it, you won't be able to buy it again... Since you can't burn it, then take it outside and throw it away."

"Ok."

Dobby bounded out, and magically lifted the bundle of straw, ready to throw it.

However, when he opened the door, a pair of gray, huge eyes suddenly appeared behind the door.

Dobby jumped back in fright, then sat down on the ground, and the straw he magically lifted flew into the sky.

"Ah!" he yelled.

Lockhart immediately popped out his wand when he heard the sound, and the cat bent down and leaned against the door

out, wanting to see what happened.