allendalepharm Chapter 252 Muggle Nobles
Chapter 252 Muggle Nobles
Chapter 252 Muggle Nobles
The world is far more complex than you imagine. When you actually step into life, you will find out just how complicated it is.
Hermione finally came to a deep understanding of Professor Lockhart's words.
As soon as the holiday began, she and Draco Malfoy started inspecting several locations chosen by Percy, and Ron, Luna, and Pansy, who accompanied them, all took a liking to this piece of land along the coast.
It is so well-suited to the various events of Quidditch duels at the Duel Club, and it is also the closest to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so you can get there directly by flying broomstick without spending too much time.
The only problem is that the owner of the castle and the surrounding land is a Muggle nobleman.
This nobleman was even a director of a Muggle bank that Hermione knew well, and she had even seen him in the newspapers before.
But what Hermione found outrageous was that this Muggle gentleman actually knew about the existence of wizards!
Not only that, he even knew Draco Malfoy.
The problem also lies with Draco Malfoy.
"I will never sell the castle to you!" The Muggle nobles' attitudes changed after Malfoy made his demands. After all, it was Malfoy who announced the sale of the castle and land, and he had already had an initial conversation with Percy.
"This castle!" the Muggle nobleman exclaimed excitedly. "It's the home my ancestor painstakingly built after being driven to Scotland by the despicable William and his followers. He should have been living a happy and prosperous life in England, but you, the Malfoy family, you are William's accomplices!"
Draco looked exasperated. "Sir, that's not what you said to my father at the Queen's banquet."
You said you really like our Malfoy family.
The Muggle nobleman looked furious. "This is different. Now you're here to buy my ancestor's castle, the castle he built after you drove him here. Do you think I'd sell it to you?"
He said a lot of sarcastic things, like how the Malfoy family's manor was granted to them by William, a Muggle, which made Hermione's expression even stranger.
His furious appearance clearly frightened the young wizards, and even Pansy, who insisted on standing next to Draco, dared not utter a word.
Hermione, however, seeing his angry expression, keenly sensed that this matter could be discussed.
There's so much nonsense if we can talk; if we couldn't, we would have ended the exchange long ago.
The person in front of them probably saw that they were all children and was planning to raise the price on the spot!
"This isn't the property Malfoy is buying," Hermione said, stepping forward and shoving the annoying Draco aside. "Strictly speaking, we're here to buy the property on behalf of the professor, and his name will be on the purchase agreement that's signed later."
The young wizards didn't have enough money to buy the castle and land; it was all provided by Professor Lockhart.
The young wizards of the Duel Club have discussed it. The venue can be used, but its ownership must be very clear—it belongs to Professor Lockhart.
"Professor?" The Muggle nobleman's expression shifted.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
It is another powerful and influential force outside of the Ministry of Magic!
Those wizarding nobles have always been very careful to prevent these Muggle nobles from coming into contact with magic schools!
"Yes, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart!" Hermione invoked the professor's title, though she wasn't sure if it would work.
"I've heard of him!" The Muggle nobleman's eyes lit up. "I heard he's about to join Ser Merlin's Order and become one of our nobles!"
!!!
Hermione blinked, suddenly gaining a deeper understanding of the history of magic she had read about in the book.
Historically, knights in the Order of Merlin were always appointed by Muggle kings, and surprisingly, this system still exists in modern times.
The connection between Muggles and wizards was clearly far more different than she had previously imagined.
Unfortunately, after she invoked Professor Lockhart's name, the Muggle nobles became more willing to sell, but no matter how they negotiated, they couldn't agree on the specifics of the purchase.
Hermione keenly sensed that this guy was deliberately dragging things out.
It wasn't until Percy arrived that everyone discussed it and suddenly realized that this Muggle nobleman probably wanted to take this opportunity to get in touch with Professor Lockhart.
"Continue the talks, but be prepared to give up here." Percy's attitude was firm: he couldn't let this matter affect Professor Lockhart, and he'd rather give up.
It is a taboo for wizards to come into contact with Muggles, especially Muggle nobles and Muggle powers.
Just because many wizards do this doesn't mean it's permitted.
Families like the Malfoys have many historical connections, such as maintaining close communication channels between the Ministry of Magic and Muggle officials.
Every wizard who comes into contact with Muggles has a seemingly legitimate reason that can be presented openly.
If this Muggle nobleman could contact Professor Lockhart through official channels, then of course we could meet him, but certainly not through the channels of these clients who want to buy land.
Percy didn't want to cause trouble for Professor Lockhart.
But clearly, Percy was ultimately a student who hadn't graduated, and he had oversimplified some things.
The Muggle nobles, who intended to keep these young wizards at the manor for a leisurely discussion, had already set their sights on them.
Yes, it would be wonderful to have the opportunity to meet the legendary magic master Gilderoy Lockhart.
But compared to the vague possibility and the uncertainty of the other party's attitude, these young wizards were a wonderful prospect in the eyes of the Muggle nobles.
The Muggle nobles provided the young wizards with far too many things and delicacies that the young wizards had never seen before.
For example, a game console.
For example, remote-controlled helicopters and robot dogs.
For example, the exquisite clothing worn by Muggles far surpasses the aesthetic standards of modern wizarding communities.
So in just one week, the Muggle nobles and these young wizards became acquainted, and even exchanged phone numbers with Hermione.
To make things easier for the young wizards on their trip, Lockhart specially equipped Hermione with a cell phone.
The Muggle nobles were incredibly skilled. Although the purchase of the venue didn't go so smoothly, their hospitality was impeccable, and they provided a great deal of emotional value during the conversation.
Ultimately, the Muggle nobleman set his sights on Hakimi, who was in Ron's arms.
Magical creatures!
Legendary magical creatures!
He witnessed firsthand how this exceptionally beautiful cat jumped down from the little boy's arms and then grew to be bigger than a lion when the boy tried to approach and pet it!
Don't be fooled by the fact that these Muggle upper-class people know about wizards for generations and occasionally even see pure-blood house-elves; they don't actually have any way to learn more.
It is only when their Muggle forces need to cooperate that they learn that there are giants and fish-men, magical creatures, in this world.
But for most, there was no chance.
"Can I touch it?" The Muggle nobleman looked at the oversized cat that was hissing at him, suppressing his instinctive fear and trying his best to smile kindly and benevolently as he pleaded with Ron.
Ron glanced at Hermione instinctively, and seeing her hesitate for a moment before nodding, he tried to reassure Hakimi, explaining, "You'd better not touch it. It only accepts being petted by its owner, but you can shake its hand."
"Shake hands?" The Muggle nobleman was puzzled, but then he saw the huge cat slowly raise a paw bigger than his head and gently shake it.
The Muggle nobleman swallowed hard, then quickly reached out and gently touched Hakimi's paw, feeling the thick, powerful muscles with their furry texture. He instinctively bent down and kissed Hakimi's paw.
Crack!
Luna captured the scene with her magic camera.
She wasn't sure if what she was seeing was newsworthy, or even if it was newsworthy enough to share, but it looked quite interesting, so she decided to take a picture of it first.
So the Muggle nobles set their sights on the camera in Luna's hand.
Good heavens!
He stared in awe at a photograph that moved on its own; it was truly amazing!
His expression was just like Draco and Pansy, who were engrossed in a video game.