Hogwarts' Niffler: All I Need Is Galleons

George and Fred grew more excited as they spoke, their ideas becoming increasingly outrageous.

Hoare couldn't shake the feeling that if things really went that way, the wizarding world would either be filled with reclusive wizards or overworked laborers.

"If that's the case, no one would buy prank items anymore," Hoare interrupted the twins' joyful fantasies with a single sentence.

"What we're aiming for is a prank item shop, not a doll store."

Dolls were too easy to study; one could simply buy one and take it apart to examine the magic array inside.

Moreover, creating something that could truly replicate the original would be too costly in terms of research, and it might not even pay off in the future, making it not worth the effort.

Hoare estimated in his mind that at least until Voldemort and his followers were completely gone, there was no need to delve deeper into such research.

It was just asking for trouble.

"The materials don't need to be too good, the magic array should be inscribed at the center, and here, add another stroke to stack this spell. The abilities should also be weakened, and the usage limited," the cunning merchant Hoare was trying to lead his two older brothers astray.

George and Fred, with their identical heads, leaned in on either side of Hoare, watching as he skillfully carved lines onto a wooden board.

Each stroke was smooth and effortless, and when the final stroke was completed, a golden light flowed slowly along the lines, illuminating the entire pattern.

Hoare infused a trace of his own magic into the wooden plaque.

The small wooden plaque floated in the air.

It followed Hoare's gestures, rising, falling, spinning, and jumping.

George and Fred watched this scene with wide eyes, amazed that the problem they had been struggling with for weeks was solved just like that!?

"The carrying capacity of this plaque isn't enough," Hoare withdrew his magic.

As the magic control was removed, the plaque began to crack with a series of snapping sounds, eventually crumbling into powder.

"The specific values and materials will need your research. You can afford to give up some abilities and don't have to pursue perfection in everything."

This was something Hoare had learned from Potions.

George and Fred weren't discouraged by the plaque's disintegration; instead, they were filled with determination!

Every prank item was born from their repeated experiments, so what was a little setback?

The twins exchanged a knowing smile, seeing the fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

"Alright, I've drawn up the plans for you, so I'll be off now," Hoare said, bidding the twins a ruthless farewell. "Ron is waiting for me in the library."

"Little Ronnie in the library?" Fred expressed his doubt.

"The end-of-year exams are coming up. He needs to at least get an average of B, or else Molly won't let him off," Hoare sighed.

George and Fred thought of their own skewed grades at Ilvermorny, awkwardly smiling. Their average was just a B, and every year they went home, they had to endure a long lecture.

Especially with Bill, Charlie, and Percy setting such high standards, these three brothers rarely scored below an A.

And now... Hoare was behind them.

They suddenly felt a slight sense of urgency, but after exchanging a glance, they decided to quickly discard that feeling.

Creating new gadgets was much more fun!

Grades didn't matter.

Unaware of the twins' thoughts, Hoare had already left for the library.

On the other side, Harry finally met Sirius and also saw Dumbledore.

Dumbledore smiled warmly, "Harry, why don't you take Sirius to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office?" He owed Sirius too much, and he would make it up to him in any way he could.

For instance, by making him the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

He understood Sirius's intentions; this way, Sirius could stay at the school to protect Harry and spend more time with him.

Unfortunately, with the school year almost over, there was no need to hire another professor, and the board of governors wouldn't allow it.

But Sirius's pitiful tone and disheveled appearance once again stirred Dumbledore's compassion, and he agreed.

For now, Sirius would hold the same position as Hoare, as an assistant in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Without a salary, of course.

But as the sole heir of the Black family, Sirius didn't care about such trivial money.

It was also a way to gain some experience for a formal position next school year.

After all, Sirius had been away from school for too long and needed some onboarding training.

"An office!" Harry's eyes lit up as he looked at Sirius, unsure if it was what he thought.

Sirius nodded proudly, "Harry, I can stay by your side now." He straightened his clothes, "Now, please call me Professor Black."

Dumbledore coughed twice, "Sirius, just an assistant."

"Alright, alright, go celebrate. This old man still has work to do," Dumbledore said, ignoring Harry's eager expression, and retreated to his office via the spiral staircase.

It was clear to anyone that he was avoiding Harry's questions.

Harry noticed too, and he sighed in disappointment before cheering up again. After all, the most important thing was now.

Sirius was right by his side.

Harry led Sirius to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, which was originally Professor Quirrell's office.

Incidentally, Professor Quirrell was still residing in the infirmary.

Whenever Dumbledore suggested sending him to St. Mungo's for treatment, he would scream and refuse, as if leaving Hogwarts would be the end of him.

As a result, he had yet to be successfully sent away.

Along the way, Harry was beside himself with excitement, not expecting to see Sirius every day.

Sirius exceeded all his expectations.

He had thought that as long as Sirius was just a little better than his aunt and uncle, just a little, he would be satisfied.

But he hadn't expected Sirius to be absolutely amazing!

Several times before, Sirius had secretly transformed into a black dog and sneaked into Hogwarts from who knows where.

Then Harry would follow Sirius on adventures around Hogwarts.

He would give him bad ideas, take him out for secret fun, and transform into a black dog for him to pet.

Sirius was exactly the father figure Harry had always imagined, though Sirius could be a bit childish at times, but that didn't matter.

Harry excitedly asked, "Sirius, is your assistant role like Hoare's?"

"Hoare? What's he got to do with it?" Sirius grumbled.

This Weasley was not only a Slytherin but also constantly on Harry's mind. Ever since Sirius returned, all he heard was Harry talking about Hoare.

Now it was that Hoare again!?

"Hoare is also an assistant," Harry said, his face full of pride.

"What!!!" Sirius came to a sudden halt, staring at Harry in disbelief.

That Hoare! An assistant! Wasn't he a first-year student!!!

Harry didn't need Sirius to voice his thoughts; he could see the internal scream in his expression.

He laughed happily, his face showing how proud he was of his friend. "Hoare is really smart. He's the assistant for Potions class. Ever since Hoare took the position, our Potions completion rate has increased significantly."

"No way, what was Dumbledore thinking, letting a first-year kid be so smart! What qualifies him to teach you!" Sirius was furious. In his mind, Harry was the best, and no one could be better than Harry.

And to let that Hoare be an assistant, would Snape even agree!?

Letting a first-year teach other first-years was like playing house!

It was absurd!

Seeing Sirius so agitated, Harry didn't continue explaining. He had a mischievous anticipation that if Sirius found out Hoare was not only the first-year Potions assistant but also the second and third-year assistant, Sirius's expression would be priceless.

Harry pulled Sirius along, continuing forward.

He was truly happy that Sirius could stay at Hogwarts.

When they reached the office door, the items belonging to Quirrell had already been cleared out by the house-elves and moved to the infirmary.

After some hesitation, Harry decided to tell Sirius something.

"Sirius, if you encounter something you can't handle, you can ask Hoare for help."

Sirius immediately erupted, "If I can't handle something, how can a first-year kid solve it!?"

"Stay at Hogwarts for a few more days, and you'll see," Harry scratched his head. "Trust me, if there's a problem, find Hoare."