Homecoming from Hogwarts

Cheers, congratulations and praises were heard everywhere in the drop-off platform square.

Not only to celebrate another great achievement of the Ministry of Magic, but also because of another encouraging policy announced by Amos Tower Braine at an impromptu press conference.

"--What I can tell you is that the Ministry of Magic under Minister Bones has always cared about the people's livelihood!
The Ministry will issue living allowances to low-income families in the British wizarding community on a family basis. Currently, the Ministry of Magic is busy counting the number of permanent British families. I believe that you will soon see the day when the policy is implemented!"

Amosta spoke in a loud voice with a faint smile on his face. As expected, this immediately caused a tsunami-like wave at the scene.

"Oh, low-income family subsidies, I can't believe the ministry would do that!"

A female reporter with blond curly hair shouted excitedly,

"Can I ask if this policy is likely to be implemented within this year, Mr. Blaine?"

"I'm not going to lie, guys, this year may be difficult--"

Amosta said,
“The ministry’s expectation is to establish a file of poor families and start disbursing the first batch of subsidies by June next year at the latest.”

“Low-income family subsidies.”

Among the young wizards at the back of the crowd, Ron murmured absentmindedly,
"It's incredible. Mom will be so happy."

"Oh, this may have nothing to do with your family, Ron--"

Hermione looked at Professor Blaine on the podium with reverence.
"Professor Blaine won't let your family take advantage of this."

Taking advantage of a loophole?!

Harry was slightly surprised when he heard this, and Ron glared at Hermione angrily.

"What do you mean, Hermione? You said our family took advantage of a loophole?"

"Oh, sorry, Ron, that was a bad word -"

Hermione came back to her senses and looked at Ron with a hint of apology.
"I mean, objectively speaking, Mr. Weasley's income is not low, right? Your embarrassing situation is only because..."

"Ah, I see--"

Ron nodded grimly.
“It’s just because there are too many children.”

Harry pursed his lips and smiled slightly.

"So, Mr. Blaine, how will the Ministry of Magic define a low-income family!"

A reporter's question immediately drew the attention of the little wizards back.

"The specific boundaries are still under discussion. The initial agreement is that the household income is less than 150 Galleons per year."

Surrounded by reporters, Amosta replied,
"As for the specific amount of the subsidy, it requires a series of complex, precise and detailed calculations. I'm sorry I can't answer that for now--"

This policy is definitely a shot in the arm for families that have been in poverty for years!

Although Amosta said he could not go into more detail, reporters continued to ask about the details of the policy.

"Does the Ministry of Magic have more supportive policies for the poor, Mr. Blaine?"

Some reporters waved their arms desperately to attract Amosta's attention.

"Oh, that's an interesting question--"

Amosta gave the young reporter an approving look.

He raised his hand and directed everyone to look at the field beneath their feet, which stretched to the golden yellow field with a few hints of green.

"I think you have heard that the restoration of Diagon Alley will start soon.

What I can tell you is that this is an extremely huge project that has no precedent in the world's magical civilization. Preliminary estimates show that the overall project duration is likely to be several decades.

For such a huge project, the department cannot devote all its employees to it as it did to the construction of last year's Quidditch World Cup stadium.

During the construction of this project, the Ministry of Magic could only send a small number of wizards to provide auxiliary guidance. The specific construction work required a lot of help from the low-magic people in the British wizarding community.

I believe that this will further boost the job market at the end and improve the quality of life of a large number of low-income families who are interested in investing in engineering construction!"

The heavy-weight information that Amosta threw out one after another did not numb the reporters. They kept asking questions and did not give him the opportunity to announce the end of the impromptu press conference.

Fortunately, the weather helped Amosta.

A dark cloud in the sky slowly floated over people's heads, blocking the sunlight and casting a little coolness on the square where the atmosphere was hot.

Most of the operators invited by Amosita to attend the meeting left. A few stayed in the crowd and listened with gloomy faces to Amosita promoting the good governance of the Ministry of Magic.

The villagers in the parade were taken back to the Ministry of Magic by Kingsley and Sirius.

For an incident as serious as the attack on the minister, the Aurors must definitely investigate the participants.

As expected, the Auror Office had to stay up all night for several more nights. When Amos Tower Blaine announced that the press conference was over.

There were immediate bursts of fierce protests and sighs of disappointment on the drop-off platform.

"let's go--"

Although she still hoped to hear more, Hermione knew Professor Brain's temper, and he would only say this much. After a slightly disappointed sigh, she looked at Harry and Ron.

"I left all my stuff at Flourish and Blotts. I need you to go with me to get it."

"Oh, can't you just go by yourself?"

Lavender had Ron's arms tied up like a monkey, clearly displeased with Hermione bossing her boyfriend around.

"I do have to go to Flourish and Blotts, Lavender—"

Hermione glanced at him with a look of contempt that made Ron's ears red with shame. He quickly explained to Lavender,

"Harry and I haven't bought new textbooks and supplementary materials yet!"

"I can go with you—"

Luna said that she seemed very happy because the villagers' problems had been solved.

"I also need to buy new books, but I don't have much money--"

"Don't worry, Luna, I can lend it to you first."

Hermione took Luna's hand in an intimate manner.

Harry then remembered that he hadn't bought his own book yet. He had been delayed by Malfoy.
After a moment's hesitation, Harry decided to wait until he returned to Grimmauld Place in the evening before sharing this with Hermione and Ron.

"correct--"

Looking at Ron and Lavender who were talking to each other, for some reason, Ginny's face suddenly popped into Harry's mind.

He didn't realize anything was wrong, he just asked curiously,
"Has anyone seen Fred and George? Mrs. Weasley went shopping with Ginny earlier. Where could they be?"

Ron's face turned pale.
"Don't worry about Fred and George, they're smarter than anyone.
But Mum and Ginny, when the riot happened, they might have Apparated back to the old house, and she would have been furious if she didn’t see us.”

"Want me to explain this to your mother, honey?"

Lavender was like glued to Ron's arm, and the way she looked at him was stringy.

It took a lot of willpower for Harry to hold back his laughter.

He didn't see any chance that Lavender could keep Mrs. Weasley from getting angry.

"That's right, we'd better send someone back to the old house to tell Mrs. Weasley about our situation."

Hermione said worriedly, then she turned her gaze to Harry.

Harry naturally knew why he was chosen. Lavender was present. It was obviously difficult for her to order Ron around.

With a covert eye roll, Harry nodded.

"I'll be back soon, just wait here for me—"

Harry said, walking towards the fireplace.

"Where are you going, Mr. Potter?"

The sudden voice nailed Harry to the spot!
"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Miss Brown, and Miss Lovegood?"

Amosta stood a dozen feet away from several young wizards, with a deep smile under the curious gaze of many people.

"What a wonderful coincidence, you are all here?"

So, people saw that several young wizards from Hogwarts stood in a row obediently in front of Mr. Amosstar Braine, with their heads lowered in fear.

When was the last time you got into trouble?

Harry stared at his toes, reminiscing about the past.

"Let's go--"

Amosta smiled coldly and waved to the little wizards.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

(End of this chapter)