Huh? There's a magic school here.

Hogsmeade Village remained a hot topic in the MSN group, with aspiring wizards eagerly anticipating their pre-school shopping trip there. Unexpectedly, just a week later, the student council presidents and prefects were recalled by the school. Previously, only a few close roommates knew they had been hired to conduct home visits for new students, but now the news had spread throughout the group.

This sparked a wave of envious comments in the group chat. Ultimately, everyone could only urge Beretta and Collette's roommates to keep updating the story, as they were eager to know more.

On July 12th, Stan and Ernst made another trip to bring ten students back to Hogwarts. On the bus, the prefects were having a chat, eating fruit and drinking beverages while complaining about their holidays.

“Darris, how are you doing at home? My mother was happy for the first few days that I was home so early, but after just a week she was complaining about why school was letting out for break so early!”

“I’m about the same age as you, Halken, but I haven’t been idle at home. Besides finishing my holiday homework, I also took a part-time job at a nearby bar.”

"Aha! Which bar are you at? I'll come patronize your business after this mission is over!"

"Harken, I suggest you save up more money! Haven't you noticed how fast the school is developing?"

"I know, but as long as I have enough money, that's enough. I don't have such high ambitions."

"Well, you should understand that we, as the first cohort of students, have many advantages. We learn about magic before those who come later, and we will graduate before them. For example, we already know about Hogsmeade Village, while the next cohort of students doesn't."

"But what kind of advantage is that? They'll find out sooner or later; it's just a month later than us."

Everyone was captivated by their conversation and gradually quieted down. Seeing that everyone was listening, Darius simply raised his voice so everyone could hear him clearly.

"I'm sure you've all seen Beretta and Colette's description of Hogsmeade Village. In their letter, they wrote that Hogsmeade Village currently has about a dozen houses, ten of which have already been opened as shops. So the remaining few are our opportunity!"

As I just mentioned to Harken, Hogwarts is growing faster and faster! This semester, the student population will jump from 68 to 800. What about next year? Will the school enroll another 800 or even more next year?

As long as Hogwarts continues to grow, the number of students will only increase. Therefore, Hogsmeade Village's status as the first magical village will rise accordingly!

Upon hearing this, Diane seemed to understand something and asked a question.

"Darris, you mean the value of those empty houses will increase dramatically?"

“That’s right, Diane! It’s the simplest economic principle: the demand from Hogwarts students will only increase! But Hogsmeade Village, as the supplier, only has so many houses, so a price increase is inevitable!”

"But can't Hogsmeade expand outwards?"

"Melissa, you'd better listen! Even if it's expanded, these dozen or so houses will still be the core of Hogsmeade Village!"

"So, Darius, what are your plans?"

"I'm going to ask the school's opinion! It depends on whether Hogwarts is willing to sell the remaining vacant houses. If Hogwarts is willing to sell, I suggest we all band together and buy them. If the school is unwilling to sell, we can also inquire about the handling of the surrounding land; we can buy those as well!"

Besides wanting to reap the benefits, Darius also wanted to unite Diane and the other nine around him. These nine would become important allies in the future! Even if there was no power struggle in the magical world now, what about in the future? Numerous factions and interest groups would inevitably emerge under Headmaster Andres. With more people, there would be more competition, and factions would naturally arise!

So, as I just said, first come, first served is an advantage, isn't it? And since I'm the first president of the male student council, this advantage is practically natural! All the students will follow my lead for the next three years! Even the students from the US, China, France, and Russia next semester will be the same!

“I agree with Darius’s opinion. Even if we don’t run the business ourselves after we get the house, we can consider renting it out to others.”

Harken and Darius had a good relationship, so after a moment's consideration, he decided to support Darius's plan. The others present also agreed after some deliberation, as they needed to stick together to better deal with the competition from others.

Before long, they returned to Hogwarts, and Darius led everyone to Professor McGonagall's office in Gryffindor. Professor McGonagall simply said a few words to everyone.

"You can rest for now. After breakfast tomorrow morning, you will set off with the supervising professor, who will assign you tasks. The task assignments will be based on the students' individual assignments."

Professor McGonagall glanced at Joanna and Bernhard standing together, and then added with a smile.

"Joanna, if you'd like, you can temporarily be assigned to the Hufflepuff group! I won't object!"

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall!"

This distribution plan elicited a chorus of good-natured chuckles from the crowd.

"Professor, if we have nothing else to do today, could we go and take a look at Hogsmeade Village?"

It was Alinur Morrison who spoke, and she looked expectantly at Professor McGonagall.

"Of course you can. You're still on holiday, but I hope you don't come back too late! You'd better get plenty of rest, because you'll be busy starting tomorrow!"

"Yay, that's great! Thank you, Professor McGonagall! We'll be going now!"

They then left, chatting and laughing, deciding to go to Hogsmeade Village together. However, Darius didn't move, drawing a curious look from Professor McGonagall.

"Daris, is there anything else?"

"Professor McGonagall, I noticed that there are still some vacant houses in Hogsmeade Village. I was wondering if the school is interested in selling them? Several prefects and I would like to buy some houses together."

"Why do you have this idea? Do you want to open a shop?"

"It's just a simple investment; we haven't figured out what to do with it yet!"

"I can't make that decision myself. We'll have to wait for Principal Andres to return and ask him. You can go back and wait for news. I'll remember this!"

"Thank you so much, Professor McGonagall!"

"It's nothing serious. You should go to Hogsmeade first, don't keep Diane and the others waiting too long."

Goodbye, Professor McGonagall.

After saying that, Darius quickly left.