Niffler Business

Hermione was just the appetizer; soon, a wave of Ravenclaws and other students approached the table of the Galegold house and began to question Aurelius without giving him time to breathe. After half an hour, he escaped from the curious witches and wizards and sent the Prophet's copy to his mothers and a letter to tell them what happened and that he was fine.

He walked through the Hogwarts gardens, enjoying the peace and quiet. "Although these gardens are nice, but not quite as beautiful as the one at home," he declared confidently.

"Oh really?" Professor Sprout said, appearing behind him.

He held himself from blasting her away like Ollivander, but he still sent out a small wave.

"Hagrid and I have put in a bit of effort, and I can say that the Hogwarts gardens are at a respectable level for professionals. Do you still stand by that statement, Mr. Galegold?" Said the woman

"Absolutely," he answered immediately without hesitating for a second.

"That only arouses my curiosity more." Pomona narrowed her eyes with interest as she smiled. "Perhaps I'll visit you this summer to see your garden with my own eyes. After all, a garden tells a lot about its caretakers."

"That's fine." Aurelius realized that he may have stomped on her pride as a botanist, but he wouldn't speak falsely of things he takes great pride in.

Aurelius continued with his walk and visited the Black Lake without any luck of seeing the giant squid. He even went to the edge of the Forbidden Forest to look at it from afar. One would hope that since students were forbidden to enter for their safety. There would be some protective barrier blocking the passage in both directions, but not even a poorly made wooden fence or broken sign was present. Granted, the reason is a bit iffy since, from my knowledge, it's due to a pact with the centaurs that the forest is their domain, but no one tells the students that. All they'd need to say is, 'Hey students, that forest is the property of the centaurs due to treaties, so refrain from walking into their home. Just some goddamn context would solve so many issues.'

'But regardless, this is another basic security issue. These things wouldn't have happened had the other four founders taken to heart the suggestions Cyrah left for them before she left. Granted, the acromantulas weren't an issue until Hagrid came along with Aragog, so perhaps her thoughts would be considered only used for more extreme cases, but those scenarios are either here or coming soon. Granted, Slytherin has a murder snake that can instakill pretty much anything with a glance for the worst case scenario, so perhaps Slytherin seeing what effectively is the wizard equivalent of a snake-shaped nuke to be overkill enough to act as a deterrent.'

Note to self: Adjust the treaty to eliminate the acromantulas and create some barriers.

He continues to near Hagrid's hut and thinks to himself. He always wondered why, after Hagrid's wand was destroyed, he didn't think to study druidic magic with his fondness for magical creatures, especially the potentially more lethal variety, and his creativity in successfully making cross-species. If I remember correctly, the only rule was that he was no longer allowed to own a wand, but druidic magic doesn't require a wand.

He returns to his common room to brush up on some knowledge.

I, Aurelius Galegold, discovered the location of the classrooms for the lessons.

Returning to his common room, he discovered that some Ravenclaw students were studying the surroundings, reading some books from the library, some other students, like Hermione, were looking at the facilities, and some were looking with interest at the unhatched occamy egg in the middle. He went to the warehouse to see that they had donated to enter. Someone tried to follow behind him but was immediately thrown out the door by a strong force, as some places, like warehouses, have restricted access.

At the moment, only the head of house and himself can access this place. And there was a logbook that magically updated in real-time to record if someone had used their facilities, products, or books. When, where, why, and even what pages.

Basic spells, chocolate frogs, a silver bracelet, a pile of knuts...

It seems that everyone roughly understands the operation of the entrance to the house.

He took a couple of chocolate frogs to satisfy his hunger after the walk, he placed the new books in the library of the house, and after seeing that everything was fine, he took Hermes on his shoulder and went to the library to look for a couple of books "Guide to the art of making potions for beginners" and "Encyclopedia of the world's potions."

After spending several minutes flipping through the pages and reading the existing potions, he discovered that there were potions to change eye color, give eagle vision, cure temporary blindness, etc. But there was not one that cured myopia, farsightedness, etc...

Having confirmed that he returned the book to his place, and while with one hand he stroked Hermes's back to his delight, with the other, he studied the book to increase his knowledge of the subtle art of potions. Or to be more exact, what should he not do to survive his first attempts and not make the cauldron explode or turn into a powerful poisonous acid?

After a few hours, he felt hungry and got up to eat lunch. He took the sleeping Hermes with him, allowing the book to return on its own due to the charmed shelf marking any book that levitates it back to its spot on the shelf and adapts if one is taking its spot.

Hermes woke up as soon as he smelled the food, and when he saw they were approaching the large dining room, he rubbed his hands together impatiently. Food was coming, and perhaps some business as well.

The students stared at the creature as Aurelius entered with the niffler on his shoulder. Most of the boys had no idea what it was, and the girls didn't care; it was just too adorable. Only a few children of wizards knew of the magical creature known as nifflers.

Hardly any time before he had sat down and let Hermes down at the table, several girls rushed over and tried to pet the little guy. Hermes held up his hand to stop them with a look of authority and extended his other hand toward them, fingers curling upward.

The question marks above the heads of those confused were almost visible, and they turned to Aurelius for translation.

"His name is Hermes, my little niffler," Aurelius introduced as he pricked a cod fritter with his fork. "He's trained and very intelligent. He doesn't mind if you caress him carefully with clean hands, but if you want to do it, you have to give him something nice and shiny in return." He took a silver sickle from his pocket as a demonstration and gave it to Hermes, who, after taking it, turning it over, sniffing, and shaking it, nodded in satisfaction and put it back in his stomach pouch. Before he leaned into Aurelius's hand, allowing him to stroke him gently.

A few students were stunned. 'Was this niffler doing business with his cuteness?' thought some students.

'I'm confident that he'll be successful. Intelligent little bloke!' thought some students more familiar with the female mind.

"Can we hug him?" asked a third year Ravenclaw girl holding back at such a cute and sweet thing.

Aurelius looked at Hermes, who thought about it for a moment, and he grunted three times in response as he mimed.

"He says he'll take it if you don't push and pay him enough. At least three shiny coins!" He then crouched down to the students to advise them.

"You can clean some knuts well until they shine, and he'll happily take them like a sickle. It doesn't even have to be real money; like I said, something nice and shiny, like a shiny button, is enough to satisfy Hermes. It's just easier to use coins since coins are typically already shiny. But don't spend too much time during your turn. He gets impatient fast."

"Would you accept some food?" someone asked.

"I taught him not to accept food or treats from strangers unless I give the go-ahead, and even then, he might not even accept it."

"Some rock cakes, perhaps?" said a loveable giant.

"No, Hagrid, he won't accept rock cakes. They're too hard for him." Aurelius smiled and looked at the half-giant who practically charged towards the little money maker.

"You two stop by my cabin sometime. I think Fang would like to meet a new playmate."

"Sure," he agreed before returning to his meal as his niffler continued his business.