[219] Meeting Merlin

"Merlin..." Hall's lips trembled.

That was Merlin. He had no particular respect for the name, but curiosity — yes. Hall was very curious.

"I never expected to hear that name," Dumbledore remarked.

Phineas Black, who had returned to his portrait, wore a surprised expression. "Oh! Merlin... This reminds me of when I was teaching. Some kid boasted that Merlin had also attended Hogwarts, and that his house was Slytherin..."

Hall rolled his eyes. "Although I'm also a Slytherin, I have to say — that daydream is a bit much. Didn't you study any history?"

"Merlin was King Arthur's teacher. If King Arthur really existed — "

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Phineas roared. "King Arthur definitely existed!"

Hall ignored him. "King Arthur was from around the 5th century. Even if he didn't exist, the legends wouldn't be later than the 6th century. Hogwarts was founded about four hundred years ago, roughly in the 9th or 10th century. That's almost five centuries. You're saying Merlin attended Hogwarts?"

Phineas was so angry his goatee trembled.

"You brat! Gryffindor spy!"

Hall turned away.

Dumbledore's mouth turned up slightly. "Merlin... indeed, no one in the wizarding world is unaware of this name, but no one truly understands the real Merlin. Legend has it that Merlin was the child of a demoness and a nightmare, possessing immense magical talent and the ability to foresee the future. He became King Arthur's most trusted advisor."

Hall listened quietly. Before becoming a wizard, his knowledge of Merlin came from a fantasy television series. After becoming a wizard, it came from Chocolate Frog cards. The Merlin on the cards was an old man with white hair and a long wand.

But one thing was certain: if wizards exist, Merlin existed.

"Merlin's Journal..." Hall's heart skipped. "I want to see it."

Dumbledore shook his head. "It's very difficult. Because of the Sorting Hat's special nature, it's already difficult for it to stay conscious during the annual Sorting. At other times..." He paused. "Even I was surprised it stayed conscious this time."

Hall sighed. The Sorting Hat had piqued his curiosity and fallen asleep without giving him a straight answer.

"I'll be going now, Headmaster."

Hall slipped out of the office and bumped into Draco.

"You came to the Headmaster's office?"

Draco rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and turned to leave.

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Hall caught up. "Wait for me."

"Heh."

"Alright, don't be angry. I had something to ask the headmaster."

"I found it," Draco said confidently.

Hall nodded, then shook his head.

"What does that mean?"

"I got half the answer. The other half I didn't get."

Not only did he not get it — he now had even more questions.

The great wizard. The legendary wizard. Merlin. Merlin's Journal.

Each thing tempted Hall, urging him to study the array. But his mind remained rational. He needed to calm down. Consolidate his thoughts.

He should also upgrade his talent while he was at it. He could afford 200,000 Galleons. Ancient Runecraft was outdated. Time waited for no one.

Hall upgraded his Runecraft talent to SS level. He glanced at his bulging pockets.

"I've saved up too much money. I need to make it circulate."

Money is like water. Only when it flows is it alive.

"Money making money... is it better to divide the cake or create it?"

Hall looked at Draco, trying to get some insight.

"I don't have any money."

Hall waved his hand. "No problem, I'll show you how to make money."

"I'm older than you!" Draco gave Hall a look, then quickly changed the subject. "How do we make money?"

A money-devouring monster attended Draco's school — Hall. Draco's allowance couldn't keep up with his spending.

Hall's eyes lit up.

The Malfoys had already partnered with him. But the Malfoy family would eventually pass to Draco, so he couldn't play favourites. Let everyone make money together.

Hall believed that mutual benefit was stronger than mere friendship. He didn't want the Malfoy family, so influential in the wizarding world, siding with Voldemort at a crucial moment.

"Dividing the cake," Hall explained patiently, "is about seizing existing businesses. As latecomers, it's difficult for us to get involved. But we have enough Galleons to open doors — like broomstick manufacturing."

Draco's eyes lit up.

Hall sighed. "Don't get too excited. Without new technology, making money would be very difficult. We can't just work for dreams."

Draco muttered. He was genuinely interested in broomsticks.

"The other option," Hall continued, "is to create a new market. A completely new industry. The advantage is we're first. The disadvantage is convincing others."

Like the Magic Book. First on the market. No one else. Want to compete? Crack the technology first.

"I can't think of any new markets," Draco admitted. "It feels like the magical world lacks nothing."

Hall chuckled. "Lacking nothing? I don't think so."

"What does it lack?"

"Like the film market," Hall said. "The secondary markets — actors, costumes, equipment — are all profitable projects. Of course, we're a little late now."

Draco looked at Hall expectantly.

"It's okay if you can't think of anything. We can learn from Muggles." Hall winked.

Draco made a disgusted face.

"Muggles are often much smarter than ordinary people. Like supermarkets and department stores."

"Supermarkets... department stores... what are those?"

Hall had this idea when he promised the twins he would sponsor their store. Now that they were expanding, it was time to act.

"It's hard to explain. How about we take a trip to the Muggle world together sometime?"

Draco hesitated. Part of him was tempted; part of him felt disgusted at the mention of Muggles. "Around Christmas... okay, I can spare a day. It's definitely not because I'm curious about the Muggle world, humph!"

Christmas arrived quickly. The school was unusually quiet.

At dinner, the twins talked. "Isn't there anything special going on this year? Boring! So incredibly boring!"

Harry, at the Gryffindor table, felt a sense of disorientation. As if it shouldn't be this quiet. Then he shook his head. He loved this tranquility. Every day was happy. He had family and friends.

Harry glanced at Ginny beside him. A shy, sweet smile spread across Ginny's face.

"Do you want to come home with me for Christmas? Mum wrote to ask. She'll be so happy if you come."

Harry nodded shyly. "Okay."

He really liked the Weasley family atmosphere. But his role at the Weasley house this year made him a little embarrassed.

Watching them, Hall felt like he was being fed a mouthful of sugary sweetness.

He looked at Draco beside him.

"I'll spend Christmas at your house."