HP: Spirit Talker

After making arrangements with Granger, I left the library and went to the principal's office. I didn't like the situation with the feast, including my personal stupidity. I could have avoided creating a conflict by warning the Headmaster in advance, discussing the details with him, and explaining my position intelligently. But no, I relied on others, and they did it with a letter, albeit a very cool one.

In Britain they are used to long and tedious discussions, boring meetings, stalling. I don't like it, but now it's better not to get angry, to pretend that I was angry then, and now my brain is switched on. Soon this magician will be able to wrap up one of my ideas and I won't be able to do anything, so it's better to adjust the relationship now so that it's easier to negotiate later.

For the first time, I found myself at the gargoyle's place without an escort or an invitation, I was even a bit confused, there was no bell or intercom! And what to do? For a few minutes I stomped on the stone guardian. Through the astral I see that the gargoyle is a very complex golem, built into the castle's systems and controlled by the director. But how do I get its attention?

 I shot multicolored sparks in front of the golem, not at the gargoyle, otherwise it might react somehow. After a few more minutes, I felt someone else's attention coming through the stone guardian, but I didn't let it show, continuing to release harmless childish effects like rainbow bubbles, rainbows, and other tinsel. Five minutes later, when I was already trying to create an illusion, the gargoyle slid aside, opening a passage to the spiral staircase.

The headmaster met me at his desk and gave me a cheerful look, obviously I'd lifted the old man's spirits. Well, it's not hard for me, and I haven't done anything shameful, so it's okay.

— Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore. — I approach the table, but I'm in no hurry to sit down.

— Good evening. — The old man acknowledged with a smile. — I was certainly amused by your introduction, Mr. Hoshino, but if you wanted to meet me, you should have just gone to the gargoyle. Have a seat.

— Thank you. — And it never occurred to me to talk to the rock. — You should get a secretary, director, put him or her somewhere near the entrance so they don't bother you or keep your guests away when you're out or busy. Everybody does that.

— I have to admit, — Dumbledore's eyebrows raised slightly. — I hadn't really thought about this position. It has long been known that the Headmaster of Hogwarts has a deputy, but there were no secretaries.

— My headmaster has two secretaries: one deals with correspondence and also acts as a courier, and the other meets with people and gives orders to production. — I raised my eyes to the ceiling and leaned back in my chair. — Hogwarts is a big castle with a lot of children most of the year, and your other duties, extracurricular. A good secretary would ease your schedule.

— That's a good idea. — The man nodded. — I'll think about it. But that's not why you came to see me, is it? — The director arched an eyebrow meaningfully and looked at the folder of documents in my hands.

— You are right, but it will be a long conversation, if you are busy now, the conversation can be postponed. — I put on a calm and friendly face.

— I think, — Dumbledore pretended to think, looking away from the sleeping Phoenix. — I have time before lights out, and I can give it to you, Mr. Hoshino.

— In that case, I'll start at the beginning. Well, I've noticed that about a third of the greenhouses at Hogwarts are in use, some are mothballed, and some are dilapidated and in need of serious repair. And the staff, according to old records and documents, is severely understaffed, I don't know what that has to do with .....

— Lack of funding. — the director interrupted me gently. — In the old days, before my predecessor took over, funding came not only from the Ministry, but also from wealthy magical families. Now, the once stable stream has turned into a thin stream that is barely enough for a reduced existence, and the rare one-time donations from the aristocracy are not large enough to correct the situation. — To be honest, I didn't quite understand why they were telling me this, but I listened intently, for I hadn't studied the matter seriously and was even less interested in what Hogwarts lived on. I admit I was stupid, but it was important, even if it didn't affect me personally.

— I see. — I nod. — So, after studying the issue of the greenhouses, I have come to the conclusion that I can change the situation.

— How? — Dumbledore grins faintly into his beard.

— Yes. I pretend not to notice. — If the Board of Trustees and the Headmaster of Hogwarts agree to the terms of my project, within a week we will begin the restoration of the destroyed greenhouses, as well as the work in the preserved ones. Here are the details. — I take a few sheets out of the folder and hand them to the headmaster.

Dumbledore gave me a strange look and began to read them. His beard made it very difficult to catch the small changes in his facial expressions, so I listened to the emotional background. The headmaster studied the papers for twenty minutes without any distractions, while I sketched in my notebook a scheme of the future project I intend to begin very soon.

As soon as they finish my mansion, I'll start right away, but the Muggles still have a week's worth of work to do, and Megan's people will be installing the interior trim and foundation weaves.

As it turns out, her "Skilled Hands" have excellent specialists in the most unexpected industries and spheres. Some of them will lay the "skeleton" of weaves and basic security charms, and then I will connect it all into a central structure and add some of the Japanese magic for passive and active protection of the magical dwelling.