These people could be found by discreetly asking Professor Sprout, and then get them to study mundane techniques to see if better results could be achieved.
Sure, it was a test - a very expensive and time-consuming one - but if it worked a decade or so from now, it could give him a massive advantage over his rivals. If the experiment failed, he had at least tried, and the farm could then be converted to the currently practised style, just like Terra-Green used.
...
If the situation ever arose where he bought another high-quality farm - which was rare from what he'd been told, since they were so valuable due to the residual magic and their produce - owners were rather unwilling to sell them unless as a last resort. He was tempted to try converting it into a series of greenhouses and different environmental condition domes, a bit like the Eden Project he'd seen on TV. After all, exotic plants yielded higher profits due to their imported nature.
Rune schemes could be used to create the necessary weather conditions. For example, fog wards used to hide islands or houses were just a mixture of water and heat after all, so why couldn't the concept be applied to growing magical plants? Sure, the use of greenhouses wasn't new; Hogwarts was a key example of greenhouses being heated all year round so plant life could be grown, but from what he'd seen at his agricultural holdings, the concept of microclimates could be new, or at least a well-kept secret.
Then he had visited one of the Potter holdings which had been giving him trouble with inaccurate reports - an inn he owned called 'Pleasurable Nights' in Shadowless Alley. He had immediately laid down the law - his law - and fired the manager after he was rude. Also, he summoned the staff for a meeting.
In short, it rapidly underwent new management. He didn't care personally if prostitutes did their trade in the place - if they didn't, they would just do it on the street. As long as they didn't create trouble, nor was it against the law. As long as the person wasn't a slave or bewitched, and it was of their own free will, the Ministry didn't care one way or another... after all, Ministry officers often used such services...
Ultimately, he ended up promoting the barmaid to run the place on a trial basis, giving her free room and board as perks of the job. If she did a good job, then it would be permanent with a bonus.
He also authorised the needed cash to redecorate the place, since the last manager had made no effort, and the place was rather run-down. He also had Bloodmoon authorise new wards, since it was clear from his limited understanding that the existing wards were in the process of failing. In one year, two tops, they would degrade completely. Also, he hired two additional bouncers to keep order, bringing their total up to six - two during the day, and four in the evening.
Many would ask why, when two could do the job. The short version is a drunken wizard can do a lot of damage and could easily destroy the place. Hence the additional muscle to simply overpower drunken magicals before they did too much damage beyond what could be repaired by Reparo charms.
Plus, a show of force often prevented such things occurring in the first place. Far better to pay an additional eight thousand Galleons a year, rather than having to fork out twice that number in repair bills, even if the cost could be later reclaimed in court. It just wasn't worth the time and possible lost profits if the building burnt down.
One of the new bouncers turned out to be a werewolf. He made it clear that as long as he did his job and didn't cause trouble, he didn't care if he was. Plus, it would help keep order, since the man was stronger and faster, and clearly intimidating. In short, just what you needed for a bouncer.
At the end of the day, with all the work and the new hires, it would cost close to sixty thousand Galleons. This was mostly because 'Pleasurable Nights' hadn't been maintained properly since his parents' deaths. At least the staff seemed to be happy with the knowledge of having an active, proper owner who cared. And so did the other local businesses who considered the place to be an eyesore in its run-down state, which was affecting their own business, since it was attracting the wrong sort. So he won some goodwill from the neighbours.
He very much planned to make the place a respectable inn once again, with proud and happy staff, leading to better profits, since the place had been making less than ten thousand Galleons a year. If everything went well, hopefully it would be back to the annual figures prior to bad management. Either way, he asked Bloodmoon to keep an eye on the place, to ensure it stayed golden after all the work was completed, and did not become tarnished from the incompetence of the staff again anytime soon.
So now his financial base was secure, he could start to expand into the already cornered markets. Which of course would take time, since many were controlled by old families such as his own, but he had plenty of time - after all, he was only just turning twelve.
Now he had a birthday party to attend, something he was nervous about for several reasons. First and foremost, he had never been to one before, and also he simply didn't know anyone. He would be an outsider looking in once again. Now he was really regretting agreeing to this plan, because it also meant that he had to get a gift for Susan, which proved to be a nightmare. What does one get a second-year girl?
...
The Party (Wednesday)
Knocking on the front door (he had gone casual with jeans), he was greeted by a house-elf before being escorted out into the back garden, where the party was already underway. Looking over the unfolding party, he saw that it looked like most of the first-year Puffs were attending and a few others he didn't recognise. Probably second-years or distant family members who'd been invited out of habit and tradition, rather than actually being friends.
Walking towards the crowd, waiting to be noticed - this didn't take long due to him being an unfamiliar face. Thankfully, he didn't have to introduce himself in most cases since most of the kids from Hogwarts recognised him easily enough. After all, he was considered a top student and shared about sixty percent of his classes with the Puffs, with a twenty/twenty split with the other two houses.
Which did seem odd, but he dismissed it. It was better to work with Puffs rather than Gryffs, because at least Puffs didn't prank in lessons or cause trouble. They just sat there quietly, listening respectfully to the professor.
Putting on a charming smile...
...
Sometime Later
"Harry, are you enjoying the party?" Madam Bones probed.
"Indeed," he answered truthfully, surprised that he actually was.
"Arrangements have been made for the court case to be held two weeks from Thursday; Sirius is currently in a safe house. The case itself should be simple enough. All evidence shows that Sirius was set up," she explained with a sad smile.
"Will there be any problems, or anything I can do?" he asked seriously.
"No, I've taken care of it. Problems should only occur if the court is rigged, but that shouldn't happen. I'll be overseeing the cases that day."
"What do you mean?" he probed.
"Well, as you know, for the rest of this month the Ministry is effectively on autopilot, and so is the Wizengamot due to the Ministry elections. Candidates have been selected to take up three of the spots on the panel of adjudicators.
I or my deputy will act in the place of the Chief Warlock, and another Ministry official will act in place of the Minister, making up a judging panel of five. The Chief Warlock will probably get three, maybe four people into this group of candidates to be selected as judges, the same for the Pure-blood Elitists under Malfoy.
The rest of the possible candidates to act as judges will come from secondary houses and factions who will wish to gain some prestige by sitting on the panel, or secondary heirs to families wishing to build their own position. The only thing we have to worry about is if, for some reason, three of Malfoy's allies somehow get selected to the panel, but it's unlikely that this will happen. From there, it's a clear-cut case," she explained, before taking a slice of cake from the table.
"Any questions?" she asked.
"Will the court be open to the public? I'd like to be there to see the process, and I want to bring along a few friends," thinking of Tonks and her family, as well as the press, since it would be front-page news. He already had an image of Lucius drinking his morning tea and choking on it when he saw the headline.
"Of course, Ministers past and present have liked to be seen doing things - nothing better than being seen handing out fair justice, so it's open to the public," she explained.
"Do you know when and where it is being held?"
"Yes, 10am, Courtroom Three," she stated, before having a bite of birthday cake. "It's good - have you tried some yet?" she asked, gesturing towards the cake.
"No, Madam," Harry said before taking a slice of cake, enjoying the taste of strawberries.
"Well, enjoy the party. And by the way, the Headmaster is looking for you."
"I know."
"Well, I suggest you keep a low profile for a bit, or at least until Sirius is released and takes up your guardianship."
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