To a certain extent, wizard magic, like Muggle science, is the accumulation of knowledge.
People often say that knowledge is wealth.
Since ancient times, the growth of every wizard is inseparable from the nourishment of knowledge. No matter how talented he is, he can only move forward by drawing on the strength of his predecessors.
However, not everyone is willing to share their valuable knowledge.
Not to mention that the number of wizards in ancient times was far less than it is now. Even in modern times, there are still many obstacles to the inheritance of knowledge. In the entire global magic world, there are very few places where semi-public libraries can be set up. Some magic schools even explicitly prohibit the borrowing of books by anyone except teachers and students.
As for stores like Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley—what they sell are basically textbooks and ordinary publications. Magic books that truly contain important content are difficult to find there.
When I'm looking for some magic books to buy, I might as well go to a second-hand store and have a look. Maybe I'll be more likely to find something.
So, where are the most truly valuable magic books
There is no doubt that except for organizations or forces like Hogwarts that have both the contribution of the founder and the attention of generations of professors to collect, I am afraid that only those large families with equally long histories will have treasures.
It's a pity that if you want the descendants of those cherished families to take out the collection of books and share them with others, it may be more difficult for them to accept than killing them!
"...But old Batty really did it this time."
Maka took Hermione and others, followed the little guy leading the way, and watched as they walked.
Although the name of this library sounds particularly ordinary, the store even makes people feel a bit "shabby". But once you walk in, you can immediately feel the beauty of being in a sea of knowledge.
Different from the unimpressive facade outside, this place has been cast with a traceless expansion spell, and it looks like the space is at least several times larger than everyone expected.
And this huge indoor space is already filled with bookshelves, rows extending to the depths.
Maka was thinking that Old Barty might have moved most of the books stored in the ancient Crouch family here this time.
Probably the scene in the library was so shocking that Ron, who had been complaining outside just now, couldn't help but shut his mouth.
After a while, Maka and the other five people slowly followed the little girl in her early ten years to the deepest part of the library. When everyone saw a large counter table, they saw the little girl running over.
"Grandpa! A visitor said he came to visit you—"
In fact, needless to say to the child, the old man who was reading a book with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses had already raised his head. When he realized that it was Maka who was walking towards him, he couldn't help but stood up.
"Mr. McClain!" Old Batty took off the glasses on his nose and put them aside, and said in surprise, "I just wrote you a letter. I didn't expect you to come so soon - I know you must be very busy, obviously It’s just a library, you can come anytime!”
I remember the last time I saw old Batty in the principal's office, although his hair had some gray, it was nowhere near as gray as it is now. Apparently, the death of his son Barty Jr. made him suddenly grow older after all.
"Just because I come early and come late, I came to take a look whenever I have time." Maka stepped forward with a smile, "For me, nothing is more tempting than knowledge!"
After shaking hands with Old Barty across the table, Maka turned around and introduced him:
"These are all Hogwarts students—Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott, and Miss Hermione Granger, who, like you and me, loves books very much. .”
The reason why he described it as "just like you and me" was precisely because he had known Batty Sr. for a long time.
He knew that this high-ranking official who had held several director-general positions in the Ministry of Magic was not only proficient in many languages, but also had high magical abilities.
If it weren't for his own son who attacked him in the first place, it would be difficult for ordinary people to take him down.
And this old man with a dignified face, like his son Barty Jr., also likes to read.
"Come on, please sit down! Come and sit here..."
Under Old Batty's warm invitation, Maka and others followed him to the rest area not far away and sat down. Seeing the little girl always following him, Maka couldn't help but smile and said:
"Mr. Crouch, do you plan to start from the subtleties and let Muggles try to live in the magical world... Aren't you worried that the Ministry of Magic will come to you and cause trouble?"
Old Barty adopted Muggle orphans, which was obviously something he couldn't tell others casually. Maka only found out about this after receiving his letter.
And to say that this bold behavior of Old Batty undoubtedly violated certain regulations in the "International Statute of Secrecy".
"Someone has to try, right?"
After asking the house elf to bring some tea, Old Barty smiled nonchalantly and said:
"Although I have resigned from the Ministry of Magic, the relationship that I left when I was working in the past has not been severed... Besides, I am just an ordinary citizen now. Those guys who didn't like me at the beginning probably can't even do it now." No time to even look at me!"
"Well, I hope your attempt goes well!" Maka nodded, "I also hope that this child can live happily in the magical world - Muggles and wizards will resume mixing. This must be a trend in the future, at least for me I think what you did was not wrong.”
What Maka was thinking was actually more than that.
Earlier, the Queen of England and the old bishop had repeatedly considered this matter. It was obvious that their vision was also long-term.
However, their ideas were so radical that Maka decisively rejected the relevant invitation at that time.
In comparison, Old Batty's approach was obviously much more tactful. Even if he fails in the end, he, the last descendant of the Crouch family, will not suffer unbearable losses.
"If this child encounters any difficulties in the future, he can come to me at any time and I will try my best to help."
After thinking for a moment, Maka looked at the little girl standing behind Old Barty's sofa, smiled and gave such a promise.
Of course the child didn't understand much, but Old Barty could understand the preciousness of Maka's promise - this young man's future was simply unlimited.
"Thank you Mr. McLean!"
Old Batty turned around, patted his adopted granddaughter's arm, and urged her slightly. The little girl was also unusually obedient. When her grandfather asked her to thank him, she said thank you to Maka without saying a word.
Then, Old Batty joked again:
"Mr. McClain, don't forget, I also adopted a boy!"
When Maka heard this, she couldn't help but smiled and shrugged:
"Of course, both children can come to me if they have any trouble that can't be solved in the future."
After that, the two casually chatted about some current topics in the British wizarding world. Even Hermione expressed her own opinions along the lines of the two, which was unanimously praised by both of them.
Ron and the others, on the other hand, usually didn't care much about current affairs, so it was as boring as possible, but they were too embarrassed to leave the meeting casually, not to mention how uncomfortable they were.
Fortunately, Maka didn't come here just to catch up with old Barty. After he asked to take a look around this "library", Ron and the three of them were finally relieved.
Not long after, Maka took Hermione and others around with great interest among the bookshelves.
To be honest, this is a collection of books that were moved from Crouch's house. Even the most valuable ones, or the magic books about black magic, are definitely not shipped. The ordinary books on various subjects are enough to surprise people.
Therefore, not only Maka and the others are here, there are also many adult wizards strolling around gently.
It's just... Of course, there is absolutely no comparison between this place and the library at Hogwarts.
After the few of them got used to browsing the school library, which has an extremely rich collection of books, they came here just to look around to see if there were any books and materials they had never seen before.
Just as the five people were browsing a few books in the aisle between two rows of bookshelves, Hermione suddenly said curiously:
"Maka, why do you seem so familiar with Mr. Crouch? Did you have any friendship before?"
"friendship?"
When Maka heard this, she paused for a moment while turning the pages, then shook her head.
"It's nothing special... Well, it just happened to save his son's life!"
He said this very lightly, and after saying this, he did not continue to explain anything, but handed the book in his hand to Hermione.
When Maka said that this book might be suitable for her to read, Hermione stopped asking further.
After all, from Hermione's point of view, it seemed like a normal thing for Maka to save someone. Over the years, he has saved countless people.
So, about half an hour passed.
Maka invited everyone to go and talk to old Barty, and then they walked out of the newly opened "library" in Diagon Alley and went for a good stroll elsewhere.
By the time everyone was tired from playing and walking, it was almost time for dinner.
But just when Maka took the four of them to the Leaky Cauldron Bar to prepare for dinner, Hermione and others discovered that there were already several familiar figures waiting for their arrival.
"Maka, have you visited Old Barty?"
"Well, Sirius," Maka smiled at Hermione beside her, and then said bluntly, "Although it's not exactly the same as Lupine's estimate, there... is indeed a problem."