Chapter 84 "Business Expansion"

The Greengrass family, though discreet, holds diverse industries. As the second-largest shareholder of Ogden Brewery (with the Ogden family taking the lead), they maintain several commercial partnerships with the Wizard's Stew Company.

However, their most substantial enterprise lies in their magical animal farm.

Ogden Distillery, renowned for high-end whiskeys, produces the signature Ogden Flame Whiskey, favored by Professor Lockhart.

Meanwhile, the Wizard Stew Company focuses on providing kitchen utensils for wizarding families and serves as the primary sponsor for all concerts by magical musician Cetina Waugh.

In terms of wealth and social influence, the Greengrass family ranks among the elite in many pure-blood families.

Gareth, a member of Wizengamot, assumed Lucius's position as one of the twelve board members of Hogwarts after Lucius lost power.

With the formidable support of the Greengrass family, Skyler gains increased confidence in his future plans.

With this, the alliance with the Greengrass family has been formed!

Subsequently, Skyler spent five days with the three girls.

Skyler alternated between guiding them in Occlumency and advising Astoria on the nuances of upcoming schoolwork.

Gareth also facilitated new connections, introducing Skyler to individuals like Oscar Ridgebit, the head of the Romanian fire dragon breeding area.

The Romanian Long Horn dragon breeding area, founded by Oscar's father, Harvey Ridgebit, in the early 19th century, surpassed its Swedish counterpart to become the largest breeding area in Europe.

Over the decades, it emerged as the global leader in the fire dragon breeding industry.

The Greengrass family, leaders in magical animal breeding, experienced a momentous rise alongside this success.

Unsatisfied with his father's achievements, Oscar sought to expand the Long Horn Dragon breeding area's business.

To raise funds, he reached out to Gareth, considering him a colleague, and extended an invitation to Skyler to join their select circle.

Skyler boldly invested ten thousand Galleons, securing one-fifth of the breeding area's equity and claiming the position of the second-largest shareholder.

This move not only garnered recognition within the exclusive circle but also provided him with a chance to expand his network of contacts.

Soon, another influential figure within the circle, Philbert Devrill, the manager and key figure behind Puddlemere United, took the initiative to befriend Skyler.

Established in 1163, Puddlemere United stands as the oldest team in the British and Irish Quidditch League, boasting 22 Anglo-Irish League victories and two UEFA Champions League titles.

However, the team faced a formidable challenge to its championship status and popularity when Gwenog Jones, a powerful and daring woman, assumed the role of captain for the Holyhead Harpies.

Known for her exceptional skills as a batsman and a personality that embraces outspoken views on the superiority of witches in Quidditch, Gwenog Jones poses a significant threat to Puddlemere United's dominance.

Gwenog's open and assertive character has attracted a large fanbase, and her family's connections, particularly with her aunt Hestia Jones and Dumbledore, make her a formidable force.

Moreover, her romantic involvement with potions master Horace Slughorn places her in the innermost circle of the legendary "slug club."

Devrill, recognizing the challenges posed by Gwenog, devised a plan for the season. His primary objective is to aggressively recruit top talent from other teams, necessitating significant financial backing.

With the transfer fee for Holyhead Harpies' ace chaser, Verda Griffith, reaching a staggering 1,000 gallons, Devrill approached Skyler, the renowned financial owner in the business world, after learning about his substantial investment in the fire dragon breeding area.

Skyler marveled at being actively sought out for investment, realizing that his standing in the business world had gained significant recognition.

The prospect of having his own Quidditch team, akin to Muggle tycoons purchasing major sports teams, excited him.

However, Skyler remained composed.

Thoroughly examining the prospectus, he added conditions to safeguard his interests, particularly emphasizing the need for insurance to cover player accidents, a lesson learned from vague recollections of past Quidditch controversies.

After negotiations, he secured a quarter of Puddlemere United's equity for three thousand Galleons.

Despite the substantial reduction in available cash, Skyler's personal expenses were minimal, given the support from various ventures—publishing, Miraculous Alchemy, Ellerby and Spudmore Broom Company, and the artificial mushroom trading company.

While the profits varied, they collectively contributed around 8,000 Galleons annually.

Considering his financial stability and the upcoming Quidditch World Cup, Skyler pondered leveraging the event to enhance his earnings.

Guided by Gareth and Daphne, who showcased the Greengrass family's businesses, Skyler gained a deeper appreciation for their prominence in the magic animal breeding industry through a visit to the family's impressive magic animal breeding farm.

In the stable, various Pegasus breeds, including the gray Glaling Pegasus, the imposing rune horse, the chestnut Yseron, the exceedingly rare Yeqi, and hybrids of different species, showcased the impressive diversity.

Aware of the Greengrass family's influence, Skyler expressed concern about potential violations of the 1965 "Prohibition of Animal Breeding Experiments."

Daphne reassured him with a smile, "It's perfectly fine. Our family farm holds one of the few licenses in Great Britain. Hogwarts has one too. So, if you encounter strange and dangerous new species in Hagrid's magical biology class next semester, don't be surprised."

Skyler shared his idea about cultivating Pygmy Cattails, prompting Daphne to consider the prospect.

She responded, "We have a dedicated area for cultivating Cattail feathers, primarily supplied to major pet shops in Diagon Alley. They're sold as wizard pets. Let me show you!" The two strolled to the velvet cultivation area, a nest surrounded by a low fence. Various hues of velvet joyfully used slender threads, their pink tongues licking leftovers.

Recalling the Riveresley twins' legal breeding of PygmyPuffs using a license, Skyler suggested cultivating Pygmy Cattails.

Considering the idea, Daphne mentioned a dedicated area for cultivating Cattail feathers, primarily supplied to major pet shops in Diagon Alley. They headed there, and Daphne explained, "These are sold as wizard pets. Let me show you!"

Daphne pointed to a larger silver-haired Pygmy Puffs, stating, "That's the Appaloosa Puffskein. It can swell and shrink. Since the breeder in New York was killed in 1925, the Magical Congress banned it. Our family is the only one worldwide with this variety of puffed wool."

Pointing to a larger silver-haired Pygmy Puffs named Appaloosa, Daphne explained, "It has the ability to swell and shrink. Since the breeder in New York was killed in 1925 and the Magical Congress banned it, our family is the only one in the world with this variety of Puffed Wool."

"I believe there's untapped potential for Pygmy Puffs as pets. If we cultivate more pink and lavender varieties that appeal to women and manage to reduce their size, it's bound to be a hit," expressed Skyler. "I can contribute to this effort; I have some experience in species transformation."

Skyler proposed leveraging the popularity of Pygmy Puffs as pets, especially by cultivating pink and lavender varieties that appeal to women. He offered his expertise in species transformation to assist in this endeavor.

Daphne gazed at Skyler with gleaming eyes, "Is there anything you don't know?" She then sweetly smiled, "Let me discuss this with Dad. It could be a collaboration between you and our family. If the project succeeds, you'll also receive a share."

Next, they explored the large pool where horse-shaped water monsters resided.

These deformed creatures, not necessarily horse-shaped, included the famous "Nessie," resembling a plesiosaur from the Jurassic period.

The garden housed cats, raccoons, swallowtail dogs, and expertly trained breeders directed their agile movements.

With hundreds of professional magical biologists as employees, each breeder focused on one magical animal specified in their contract.

They shared valuable insights with Skyler, providing details not found in books.

Approaching the unicorn area, Skyler observed a group of snow-white creatures moving gracefully with long spiral horns on their foreheads.

Among them were two small golden unicorns, lacking the signature horns as they were still in their early years of transformation.

Skyler learned that these little unicorns typically began developing silvery white fur around two years old, grew horns at four, and matured at seven, displaying beautiful, pure white hair.

Noticing a unicorn with discomfort, its head held high and covered in dark black hair, Skyler inquired, "This is?"

Daphne expressed her satisfaction with the creature, "This is the legendary Oriental unicorn, known as Hachi in China. While European unicorns discern good and evil in people's hearts, allowing only those with the purest hearts to approach, Haechi possesses a unique ability. It instinctively distinguishes right from wrong, making it highly sought after in the Chinese Ministry of Magic. They are often kept as pets, particularly by honest and fair public officials."

After exploring most of the farm, they reached the final corner, a towering mahogany tree requiring a special magic elevator to access.

On a certain branch, Skyler was surprised to spot a phoenix nest.

Daphne clarified, "Don't assume too much. Even with our family's strength, we couldn't acquire a phoenix. As far as I know, in all of Great Britain, only our one and only, Headmaster Dumbledore is known to own a phoenix." She added, "This is a subspecies of Phoenix, a cross between Phoenix and Peacock. While it can't be reborn from the fire, its feathers and tears remain precious raw materials."

Impressed by the phoenix subspecies, Skyler's estimation of the Greengrass family's strength rose once again. As the leisurely time passed, August 18 arrived.

Gareth, accompanied by the butler Morgardon, Skyler, and his three daughters, used Ministry of Magic-allocated Portkeys to travel to the Quidditch World Cup venue in Dartmoor Wilderness, Devon.