Her efficiency alone was too low. Leveraging Stark Industries and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power, mobilizing everyone to work together—only then could she maximize material collection in the Marvel world.
"African tree snake skin strips, Bubotuber pus, Dittany, Moonstones..."
Hermione counted usable materials one by one. Box after box packed into her bottomless bag.
Nick Fury watched with heartache. But helpless.
"That's all?"
Hermione looked at Fury. Asked.
"That's right. This is the maximum effort S.H.I.E.L.D. could manage recently."
Stared at him a while. Hermione nodded. "Fine. If you find more later, remember to call me. I'll appraise for free."
She knew—these definitely weren't all the materials S.H.I.E.L.D. obtained. But too lazy to expose it. Steady flow was the way.
Besides, even if these things stayed in their hands, they couldn't research them. In the end, still had to beg her.
Already appraised into your bag. Even if we know these are magical materials, what use is it?!
Hearing Hermione's words, seeing only a few scattered boxes left, Fury's face darkened.
"What about these?"
Looking at the remaining materials, Fury probed.
"Oh, these are trash. I'll leave them for you to handle."
I knew it!
Fury wasn't surprised at all.
How could she kindly leave things for S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Fortunately he had foresight. Secretly hid some without bringing them out... Though still didn't know their use, their scientists researched constantly—should discover something eventually.
"Since you're so sincere, Goose, play with him a while!"
Hermione happily counted her haul. Released Goose.
"Meow!"
A big orange descended from above. Landed directly on the director's desk.
"Goose!"
Seeing his familiar beloved cat, even Fury couldn't help showing a trace of joy.
While man and cat engaged in complex communication, Hermione looked at the magic book.
[Hermione J. Granger] [Magic Level: lv3 (15973/50000)] [Soul Energy: 5768]
Not bad, not bad... Hermione nodded satisfactorily. Seems quite a few died tonight.
Poor New York citizens. Poor soldiers... Poor my ass!
What did their deaths have to do with her?
She didn't kill them. Abomination and Hulk weren't created by her either. She just "arrived late" a bit. Watched everything happen.
This would've happened in the original timeline anyway. She didn't add fuel to the fire—already good enough.
"Miss Witch..."
Just as Hermione tallied her haul, Fury's distressed voice came from beside her.
"Goose... seems not to recognize me..."
Turning around, Hermione saw Fury trying to pick up Goose. But the latter raised a paw, scratching wildly. Refused to be held no matter what.
"Is there a possibility—precisely because it recognizes you, it doesn't want you to hold it?"
Fury was struck by lightning.
Hermione's one sentence—like a sharp knife stabbed in Fury's heart.
"Alright, if there's more good business like this, feel free to call me."
Hermione made a fist. Made a cheering gesture.
"Maintaining justice, ensuring civilian safety—I, Hermione Granger, will not shirk my duty!"
With that, in orange sparks, Hermione picked up Goose. Disappeared.
"Your justice is a bit impure... How come it comes with fees..."
Looking at the empty office, Fury couldn't help muttering quietly.
Herbology class.
As Potions' companion course, this class was taught by Hufflepuff's Head, Professor Sprout—a short, plump, kind witch with gray short hair.
Only the greenhouse, also the Herbology classroom, was currently a disaster scene.
Just now, dozens of Mandrakes were simultaneously pulled from their pots... In their screams, everyone was knocked around. Quite a few distracted young wizards didn't wear earmuffs properly. Directly knocked unconscious.
Seeing young wizards sprawled everywhere, Hermione shrugged helplessly.
She was used to it.
Hogwarts—would be strange if no teaching accidents occurred.
Finally made it to dismissal. Everyone fled... Soon, only Professor Sprout and Hermione remained in the greenhouse.
"Today's young wizards are all too delicate..."
Professor Sprout shook her head helplessly. Complained while waving her wand to restore overturned items.
"Reparo."
Hermione also helped.
"Hermione, do you need something?"
Seeing she hadn't left, Sprout asked curiously.
"Professor, I've read about some special plants in books... But never seen them in the greenhouse. For example, Venomous Tentacula and Fanged Geranium—do you have these..."
Sprout looked at Hermione with a strange expression.
"These are very dangerous plants. Including Mandrakes. You saw today's situation... Only Mandrakes can be used to brew petrification antidotes. The other two are a bit... What do you want them for?"
"Just research!" Hermione's clear eyes held thirst for knowledge. "You know, Mandrakes can make petrification antidotes. No reason these two can't develop new uses."
Sprout looked at her suspiciously. "Just research?"
Hermione nodded frantically. "Just research!"
Seeing Hermione's cute face and sincere expression, Professor Sprout—completely convinced—thought a moment. Still took out two seed packets from her bag. Handed them to Hermione.
"Alright, I don't have much of these dangerous things left. These two packets are the last stock. Hope you use them well."
"Thank you, Professor!"
Hermione left joyfully.
Watching Hermione's back, Sprout felt somewhat uneasy. As if she'd just made a wrong decision.
Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's Office.
"Break with the Banshee..."
Hermione flipped through the book in hand. Clicked her tongue in wonder.
Originally just casually browsing. Setting aside authenticity, unexpectedly felt pretty good.
Quite the style of power fantasy novels.
Pretty entertaining, damn... The more she read, the more interesting it got. Hermione couldn't help cursing quietly.
Didn't expect to read webnovels in another world.
No wonder Lockhart's books were famous. Setting aside others' adventure material, his writing ability would be top-tier in her previous life.
In a sense, truly talented.
This guy shouldn't be a professor. Born writer and actor.
Beside her, Lockhart saw Hermione absorbed in reading. Face full of pride. "This is my early experience exorcising the Bandon Banshee. I know—wizards your age must greatly admire my rich adventure experiences..."
He started bragging.
While boasting, didn't forget to check the mirror. Meticulously grooming his flashy golden robes.
Hermione read a while longer. Then folded a page corner. Closed the book. "Professor Lockhart, as your teaching assistant, I must remind you—ten minutes until your first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. May I ask if your lesson plan is actually prepared?"
"Please don't tell me you're planning to lecture them an entire period on 'Lockhart's Bizarre Adventure.'"
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