Chapter 119: Flourish and Blotts
Since Rolf was a new student and had quite a few things to buy, they set off early.
Upon arriving at Diagon Alley, they split up as planned—
Rolf's mother took him to buy a suitable Wand, while his father went to purchase a Cauldron and other items.
Steven and Wade headed to the apothecary first.
Wade needed to pre-order some Potions ingredients, asking the shop owner to mail them to Hogwarts once he was there.
The shops in Diagon Alley had been doing business with Hogwarts students for years, and their reputation in this regard had been built up over time, so there was no concern about them backing out of agreements.
Steven, on the other hand, needed to buy some deworming powder for his Kneazle and sell some materials he'd collected from the farm, like Murtlap Essence.
After circling around, everyone agreed to meet at the ice cream parlor. Wade and Steven sat at a table outside the shop to rest for a bit, had something to drink, and then Rolf, who had just been fitted for his new school robes, joined them.
"Mom, please buy me a Filibuster Firework," Rolf pleaded, tugging at Mrs. Scamander's sleeve. "Just one is fine!"
"No," Mrs. Scamander gently refused. "The school doesn't allow you to bring those."
"I won't take it to school, I'll just use it at home," Rolf said. "I want to see what it looks like when it blooms in water."
"Buy it for him," Rolf's father interceded for his son. "What child doesn't have toys?"
Then, on their way to Flourish and Blotts, they first made a detour to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.
Rolf was dazzled by the variety of magical fireworks, while Wade bought a bit of everything. Steven even recommended a jar of colorful candies to him.
"These are quite fun. A plant will sprout from your head after you eat them. It disappears in a few minutes, so no worries about it being harmful."
Steven said, taking two jars for himself as well.
There were also self-shuffling playing cards, Quills that would suddenly turn into large spiders, realistic toads that could spray foul odors, and more.
Wade wasn't interested in these prank toys and put them down after a quick glance.
There were more people around Flourish and Blotts than expected, but most of the crowd was gathered outside, and the majority were middle-aged witches.
They stood in winding queues at the entrance, holding one or two books, occasionally adjusting their hair or patting their skirts.
A few adults hesitated at the edge of the crowd. Wade pulled Rolf along, deftly weaving through the gaps in the throng.
Most people were attending the book signing, so the inside of the shop was relatively less crowded. The two told the clerk their year, and the young man skillfully produced two pre-packaged bundles.
"Do you want all new books?" The clerk, seeing they were both children, kindly reminded them, "If you want used books, they're cheaper."
"New books are fine, thank you."
Wade and Rolf both pulled out Galleons to pay.
Gilderoy Lockhart's books weren't cheap; two heavy bags of Galleons were placed on the counter.
The two hugged their books and squeezed out of the bookstore, just in time to see Gilderoy Lockhart holding Harry Potter's hand for reporters to photograph. The surrounding people were excitedly chatting, but Harry had an expression that clearly showed he wanted to escape.
"Harry Potter? He's here too?"
Rolf heard Harry's name and tried to stand on his tiptoes, craning his neck to see.
Unfortunately, he was too short, and all he could see were dense backs, making it impossible to spot the black-haired boy.
Seeing Rolf almost get bumped by the surging crowd, Wade pulled him back and asked, "Curious?"
"Of course!" Rolf said excitedly. "I grew up hearing his stories! I heard he recently foiled He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's plot again, is that true?"
"It's true. But there's no need for you to push through the crowd now. Once you're at school, you'll see him every day."
"Can I take a picture with him too?" Rolf pressed. "I want to hang his picture on my wall."
Wade said, "I have a camera. But whether you can take a picture, you'll have to ask him yourself."
Wade pulled Rolf away, still hearing Lockhart's voice from behind them—
"I am delighted and proud to announce that this September, I will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
—Good thing I've already found a truly competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for myself.
Wade muttered to himself.
Otherwise, he'd have to find a way to get rid of Lockhart.
Wade safely returned Rolf to his parents, only to hear the boy excitedly tell them, "Mom, Dad, guess who's there?"
"Lockhart?" Mr. Scamander echoed.
"No, it's Harry Potter! He's taking a picture with Mr. Lockhart, and reporters are photographing them!"
Rolf hopped with excitement, "I'm going to be classmates with Harry Potter!"
"Steady now," Mrs. Scamander gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, instructing, "Also, don't ask him about his scar, and don't ask him about defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for the first time, got it?"
"Why, Mom? I'm so curious!" Rolf protested.
"Silly child, he lost his parents back then!" Mrs. Scamander said gently.
The crowd suddenly became chaotic; some people were screaming, and others were scrambling to get out of the way.
Wade heard one of the Weasley Twins yell loudly, "Hit him, Dad!"
Then Mrs. Weasley cried out, "Arthur, don't! Please don't!"
"Try this, Ron Weasley!" Malfoy's voice was particularly clear.
"I think I just heard a familiar name." Wade handed his other belongings to Steven. "Hold these for me, I'm going to see what's going on."
He pushed his way back through the crowd, just in time to see Hagrid effortlessly separating Ron's father, Arthur Weasley, and Lucius Malfoy, one in each hand.
Harry had also pulled apart Ron and Malfoy, who had been wrestling. He'd subtly taken Ron's side, and Malfoy's eye was bruised black from Ron's punch.
Lucius Malfoy's pale blond hair was covered in dust. He struggled free from Hagrid's arm, looking quite disheveled, and shoved the tattered Transfiguration textbook at Ginny Weasley.
"Take your book!" he said arrogantly and disdainfully. "This is the best your father can give you."
Wade, with his Wand hidden in his sleeve, gave a slight flick. Ginny suddenly seemed to be pushed, stumbling and falling.
"Lucius Malfoy, how dare you lay hands on a child!"
Arthur Weasley immediately flew into a rage, about to charge forward and fight again, but Hagrid stopped him once more.
"That's too much!" The Half-Giant was also angry. He looked at Malfoy with disdain. "If this is all you can do, you'd best not show your face around me!"
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