When Fred and George returned to the room, each had a large bump on their head.
Mrs. Weasley had used some sort of magic, and the bump was bright red and shiny, the size of a fist, making their heads look like gourds.
When Hermione curiously asked about it, Mrs. Weasley nonchalantly said:
"Oh, that... I used an Enlargement Charm. Those Muggle cartoons you often watch gave me some inspiration."
Vid secretly smacked his lips.
Because when Mrs. Weasley struck the two brothers, she didn't chant a spell nor did she use a magic wand, yet she accurately limited the spell's effect to the bump, an operation that seems simple but actually requires great control.
As Fred and George went upstairs, everyone in the inn couldn't help but laugh, the air filled with a joyful atmosphere.
The twins remained calm and composed, proudly holding their heads high. When a group of young people gathered in Vid's room, Fred even borrowed Ginny's handkerchief and tied a bow to the bump on his head.
"There's nothing to be done; a mother's love is just that heavy."
After carefully adjusting the bow's position in the mirror, he said this.
Then George took over Fred's spot, grabbed a pen, and gestured at the bump on his head.
"What do you want to do, George?" Ginny asked with a twitching mouth.
"I'm going to draw a face on it." George said, "You can call this child Johnny!"
Ginny thought she had heard wrong: "... Johnny?!"
"Great idea!" Fred enthusiastically leaned over, saying: "Then later, you draw one for me too... I'm going to name her Flora!"
It seems they could play all day with nothing but the bumps on their heads.
Ginny turned her gaze away, pretending not to see their childish antics.
There was no shadow of a house-elf in the inn room.
Dobby thought he should be a hidden helper, and he mustn't let anyone discover he brought Vid an important space pen bag, so he hid himself, never appearing unless necessary, and even Vid didn't know where Dobby had hidden.
Vid poured coffee for everyone and sat down, regretfully saying:
"I'm happy you all could come. It's a pity the opening ceremony has limited spots; even judges can invite at most seven people, otherwise, I would want you all to come in."
"Honestly, Vid, thanks, but definitely don't!"
Ron shrugged, frankly saying: "If it were a Quidditch or Poppet competition, I'd be glad to join. But an Alchemy contest, forget it..."
He looked up, saying helplessly: "Those symbols, magic text, complex equations... I totally don't understand them! Just staring at them for less than thirty seconds makes me fall asleep."
When someone achieves success in a particular area, they often radiate a motivating effect on everyone around them.
Vid gained fame, wealth, and status in Alchemy, influencing even the entire Magic World significantly, and naturally, surrounding classmates would follow suit.
Even Ron, who disliked studying, borrowed several related books from the library for a time, intending to study this wondrous Alchemy.
Sadly, the threshold for Alchemy is very high... extremely high... Just the Ancient Magical Runes alone eliminate ninety percent of the eager learners.
The remaining ten percent, when faced with learning various Alchemy theories and taboos, memorizing material properties, and trying to manufacture, yet experiencing repeated inexplicable failures...
The vast majority sensibly choose to give up.
At this moment, Ron, who didn't finish even the first book "Ancient Magical Language Introduction" before quitting, said with carefree illiteracy:
"Compared to this, I'd rather tour Echo Alley in the United States, especially their Quidditch Shop—I heard some of their stuff is completely different from ours."
Everyone laughed upon hearing this, only Ginny showed a hint of vague regret on her face.
Vid's seven spots were for Moody, Lupin, Michael, Harry, Hermione, along with Fred and George.
Other members of the Weasley Family were there for tourism, originally not planning to participate—even though Arthur Weasley was interested, he was too shy to ask the kids for a spot.
And Ginny did have some interest in Alchemy, she could understand some books.
But she was too young and hadn't mastered many basic concepts, everyone assumed taking the little girl was for broadening her outlook, buying pretty clothes and toys, never considering taking her to watch the Alchemy Competition.
Harry noticed the fleeting gloom on her face and said softly: "Should I ask Vid to give you my spot instead? After all, I can't learn Alchemy either... Plus, I'm quite curious about visiting the American Quidditch Shop."
Ginny was stunned, her blue eyes wide open, looking at Harry's sincere eyes, a strong and heated wave of emotion instantly flooded her.
Her cheeks quickly flushed red, spreading to her ears, she quietly asked: "Why, why would you let me have it?"
"You want to go, right?" Harry naturally replied.
He was a bit impulsive when he spoke, but seeing Ginny's excited expression as if she was about to burst into flames made him happy too—it was fortunate he wasn't presumptuously offering help.
Vid was talking to Hermione about the origins of several judges in the competition when suddenly Michael elbowed him.
He turned his head, saw Michael quickly sending over a look with raised eyebrows and a roguish smile on his face.
Following Michael's gaze, Vid saw a blushing Ginny and Harry watching her.
—Admittedly, the scene did look rather beautiful.
Under Harry's gaze, Ginny was so nervous her voice trembled, hesitated a moment, then shook her head saying:
"Thank you, Harry, but I can't accept... This is your opportunity; you should watch and experience it yourself. I... I hope someday, I can enter as an Alchemist."
Most importantly, if she entered, and Harry had to leave, then the competition wouldn't mean much.
Harry didn't think much about it, showing a brotherly encouraging smile to the shy little sister:
"Then keep it up, study hard! You're so smart, even if you can't match Vid's achievements someday, you'll surely become a great Alchemist!"
"Ah... Okay." Ginny nodded: "I believe I can do it."
She forced a smile, but for some reason, she felt a trace of loss in her heart at this moment.