They sat on a slightly worn bench in a corner of Diagon Alley, savoring their ice cream. After the last delicious bite slid down their throats, at Hermione's enthusiastic suggestion, the group marched grandly toward Flourish and Blotts.
As soon as they stepped through the door, Hermione began scanning everywhere, as if she wanted to take in every single book at once.
Seeing Hermione picking more and more books, looking as though she might move the entire bookstore home, Adelaide spent a great deal of effort talking her out of it. She barely managed to dissuade Hermione from continuing—even so, Hermione ultimately added about a dozen practical and simple magic books to her school list as leisure reading.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Hagrid was also doing his best to pull Harry away from the prank book "Curses and Counter-Curses".
He earnestly explained to Harry the regulation that underage Wizards cannot cast spells at will outside of school; even if he bought it and learned the contents, he couldn't use it to get back at Dudley.
Harry was very confused by this. He blinked his large green eyes and asked back in bewilderment, "But why can Adelaide cast spells outside of school?"
Hagrid answered in his gruff voice, "Harry, Adelaide isn't quite like ordinary students. She received a Special Award for Services to the School in her first year, and the Centaurs like her very much... I mean, Adelaide has Dumbledore's special permission to use magic outside of school."
Harry was dejected because he was certain that people in the Wizarding World would never give him special permission to use magic outside of school just because he wanted to get back at Dudley.
They spent most of the day purchasing everything on the list except for a wand. Adelaide also bought an extra copy of "The Dark Arts: A Guide to Self-Protection".
As they left the apothecary, Hagrid reached out a thick, powerful hand and patted Harry's shoulder, saying with a smile, "Hey, Harry, I was thinking of buying you a birthday present—I'm allergic to cat hair, and toads are out of fashion... How about we go to Eeylops Owl Emporium on the north side of Diagon Alley and I pick out an Owl for you?"
Hearing that Hagrid was going to give him a birthday present, Harry's face instantly turned bright red. His green eyes sparkled with light from surprise and excitement, his heart filled with anticipation for this unexpected gift.
Standing nearby, Adelaide slapped her head as if suddenly waking from a dream. When she came to Diagon Alley last time to pick out an apology gift for Hermione, how could she have forgotten The Chosen One's birthday!
Fortunately, it wasn't too late. After a brief discussion, everyone decided to split up for the time being.
Hagrid took Harry to Eeylops Owl Emporium, while Adelaide took Hermione's arm and headed to Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop. They agreed to meet in front of Ollivander's wand shop after buying the gifts.
"I think giving a book would be more meaningful."
Hermione tried to convince Adelaide to accompany her back to Flourish and Blotts.
For the studious Hermione, books were always among the best gifts.
Adelaide rejected Hermione's suggestion.
"No, no, no, we have to choose something more interesting for Harry!"
Just a few days ago, the birthday gift Adelaide received from Hermione was a hardcover copy of British History, which came with a British Cookbook—Adelaide suspected the cookbook might have been thrown in for free because it wouldn't sell.
The other birthday gifts had been left at Dumbledore's old house. She estimated that when she returned tonight, she would have to spend the entire night unwrapping them.
As soon as Adelaide stepped into Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, she spotted two familiar figures.
One of the duo shouted at the top of his lungs, "George, look who's here—"
The other immediately chimed in, "Fred, we're in luck today, unexpectedly running into the distinguished Grindelwald the Second here—"
Hearing such teasing, Adelaide gave a frustrated roll of her eyes.
"Alright, stop being silly, I'm in a hurry. Since you two happen to be here, can you recommend some items suitable as a gift for an eleven-year-old boy?"
The two of them seemed to not listen to her at all, instead continuing to joke around with laughter.
"Merlin's dungbomb! I didn't expect Adelaide to actually start taking an interest in boys—"
"Tsk tsk tsk, if Cho Chang found out about this, she should be so heartbroken—"
Standing aside, Hermione couldn't help but frown, pulling Adelaide and asking with full of doubt, "Who is Cho Chang?"
This wasn't the first time Hermione had heard the name "Cho Chang." When they met by chance in Chinatown last time, the girl with purple eyes and black hair who was with Adelaide had also mentioned Cho Chang, claiming she was Adelaide's best friend.
"Uh, Cho is my roommate at Hogwarts. We often go to class and eat together."
Adelaide answered thoughtfully.
Hermione looked at Adelaide suspiciously and asked back sarcastically, "Just a roommate?"
She remembered when Adelaide introduced her in Chinatown, she said "my junior from primary school"—the words from this liar's mouth couldn't be easily believed.
The Weasley brothers had interested smiles on their faces, savoring the sight of Adelaide becoming tongue-tied due to embarrassment.
Adelaide knew that if she dwelled on it, the situation would likely become even harder to handle. Thinking quickly, she hurriedly changed the subject and said loudly, "That's not important. The priority now is to prepare a birthday gift for The Chosen One, Harry Potter—Fred, didn't you mention to me before that you're inviting me to Ginny's birthday party in August?"
"It just occurred to me that Ginny has always admired Harry Potter. If I could bring him along to her birthday party, she would surely be very happy, wouldn't she?"
"Cool!"
Hearing that Adelaide could invite the famous savior to visit The Burrow, the Weasley brothers immediately became exceptionally enthusiastic and began talking incessantly to Adelaide about various popular items in the shop.
This pair of jokers also used their good relationship as regulars with the owner to secure a twenty percent discount for Adelaide and Hermione.
When Adelaide contentedly put away the wrapped gift boxes and prepared to leave Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, George Weasley suddenly reached out and grabbed Hermione's sleeve.
He winked playfully at Hermione and asked with a face full of smiles, "This must be Miss Granger from a Muggle family, right? We've heard our dad mention you—our dad is Arthur Weasley."
Fred took over the conversation and said, "If you have time, why not come with Adelaide to The Burrow for my sister Ginny's birthday party? The more the merrier—we can have a good chat with you about Adelaide's heroic deeds at Hogwarts last year~"
"George! Fred!"
Before Hermione could react, the two jokers escaped Diagon Alley, laughing and ignoring Adelaide's murderous gaze.
Those wretched Weasley brothers, don't do unnecessary things!
Adelaide gnashed her teeth in hatred, looking despairingly at Hermione, whose curiosity had been piqued—she was really in for it this time.
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