The shopkeeper was still staring at Charlie's backpack, his face filled with disbelief. This summer, he had been tormented by this wretched book, and had never seen it so quiet.
"And 'Unfogging the Future'," Charlie reminded him.
The shopkeeper finally came to his senses and turned to look for the book on the shelf. He muttered as he searched.
"You wouldn't believe how annoying this wretched book is. I get bitten several times a day, and I've gone through three pairs of gloves. I never thought it would be so quiet in your hands."
He pulled a thick book from the top shelf, its cover emblazoned with a blurry crystal ball.
"I don't know what your Professor is thinking. I swear I'll never stock this kind of merchandise again."
The shopkeeper handed the book to Charlie.
Charlie pulled out gold coins from his pocket and placed them on the counter. The shopkeeper quickly collected the money, and the worry on his face finally eased a little.
"I wish you a pleasant new semester."
Charlie turned and left the bookstore.
The shopkeeper stared at his retreating figure, his heart itching. Just scaring it works? Is that really true?
He walked to the cage and reached in to grab a monster book of monsters.
The book struggled wildly in his hand, its pages flapping against his gloves.
The shopkeeper took a deep breath, imitating Charlie's actions from earlier, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You behave yourself!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the book suddenly leaped from his hand and landed directly on his face.
"Ah--"
Sharp fangs bit into his nose.
The shopkeeper let out a pig-like scream, desperately trying to pull the book off with both hands.
The other monster book of monsters in the cage heard the commotion and all excitedly jumped around in their cage.
Charlie walked out of the bookstore, faintly hearing screams in the distance.
He paused, looked back in confusion, was it an illusion?
Never mind, it's irrelevant.
People came and went on the streets of Diagon Alley. Charlie planned to wander around when someone called out to him.
"Charlie!"
Charlie turned his head and saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting at a table outside Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.
Ron's freckles were bright red, as if he had been sunburned.
Hermione was also quite tanned, her hair gleaming brown in the sunlight.
Charlie walked over and sat opposite them.
"How was your summer holiday?"
Ron licked the ice cream in his hand.
"Egypt was very hot. We went to the pyramids and saw mummies. I have to say, the Wizards in Egypt are quite something; the pyramids they built with magic are magnificent."
Hermione brought an ice cream over for Charlie and said with some frustration:
"France was pretty ordinary. I didn't even see any Wizards."
Charlie glanced at her. Well, of course, your parents are Muggles, so traveling with them would mean visiting Muggle attractions. It would be a ghost's chance to find a Wizard there.
"Did you get all your books?" Harry asked.
"I've got them all," Charlie nodded.
Ron put down his ice cream, his eyes lighting up.
"We were just betting on which classes you chose this semester."
"Divination and Care of magical creatures."
Hermione's eyes widened.
"Only those two?"
"Mm."
Ron slammed the table and looked triumphantly at Hermione.
"I told you!"
"Charlie would never choose all the classes like you. See, Charlie and I chose the same classes."
Hermione's face flushed red.
"How can that be the same?" she said through gritted teeth.
"He only chose two classes because he doesn't need to study other classes at all. And you chose them because you're too lazy!"
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Only people like you and Percy would choose them all." He paused, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"Oh right, now Percy is Head Boy. I see you as the next one."
Hermione was so angry she couldn't speak. What's wrong with being Head Boy!
She grabbed the spoon from the table and dug a large scoop of ice cream into her mouth.
Harry was stifling a laugh beside them.
Charlie watched them, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.
Without interrupting their epic battle, Charlie asked Harry, "How's the Ministry of Magic treating you?"
Harry shrugged, his tone very relaxed.
"It's good. They arranged for me to stay at the Leaky Cauldron. The room is nice, but they won't let me leave Diagon Alley."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but laugh.
"But honestly, it's much more comfortable in Diagon Alley than at my aunt's house."
Although the Leaky Cauldron is called a pub, it also offers hotel rooms.
For Harry, not having to face Dudley and his aunt and uncle was already a relief.
Ron leaned closer, lowering his voice, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Harry, did you really blow up your aunt into a balloon?"
This incident wasn't reported in the newspapers, but Ron's father worked at the Ministry of Magic, so he naturally heard a lot of inside information.
Harry's face instantly turned red.
"I didn't mean to. She kept badmouthing my parents, and I couldn't hold back."
Hermione crossed her arms, her brow slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.
"The Ministry of Magic didn't punish you? That's very unusual."
Harry also felt lucky; he nodded.
"I thought it was strange too. I originally thought I'd be expelled."
Charlie leaned back in his chair. He guessed that Sirius's escape had already given Fudge enough headaches, and if Harry were to be retaliated against by Sirius at this critical juncture, things would get serious.
"Don't think so much," Charlie waved his hand and turned to Hermione.
"How's the essay coming along?"
Hermione's eyes instantly lit up. She pulled out a thick stack of parchment from her backpack and placed it on the table, her face filled with pride.
"I've finished it. I spent most of the summer on this."
She pushed the parchment towards Charlie.
"Take a look. Is there anything that needs to be changed?"
Charlie opened the first page, scanned it twice, and nodded.
"It's very detailed, and the logic is clear."
Hermione stared at him nervously, her hands unconsciously clasped together.
Charlie looked up and smiled.
"Professor McGonagall will recommend this essay to transfiguration today, and you will be the second author."
Hermione froze for a moment, her whole body rigid.
"But I only organized some materials and wrote dozens of pages for the essay. Anyone could do that."
Charlie's mouth twitched. There's no need to be so humble; it's really not something just anyone can do.
"I've decided. Your effort deserves this position."
Hermione suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening.
You know, this was an essay that could make history in the Wizarding world.
The entire concept and theory of the essay were proposed by Charlie, and all she did was consult materials, clearly elaborate Charlie's theories, and write them into an essay.
For Charlie to give her the position of second author, this trust and recognition were more precious than any reward.
Hermione clearly understood how valuable this essay was.
If Charlie wanted to, he could completely monopolize all the honor himself.
Ron listened, completely bewildered.
"What second author? Can an essay have several authors?"
Harry patted him on the shoulder:
"It's not your concern. Go play."
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