Chapter 173 At Flourish and Blotts
Chapter 173 At Flourish and Blotts
"I didn't!" Ginny protested.
"You have it!" the twins exclaimed in unison.
"George!" Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out, "Don't bully your sister!"
George chuckled and shut up.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Mrs. Weasley began to take a headcount.
"Arthur, you and Percy keep an eye on the children, don't let them get lost. George, Fred, you two behave yourselves today, no pranks, no scaring passersby, and no running around in the store. Ron, take care of Harry, don't let him get lost."
Ginny, stay with Mom and don't look around. (7)
Ginny blushed again and lowered her head without saying a word.
Mrs. Weasley turned to Henry.
"Henry, you'll stay with us. Just tell us if you need anything."
Henry smiled and thanked them, and the group walked through the alley to Diagon Alley.
On both sides were shops with a dazzling array of goods. The window of Flourish and Blotts was filled with new books, and the pictures on the covers could move and make sounds, attracting a group of children to press their eyes against the glass to look.
There was a long line outside Florin's Ice Cream Shop, and several children were running around outside Madame Malkin's Robe Shop, chasing a cat that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Let's go to Gringotts to get the money first," Mr. Weasley said, "and then we'll go buy the books."
They walked toward Gringotts, whose bronze doors were wide open, and goblin guards on either side, dressed in scarlet and gold-trimmed uniforms, bowed to them.
Those fairies were short, with pointed ears and long noses, but their eyes were very shrewd, and you could tell at a glance that they were not easy to fool.
Upon entering the hall, one finds over a hundred fairies sitting behind long counters, registering items in a large ledger, weighing coins on scales, and examining gems with eyepieces.
The sounds of jingling and clanging rose and fell, creating a lively atmosphere.
A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire hall in a magnificent golden light.
Mr. Weasley walked to a counter and began the withdrawal process.
He pulled an old wallet from his pocket, inside which were several tattered sheets.
Harry stopped in front of a counter and pulled a key from his pocket—his key to Gringotts vault.
Henry stood to the side; he hadn't planned to withdraw the money today because he still hadn't spent all the Galleons he'd accumulated from last semester.
After Mr. Weasley collected the money, he walked over to Harry.
"Harry, do you need any help?"
Harry shook his head.
"No need, I can manage on my own."
After completing the formalities at the counter, he received a bag of Galleons from the fairy.
The bag was heavy and jingled; it was filled with gold, silver, and copper coins.
Mrs. Weasley had also finished withdrawing her money. She counted the money in her bag and sighed.
"That's only enough to buy textbooks and robes. George, Fred, you two can forget about buying any of that junk this year."
George and Fred exchanged a glance, both wearing innocent expressions.
"Mom, we never buy random things."
"Yes, we only buy things that are useful."
Mrs. Weasley glared at them.
"Useful? What was the use of that portable swamp device from last time?"
"Work out your body," George said.
"Prevent prolonged sitting," Fred added.
"And what about those canary cookies from the time before last?"
"To let people experience the joy of flying."
"Where's that anti-cheating quill pen?"
"Help students develop good study habits."
Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"You two—I'll deal with you when we get back!"
Henry, watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh.
After withdrawing the money, the group walked towards Flourish and Blotts bookstore.
From afar, I could see a huge crowd gathered at the entrance of the bookstore; it was incredibly lively.
The queue stretched from the entrance all the way to the street, winding and turning several times.
A huge banner was stretched across the second-floor window, which read:
Gilderoy Lockhart is selling signed copies of his autobiography, "The Magician Me."
Today from 12:30 PM to 16:30 PM
Below the banner was a huge photo of Lockhart, in which he kept winking at the crowd, flashing his dazzling white teeth, and striking a pose from time to time, looking incredibly flamboyant.
Hermione appeared out of nowhere, standing in the crowd, her face flushed with excitement, clutching a Lockhart book tightly in her hand.
"We can see him!" she screamed. "I mean, almost all the books on the list are his! He must be amazing!"
Standing next to her was a middle-aged couple, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
They were dressed as Muggles, looking around curiously. Mr. Granger was holding a Flourish and Blotts bookstore guidebook, studying something; Mrs. Granger looked anxious, afraid her daughter would get lost in the crowd.
"Hermione!" Ron called out, "When did you get here?"
"Just arrived!" Hermione said, squeezing through the crowd. "Look, the line's already outside! How long are we going to have to wait?"
Mrs. Weasley glanced at the long line and sighed.
"It will take at least an hour."
Mr. Weasley comforted her, "It's alright, there's still plenty of time. You can read a book."
They squeezed into the crowd and started queuing.
The line moved slowly, but no one seemed to be in a hurry. George and Fred were playing rock-paper-scissors, the loser getting flicked on the forehead. Ron and Harry were discussing Quidditch, gesturing wildly as they got more excited. Ginny stood nearby, eavesdropping on their conversation, her face occasionally flushing red.
Hermione squeezed next to Henry.
"Your Highness! You've arrived! That's wonderful!"
Henry nodded.
Hermione, it's been a long time.
Hermione blushed with excitement.
"I have many questions for you! About the protected area, some details about 'Hogwarts: A History of the School,' and the second-year curriculum,"
"Hermione," Mrs. Granger whispered from the side, "don't disturb His Highness."
Although there was no introduction, the Grangers recognized Henry at a glance.
Indeed, in England, who doesn't know Henry and his family?
That's too niche.
Hermione immediately shut her mouth, but her eyes were still sparkling, looking like she was eager to tell her everything.
"It's alright. We can talk later when we have time," Henry said with a smile, nodding to the excited Grangers.
Hermione nodded vigorously.
The line moved forward slowly.
An hour later, they finally squeezed into the bookstore.
Inside, there was a great commotion of gongs and drums, firecrackers, and red flags waving. The place was packed with people, mostly witches, and most of them were around the same age as Mrs. Weasley.
They huddled together, holding Lockhart's books, and whispered excitedly to each other.
Several young witches were still screaming, their voices so shrill they could almost shatter a glass.
At the very back of the bookstore, a person was sitting behind a table.