Chapter 179 The Eavesdropping Storm

Chapter 179 The Eavesdropping Storm

Fred's eyes lit up, brighter than the sunlight in Diagon Alley.

"Great! We're waiting for your news! We've almost finished designing the Dragon Wing II; we're just missing a crucial piece of technology. If Your Highness could offer some advice, it would be perfect!"

Ron rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the back of his head.

"Can you two stop thinking about those things all the time? Mom just said you haven't bought all the books."

George glanced at him with a hint of regret—regret for Ron's low intelligence.

"What do you know? This is called a business. Once our aircraft is built, we can ride it around the world, go wherever we want, and never have to squeeze onto trains again."

"But we have to buy all the books first," Ron said. "Otherwise, Mom will burn your 'business' down."

George and Fred exchanged a glance, their expressions clearly saying, "He's right, but we don't want to admit it."

Harry walked over and stood in front of Henry.

He was wearing a new black robe today, made of a much better material than the old clothes he wore at the Dursleys' house. His hair was still messy, and he still wore those round-framed glasses, but he looked much more energetic.

"Henry," he said, his voice soft but earnest, "thank you for today."

"What are you thanking me for?" Henry looked at him.

"Thank you—for coming here," Harry said. "Thank you for coming with us. Thank you—"

'

He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words.

"Thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone."

"You're welcome." Henry shook his head.

Harry smiled, a warm smile, warmer than the sunlight in Diagon Alley.

"Today is the happiest day of my life," he said. "Really."

Ginny stood beside Harry, watching him smile, her face turning red again.

She lowered her head, staring at her toes, seemingly lost in thought.

Ron whispered from the side, "Ginny, your face is red again."

Ginny looked up and glared at him.

"I don't!"

"You have," Ron said with a wicked grin. "You've blushed at least five times since then."

"Ron!" Ginny stomped her foot angrily. "You're talking nonsense again!"

"I'm not lying!"

"You have!"

Mrs. Weasley heard the noise and came over.

"Ron, don't bully your sister."

Ron looked completely innocent, his expression belying his true feelings.

"I didn't bully her, Mom. I just said she blushed."

Ginny's face turned even redder, as red as a ripe tomato.

Mrs. Weasley looked at Ginny and seemed to understand something.

She smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more.

It was time to say goodbye, and Mrs. Weasley led the children toward the fireplace, where a pile of green powder lay.

She was the first to go in, grabbed a handful of powder, and sprinkled it into the flames.

"The Burrow!"

Green flames rose up and engulfed her.

The Weasley children entered one by one, and as Harry went in, he glanced back at Henry.

See you when school starts.

Henry nodded.

See you when school starts.

Green flames rose up and engulfed Harry's figure.

Ginny was the last. She stood in front of the fireplace, hesitated for a moment, and then turned to look at Henry.

"Henry," she said softly, "thank you."

"You're welcome. See you when school starts," Henry said with a smile.

Ginny nodded, her face turning red again.

She grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it into the flames.

"The Burrow!"

Green flames rose up and engulfed her.

The Leaky Cauldron bar fell silent.

Tom walked over, smiling, and asked, "Your Highness, would you like another glass of pumpkin juice?"

Henry shook his head and said, "No, Tom, I should go too."

The driver was waiting outside the Leaky Cauldron, and when Henry returned to Kensington Palace, the living room was quiet.

Harry and William were nowhere to be found; the living room was empty.

Only Lucy was tidying up; her small figure busied herself in the room, putting the scattered toys back in their places one by one.

Seeing Henry return, Lucy immediately put down what she was holding and went to greet him.

"Your Highness, you're back."

"Well, where are William and Harry?" Henry asked.

"In the garden," Lucy said. "His Highness William is studying the picture book you gave him, and His Highness Harry is chasing butterflies."

She paused, then added, "It's that butterfly toy you bought from Diagon Alley. His Highness Harry really likes it. He chased it all afternoon, insisting that it stop so he could hold it."

Henry couldn't help but laugh.

"Your Highness," Lucy said, "would you like some tea?"

"it is good."

Lucy disappeared with a snap, then reappeared quickly, carrying a silver tray with a steaming cup of tea on it.

The tea set was used exclusively by Kensington Palace; the white porcelain cups were decorated with gold patterns, and it was clear at a glance that they were very valuable.

Henry took the tea and sat down on the sofa.

The sunlight streaming in through the window was warm and comforting, shining on him and dispelling the day's fatigue.

Through the window, you can see two small figures in the garden—one squatting on the grass, looking down intently at something; the other running around among the flowers, chasing a glittering little thing.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea was at the perfect temperature, with a subtle honey sweetness—a flavor Lucy knew he liked.

Lucy stood to the side, a hint of hesitation flashing in her large eyes.

Henry noticed.

"What's wrong?"

Lucy hesitated for a moment, looked around to make sure no one was around, then took a step forward and lowered her voice.

"Your Highness, there's news from Dobby's side again."

Henry put down his teacup.

"explain."

Lucy lowered her voice even more. Although there was no one else around, it was a habit she had developed over the years—when talking about these things, she always kept her voice as low as possible.

"When Mr. Malfoy got home, he called Draco into his study and talked for a long time. Dobby said he hid behind the cupboard and eavesdropped on some of it."

"What did you say?" Henry asked casually.

"Mr. Malfoy told Draco to get along well with you," Lucy said. "He said—he said Your Highness is a friend worth having, and that Draco should learn from you. He also said—"

She paused.

"What else is there to say?"

"They also said the Malfoys are willing to do things for you," Lucy said. "Dobby said he was shocked when he heard that, because Mr. Malfoy had never said anything like that to anyone. He was always aloof, always the one being begged, never saying he was willing to do anything for anyone."

Henry nodded.

This was pretty much what he expected.

Lucius's behavior in the café today said it all; his longing eyes and restrained excitement betrayed his true feelings.

In old Europe, especially in England, the pursuit of aristocratic status was far more intense than ordinary.