Chapter 265: Slightly Ajar

The Fairy Tale Shop has closed; this magical store has opening hours and purchasing rules unlike any other shop.

Its business period vanishes like a bird perched on the eave—zipping away in an instant.

Surprisingly, every wizard who stepped out of the shop wore a joyful smile. The invitation-only system combined with purchase limits meant no customer could buy much—but it also meant every customer could take home the exact series they desired.

As he stepped out with Professor McGonagall, Wizard Sean instinctively scanned the surroundings and spotted a whole patch of fiery red hair.

It was the Weasleys, along with Ron and others nearby.

Mrs. Weasley’s excitement had not yet faded. The Ministry had a long-standing demand for the shop’s products, but after the first purchase, few officials from the Enforcement Division received invitations.

Thus, Mr. Weasley, one of the rare invitees, became a valuable partner—the Enforcement Division was happy to pay him extra gold Galleons for “cooperation.”

But Mr. Weasley clearly hadn’t grasped the truth; he simply thought the Ministry had unusually generously issued so many gold Galleons.

“I’ve never seen such magical products—transforming into a dragon? If Charlie found out, he’d probably save up for years.”

Mrs. Weasley held a bag filled with one hundred gold Galleons and continued with an eager tone:

“If only you could be assigned such tasks every time, dear. Now we can go buy Ginny two pieces of clothing she likes.”

“Before meeting the children, we must have a drink to celebrate, Molly.”

Mr. Weasley was equally delighted, and the two headed toward the Leaky Cauldron.

Wizard Sean gave a quiet glance, then returned his attention to the book in his hands.

“Soul Transfiguration.” This was Professor Professor Tela’s hastily compiled notes, containing content Wizard Sean had heard of but never deeply studied.

For example:

【In the profound history of magic, the soul can be split. But astral projection and soul duplication are regarded as devilish acts.

According to Scandinavian belief, people may divide their souls into several fragments, but this requires a ritual tied to the devil—murder.

This confirms the Roman Church’s theory: those who fracture their mental, soul, or physical duplicates are servants of Satan.

They believe they seek immortality, but in truth, they become slaves of death.】

It resembled another version of “Advanced Dark Magic Revealed.” Wizard Sean felt an odd curiosity—had the Wugadu wizards, through their research on soul transfiguration, compiled yet another “Advanced Dark Magic Revealed”?

Then he’d have to thoroughly critique it.

At noon, Wizard Sean had to restock the Trick Shop, while Professor McGonagall went to the Outfit of the Extraordinary, a shop that seemed to be her favorite in Diagon Alley.

On the way to the Trick Shop, “Soul Transfiguration” floated silently before Wizard Sean as he absorbed each word and its deeper meaning.

Strangely, though the content was always complex and obscure, Wizard Sean always understood it quickly.

Diagon Alley was flooded with sunlight; wizards strolled along the winding cobblestone streets. Coins—gold, silver, and copper—jingled merrily in their pockets, loudly demanding to be spent.

“My dad works in a very boring department—the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.”

It was Ron speaking nearby, walking with Jia Jia Siting toward Wizard Sean.

“What does that mean?”

Jia Jia Siting asked.

“It means prohibiting magic from being cast on Muggle-made objects, for fear they might end up back in Muggle shops or homes.

Last year, an old witch died, and her tea set was sold to an antique shop. A Muggle woman bought it, took it home, and served tea to friends—it was a nightmare. Dad worked overtime for weeks.”

“What happened?”

“The teapot went mad, spraying scalding tea everywhere. A man ended up in the hospital, his nose clamped by the sugar tongs. Dad was swamped—only he and an old wizard named Perkins were in the office. They had to use Memory Charms and all sorts of tricks to cover it up…”

These stories fascinated Jia Jia Siting, who had little exposure to Ministry departments. He praised:

“That sounds incredibly interesting, Ron. Your father works in a wonderful department. I’m sure many people have benefited from your father’s work—it’s a job to be proud of.”

His words left Ron stunned, unsure how to respond.

“Uh, uh, maybe… I never thought of it that way…”

He mumbled until he spotted Wizard Sean.

“Wizard Sean—there you are.”

Ron called out.

“About Harry?”

The brooch spoke.

“How did you know?”

Ron exclaimed in surprise.

“It’s easy to guess.”

The brooch replied.

“Why haven’t you been speaking lately?”

Jia Jia Siting suddenly whispered in.

“I’m practicing Animagus transformation.”

“Oh!”

“That’s why!”

Ron and Jia Jia Siting both suddenly understood.

Then, as if they’d uncovered some monumental secret…

…

They were waiting at the Leaky Cauldron to meet Hermione and the others—they’d gone to search elsewhere. During the wait, they heard Mr. and Mrs. Weasley loudly praising someone:

“Of course, yes, dear Molly, I received this invitation largely thanks to that child, Green—and of course you too…”

“Invitation? That shop?”

Jia Jia Siting pondered.

“Oh, yes, yes—”

Ron reacted with even more tension than Wizard Sean—he’d promised Wizard Sean he wouldn’t tell anyone. What if Jia Jia Siting asked later?

“The shop called the Fairy Tale Shop—the alchemical workshop owned by the alchemist lauded in ‘The Prophet’s Ten-Year Impact Edition’—and who was also featured on Chocolate Frog Cards…”

“That can only mean one wizard. Is it you, Wizard Sean?”

Jia Jia Siting suddenly spoke.

“No, no—”

Ron replied reflexively.

“Hmm.”

“Huh?!”

Ron was dumbfounded.

He was about to scramble for an excuse—how could the person he was supposed to keep secret just give in?

“I guessed…”

Jia Jia Siting smiled brightly.

“Oh, Wizard Sean, well then, since you’ve agreed…”

Ron muttered.

“My mother says.”

Jia Jia Siting’s words silenced Ron; he listened with quiet curiosity.

“No matter how chaotic the world becomes, there are always people carrying flowers wherever they go;

No matter how many deceitful liars betray trust, there are always those who live with sincerity.”

Jia Jia Siting said.

He knew: the door he’d knocked on for so long had always been slightly ajar.

The Blanket Demon made the deer lose its head; three more chapters will update tonight—readers can check tomorrow morning.

Of course, in addition, two regular chapters will update tomorrow morning as well.