Chapter 297: Wesley's Magic Trick Shop

There are only two tasks ahead.

At the school side, John and Harry couldn't uncover the truth Slughorn was hiding.

On the Order of the Phoenix side, they're investigating Beila, tracing whether she might be hiding a Horcrux.

Once that's done, they're not far from defeating Voldemort.

A month passed quickly, and only a week remained before school started.

The group plans to go to Diagon Alley together.

To purchase Potion Ingredients and new textbooks for the new term.

"Hermione, you signed up for so many subjects at once?"

Harry looked at the list in Hermione's hand, his eyes wide, and asked.

"Hmm, after finally passing the OWLS, of course I take as many classes as I can continue to study."

Hermione replied matter‑of‑factly.

Harry and Ron exchanged a look, both speechless.

It was previously said that fifth‑year students must take an OWLS exam.

Then, based on those scores, they can decide which subjects sixth and seventh years may continue.

And the continuation grades are determined by the subject professors.

Wizard exam scores aren't like Muggle exams ranging from 0 to 100.

Instead, they are divided into several levels.

O-level (Excellent)

E-level (Good)

A-level (Pass)

P-level (Poor)

D-level (Very Poor)

T-level (Giant)

For Charms, Professor Flitwick set the standard that a student must achieve at least E-level to continue studying.

Conversely, for Potions, Professor Snape requires O-level—the highest grade—to continue.

And our little Hermione has a transcript that's all O.

Not a single E.

John, standing nearby, couldn't help but say.

"Didn't you say you wanted to go to the Department of Law Enforcement in the future?"

"Signing up for so many subjects isn't necessary, is it?"

Little Hermione, sounding like someone who's been through it, replied.

"Even if you don't need it, you still have to learn, in case it becomes useful later."

Alright.

"You'll have to take the OWLS next year too; study properly now, don't wait until next year to cram."

"Leave the Death Eaters outside to the Headmaster and his team to worry about."

"Do you know that your grades have dropped a lot since last year?"

John fell silent, but Hermione kept nagging.

She scolded and admonished him like an old housekeeper.

John, lacking confidence, retorted.

"My grades aren't bad, okay? Maybe the written part will be a bit weaker..."

Sirius, who was trailing behind them as a bodyguard, said with a grin.

"Don't worry, Hermione; with John's ability, even without any exams, the Ministry of Magic would beg him to become an Auror."

"Did you hear that? Geniuses are recruited directly without exams."

John, hearing Sirius's words, immediately replied with confidence.

Hermione rolled her eyes and glared back at Sirius.

"You unemployed drifter, shut up, don't affect my John."

Sirius: "......"

That girl's words are so harsh.

Harry and Ron couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Soon the group arrived at the Leaky Cauldron.

The once bustling tavern now held only a handful of people.

Upon entering, they saw Hagrid, the gentle giant, sitting at a table.

He was also assigned by Dumbledore to accompany them.

"Hagrid!"

The few saw Hagrid and waved their hands, running over.

"Oh, children, you're here."

Hagrid saw them and grinned.

"Let's go quickly; the world outside isn't suitable for staying long."

But he didn't linger in small talk; he led everyone straight to Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley was much the same as the Leaky Cauldron—quiet and empty.

Many shops had posted notices of closure.

Seeing the scene, everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts, even though it was beyond their control.

They said little, merely quickening their steps in silence.

Aside from Hermione, who had more to buy, the others didn't need much at all.

Soon they finished purchasing what they needed without any trouble.

But before leaving, they planned to drop by the Weasley Twins' joke shop together.

They arrived at a fork, where a bright yellow sign, clashing with the surrounding atmosphere, glowed alone on the misty street corner.

The sign bore a head sculpture resembling the Weasley Twins, grinning with eyes rolling wildly, very comical.

To be honest, I really admire their boldness.

In such a bleak season, they still dared to keep the shop so bright and noisy.

No part of Diagon Alley is as conspicuous as it.

When they pushed the door open, the interior was equally bustling; it was early in the school term, so many students frequented Diagon Alley.

They were all drawn to the peculiar shop and slipped inside involuntarily.

"Welcome—Weasley Magic Trick Shop!"

The doorbell rang, and the twins shouted in unison, springing up from behind the counter like two cannonballs hit with the Bounce Spell.

"Oh! It's you!"

Seeing the newcomers, Fred and George immediately smiled and greeted them.

"Come on, come on, let us show you our latest hit!"

The two hospitably ushered the group inside.

Inside there were multiple floors, even an attic, filled everywhere with all sorts of strange novelty items.

They even stocked Muggle magic props.

It seems they truly cater to every customer need.

The two girls were instantly drawn to a pinkish display stand inside.

There were bottles of Love Potion, that is, Amortentia.

Even they sell that, which really underestimates their approach.

"Hermione, do you still need something like this?"

Ginny whispered teasingly to Hermione beside her.

Hermione's ears flushed red as she glanced at the goofy goose John nearby, who was playing with a rubber duck that sprayed rainbow bubbles.

"I never said I wanted to buy; I was just looking..."

Ginny smiled, blinked, and leaned close to Hermione's ear.

"Then don't you want to see what John's infatuation with you looks like?"

Hearing the devilish whisper, Hermione's hand trembled, though she instantly denied the absurd thought in her mind.

Yet she couldn't stop fantasizing about that guy who was sometimes abstract, sometimes steady, sometimes infuriating, and what he'd look like if truly bewitched by Amortentia.

What expression he would make toward her.

Just thinking of it made her face hot enough to fry an egg, and she quickly shook her face.

She forced herself to fling away all the 18+ pink bubbles in her mind.

"I... I don't want to..."

But while she said she didn't want it, her hand was honest, picking up the smallest bottle of Amortentia.

She then said solemnly,

"I'm just looking out for Fred and George's business, that's all."