After buying a gift for his mother, he certainly couldn't forget his father.
Wade spotted a Transfigured lizard-skin bag. Its interior was expanded, allowing it to hold a considerable amount of items.
Most importantly, only the owner could retrieve items placed inside, making it very expensive and rare.
However, the charm on this bag was damaged, rendering it a one-way container that could only receive items, which was why it had been discarded here, unnoticed.
Wade examined it, realizing he had the ability to repair it, so he decided to buy it.
To his eyes, the damaged magic circuits and spells were clearly visible, and no hidden curses or hexes could escape his notice.
Then Wade found a pair of damaged two-way mirrors, which he planned to try and fix himself.
A set of unresponsive Wizard's Chess pieces, perfect for practicing imbuing inanimate objects with thought in biological alchemy.
A Secrecy Sensor and Sneakoscope, useful for forewarning.
And a similarly damaged Invisibility Cloak, which could also serve as practice material for alchemy.
He then picked out a few miscellaneous small items, like crystal vials and potion ingredients, and took them all to the counter to pay.
Leslie flipped through them, somewhat surprised: "Three wands?"
"Yes, do you have a purchase limit here?" Wade countered.
"Of course not."
Leslie calculated the prices one by one. When he saw the potion ingredients, he paused again.
Most of these ingredients were illegal because they could be used to brew very dangerous potions, or rather, poisons.
However, since Knockturn Alley always existed, these so-called "illegal items" were merely legal classifications. In reality, if no one reported it, the Aurors wouldn't bother.
Some Aurors even frequented his shop to buy dangerous items.
But since this person was brought by young Theo, Leslie paid extra attention.
When Wade had paid and left, Theo was about to follow him out, when Leslie suddenly said, "Theo."
The young boy turned his head.
"Go home early," Leslie said with a grave tone.
His underlying meaning, of course, was—stay away from that wizard.
Theo didn't seem to understand, or perhaps he did. He waved and said with a smile, "Got it, Mr. Leslie... Goodbye."
The candles in the shop extinguished one by one, until only the one beside Leslie remained lit.
Through the window, he watched Theo jog to the wizard's side, chatting and walking with him, and couldn't help but frown slightly.
...
The topic of conversation between Theo and the "dangerous wizard" was something Leslie could never have imagined.
"Have you finished all your holiday homework?" Theo asked.
"Of course," Wade replied. "You?"
"I still have a Transfiguration essay left," Theo sighed. "You know, I'm not very good at that."
"Need some references?" Wade asked nonchalantly.
Theo was tempted for a moment but shook his head. "No... I'll write it myself. I still have a week!"
Even though the essay needed to be a foot long, he could always write in larger letters.
"You could look at the book A Theory of Transfiguration. Chapter three is very similar to our essay topic," Wade suggested.
"Really? I think my dad has that book on his bookshelf. I'll check it when I get back."
Theo said happily, then asked, "Do you have any other plans?"
"I've bought everything I needed, so I'm heading home," Wade replied.
The two walked to the alley's end, where they would part ways.
"Wade..."
Theo looked at Wade and said, "Thank you for saving me and my brother. I... well... if you ever need to do anything, I'll do everything in my power to help."
He emphasized very seriously: "—No matter what."
Wade smiled and pulled up his hood: "Alright... if I need help, I'll definitely find you."
"Don't wait until you think you need it. Accidents always happen when people think everything will be fine," Theo said. "I know my magic is still weak, but even if it's just keeping watch or helping to carry something, having someone with you is better than being alone, right?"
"Wade, no matter what you're doing, I hope I can be a part of it, instead of always being helped and rescued."
"I want to help you, Wade. I hope you can trust me too."
Wade looked at him, countless thoughts swirling in his mind. After a long moment, he lowered his hood and said:
"Then when it's time for action, I'll find you... Don't tell me your homework isn't finished by then!"
He said with a light chuckle.
Theo also laughed: "Don't underestimate me! I can finish it this afternoon."
The two said their goodbyes and walked in different directions.
From beginning to end, Theo never asked Wade why he had transformed into his current appearance, nor did he ask what he was doing with so many old wands.
Wade had secrets; he knew that, of course.
But he also knew that Wade's identity had only been revealed because he saved them.
Just think of the consequences if he and his brother had been captured by a werewolf...
Even if the werewolf hadn't killed them, but had waited until the full moon to turn his brother into a werewolf... The thought that something like that almost happened made Theo wish he could kill his own foolish, trusting self.
Wade saved them.
Theo silently repeated the words to himself, his eyes gradually becoming clear and resolute, his spirits even a little joyful.
So what if Wade might be doing things that the law didn't allow?
The Ministry of Magic's laws were imperfect, and their enforcement was arbitrary; everyone knew that.
And his friend...
Even hidden behind a changed appearance, he was still upright, powerful, and reliable.
To walk with him was his good fortune.
The summer holiday ended quickly.
The day before the holiday ended, Wade repaired the lizard-skin bag.
For this, he even stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for two days, because using magic there wouldn't be detected.
Through the Book of Friends, he also learned that Lupin had bought a new house in Hogsmeade Village.
[Lupin: This way, when you and Harry are in third year, you can both come visit my place. It's not big, but I promise it'll be fun.]
[Lupin: And... it's my first time having my own home to entertain guests. Thank you for not turning me away just because I'm a werewolf, Wade.]
He wrote this in the Book of Friends.
After his identity was exposed, Lupin seemed much more at ease and no longer avoided discussing his past experiences.
He always spoke of his deeply painful past in a lighthearted tone.
[Lupin: After leaving Dumbledore's protection, it was hard for me to find work. Once people knew I was a werewolf, they wouldn't even speak to me.]
[Wade: Why not look for work in the Muggle world? With your magical abilities, it shouldn't be hard to survive.]