While the young witches and wizards of Hogwarts were immersed in their magical studies, Diagon Alley remained as lively as ever—a constant stream of bustling shoppers and merchants.
As dusk fell, the handsome clerk from Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour would slip into the storeroom behind the shop, taking inventory and receiving shipments of cream, condensed milk, white sugar, trehalose, and a rainbow of jams—all essential ingredients for making ice cream.
He didn't need to lift a finger. With a few deft organizing spells, the crates floated open, ingredients sorted themselves onto the shelves, and the storage area was soon neat and ready for the next day's business.
Once finished, he gave his wand a casual flick toward the pile of empty cardboard boxes.
A sudden burst of flame—whoosh!—engulfed the boxes, reducing them to a heap of warm, glowing ash in seconds.
Satisfied, he knelt down and fished seven pale gold metal discs from the ashes, each one the size of a Galleon. He polished them carefully and placed them into a metal cylinder engraved with ancient, intricate patterns. Seven discs—just enough to fill the container.
He snapped the lid shut and tucked the cylinder into his pocket.
A little while later, the ever-smiling clerk took a stroll outside. When he returned, his pocket was empty—its mysterious cargo delivered to parts unknown.
Not long after, on the other side of Diagon Alley, a tall, bearded giant emerged from a wizarding apothecary.
"Honestly, next time, can you get me a bit more Acromantula venom? My customers are desperate for it," the shopkeeper called after him, his tone half-pleading.
"Sorry, that's not up to me. You'll have to write to Hogwarts," the giant rumbled.
"Sigh, it's not like I haven't tried… Oh well, I'll send another letter," the owner replied, resigned.
"See you next time."
"See you."
The giant wandered through Diagon Alley, picking up his favorite drinks and snacks until his bag was full to bursting. At Number 93, he ducked into a side alley, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then pulled out a red umbrella and tapped it against the wall.
A hidden gap appeared. He reached inside and retrieved something, then vanished back into the crowd.
…
As night settled over the castle, the Headmaster's office welcomed a visitor—the bearded giant, just back from Diagon Alley.
He entered and tossed a gray drawstring pouch onto Dumbledore's desk. The bag landed with a series of metallic clinks.
"There are quite a few this time. All seven message cylinders are full," he said, worry in his voice.
"It seems we've had more trouble than usual lately…" Dumbledore remarked, raising his eyebrows in concern.
"I just hope all this trouble stays far away from the school."
"If even you're saying that, you must have sensed something," Dumbledore replied softly.
"I'm not sure. I just have a bad feeling, that's all…"
After a few more words, the giant took his leave.
He made his way out of the castle and across the grounds, finally reaching his little wooden hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Inside, he pointed his red umbrella at the fireplace. Flames sprang to life, chasing away the autumn chill.
He set about roasting sausages and bread for dinner, his mind drifting back to Dumbledore's words. He stared into the fire, lost in thought, until the smell of burning meat snapped him out of his daze.
"Enough, enough. Let Dumbledore and the others worry about that sort of thing. I'll just do my own job well," he muttered, shaking his head to clear away the gloom.
His stomach rumbled. He focused on roasting his food, occasionally swallowing hungrily. He was famished—especially after spending all evening worrying.
…
…
It was after nine when Qin Yu finally dragged his weary body back to the Gryffindor common room.
There, he found Hermione pacing anxiously.
"Something's about to happen, Qin!" she blurted the moment she saw him.
"What's wrong?" Qin Yu asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hermione launched into a rapid explanation, her frustration clear.
"…After dinner, once you left, Malfoy picked a fight with Harry… and challenged him to a wizard's duel tonight!"
"A wizard's duel? Do they even know any combat spells?" Qin Yu couldn't help but laugh. Two first-years dueling sounded about as serious as a playground squabble.
"I have no idea…" Hermione shook her head, then sighed. "I tried to talk Harry out of it, but he said you stood up to Slytherins for your friends in first year, so if you could do it, he should try too!"
She looked at Qin Yu with a complicated expression.
Who would have thought that the "tiger" she relied on for support would end up being the very excuse that shut down her arguments? Such is the terrifying power of example—whatever you do, your admirers will try to imitate.
Fan behavior, idol responsibility.
"Heh, that kid…" Qin Yu gave a sheepish grin.
"I don't want to talk behind Harry's back, but don't you think he's changed since becoming the Quidditch Seeker?" Hermione frowned.
"Yeah, he's gotten a bit big-headed… but it's normal. He's still just a kid," Qin Yu sighed.
"So what he really needs to learn is your steadiness," she declared, arms crossed, all seriousness.
Her earnestness made Qin Yu chuckle. "If that's the case, maybe he should run into a few walls on his own."
Honestly, Qin Yu couldn't remember if there was supposed to be a duel in the original timeline, but he had a gut feeling Malfoy was up to no good and Harry had been goaded into agreeing.
Still, this was just a spat between kids. No need for him to meddle too much.
"But our house will lose points…" Hermione protested, unwilling to let it go.
"Only if they get caught… Ahem, do you know when and where this is happening?" Qin Yu asked.
"Midnight, in the trophy room," Hermione replied promptly.
"Well… if you're really worried, I'll sneak after them and make sure they don't get caught by the caretaker," Qin Yu said after a moment's thought.
"I want to go too!" Hermione grabbed his arm.
The eager gleam in her eyes made Qin Yu wonder if she was truly worried about Harry and Ron, or just looking forward to the spectacle.
Either way, with him there, nothing disastrous would happen.
He considered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let's meet here at eleven fifty."
"Mm-hmm!" Hermione nodded vigorously, her eyes shining.
That excitement…
You just want to watch the fun, don't you? Qin Yu was pretty sure now.
…
But plans never keep up with changes.
Just as Qin Yu was lying in bed, waiting for midnight to meet Hermione and shadow Harry and Ron, a few lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
Qin, if you have not yet retired for the night, please come to my office for a word.
Albus Dumbledore
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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