Early the next morning, Kael arrived at the Shabby Residence and used the fireplace to travel to Diagon Alley.
It has to be said, anything related to dragons is expensive, and dragon blood is no exception. Just a small bottle cost Kael twelve Galleons, and he winced at the expense.
He thought he had found a good E-Reader, but it turns out he needed to pay for it... a bad review!
After leaving the potion shop, Kael went to a second-hand store and happened to run into Percy coming out.
He was holding a book.
Not trusting Kael to go to Diagon Alley alone, Mrs. Weasley had Percy accompany him, and it just so happened he also wanted to buy a book he had seen that day.
It was the book "Prefects Who Gained Power."
Ever since he saw the book in Diagon Alley, Percy felt he had found his future direction.
Every time he closed his eyes, the "wise sayings" in the book would circulate endlessly in his mind.
And with each circulation, he seemed to extract new meanings.
So, to prevent himself from misremembering or missing important content, Percy decided to buy the book... even if it would cost him all his pocket money.
Kael watched Percy, looking pained but also unable to part with the book, and curiously asked, "How much did you spend?"
"Nine Galleons, this is my pocket money for the next two years!" Percy said, "It was supposed to be eighteen Galleons, but the shopkeeper gave me a very generous discount since I didn't have enough money."
Kael smacked his lips.
Books in second-hand stores are generally cheaper than those in Flourish and Blotts.
Which means this book's original price was thirty-six Galleons...
Kael thought Lockhart's five Galleon books were expensive enough, but he didn't expect there to be something even more outrageous...
Wow, a book that's more expensive than seven books combined!
Indeed, Lockhart is still too young!
But Kael didn't say anything since it wasn't his purchase anyway.
...
They didn't encounter any more acquaintances and returned to the Shabby Residence via the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
Mrs. Weasley had just prepared breakfast, corned beef sandwiches, and fried potatoes.
Percy didn't sit down to eat, but grabbed two sandwiches and hurried upstairs to study the classics.
Kael sat down next to Ron... who was wrestling with a piece of corned beef, his whole face crumpled.
"You're back, Kael."
Fred, sitting across, rubbing his chin, asked, "What did you buy in Diagon Alley?"
"Dragon blood."
Kael took out the small bottle, and a faintly fishy smell filled the air.
"Oh, that's an awful smell," George pinched his nose, "Put it away!"
Kael shrugged; he couldn't help it. Fresh dragon blood smells like that, and the bottle from the potion shop was basic, just enough to prevent leaks.
He put the dragon blood back into the pouch, and the fishy smell lessened significantly.
"Dragon blood isn't cheap." Fred asked, "Are you brewing some kind of Magic Potion?"
"No, I have other uses," Kael shook his head, "By the way, did you see the parchment I gave you guys?"
"Speaking of which..." Fred suddenly stood up excitedly, "Kael, you are truly a genius!"
"The Magic Text Formula you gave was fantastic!"
George eagerly pushed a whole plate of corned beef sandwiches toward Kael, "Just a little adjustment and all the problems were solved, the Trick Wand is a big success!"
"Don't tell me you're discussing those magic tricks again..."
At this moment, Mrs. Weasley walked over with a plate of sausages, giving Fred and George a stern look.
"No, Mom!"
George hurriedly explained, "We were discussing Ancient Runes."
"Exactly."
Fred took out a sheet of parchment covered in various symbols and formulas, "We're studying the practical application of Magic Text, it's homework from Professor Babbling."
Mrs. Weasley glanced at it and indeed, the parchment was filled with Magic Text and also had large sections of the twins' handwriting.
"Sorry, Fred... and George."
Mrs. Weasley filled their plates with sausages.
Fred winked at Kael,
"It's no problem... But Mom, I'm George!"
Kael chuckled and took a bite of a sandwich.
It has to be said, the corned beef Mrs. Weasley made was quite dry and hard... almost like jerky.
But it still tasted good.
After breakfast, Fred took out his broomstick:
"Kael, how about we play Quidditch later?"
"Cedric is back, and we can have an inter-house match."
Kael glanced at them and decisively refused. Good grief, a house full of Gryffindors, and although Ginny hasn't been sorted yet, she likely won't escape it.
Five against two is out of the question, especially with three genuine team players among them. Only a fool would play an inter-house match with them.
"We'll even let you have Ginny," George generously offered, "She hasn't been sorted yet, so it doesn't matter where she goes."
"Plus Harry," Kael said.
"Don't even think about it..."
"Then forget it!"
Resolutely refusing this unfair match, Kael left the Shabby Residence.
Originally, he wanted to find Riddle for some extra lessons since he had bought the "Dragon Blood Member" and couldn't let it go to waste.
...
But this plan didn't happen.
It had nothing to do with Fred and the others; as soon as Kael returned to his room, a large fiery red bird suddenly flew in, perching on his shoulder.
"Fawkes?"
Kael looked in surprise at the Phoenix on his shoulder.
"Why are you here?"
Fawkes shook its tail feathers, dropping a box in front of Kael... the very one he had given to Dumbledore before the holidays.
"Did you bring it here?"
Kael immediately forgot about Riddle, excitedly picking up the box and inspecting it.
"Thanks, Fawkes, what about Professor Dumbledore?" Kael asked casually while examining the box.
Normally, this question wouldn't matter, but Fawkes instantly grew angry.
It let out a sharp cry, its wings flapping as if illustrating something.
"Are you saying he wanted to attend the magic conference in Austria alone... which is why he sent you to deliver this to me?"
Listening to Fawkes, Kael frowned slightly; if he remembered correctly, Nimongard... seemed to be near Austria...
Fawkes nodded, continuing to flap its wings angrily, as though condemning a fickle, heartless man.
But this troubled Kael; it should be said, a Phoenix's wingbeats are quite painful.
Kael quickly pulled out some Herbs to console it, "It's alright, don't be angry, have something to eat. They're all fresh Herbs... I'm telling you, it's not worth getting upset over that kind of person, he..."