Ever since Fred switched Ron's Wand for a Trick Wand, they had been eagerly waiting to see what would happen.
But a whole week went by and Ron never noticed... In other words, he hadn't used his wand for an entire week.
This left Fred and George very disappointed.
"Looks like we have a very obedient brother."
One evening, Fred said with some frustration, "He really remembered the rule that students can't use magic outside school and has been strictly following it..."
Ottery St Catchpole is a large village with many wizards living in it. As long as Muggles aren't aware, the Ministry of Magic doesn't bother about the magic reactions here.
So the ban before the holidays pretty much equates to a piece of waste paper here.
Even Cedric and Percy often practice Charms in their rooms, not to mention Kai and the twins.
In this regard, Ron appeared particularly well-behaved.
And because of this, Fred and George's plan to test the Trick Wand seemed unlikely to succeed any time soon.
George sighed, "I wish he could follow the rules like this at school too."
"Perhaps Gryffindor might even win the House Cup because of it."
Fred shrugged, then turned to Kai:
"By the way, Kai, we're planning to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy some stuff. Do you want to come along?"
"Sure, I'll come along." Kai asked, "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"In the morning."
George said, "We have a lot of books to buy, and Ginny needs to prepare for school, so we need to leave early."
After setting the departure time for the next day, Fred and George left.
Back in his room, Kai intended to read a little longer, but whether due to excitement or something else, he couldn't focus on a single word.
With no other choice, Kai turned off the light and went to bed early.
...
It seemed ages had passed before the sky finally lit up.
After getting up, Kai quickly ate a few bites of bread and headed to the Shabby Residence.
The Weasleys were having breakfast, and even though Kai insisted he had eaten, Mrs. Weasley still handed him several bacon sandwiches.
Ginny gave up a seat for him.
Once Kai sat down, Mr. Weasley looked up and asked, "Has your father already headed to the Ministry?"
Kai nodded, "Half an hour ago he received a letter and rushed off to the Ministry of Magic."
"It must be those guys..." Mr. Weasley muttered, "They're dissatisfied with the new 'Muggle Protection Law,' so they threw those Dark Arts Items into places where Muggles are found.
I guess they think they're clever, solving a problem while creating trouble for us."
"But they have indeed succeeded," Kai shrugged and said.
Recently, the Daily Prophet has been reporting daily about Muggles being affected by Dark Magic, and the number is increasing, driving the Ministry of Magic's Accidental Magic Reversal Squad to madness.
And not only that, even animals weren't spared. Be it livestock or insects, upon contact with those discarded Dark Arts Items, they turn very aggressive and highly combative.
One even discovered beetle-sized purple ants...
That's why Chris rushed to the Ministry of Magic first thing in the morning.
"It's only a temporary success," Mr. Weasley said, taking a bite of his sandwich and smiling, "Scrimgeour has already set Aurors to investigate this, and now no one dares to dump those Dark Arts Items anymore.
A bunch of self-proclaimed clever guys, I'll eventually catch evidence against them..."
"Go for it, Dad!" Fred and George exclaimed excitedly.
"Keep it down," Mrs. Weasley smacked the twins and warned, "Be careful, Arthur, those people are not to be trifled with, don't forget you've already been suspended from investigating."
"It's only temporary, Molly," Mr. Weasley said, "The stay of investigation is only for three days, Kingsley told me there have been more people in Knockturn Alley recently; they must be scared, thinking of getting rid of their Dark Arts Items quickly."
"But Mr. Weasley, why don't those people store their items in Gringotts?"
Kai asked, somewhat puzzled, "The Ministry of Magic can't examine the vaults; it should be safe to put them there, right?"
"I don't know either..." Mr. Weasley thought for a moment and said, "Maybe they don't want those cursed things contaminating their gold coins..."
After breakfast, Mrs. Weasley picked up a flowerpot from the mantle in the kitchen and turned to everyone, "Alright, guests first, Harry, you go first!"
She brought the flowerpot to Harry.
"I... what should I do?" Harry hesitated and stammered, asking.
"Mrs. Weasley, Harry probably hasn't used Floo Powder before," Kai stepped forward, "Let me go first, I can show him what to do."
"Never used Floo Powder…" Mrs. Weasley frowned as if she found it unbelievable.
Harry looked gratefully at Kai, nodding repeatedly.
"Alright then…" Mrs. Weasley handed the flowerpot to Kai.
Kai pinched a handful of Shiny powder from it, tossed it into the fireplace's flames, then walked straight in, shouting, "Diagon Alley!"
In the blink of an eye, Kai appeared in the Leaky Cauldron.
Perhaps due to school starting soon, it was much busier than usual, with all the few shabby tables occupied by wizards drinking.
If one arrived late, they'd have to stand with their drink on the side.
Before long, Fred and George arrived, followed by Mr. Weasley....
He had just exited the fireplace and looked around nervously.
"Merlin's beard... Kai, did you see Harry Potter?"
"No," Kai shook his head, "Has he already been here?"
"He entered the fireplace before me." Mr. Weasley's voice trembled, "Oh no, we've lost Harry Potter..."
Later, Percy, Ron, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley also arrived.
When they found out that Harry hadn't shown up at the Leaky Cauldron, Mrs. Weasley's face turned ashen, nearly collapsing.
Luckily, Fred caught her just in time.
"Arthur…" she clutched her chest, sobbing, "We've lost Harry... How do we explain this to his uncle and aunt!"
"Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley, Potter will be fine." Kai comforted, "He's probably taken the wrong hearth; perhaps we can check Knockturn Alley, I recall there should be an entrance there too."
"Yes... you're right, that must be it."
Mrs. Weasley clung to this hope, "Where is the entrance in Knockturn Alley... damn, why can't I remember!"
"Relax... Molly, don't panic."
Mr. Weasley held her hand tightly, comforting, "I remember Kingsley told me when they searched Knockturn Alley... oh, I remember, it's Borgin and Burkes!"
"That notorious Dark Arts Items Shop?!" Mrs. Weasley's face grew more anxious.
She quickly dashed toward the courtyard at the back of the Leaky Cauldron, "Quick... Arthur, we must hurry..."
Seeing this, Mr. Weasley quickly followed behind.