Although the current situation was tense, Quidditch matches remained the most highly anticipated event within Hogwarts.
It was a good thing for Harry to be the captain. As Hermione put it, he could now use the prefects’ bathroom and other things with them, but it was undeniable that the pressure on his shoulders was also great.
As Captain, it was his responsibility to lead the team to victory and win the Quidditch Cup.
Gryffindor had been the champion for many years in a row and people were used to winning.
But the current situation was very different from that of previous years, and the team was in its most difficult mont.
The Gryffindor team’s performance last term was diocre, and they barely won the Quidditch Cup by a slim margin, thanks to point calculations.
This term, the situation had worsened. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had graduated, and they needed to replace the Chasers.
Besides Harry, the remaining players were all young and inexperienced, and Ron was in a very unstable state.
Not to ntion, many outstanding Quidditch players had erged from other Houses in the past two years.
“We need a plan and new player tryouts,” said Harry. “Ron, Ginny, both of you must stay on the team. We also need to convince the Frobisher siblings, and as for the rest, I think…”
“Now’s not the ti to discuss that. Now you’ve got these,” sighed Mrs. Weasley, looking down at Ron’s booklist, “I don’t suppose we can put off a trip to Diagon Alley. We’ll go on Saturday as long as your father doesn’t have to go into work again. I’m not going there without him.”
“Dumbledore said the Ministry would send soone to go with us.”
“Yeah, he agreed to let you go to Diagon Alley in public. I really don’t think…”
“Mum, d’ you honestly think You-Know-Who’s going to be hiding behind a bookshelf in Flourish and Blotts?” sniggered Ron.
“Fortescue and Ollivander went on holiday, did they?” said Mrs. Weasley, firing up at once. “If you think security’s a laughing matter, you can stay behind and I’ll get your things myself!”
“No, I wanna co. I want to see Fred and George’s shop!” said Ron hastily.
“Then you just buck up your ideas, young man, before I decide you’re too immature to co with us!” said Mrs. Weasley angrily, snatching up her clock, all nine hands of which were still pointing at “mortal peril,” and balancing it on top of a pile of just-laundered towels. “And that goes for returning to Hogwarts as well!”
Ron turned to stare incredulously at his friends as his mother hoisted the laundry basket and the teetering clock into her arms and stord out of the room.
“Bliy … you can’t even make a joke round here anymore. …”
But Ron was careful not to be flippant about Voldemort over the next few days.
Saturday dawned without any more outbursts from Mrs. Weasley, though she seed very tense at breakfast.
Bill, who would be staying at ho with Fleur, passed a full money bag across the table to Harry.
“Where’s mine?” demanded Ron at once, his eyes wide.
“That’s already Harry’s, idiot,” said Bill. “I got it out of your vault for you, Harry, because it’s taking about five hours for the public to get to their gold at the mont, the goblins have tightened security so much. Not long ago, Arkie Philpott had a Probity Probe in his … Well, trust , this way’s easier…”
“Thanks, Bill,” said Harry, pocketing his gold.
” ’E is always so thoughtful,” purred Fleur adoringly, stroking Bill’s nose.
Ginny mid vomiting into her cereal behind Fleur, and Ron sprayed his everywhere.
“Evan, Hermione, what about you two? Need to exchange money?” Bill continued to ask, “The exchange rate’s dropping now. Because of the fear of war, many wizards are trying to convert their Galleons into Muggle money. If you two want to exchange, you don’t have to deal with the goblins. I know a few people outside Gringotts who can offer better rates.”
“I’m all set …” said Hermione, since her parents had already given her tuition money in advance.
“No, we’re good. I asked Dobby to send the latest inco of the newspaper last week. It’s enough for Hermione and I to use.” Evan saw that Hermione wanted to say sothing, and continued, “Don’t worry, Hermione, this is your paynt for helping with the paper. It’s all your own money.”
“But…” Hermione still had so concerns. She didn’t want to spend Evan’s money on this.
“This was agreed on as your salary. You wouldn’t refuse it, right? Oh, and part of it is Ginny’s too. I hadn’t paid you both yet,” as he spoke, he handed a money bag to Ginny.
Ron’s eyes widened with envy as he watched Ginny count the coins.
Evan leaned closer to Hermione and whispered, “As for your money, you don’t mind leaving it with for safekeeping, do you?”
Hermione shook her head. What was she minded about? Almost everything she had was left with Evan. Not to ntion the money, she would go through Evan’s pockets every day to find her clothes and was becoming increasingly skilled at it…
Due to the rapid expansion and the recruitnt of many new employees, the newspaper had been spending a lot recently and did not have much surplus, but the money was more than enough for Evan, Hermione, and Ginny’s school supplies — mostly new textbooks and robes, which weren’t very expensive.
There was also a portion of the paynt ant for Colin, which Evan had the house-elf Dobby send to him.
In fact, the real big expense was the materials he needed for magic research, the cost of ordering magic books and various materials.
These things were expensive and required a significant amount of Gold Galleons.
Evan had long-term purchasing contracts with many businesses. In addition to the inco from the newspaper, he also needed to regularly sell his own potions and other alchemical products to barely make ends et, and many tis his inco was not enough to cover his expenses.
So, he had always been short of money.
Last ti, Evan had acquired a number of priceless ancient artifacts from the goblin Zoser. He wanted to sell them and exchange them for Galleons, but he hadn’t been able to find a suitable buyer yet…
After breakfast, at Mrs. Weasley’s urging, they set off early.
When everyone erged from the house, pulling on their cloaks, one of the special Ministry of Magic cars was awaiting them in the front yard.
“It’s good Dad can get us a car again,” said Ron appreciatively, stretching luxuriously.
They got into the car one by one and sat in the spacious and comfortable back seat.
“Don’t get used to it, it’s only because of Harry,” said Mr. Weasley over his shoulder. He and Mrs. Weasley were in front with the Ministry driver. “He’s been given top-grade security status. And we’ll be joining up with additional security at the Leaky Cauldron too.”
“I know, Harry’s the Chosen One of the Wizarding world,” said Ron jokingly. “Evan’s the Star of Hope, and I’m sitting here with two stars.”
The joke made everyone laugh. Harry’s laugh was a little forced, though — truth be told, he really did not much fancy doing his shopping while surrounded by a battalion of Aurors.
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