.
---
Breakfast ended quickly, and Harry barely had ti to wipe his hands before Mrs. Weasley pressed a handful of Floo powder into his palm. Since it was his very first ti using it, he spun off course and landed in Knockturn Alley with a jolt.
And that was where he saw Malfoy.
"Don't touch anything, Draco!"
Harry ducked into a black cabinet inside Borgin and Burkes, forcing himself into the cramped space while he listened to the conversation between the elder and younger Malfoys.
"I thought you ca here to buy sothing!"
"I said I was going to buy you a broom…" Lucius drawled, lifting his eyelids just enough to glance at Draco.
Draco's expression twisted with the sa irritation he'd shown since first year—ever since Harry flew circles around him on a broom. Harry almost laughed. So he really was jealous.
"You've said that at least ten tis…"
Lucius tapped sharply on the counter. A hunched, greasy-haired man shuffled forward.
"...… I'm here to sell things. The Ministry has begun investigating quite strictly...… It must be that Weasley...…"
Hearing Lucius sneer at Mr. Weasley made Harry's blood boil. At the sa ti, he felt strangely grateful Darren wasn't here.
If Darren had heard Malfoy insulting Mr. Weasley, he would've charged out on the spot—only to be hexed to death by Lucius Malfoy within seconds. Harry shivered. It was a horrifying thought.
"What's that?" Draco suddenly asked, pointing at a shriveled, withered hand.
"That is the Hand of Glory. Thieves and burglars—"
"No, no, no, I want my son to be sothing better than a thief or burglar. Of course, if he doesn't study, that might be the only future left for him…"
Lucius spoke lazily.
"Dad! The professors are all so biased… That Hermione Granger—she's a Mud—"
Draco's rant was cut short.
"Oh? Not only have you been outdone by a witch from a non-wizarding family, you can't even match Darren and Darren Potter's grades!"
Harry clamped a hand over his mouth before he snorted.
Of course. Darren and Hermione's brilliance was practically legendary at this point.
The bargaining dragged on endlessly—enough to give Harry an actual headache—but at last Lucius finished his shady business. Harry slipped out, careful and silent.
He nearly got himself killed in Knockturn Alley, but luckily Hagrid found him and hauled him out.
"Oh my goodness, I finally found yeh, Harry! If I'd gone back without yeh, Darren would've lost his mind!"
Hermione was waiting. The mont she spotted him, she grabbed his arm and dragged him forward at full speed. She must've been out buying books too, and already t the Weasleys.
Harry finally understood why she was running. Because just ahead—
Darren stood there with misty eyes, looking as if he'd been holding his breath.
"Brother… I almost lost you… I should've held your hand…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding...]
"Darren, don't say such silly things. Floo powder can only bring one person at a ti… Oh, my little darling, my poor baby. Thank rlin Harry found his way here or you'd be in tears!"
Mrs. Weasley wrapped him in her arms. Darren's smile turned soft, obedient.
"Thank you for comforting . I feel much better now… And Hagrid, thank you for finding my brother…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding...]
"Oh—oh, Darren, I was just runnin' errands… Yer right though, he could've been caught by those guys in— No! No, no, Darren, Harry's fine! I was speakin' hypothetically!"
Hagrid panicked, especially when Mrs. Weasley pinched his giant hand. He scrambled to correct himself.
"Yes, yes, Molly, I'll be careful. I'll only go there for bug repellent… Right—goodbye—goodbye, Hogwarts!"
He practically bolted, huge boots clomping as he fled her motherly ferocity.
Harry used the mont to tell Darren about the Malfoys.
"Hmph, he's afraid… What I want most is to expose his cris," Mr. Weasley muttered as he leaned in. He'd overheard Harry's explanation and looked almost triumphant.
"Careful," Mrs. Weasley warned, touching his arm. "That family is trouble."
"You think I can't handle him?" Mr. Weasley puffed up, flexing his arms as if anyone asked to see proof of his strength.
But the next second, his attention snapped to the Grangers, who had just entered Gringotts with them.
"These are Muggle coins?" he asked excitedly, picking one up and squinting at it.
Within minutes, he and Mr. Granger were chatting like old friends. They decided to grab a drink together later, but for now, they headed to the vaults.
When they reached the Weasleys' vault, Harry froze.
Inside was a single gold Galleon and a small mound of Sickles.
He didn't know what to say.
But Darren tilted his head with genuine curiosity.
"Sir… did you spend all your salary on buying a car?"
The Weasleys were poor, yes. But Darren had always suspected it was less poverty and more terrible financial habits.
Every ti they had money, they spent it. All of it. Instantly. On everything.
Mr. Weasley once won five hundred Galleons and imdiately took the entire family to Egypt. Then he bought a flying car. And several Muggle objects, no doubt.
Darren was convinced they earned enough—they just never saved.
"Oh yes, yes, many little— Ahem. Molly, you misheard. I didn't say anything to Darren…"
Mr. Weasley shot Darren a playful wink. There were clearly far more contraptions hidden at ho.
"Co on, quickly! Take the money. We still need to get Harry and Darren their things!" Mrs. Weasley insisted, clearly determined to prevent her husband from corrupting Darren's innocent mind.
Harry stared at them in disbelief.
He'd always assud Mr. Weasley's salary was simply too small… not that the money disappeared the mont it arrived.
"All right, children, move along… Next stop!"
The cart rattled onwards through the tunnels until they reached the Potters' vault. The mont the door opened, even Darren sucked in a breath.
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