Chapter 9: The Leaky Cauldron, Cedric Diggory

The Leaky Cauldron.

When Wilson Wright and Barty Crouch Sr pushed open the wooden door and entered the bar, the small bar on the first floor was quite lively at this time.

A group of wizards enthusiastically raised their glasses and chatted.

Among them was a middle-aged man who seemed quite talkative, with a pair of glasses perched on his nose, giving him the appearance of a very scholarly gentleman.

"This trip has been quite enjoyable..."

Now, this scholarly-looking middle-aged man was happily boasting to the wizards in the bar about his travels: "I saw many magical creatures in the rainforest, and Mr. Newt Scamander was so enthusiastic after learning that I went to the rainforest in South America that he even wrote a letter inviting me to his home..."

Obviously.

From this man's words, it could be heard that being invited by Mr. Newt Scamander, the magical creatures expert, was a very prideful achievement.

And indeed, it was boast-worthy.

Because Newt Scamander was highly honored in the magical world, having written many books about magical creatures that were used as textbooks at Hogwarts.

"Let's celebrate Amos Diggory's trip!"

"Let's celebrate Amos receiving Mr. Scamander's invitation!"

The people in the entire Leaky Cauldron joyfully raised their glasses to celebrate this man who had received an invitation from Mr. Scamander, with one tall figure appearing particularly enthusiastic.

He was a half-giant.

Rubeus Hagrid, the keeper of the Forbidden Forest and Gamekeeper at Hogwarts, appeared to be just a diligent staff member staying at the school on the surface, but in reality, he was someone Dumbledore trusted deeply.

This half-giant had a great love for all sorts of magical creatures, so his attitude towards the travel stories recounted by the talkative man was also quite enthusiastic...

Of course.

Rubeus Hagrid wasn't Wilson's main focus.

Compared to Rubeus Hagrid, there was another black-haired youth in the bar who caught Wilson's attention even more, a slender figure standing behind the talkative man.

This black-haired youth was very handsome.

Being slightly humble, Wilson believed that this teenager's attractiveness was perhaps just a little lower than his own.

Seemingly aware of Wilson's gaze, the black-haired youth looked towards him, smiling and nodding politely towards him.

He was a courteous person.

Whether it was his actions or his demeanor, they were natural and elegant, making people feel favorably towards him and unable to resist praising him.

Just at that moment, the middle-aged man who was full of enthusiasm put his arm around the shoulder of the black-haired youth and introduced loudly with a smile, "Unfortunately, I can't go to Mr. Scamander's house right now because my son Cedric is about to start studying at Hogwarts. Today, I'm accompanying him to buy the things he needs for Hogwarts..."

When speaking about his son, the middle-aged man seemed somewhat regretful: "Cedric turned twelve this year, his birthday is in winter, so he had to wait an extra year..."

Just as the other patrons were about to console him, the middle-aged man suddenly laughed, "But Cedric has already finished reading the textbooks I left for him to use, and I believe with his intelligence, he will definitely become an excellent Hufflepuff student!"

"..."

Cedric's face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

Perhaps it was because his father's praise made him feel ashamed, or perhaps it was because everyone in the bar was watching him and he felt shy.

If he were an ordinary boy, he might have already hidden behind his father, too embarrassed to face the scrutinizing gazes of the adults.

Cedric's behavior was quite different.

After a moment of shyness, this black-haired youth humbly lowered his head and apologized to the many wizard patrons in front of him: "I'm very sorry for disturbing everyone's leisure this afternoon."

"Let's celebrate for Cedric!"

"Let's celebrate for Amos having such a good son!"

"Let's celebrate for Hogwarts! A talented student will be born!"

"Let's celebrate for Hufflepuff..."

"Hufflepuff will definitely be defeated by Gryffindor again in this year's Quidditch Cup!"

"..."

Cheers once again filled the entire bar.

Among them were some patrons who enjoyed sneaking in their own drinks, apparently graduates of Gryffindor House.

As the people in the bar drank merrily, Cedric Diggory and his father Amos Diggory finally walked out of the crowd to greet others.

Because Amos also saw Barty Crouch Sr, and the two could barely be considered colleagues in the Ministry of Magic.

Crouch Sr had once been quite prestigious and was now in a semi-retired state, still holding the position of Director of the International Magical Cooperation Department at the British Ministry of Magic;

Amos was just a staff member in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, a super-obscure department. Apparently, those who graduated from Hufflepuff House really weren't good at politics...

"Long time no see, Mr. Crouch."

Amos walked over and reached out his hand to Crouch Sr, shaking his hand firmly: "You look very well..."

"You too, Amos."

Crouch Sr slowly shook his hand, his gaze falling on Cedric beside him, and he praised him very seriously: "Amos, you have a very excellent son."

"Hahaha..."

Amos's face couldn't conceal his pride anymore, patting his son's shoulder forcefully, urging, "This is the proudest thing in my life!"

After saying that, Amos noticed the gray-haired youth beside Crouch Sr and asked softly, "Who is this?"

"This is..."

Crouch Sr looked at Wilson standing beside him, and at this moment, he suddenly didn't know how to introduce Wilson's identity to others.

If he introduced his identity too low...

What if Wilson embarrassed him on the spot?

Wilson seemed to sense Crouch Sr's hesitation and took the initiative to extend his hand to Amos: "I'm Wilson, Wilson Wright, also a new student entering Hogwarts this year."

After saying that, Wilson glanced at Cedric and added, "If everything goes well, I should also be sorted into Hufflepuff."

"Oh?"

Amos's eyes lit up instantly.

Cedric's eyes were similarly filled with excitement, and he had a positive impression of this classmate he had met by coincidence, possibly due to his nice personality.

This must be real kindness.

Cedric even took the initiative to extend his hand to Wesson, earnestly introducing himself, "Let me reintroduce myself, Cedric, Cedric Diggory."

"I heard just now."

Wesson shook Cedric's hand friendly, his face full of sincerity as he spoke, "Meeting a classmate at this time, I think it's something worth being happy about."