Chapter 85: Diagon Alley in the Sunshine
"Lord Augustus?" Loki's voice broke the stillness, carrying a note of confusion. He looked at Augustus, uncertain why the duel had been abruptly halted.
"The duel ends here. Both of you performed well," Augustus said with a nod. Turning to Thor, he added, "Next term, after school begins, feel free to come directly to me if you wish." Without waiting for a reply, Augustus strode away from the field.
Thor's face lit with subtle joy at the acknowledgment, while Loki cast a jealous glance at him before leaving as well. Accompanied by Malfoy and Lilian, Loki followed Augustus into the manor.
"Mr. Augustus, are you planning to take Thor under your wing?" Lilian asked, her crimson eyes gleaming with an unreadable emotion.
"Yes. His talent and determination make him an ideal candidate for lightning magic. With his gifts, he should catch up to you seniors rather quickly. Therefore, do not grow complacent," Augustus replied with a faint smile.
"Well, no matter how talented he is, I should reach the level of a third-tier mage by the time school starts tomorrow. It shouldn't be easy for him to surpass me," Malfoy interjected, cautiously rubbing his nose.
"Ha! I may not like that boy, but even I must admit that his talent makes catching up to you child's play. If you don't put in the effort, you'll have no one to blame but yourself," Loki said with a smirk, his amber eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Come on, we're peers, aren't we? Must you always side with outsiders? Have some sympathy for your senior!" Malfoy groaned, his expression utterly pitiful.
"It's the truth. If it stings, I apologize," Loki replied with a teasing chuckle.
"Well then! To preserve my dignity as a senior, I swear to train like mad. If I don't reach the fourth tier before school starts, I'll...!" Malfoy paused dramatically, clearly unable to complete his bold declaration.
Augustus shook his head, smiling wryly at Malfoy's antics.
The banquet continued in full swing. Wizards adorned in heavy masks mingled as glasses clinked and lively chatter filled the air, the atmosphere heavy with veiled agendas. Despite their magic, these wizarding nobles weren't so different from Muggle aristocrats—motivated by interests, driven by gain. How many among them truly grasped the essence of magic and its path?
Time passed swiftly, and the day before the start of term arrived. Augustus awoke to a fresh morning and opened the half-shuttered window of his room. A fragrant blend of damp earth and blooming flowers wafted from the manor grounds. A snowy gyrfalcon perched on the windowsill, meticulously grooming its pristine feathers. Summer's warmth was becoming palpable, its humid heat saturating the air.
Dressed in a white robe, Augustus greeted his parents before setting off alone in a carriage bound for Diagon Alley, where he intended to purchase books for the upcoming term.
Upon arriving at the back courtyard of the Leaky Cauldron, he drew his wand and tapped the third brick from the left above the dustbin. Stepping back, he watched as the gateway to Diagon Alley unfolded before him.
The alley was abuzz with activity, thrumming with excitement as students and their families prepared for the new school year. Crowds thronged the shops, with the Quidditch supply store especially packed. A sleek new broomstick on a pedestal drew an eager audience.
"This just-launched model... a prototype!" exclaimed a square-jawed wizard to his companion.
"This is the fastest broom in the world, isn't it, Dad?" a young boy chirped, swinging on his father's arm.
"The Irish National Team just ordered seven of these beauties!" the shopkeeper announced proudly. "This is the star of the Quidditch World Cup!"
As a tall witch stepped aside, Augustus caught sight of the broom's description:
"The Firebolt represents the pinnacle of flying broomstick craftsmanship. Its ash wood handle is polished to streamlined perfection and treated with a diamond-hard finish. Each tail twig is individually selected to ensure unparalleled balance and precision. The Firebolt accelerates to 150 miles per hour in under ten seconds and boasts exceptional braking capabilities. Price upon request."
How amusing, Augustus thought, that a broom could evoke such fervor. The wizarding world's obsession with Quidditch is truly unparalleled. Smiling faintly, he moved on.
Outside the bookshop, a large iron cage caught his attention. Inside were about a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters, locked in a chaotic wrestling match. The books snarled and fought, tearing at each other as scraps of pages fluttered through the air.
"What an unusual book," Augustus mused, genuinely intrigued. A glance at his booklist revealed that this volume was required for the Care of Magical Creatures class. He couldn't help but marvel at the creativity of the professor who had chosen it.
Inside the shop, the manager hurried to greet him. "Hogwarts, is it? Here to get your new books?" he asked abruptly. Augustus nodded, sparing a sympathetic look for the man, who donned thick gloves and wielded a gnarled stick as he cautiously approached the cage. After much effort, the manager managed to wrestle one of the unruly books into submission and presented it to Augustus.
The moment Augustus took the book, it lunged at him, its gaping mouth ready to snap. With a light tap on its spine, Augustus rendered the aggressive tome docile as a lamb. The manager gawked in disbelief at the now-placid book.
"Do you need anything else? And might I ask—how on earth did you tame it? By Merlin, I've been bitten at least five times just this morning!" the manager exclaimed, still dazed. After completing his purchases and sharing his method, Augustus stepped back into the bustling sunshine.
The scorching midday sun bore down on the crowded alley. The shimmering air distorted like a mirage, and Augustus's tall figure cast a faint shadow in the vibrant glow of Diagon Alley.
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09