Chapter 74: Reunion in Diagon Alley

Leo, Hermione, Ku, and Ferris stepped into Diagon Alley. It had changed dramatically from the Diagon Alley of last year. Many shops were closed, and even those that were open had few goods or the shopkeepers lacked vitality.

"Well, it's not lively. It's a shame we're all out together."

"It can't be helped. After all, we only hear unpleasant stories every day."

"Let's withdraw some money from Gringotts for now. After that, we'll get what we need and head to the Weasley twins' joke shop."

The group headed to Gringotts. Gringotts seemed no different from the other shops. The goblins working at Gringotts thought that no matter which faction won, they would just trade with the winner.

They withdrew just enough gold coins from the Taylor family vault and came back. By the way, the Taylor family has a history, but it wasn't that wealthy. However, due to the achievements of Erskine and Leonard, they now have assets comparable to the Sacred 28 families, and thanks to the Wolfsbane potion, they are still increasing. As they were about to leave Gringotts, they were called out.

"Leonard!"

When they turned to the voice, a stunning beauty was standing there. Silver-blond hair down to her waist, deep blue eyes. It was Fleur Delacour, who had become even more beautiful than a few years ago.

"It's been a while! How have you been? Is Hermione okay? And is that lady Leonard's mother? Nice to meet you, I'm Fleur Delacour."

"It's been a while. Why are you here?"

"It's been a while. You're as beautiful as ever."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ferris Taylor, Leonard's mother."

Leo greeted her without any change, while Hermione greeted her with a slight caution. Ferris was watching the situation with interest.

"I'm working here at Gringotts. I wanted to work in the UK where Leonard is, and I'm also investigating the situation in the UK at the request of the French Ministry of Magic. But that doesn't matter! Are you two still in love?"

"Yes, we are."

"Yes, we are."

"Oh, that's a shame. If you ever get tired of her, you're always welcome."

"I don't plan on that right now. It probably won't change in the future, so it's better not to expect it."

Leo declared this boldly while hugging Hermione. It was a natural action for him, but it was a surprise attack for Hermione.

"As usual. Sigh... I just said it. There's a rumor that you died and something happened and you're not human anymore, is that true?"

"That's true. This body is no longer human. It's become quite convenient and it was planned."

"I see. Well, people around you might look at you differently just because you're not human. I also have Veela blood, so I had a little bit of that, but I think you'll be fine."

After that, they chatted for a while until a familiar person came.

"Excuse me, Fleur. Huh? Isn't that Leo and Hermione?"

"Hello, Bill. I remember you work at Gringotts."

"That's right. And I didn't know you and Fleur were acquainted. Fleur, let's get back to work soon. How about a date afterwards?"

"I refuse! Listen to me, you two! This guy, every time something happens, he's persistent about going out or dating!"

"I can't help it. I fell in love with you, so all I can do is approach you with all my might."

The two of them returned to work. Even on the way back, Bill was aggressively approaching Fleur, but she completely ignored him. If you just look at their appearances, they would be a good match.

After finishing buying textbooks and teaching materials and transferring them to the Taylor mansion, all that was left was today's main event, the Weasley twins' joke shop. Only there, unlike the surroundings, was filled with vitality. You could see small children, Hogwarts students, and even adults. In the store, there was a space for trying out joke goods, and it was in a state of chaos. But everyone in the store was laughing. When Leo and the others entered the store, the twins noticed them and literally flew over.

"Welcome! To Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the prank shop!"

"Leo, Hermione! Thanks for coming! We'll give you a special discount! Take your time and look around!"

There are various goods in the store. Candies for people who don't have luck, Extendable Ears, Biting Frisbees, Punching Telescopes, Screaming Yo-yos. These are things that Fred and George developed on their own. Octopus chocolate, perpetual parachute, drifting toilet, crazy eyes, etc. The products that Fred and George conceived and Leo helped develop were also popular. Among these products, there was a group of products that everyone was buying. It was accessories made as self-defense goods. There is a limit to the magic that can be defended by one accessory, but it was very popular because it can definitely defend against one shot except for the highest level of spells such as the death spell Avada Kedavra and the ghost fire.

"Orders are coming in so much that production can't keep up."

"Recently, we've been getting orders from important people in the Ministry of Magic and from the Order of the Phoenix."

"Honestly, I'm a little frustrated that these are selling better than the prank goods."

"But I guess it can't be helped in this day and age."

After looking around for a while, Leo bought some prank goods that he hadn't been involved in developing. He didn't intend to use them for pranks, but rather to analyze what kind of things they were.

"Well then, I'll go home now. If I can come next time, it'll be Christmas."

"I had a lot of fun. But I'm a little conflicted thinking that pranks with these will become popular at Hogwarts this year."

"Well, well, Miss Hermione, the honor student. Please be generous."

"That's right, if our creations make Hogwarts and everyone smile, isn't that good?"

"...Right now, the magical world is dark, and there are many people who are sad because they have lost their families."

"But that's why I think we have to laugh."

The atmosphere was about to get dark, but the twins showed a big smile.

"Thank you for your purchase! If you make everyone laugh with those, we'll give you a service from the next time! We look forward to your next visit!"

Leo and Hermione also laughed and left Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

When the four of them, Leo, were eating ice cream at Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, they ran into a familiar face again.

"Isn't that Tonks? She's with a child I don't know, maybe a relative."

Leo looks at her. When he looked at her with his "eye", her appearance and inside were different.

"Well, it's not wrong to say she's a relative. That's Draco Malfoy. It's probably a transformation with Polyjuice Potion."

Tonks noticed them and came over. Draco Malfoy, who had transformed, also followed.

"Yoohoo. How are you? I'm currently on a mission, sort of. I was just buying the things this kid needs to prepare for Hogwarts. Oh, I think you probably know, but this kid is Draco Malfoy."

Draco just bowed his head.

"If it's just shopping, you don't need the person himself, do you?"

"Ah, well, that's true. The Malfoy family is being targeted by him because they're traitors, and they can't go out much. I thought it was a pity, so I took him out for a change of pace by transforming him. After all, this kid is a relative."

Tonks and Draco went back to shopping because they still had shopping to do. Leo and the others also decided to return to the Taylor residence because they had no more business in Diagon Alley today. The preparations for Hogwarts were completed, and Leonard Taylor's sixth year at Hogwarts was about to begin.

---

It was a day in Diagon Alley.

The goblins ignore the human squabbles. They will side with the winner if there is any damage.

Fleur Delacour reappears.

She is not dating Bill due to Leo's influence. Keep trying, Bill!

The Weasley twins' joke shop.

It's inevitable that protective goods are popular, but the twins have mixed feelings.

The candy without poop, Extendable Ears, biting frisbee, punch telescope, screaming yo-yo are products that appeared in the original series.

The effects of other products related to Leo are as follows:

Octopus Chocolate... Just as it sounds, it's a chocolate in the shape of an octopus. The sliminess and suction of the suckers are also reproduced. The taste is chocolate.

Perpetual Parachute... If you wear this and open the parachute, you will have the illusion of falling from the sky for a certain time (1 hour). The actual elapsed time is only a few seconds, so there is no real harm.

Flushable Toilet... If you replace the toilet seat with this product, the person who flushed it will also be flushed. The person who is flushed is protected, so they remain clean. When they reach the sewer, they rewind and are expelled from the toilet.

Crazy Eyes... Eye drop type. When you put it in your eyes, your eyeballs move around randomly.

Tonks and Malfoy.

The Malfoy family betrayed the bow and is being targeted.

Currently, they can't easily go outside, so they are mostly hiding in a building managed by the Order.