205) Riot at the bookstore

My family and friends returned from the underground vaults, and I could see different expressions on their faces. My mother, clearly worried about the money, while my sister shot me a look that said, "You're a cockroach, I should crush you, but you're too disgusting."

As we left Gringotts, now under the sun, we split up, though before that, my mother made it clear that my brothers couldn't go near Knockturn Alley. Percy went off to do his own thing, and Fred and George, having found Lee Jordan, dragged him along with them. My parents, as expected, wanted to head to the Leaky Cauldron to drink and chat with the Grangers. Lastly, my sister, still glaring at me furiously, took Luna with her, followed closely by Xeno, who was keeping an eye on them.

That left four of us: Hermione, Harry, my brother, and me. As they wanted, we went for ice cream, though I had already had some earlier. The vendor gave me a puzzled look, seeing me for the second time. After getting the ice creams, we strolled through the streets, stopping at various shops according to what each of us needed or wanted. Harry and Ron quickly stopped at the Quidditch shop, while Hermione dragged me to the one next door to look for parchment and ink.

Hermione was visibly tense, probably worried about the conversation our parents were having, but at the same time, a smile was creeping onto her face as she shyly held my hand. It was charming to see her so excited about our relationship, something I had mostly initiated myself, but now she seemed to fully embrace it. I wanted to kiss her at that moment, just to see her reaction, but I didn't think it was the right time.

I realized that my sister hadn't left to distance herself, but to spy on us without my noticing. She was hidden, watching us from the other side of the shop window, glaring at both Hermione and me. Luna, beside her, could barely resist the urge to raise her hand and wave at us.

After leaving there, we bought a few more things for the new school year. Well, at least they did; I only had to get a few items, as the rest I would get in Brazil once I left. The agreed time was approaching, so the four of us met up, with our three "stalkers" following behind, and we headed to the bookstore.

When we arrived, we saw a huge crowd overflowing from the establishment, and to one side, a sign explaining the reason for the gathering:

GILDEROY LOCKHART

Will be signing copies of his autobiography

THE ENCHANTER

From 12:30 to 4:30 pm

"We'll be able to meet him in person!" exclaimed Hermione, excitedly. "He's the author of nearly all the books on the list!"

Seeing her face light up made something dark stir inside me. That evil side of mine wanted to come out and ruin everything. I didn't like seeing Hermione excited about someone who wasn't me, but I couldn't reproach her openly... I'll take it out on Tonks later. Maybe it's time to try a few different holes with her.

Back to the crowd, I noticed that most of them were middle-aged witches, like my mother. They all shared the same look of excitement that Hermione had, though I suspected that some also harbored lustful feelings. Luckily, Hermione didn't show that kind of interest... because if she did, I wouldn't care and would "fix" that problem right here and now.

"Please, ladies, calm down... don't push... careful with the books..." pleaded a shop assistant, visibly exhausted and looking like he was considering quitting his job.

After a while, we managed to get inside. Our families were already in line, waiting for Lockhart to sign their books. If it weren't for the fact that everyone was here, I wouldn't have come. I didn't see the point of all this, and the crowd was unbearable.

"So glad you're here!" said my mother, slightly out of breath, before looking over our heads. "It'll be our turn soon. Where's Ginny? She's going to miss getting her books signed."

"She's over there with Xeno and Luna, and she already has her books. She doesn't need the signatures," I replied. Just then, Xeno entered with the girls, though his clothes were disheveled, clearly having had trouble making it through the sea of ladies.

"Ginny, do you have your books for him to sign?" my mother asked excitedly. Deep down, I thought she believed those signed books would have some future value. How wrong she was.

"No... yes," said my sister, glancing at me before nodding slightly. "Red has them."

"Yes, here they are," I said, pulling her books from a small bag that seemed to have an extension charm on it, though I was actually using my [Inventory].

I remembered this was where Tom Riddle's diary was obtained, and I hoped that detail hadn't changed. I was eager to get my hands on it. To make sure Lucius left it among Ginny's things, I needed her to carry books with her. So, I took the books from my [Inventory] and discreetly pulled out a cauldron to place them in before handing it to her.

I sent Ginny a few discreet [Messages], indicating certain things that might happen and how she should act. She nodded in acknowledgment.

While all of this was happening, Lockhart dragged Harry into his public display. I didn't even notice at first, or rather, I didn't care. At that moment, neither Lockhart nor Harry occupied much space in my mind. Gilderoy gifted Harry a complete set of books and used the opportunity to present himself to the cameras as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. When Harry was finally freed, it was clear he wanted to get rid of the books as soon as possible, so he handed them to Ron.

"Here, you take them. I'll buy my own..." he said, as if Lockhart's books disgusted him.

"What's the matter, Potter? Like being the center of attention, eh? Can't even go into a bookstore without being the main attraction," said a voice easily recognizable to many.

Looking at the blond-haired boy, I knew it had begun. I left Ginny in a visible spot while Luna and I watched from the side, expectant.

"Ah, it's you!" exclaimed Ron, looking at Malfoy with disgust. "Are you surprised to see Harry here?"

"Not as surprised as seeing you in a shop, Weasley. I suppose your parents will have to starve for a month to pay for those books," Malfoy replied with his usual arrogance.

I watched as my brother and Draco started a quarrel, and it soon became clear that Ron wasn't winning. Ron's skills in hurling insults were limited, and although Hermione and Harry tried to hold him back to prevent him from lunging at Malfoy and starting a fight, it was clear Ron was losing control. I didn't intervene; I had to let everything play out as expected if I wanted any chance of getting the diary. That's also why I let Ginny approach with a timid demeanor.

Then my father showed up to see what was happening, just as Lucius Malfoy arrived. What began as a children's quarrel quickly turned into a confrontation between adults.

"Well, well... if it isn't Arthur Weasley himself," said Lucius in his usual condescending tone.

"Lucius," replied my father, with a cold greeting.

"I've heard you've been quite busy at the Ministry, with all those raids. I suppose at least they pay you overtime, right?" commented Lucius, taking Ginny's books from the cauldron and glancing through them. "It seems this is where all your hard work goes. What's the point of disgracing a wizard's name if you can barely meet basic needs?"

My father's face turned red with fury and embarrassment. Part of what Lucius was saying was true, and his salary, which could have improved, had been reduced after buying the books.

"We have different ideas of what disgraces a wizard's name, Malfoy," my father responded firmly.

"That's evident," Lucius retorted, casting a sideways glance at Hermione's parents, who were watching uncomfortably. "By the company you keep, Weasley. I thought you couldn't sink any lower."

That comment enraged even me. Although I didn't care what someone like Lucius said, he was still talking about my in-laws. What I never expected was for my father, in a fit of rage, to grab Ginny's cauldron and throw it at Malfoy. His aim wasn't the best, as the cauldron ended up hitting a nearby bookshelf, knocking down several books that fell over Lucius.

And that's when the chaos started. My father and Lucius got into a ridiculous fight. Although wizards aren't known for their physical fighting skills, they were acting like they were in a tavern: pulling each other's hair, shoving, and using the books from the floor as improvised weapons. Fred and George were cheering from behind while my mother screamed desperately, asking them to stop.

Xenophilius tried to intervene to separate the fighters but accidentally got involved in the brawl after taking a few hits by mistake. The crowd, affected by the commotion, also joined in the chaos. Even Percy, who had been quietly browsing books, got caught up in the fight. He didn't want anyone to see the title of the book he was holding: Prefects Who Gained Power, which he had bought in a second-hand shop, but ended up involved when the crowd dragged him in.

The situation was getting out of control, and unlike what I knew, Hagrid wasn't there to stop the fight, as he was at my place, enjoying a hearty feast. It was necessary to intervene. I pulled out my wand, and after a second of thought, I cast a Sonorus charm on myself. I took a deep breath and let out a shrill scream, loud enough to leave everyone half-deaf and force them to cover their ears.

The fight stopped immediately. Everyone looked at me, bewildered, but I was smart enough to use my [Thief's Essence] skill, disappearing from sight while they were still dazed.

My father and Lucius ceased their fight, both surprised they had gone so far. It wasn't convenient for either of them to let the altercation become more public. Lucius picked up Ginny's cauldron and the books scattered on the floor, putting them back inside.

"Here, girl, your father works his life away for these books," said Lucius, handing the cauldron to Ginny before walking away.

Taking advantage of the distraction, I subtly approached my sister and stored the cauldron inside my [inventory]. The book signing had been temporarily halted as they organized the place again. During that time, my mother scolded my father for what he had done. Most of us decided to leave to avoid more trouble, but my mother stayed to continue with the signing, as her turn was near before all the chaos broke out. Ginny, much to her dismay, also had to stay with her.

I left the shop to calm my in-laws. I gave them some context about the situation, explaining the family conflicts in the wizarding world and the tensions that existed at the time. Hermione, although she would've liked to stay for the book signing, also joined me to speak with her parents.

In the end, to close the day on a positive note, I handed out the coupons I had promised, including one for Xenophilius and another for my father. The latter asked where I got them from, and Fred and George, upon hearing who one of the owners of the business was, told him I had befriended Tonks during her time at Hogwarts, before she graduated.

...

Back home, with everyone calmer, I decided to check my inventory. I pulled out Ginny's cauldron and started sorting the books she would use from the ones I was looking for, but...

"'51 Ways to Prevent Baldness'? What the hell...? Where's the diary?!" I exclaimed, dismayed. It was nowhere to be found, even after checking the pile of books in the living room. "I have to go back to the bookstore... The fight might have... If no one took it, maybe it's still there... Damn it!"

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2nd Additional Chapter

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