Chapter 3

After much deliberation, Kain ultimately decided to deceive his father just this once, keeping the information about the three-headed dog, Fluffy, to himself.

Who could blame him for his love of magical creatures? However, unlike Newt, he didn't possess such extraordinary talents. Magical creatures like the three-headed dog were exceedingly rare, even in Greece. Missing this opportunity could mean never seeing one again.

Weighing his options, he chose to kept quiet.

However, as compensation and to ease his conscience, Kain immediately broke free from the twins' grasp and approached Chris, offering him an apologetic look.

Chris was completely puzzled by the gesture.

The twins were equally baffled. They had just been preparing to resume their previously aborted prank by sprinkling Bouncing Powder on Kain's head, when, at the last moment, Kain ducked and darted away—just as they had released the powder!

A second earlier or later would have been fine, but why just then?

The twins were left stunned, only able to watch as the Bouncing Powder they had released traced a beautiful arc in the air before landing squarely on their own heads.

"Ssss…ahhh…sss…"

"Scrub…scrub…scrub…"

The sound of frantic inhaling and hair being vigorously scrubbed came from behind, drawing everyone's attention. Instinctively, they all turned towards the source of the noise.

Turning around, they saw Fred and George scratching their heads like two adult baboons gone wild.

Their already unruly hair became even more disheveled under their frenzied scratching, looking worse than a bird's nest. Honestly, the Sorting Hat was more sightly than their current state.

"Oh, Fred, George, what are you two up to now!"

As more and more odd glances came their way, Mrs. Weasley, her face red with embarrassment, marched over to the twins. Grabbing each by an ear, she dragged them into a nearby alley.

At least there were fewer people there, and she could save some face.

Unlike now, on the main road of Diagon Alley, where her sons were publicly imitating baboons.

By Merlin's beard! If she let them continue, the Weasley family's centuries-old reputation would be completely ruined.

Mrs. Weasley acted decisively, which was tough on the twins. Their breathing grew louder, and Kain thought he saw tears on their faces.

If true… he could only say it was typical of twins, even their tears were synchronized.

Elsewhere, watching Mrs. Weasley escort the twins away, Mr. Weasley also seemed relieved. He managed to suppress his embarrassment and hurried everyone along to shop without waiting for them.

At the back of the group, Kain, hiding beside Ron, struggled to contain his laughter.

But the next moment, when he looked up and met Diana's gaze, he faltered, managing only a forced, awkward yet polite smile.

His mother was excellent in many ways, but her sixth sense was unnervingly sharp; he had never been able to keep anything from her.

It was lucky for him that he had time-traveled and was born six months later; otherwise, Kain was certain she would have discovered his identity long ago.

"Really…" Kain scratched his head, thinking, "With such a mother, there's simply no privacy."

Diana said nothing more but gave Kain a warning look before turning away.

The incident wasn't that serious; Molly was just overly concerned. The twins were notorious pranksters at Hogwarts, and their antics were well-known throughout the magical world—even Diana had heard of them.

The oddities she had heard about included exploding toilet seats, bagging Mrs. Norris during nocturnal escapades, and dropping dungbombs under the Slytherin first-years' seats, falsely claiming they had pulled down their trousers in class. Undoubtedly, there were many more she didn't know.

Compared to these tales, mimicking baboons in the street was trivial.

Most who saw it merely laughed; it wouldn't escalate to tarnishing the Weasley family name. (Except perhaps for a certain unnamed individual from a pure-blood family with platinum blonde hair.)

Mrs. Weasley's reaction was simply due to her not being used to such behavior yet.

Whether it was Bill, Charlie, or Percy, all were exceptionally well-behaved children, and Mrs. Weasley subconsciously applied this image to the twins. Even though their behavior often differed greatly from their older brothers, such an image wasn't easy to shake.

After all, Bill and Charlie weren't exactly angels at home or when they first started school, but they were still among the best students at Hogwarts.

Just imagine a solemn Percy mimicking a baboon in the street, and you might understand Mrs. Weasley's feelings.

However, this situation was only temporary. In another year or two, as more news came from Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley would gradually get used to it.

At least the next time something like this happened, she would be much more composed.

…

Not long after this minor episode, the group split up.

Since Ron and Ginny were not yet of age to attend school, the Weasley family only needed to buy textbooks for the twins and Percy this trip to Diagon Alley.

But Kain was a new student and had many things to purchase, starting with the most important—a wand.

He didn't need directions; familiar with Diagon Alley, Kain quickly found his destination.

The small, run-down shop.

Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

Standing at the entrance, Kain was always speechless.

The place was just too rundown; the dust on the windows could be scraped off to build a statue at the door. Did wizards really enjoy such a sense of antiquity?

Gringotts and the broomstick shops looked clean and attractive.

Or was this the confidence of a monopoly, where no matter what it looked like, you had to come?

But Gringotts was a monopoly too…

Kain had been pondering this for a long time, even asking Chris and Mr. Weasley, but still had no answers. Standing here now, Kain could only shrug, attributing it to the unrestrained nature of craftsmen.

As for asking in person, that was out of the question—it would offend people. After all, the owner was the most renowned wandmaker in the British magical community, and maintaining a good relationship was crucial.

But next year, when Ron started school, perhaps he could coordinate with the twins—no, persuade them to help their youngest brother inquire.

Don't say he was exploiting his friends.

He was exploiting Ron Weasley, unrelated to his dearly friends, the twins' younger brother Ronald Weasley.

(End of Chapter)