"You were going to Gringotts, right?" Hermione asked him, just changing the topic slightly, knowing she would definitely be teased for her earlier comments.
"Yes, every year I need to renew my card...a safety measure, that I am the one withdrawing," Lucifer gave a polite reply, as they began trekking back, "So, did Weasley's seem..."
He paused a moment to look over at them, who only showed neutral faces towards him, "...like, excited to see me or something?"
"No, I don't think Ronald has told them... yet," Hermione gave him a weird look, it just meant....not becoming too hopeful.
"I see...." Lucifer gave it a long while over the holidays with two prominent figures, and just decided to let his Merlin go wild. It's going to save him, the curious, and weird looks from other students... because of his different level of magic.
Besides, if Dumbledore had made this shit up, people were most likely going to believe it. No more answering random questions, of why Lucifer's magical ability was so superior to other children.
"Wait, you aren't going to buy Lockhart's defense books, right?!"
"Uh...no, you told me they are ju-"
"That's good....That's really good!" Hermione nodded her face excitedly, as they got back to the group, "Sorry about that, I haven't seen Lucifer in pers---"
"It's okay, dear...." Jane replied softly, then, stared at the boy, whose tiny waist was enclosed in a side hug by her daughter's right arm, but that wasn't what caught her notice, she frowned all the same.
Her thumb, and forefinger were touching certain boy' parts going all the way below, resting atop where his zipper, and his 'thing' should be.
"How are you doing, Lucifer?" She asked, her eyes sparkling, while drifting one palm casually to move Hermione's away in a subtle way, so the boy wouldn't notice.
She flinched when her daughter didn't budge from the spot, and gripped even tighter. Hermione gave her mother a confused look, totally not having the slightest clue what was wrong?
Jane glared at her, indicating with her eyes to stop making Lucifer uncomfortable. She obviously caught the way his face was awkwardly stiff, and shook the head at her.
Hermione's frown got into a deeper pouty expression, she couldn't understand the knowing gestures between the two, has her mother gone bonkers under the warm loo, couldn't she even hug her best friend after not seeing for a long while, "What's wrong? Lucifer doesn't mind, he likes it very much in fact, look it's even twitching!"
"Ahn..." His face reddened a bit on the side of cheeks, while giving this clueless girl a narrowed signal to keep herself in line, and to behave. 'Stop, you are going to ruin the mood.'
'You shut up! I will handle this.' She looked like she had been wronged, and was being lectured for no reason in the public, Hermione's eyes became somewhat blurry, as her palm's touch softened over his knob, "Aren't we b-best friends? Why can't I touch him? This is ridiculous, I don't want to talk to either of you!"
"Hermione."
"This doesn't concern you, it's between us." She stood her ground in a defiant posture, and refused to listen, scowling at Jane with lips presses to a thin line, why was her mother so annoying today?
"No, no, pumpkin it's 'okay. I wasn't angry with you, I just thought Lucifer was a bit shy, so...."
Jane trembled in a panic, a trace of fear gripping her chest, not wanting her daughter to be overwhelmed and concede another seizure. 'It's a minor issue, yes that's it! She has taken our talk in the wrong way, and decided alright doing this to the boy she obviously likes.'
"Well he's not, and I become happy seeing it react to me, it shows how close we are. But, you don't have to kiss 'Mum's knuckles'...." A voice reached his ears, making a chill go down Lucifer's spine. She was holding his entire length over the fabric of trousers in a dangerous position.
Her warning was pretty clear.
"...I'm 'well aware', thank you," he just said politely, not even having to look at Hermione's face, but somehow Lucifer knew she would be more upset if he held her mother.
Beaming she gave Lucifer's cock an appreciative stroke in goodwill, her mother meanwhile could only watch helplessly... in this 'problematic' hassle of a situation.
However, the moment he found Wendell Granger coming in their direction, he pushed her fingers away, she made a sad noise without coherent words, but Lucifer didn't pay it any heed.
"Fhmm..." Hermione's nostrils flared releasing a puff of air through it, and clutched her small hands on sides of her waist in a pink fist.
Mr. Granger gave him an appreciative nod for following through with what he asked of him.
"Hey, we are here too!"
"Yeah, don't forget us!"
"...It's good to see you as well, Mrs. Weasley, and the others." Lucifer somehow managed to even smile nicely while talking.
"..." Molly who was greeted by a strange boy, she hadn't quite become acquainted with him, but greeted all the same, "Wonderful to see you as well, dear," but it's obvious, how confused her face looked, eyes glaring at Ron, "I don't believe we've been introduced, but I am Molly Weasely, and this is Arthur Weasley, my husband..."
"Lucifer Morningstar, Hermione's best friend...." Ron muttered in a low voice, when felt holes were being drilled into his brain.
It also made, Arthur stick his hand out to Lucifer, "Nice to meet you, Ron didn't tell us...."
"Arthur!"
"...Sorry, I'll remember to give him a talk at the Burrow," Directly being warned by his wife, Arthur not had much choice left, but to correct his speech. Ron, now had a look of horror on his face.
And, Jane also noticed Hermione had turned quite odd, from the exact moment Ron decided to introduce Lucifer to his family.
She gave her loving pat on the head, which meant to convey--- behave herself properly, that only caused her to fill those cheeks with more air than required, huffing loudly.
"Well..." Molly said after realising they were wasting, too much time around here, "Shall we go to Gringotts?"
All of them made their way into the bank, which was crowded with people, mainly 'Witches.'
Lucifer found it quite odd, but didn't bring it up to anyone. They all managed to squeeze into a cart that took them to Weasley's Vault.
The moment it opened, he closed his pouty lips, trying his utter best to stay quiet. The amount of coins in the vault was... 'miniscule', to say the least.
Looking over and, saw that even Harry got the same look. When they boarded the Cart again, "Next stop, Granger Vault," the Goblin said.
Lucifer remembered, that Professor McGonagall' told about using separate vaults during second year, and this could be it. They sped again lower into the binoy ride, just barely went very far before they stopped at Hermione's.
He was honestly not expecting a lot as her family probably kept most in the British Currency, Pound Notes.
The door opened and as expected, there wasn't a lot of money, but her mother was a Dentist with her own luxury storey practice, they were well off in muggle's regard.
At a glance, Lucifer guessed there were about 'fifty' Galleons worth in Knuts, Sickles, and.... Lockhart's books were Ten galleons, each brand new.
From what he could think of, she had already purchased one or two books, then gave him a stern warning, so as not to buy.... But he did briefly think of offering to buy everyone their books for them.
It's just, could be seen as pity instead of assistance, so Lucifer said nothing.
"Next stop, Potter Vault," Everyone heard and went rather far down this time.
Eventually stopped at Harry's and when Lucifer saw inside, he was rather surprised, yet not entirely, that he had been left with quite a bit of money.
The Potter family's famous hair care product was 'Sleekeazy's Hair Potion', a magical hair-taming concoction invented by Harry's grandfather, Fleamont Potter. Its a long running ancient bloodline, and the family's vast wealth also famously originated from this highly successful business.
'Despite inventing a premier hair straightening potion to manage his own unruly hair.... but Potter family trait of messy, bird's-nest hair still passed down strongly to his son, James, and his grandson, Harry Potter, eh? Isn't that an irony..'
Harry in question hurriedly tried to get them out before anyone could take a peek inside, but that was kind of hard to do, everyone saw inside of.
After they piled back on, Lucifer wasn't prepared for the next words to be said, "Next stop, 'Ambrosius Vault."
He went wide-eyed and tried to open his mouth in protest, "Dumbledore's orders...." Goblin replied before him, and then stared at Lucifer's pocket, wand hiding inside.
"....." Lucifer who had declined to share his blood during first Year, and chose to create a vault-verify using his wand instead. 'Isn't this prank gone long enough?...'
Even the Weasley's, save Ron, were also confused, he assumed they all knew Merlin's last name was Ambrosius.
"Why are we going there?" He heard Ginny ask Molly.
"I don't know. Ron, do you know why we are going there?"
But, Ron didn't like the fact he was put on the spot, his luck already turned shit, from moment Lucifer came here.
"U-Uh..." He didn't even get to say anything more as the Cart came to a stop at a Vault at very bottom of the Chasm below Gringotts.
Lucifer easily stepped off, but heard many gasps behind him.
They already connected it together and figured it out, "Everyone stay here, please?" He asked them as the first door was opened, feeling quite old but powerful enchantments on...
As Lucifer and Goblin walked forth, going through all the protection...
Even though he asked them to stay back, they could see into Lucifer's Vault as all doors remained open.
When final gate was gone and he took a small glance inside, Lucifer could hear the sounds of.... a body falling down behind him? He turned and saw that Molly was nowhere to be found.
She was obviously the one who fainted, "Is she okay?" Lucifer hollered back at them, but Harry did give him a little thumbs up.
But Lucifer noted to himself, for never coming here again with anyone.... Then moved forward to place his card inside, the empty area on the wall in front, he figured to probably connect both of them.
After some kind of weird red glow, he took it out, and placed it back inside, as he walked back out.
"Change it to Morningstar Vault..."
That Goblin didn't give him a reply, which for some reason, made Lucifer feel a little annoyed, "Change it to Morningstar Vault....."
"..." Goblin, 'You speak our tongue!" he grunted out loud, those piercing eyes staring at Lucifer's face, with a very high intensity.
"So, now you're talking..."
xxxxx
Every door he got past with the Goblin closed behind him, and when Lucifer made it back to the Cart, he was being stared at by everyone, "Um... shall we go back to the surface level?"
Once arriving back up top, Molly had recovered from her fainted state.
They all stepped outside and hung around marble steps for a moment, before they all separated.
Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill. Fred and George had spotted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan, whom Lucifer had grown to appreciate due to his commentary during Quidditch.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a second-hand robe shop while Arthur was insisting on taking Hermione's family off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink or two.
Jane turned to her daughter and winked at her before they walked away with Weasley Patriarch.
"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour... to... to buy your school books," Mrs. Weasley said in a way that would imply aloofness. What it really was, she was looking at Lucifer, still in deep shock about his massive amount of wealth.... 'Merlin!'
....He who could all too well feel her burning stare at him, if not for Lucifer's personality he would have revealed something learnt in his previous year. 'Little does she know that Wizarding world in England is on brink of a generational collapse both due to Voldemort's dark age, and fertility issues of not birthing a second child....'
The Weasely's were the rare exception, six boys and a girl, standing tall as a beacon of abundance. Every pure-blood family envies them with bloodshot eyes.
'How many wizards probably regretted not marrying Molly Prewett when they had the chance? If they had, perhaps their family name...would be the one thriving today....'
For a second, he wondered if he should tell Ron that his family was envies by----
xxxxxx
But soon her motherly nature returned when it came to yelling at the twins, "Not one step down Knockturn Alley!"
'Harry with Ron,'
'Lucifer and Hermione', were in two pairs as they strolled off along the winding, cobbled street.
They went to Florean Fortescue's, where Lucifer offered to buy them all ice-cream, but Harry was insistent on buying it for them.
He relented, and just about to find an empty spot, when Hermione pulled on his arm forcibly towards one, "Come on, we can both eat there!" she yelled, eyeing the table for only two.
"××××" Harry, who paid the bill, four large strawberry and peanut-butter ice creams, which Ron slurped quite happily...just his portion, of course.
But after the ice-cream was all gone, he directly launched several complaints to Harry, "Why didn't Lucifer tell us he was bloody rich?!"
Harry raised his eyebrows in question, and said, "...Well, you are not friends, right?" he said, taking a bite out of a small peanut-butter chunk in his ice-cream.
"But, it still would've been nice to know," Ron said, his tone hinting towards betrayal.
"So, you're just saying I should've known about your family's wealth status? Like, they were just scraping the bottom of the barrel?!" Harry outright demanded from Ron, knowing he was also in quite a similar position to Lucifer.
Said ginger's ears had turned red, while his face became paled, "N-No, of course not..."
"Ron, I was friends with you before I knew, and I'm still going to be friends with you, even after this," Harry said in a much calmer tone, while giving this child some future life-guidance.
Ron nodded, while not understanding a single thing, they were obviously bloody rich.....so he just ate his leftovers before taking a stroll around Diagon Alley.
Meanwhile...
"They're very strange," Hermione said, not long after they'd become accustomed to eating Harry's ice-creams, "They definitely seem realistic, but his talks about himself always seem so enlarged! The people he speaks... to are so lifelike, but then talks about himself and says that his magnificent smile can power up those spells!"
"Also noticed, how he doesn't describe what the spell is?" Lucifer just recited one of Hermione's previous complaints, he only had to read a share of pages from here and there in between, grasping the context from it, but already left a headache.
"Talked about using it many times before, but skips what the incantation or spell actually is...Yeah, I just hope, Lockhart isn't our Defense teacher!" Hermione said, crossing her two little fingers under the table, while using the other to slurp.
"I don't have much hope...."
"....." Hermione was now also having a bad feeling, her woman's intuition was going wild, "To be honest, if he even did teach us one spell at Hogwarts, he'll be a step ahead of Quirrell."
"If Lockhart doesn't try to kill you, he'll be many steps ahead of Quirrell," Lucifer retorted, while knowing how this Professor had let the Troll escape.
"Sorry..." Hermione instantly became weak, it just made her remember, about Manticore inside that Chamber.
But Lucifer shook his head at her, "Not your fault, we were just talki---" his mind also moved back to the pathetic...
"I should have been there!" Hermione opened her mouth suddenly, snapping Lucifer out of his deprecating thoughts, "You needed me, I should have been fighting that Manticore with you! We're both meant to be....I shouldn't have gone with Harry!"
"...Gra-Hermione," Lucifer said, while moving over the table, patting her head down, "What could you have done? That creature was much stronger than any of you....."
"No, but I could have been there after that.... instead of going to find Dumbledore," Hermione said, her eyes were now swimming with tears
It even hurt Lucifer to see her like this, previously thought she'd been doing okay with it.
Hermione who couldn't hold back anymore, stood up from her seat, then moved towards Lucifer, and sat down on his lap instead, wrapping both her arms, reaching his back, as she began to wet into Lucifer's chest, even grinding her butt a little.
"???"
"....It's okay, it's okay," he blanked out and then repeated quietly, while running a hand in Hermione's hair, soothing her trembling back.
Lucifer ignored the other two boy's weird looks, and stayed like that for a while, even after she had finished crying until she eventually pulled away, rubbing her teary eyes, but didn't seem to move from those comfy thighs.
"Sorry," she whimpered, her nose quite red.
"No apologies," Lucifer denied, trying to be gentle, "I didn't realise it was bothering you so much even now...."
"It comes in bursts. For the most part I'm okay, but I've read about that Manticore over the holidays....It's horrible....I've seen pictures and stories about what happens to people bitten by it...you could have been one of t-them..."
"...I heard your voice.... begging me for not to kill...." Lucifer also started, before he could stop himself, "It was scared of my power.....even tried to use...for a second, I thought about just leavi-" he looked up into Hermione's face to see her horrified.
"D-Daddy...!" Lucifer was quite prepared for another bear hug, this time just like he thought, Hermione directly pounced on him, in a vice-like grip.
"Sorry," he also murmured into her nest of hair, "I didn't realise how much I needed to talk about it till I started.... Not meant to upset you," but Lucifer felt....Hermione shaking her head against his chest.
"I'm glad you feel like you can tell me....don't want you to feel like, you can't trust me. No matter what happens, we always stick together, okay?'
"Always."
It made Hermione beam at him, even gave a small peck on Lucifer's cheek, finding his answer quite heartfelt.
.....
The shop's most famous and popular treat was, of course, the "Strange Ice Cream" she had mentioned earlier hearing from witches nearby.
Despite its name, it didn't have much to do with 'Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans'. The name came from its main ingredient-fruit from a bizarre tree that grew in Albania.
As for the taste...
"It's way too 'sweet! Even for me'!"
Lucifer had ordered a cup out of curiosity after seeing Hermione do the same, her previous cup was already emptied on the table. But after just one bite of this unknown flavour, he grimaced and pushed the cloyingly 'sweet ice cream away!'
"Really? I think it's 'delicious."
Across the table, she was taking bite after blissful bite, her expression like she'd stepped into some kind of magical wonderland.
Lucifer didn't get it. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling like if he didn't, he might just pull out his wand and blast this offensively saccharine ice cream parlour into oblivion.
Still trying to wash the overwhelming sweetness from his mouth, he rested his chin on his hand and glanced suspiciously around at the other customers...
"So that's why _none of the male wizards' are eating it."
It looked like these unfortunate souls had all been dragged here by their dates. They must've been here before, otherwise, they wouldn't be watching Lucifer with such gleeful schadenfreude.
"What are you mumbling about? Not going to finish it?"
"...You can have it."
"Don't mind if I do!"
Watching Hermione happily accept the rest, acting all spoiled the moment her family was elsewhere, and indulged herself, uncaring of damaging her precious teeth. Lucifer started to wonder if there was something wrong with his taste buds.
He rubbed the corners of his stiff mouth and turned away, deciding to ignore the biochemical weapon sitting on the table...
"Ahem... so, can we talk about the public groping now?"
"Ugh..."
Hermione looked up at him with a spoon still in her mouth, frowning slightly as she shook her head, "Ate too fast. Brain freeze..."
Even with how adorably dumb she looked right now, he had the sudden urge to steal the spoon from her lips, mess up her hair, and maybe pinch her cheek---if they weren't in public, he might have actually done it...
"If I weren't worried about you flipping the table, I would've already."
"Hm?"
"Nothing, take your time."
"Mhm!"
For some reason, Hermione Granger today seemed even more soft and cuddly than usual.
Lucifer glanced at the cheerful girl, then eyed the now-empty cup suspiciously. 'Was there something weird in that ice cream...?'
xxxxxx
They passed a Quidditch Shop, which Ron stopped and gazed longingly towards a set of robes for the team called the Chudley Cannons.
Interestingly, Harry wasn't really a fan of the Chudley Cannons. He bought a jersey after noticing Ron's eager expression---he planned to give it to him as a Christmas present, knowing Ron was a 'die-hard' supporter of the team.
Lucifer thought it to be a silly name, but said nothing, he also noticed Nimbus 2001, with some interest.
She was walking, holding the boy's lower abdomen tightly in with her right arm's reach, paused in irritation, why was he looking at that piece of wood more than her, "We've already wasted 'enough time' drooling over that broomstick. Don't forget we still have a bunch of things left to buy...."
She put a stop to it by dragging him towards the next door shop to buy more ink and parchment.
Though Hermione was a lot prettier now, her commanding tone hadn't softened one bit. You could tell just by looking at her, who usually bickered with Lucifer but now seemed to be avoiding his gaze and blushing more often than usual.
Harry noticed it too, glancing sideways at her with a puzzled expression. It wasn't like Hermione Granger, he knew at all.
Afterwards they did visit a Joke Shop where they found Lee, Fred, and George stocking up on Joke items.
Lucifer was rather intrigued by some of them, "Fascinating...."
Inside a tiny junk shop full of broken wands, lopsided brass scales, and old cloaks covered in potion stains they found Percy Weasley, deeply buried in a small and somewhat intriguing sounding book called 'Prefects Who Gained Power.'
"A Study of Hogwarts Prefects and their later careers," Ron read aloud off the back of the book, "Sounds disgusting."
"Go away!" Percy snapped.
The four of them did walk away.
"Percy always was ambitious. He's got it all planned out, wants to be Minister for Magic one day," Ron told them when they were a safe distance from his brother.
"Pray for your Wizarding World if 'he' does become the Minister," Lucifer said, while glancing back at Percy before they went to idly browse more shops until the hour passed.
"Ahem... Ron, guys what else do we need? Something by... uh, someone named Lockhart? But why do we have to buy so many of his books?"
"...."
As Lucifer turned back to look at him, he saw Ron instinctively picking up the book list-and a moment later, his eyes widened in shock.
At the bottom of the list was a string of books, all written by the same author. Ron's expression darkened. With his sister starting school this year too, the cost was going to be an even bigger burden than last year...
Fortunately, the book list didn't include the prices-otherwise, Ron probably wouldn't even be in the mood to enjoy himself.
Knowing Ron's family situation and his pride, Harry had no idea how to comfort his best friend. All he could do was change the subject and try to distract him.
Hermione and Lucifer didn't share the price of books either, the former even took a moment sharing her own thoughts, "Yeah, Harry. And these books don't even are 'proper textbooks'. They read more like novels.... what a scandal, DADA position really is cursed."
"Now that you mention it, that's true. Hmph, maybe someone's just trying to make money off us?"
"Or maybe one of the professors is a big fan of this Lockhart guy?"
Titles like 'Break with a Banshee, Voyages with Vampires', and Wanderings with Werewolves sounded just like ordinary novels, which made Lucifer seriously suspect that one of the professors was obsessed with this author---'especially' since all the books were written by the same wizard.
It was no wonder they felt that way. Compared to last year's book list, this year's selection really was kind of strange.
xxxxxx
When they proceeded to Flourish and Blotts. Lucifer found out the reason why Molly wanted to wait so long to come here to Flourish and Blotts.
Gilderoy Lockhart was doing a book-signing for his latest book, 'Magical Me', judging by the sign outside.
GILDEROY LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
"Ugh, look at those girls, swooning themselves over a fraud!" Hermione looked at them with disgust. She was really starting to regret not coming sooner and buying the other ones before now.
"Wonder how different her tune will be, if Lucifer wasn't here," Ron muttered so that Hermione couldn't hear him.
Eventually, after the wizard out the front of store got almost trampled twice, the crowd thinned and Ron, Hermione, Harry and Lucifer managed to slip their way inside.
"Here you go," Lucifer passed out a copy of 'The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2' to both Harry and Ron, just because he didn't want to be petty.
"Are you not getting one?" Harry, asked looking at Lucifer who raised his eyebrows.
"Potter, I've already got it remember? Me and Hermione spent most of last year reading it...."
"Oh...."
"What about you, Hermione?' he asked, turning to reach over again.
"Don't need one, I can just share it with you. If you're okay, with that of course."
"Doesn't bother me," Lucifer shrugged lightly in response, "Just means we'll need to do... our revision sessions together."
"You are saying that as if we didn't anyway! And, remember, I won't go easy just because you are 'my favourite' student."
"True....."
"I can also share my Lockhart books. There is no need to purchase all 7! Besides, did you really complete the Grade 3?"
"Yeah, I've read it cover to cover a dozen times already, and just halfway through Grade 4."
"Seriously? I mean you are a natural with magic, so it makes sense!" Hermione said, her cheeks reddening ever so slightly.
They sneaked up the line where the Weasley's were standing with Hermione's family, "Oh, there you are, good," Molly said, sounding breathless as she kept patting her hair, "We'll be able to see him in a minute."
Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view as the line progressed more and more. He was seated at a table, surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd.
The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not Blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed Wizard's Hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.
"He's even more narcissistic than Koenji, isn't he?" Lucifer asked quietly but Hermione didn't know, what he was talking about.
"Lockhart, over here!!"
"Woohoo!"
The scene was so frenzied that Lucifer felt like he was watching a Quidditch match between Gryffindor' and Slytherin, except players were all these enemies witches screaming.
What shocked him even more was that normally gentle Mrs. Weasley from the alley, was screaming at Lockhart like a 'giddy schoolgirl!'
Lucifer discreetly glanced over at her man, Arthur Weasley, whose face had gone completely dark...
"Ron... um..."
"Don't say it, Harry. My mum's a huge fan of that guy. Her bookshelf's packed with all his books---and those things aren't cheap."
Seeing the hesitation on Harry's face, Ron instantly knew what he was about to ask. While answering, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at the money spent on those ridiculous books....
At the same time, Lucifer was also quietly relieved that Hermione hadn't gone mad over Lockhart like Ron's mother had. As he saw it, she was probably the first to point out how trash man's books were, not bewitched by that over-smiling peacock on stage....
A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with blinding flash. Lucifer suddenly felt something smash on his foot, "Out of the way, there!"
The short man snarled at Lucifer, moving back to get a better shot, "This is for the Daily Prophet-"
"You step on my foot again," Lucifer threateningly went towards the short man, "I will jam that camera down your short throat, and take pictures of those insides, do I make myself clear?" His voice was quite chilling to the bone.
The air suddenly became thick, making it smothering to everyone in there, including Hermione's family. Both of whom were just wondering where this came from all of a sudden.
Lockhart had looked over at them and saw the boy threatening his photographer, then he saw Harry.
He stared at him for a moment, then leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"
The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart practically dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front.
The crowd, save a few people, burst into applause. Harry's face burned with embarrassment as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer, who had promptly avoided making Lucifer angry from then on.
From the look on Harry's face, he would've rather been anywhere, but there. It made Lucifer think again, his secret identity of 'Merlin's descendant....' if this was publicly known... Even though, it would save him the trouble of being a mutant...
It could always have the opposite effect and no one would believe Dumbledore, thus he'd be publicly ridiculed by the Wizarding media.
Either way, he now wanted it kept secret. Lucifer really couldn't imagine, how dumb this earth's people could be?
As for Lockhart, there was one immediately gleaming issue, he realised; he loved the 'spotlight.'
Just like Gabriel....Only, he suddenly spoke up, "Ladies and gentlemen," waving for people to be quiet.
Lucifer didn't see many Wizards in the crowd, at least none there to see him, just get their books, "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"
"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography - which I shall be happy to present to him now, free of charge---" the crowd applauded again.
Harry didn't want to buy his autobiography, only the listed schoolbooks, which Magical Me was not on, "He had no idea,"
Lockhart gave Harry a little shake, which made his glasses slip to the end of his nose,"that he would be shortly getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real Magical Me.... 'Yes, ladies and gentlemen', I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The whole crowd cheered and clapped.
"Fuck..." Even Hermione was in agreement, not even scolding Lucifer for minding his language or else.
"Do you think Lockhart'd get sick of hearing himself after a while..." She was also quite busy, making some rude comments.
But Harry managed to somehow make his way out of the limelight and over towards Lucifer, Hermione and Ginny, who was now showing off her new Cauldron to them.
"Here, you have these," Harry said, tipping his books into her Cauldron, "I'll buy my own-"
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" Quoted by an annoying fly.
Lucifer turned and saw Draco Malfoy, wearing his usual sneer.
"Famous Harry Potter," Malfoy said in a voice that sounded like a fly was stuck up his nose, "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" Ginny said before anyone could open.
Hermione noticed that it was the first time, she had seen her speak in front of Harry. She, like Ginny herself, was glaring at Malfoy.
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" Malfoy drawled, resulted in Ginny to go scarlet in the face.
"???" Lucifer, "Do you have a crush on
Ginny just after meeting her?" he couldn't hide shocking look.
Draco Malfoy's face got slightly flushed, and immediately retorted back, "Don't be stupid, Morningstar!" in a friendly voice surprising all the children away, except one bushy-haired girl, who groaned.
Before Hermione could respond, Ron had already made his way over, "Oh, it's you," he said, looking at Malfoy as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe, which he basically was, "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," Malfoy didn't like being interrupted by a scum like Ron, "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all of those."
Lucifer had to admit, that was a good comeback, but still a low-blow all the same.
"I saw Harry gave a pouch to Mum before entering the shop....we are not going to go hungry, Malfoy!" Ron said without thinking, even looked quite proud of himself for shutting the Snake's mouth.
"....." Harry slapped his forehead,
even his sister, Ginny's nose got twitched with anger on her face.
"Puff, haaha..." Malfoy burst out loud, he really couldn't help but get amazed by Ron's stupidity.
And, Hermione put an arm in front of a very angry-looking Ginny, wrinkles on her forehead, "I know, Ronald has a punchable face, but he's not worth hitting, Ginn---fufufu"
Before stopping a new girl, she had to cover her mouth first, a lot of giggles waiting to be escaped.
"....." Ron looked very confused, did not understand, why everyone was laughing at him, it was obviously his victory over Malfoy!
1 Extra Chapter - 150 Power Stone's!
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Author's Note
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