Chapter 50: Formal Robe
Christmas Day arrived with warmth and joy for the Gray family. They enjoyed a lavish feast, watched a musical performance, and took countless photos using a vintage camera—Ferdinand’s Christmas gift to Wade. Fiona’s gift was a bottle of developing solution.
“This camera was bought in Diagon Alley,” Ferdinand said with a smile. “They assured me it works perfectly at Hogwarts. That way, you can capture memories of your school life.”
Fiona’s eyes sparkled. “The ice cream shop owner told me—if you use the correct developing solution, the people in the photos will actually move!” she exclaimed. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s take pictures right now!”
But after snapping the photos, they realized even something as simple as developing them required magic—and Wade couldn’t use magic at home.
Seeing Fiona’s disappointment, Wade suggested, “We could stay overnight at The Leaky Cauldron. There are plenty of adult wizards there. Even if magic is used, the Ministry of Magic can’t pinpoint who did it. No warning letters would come.”
Fiona hesitated, then shook her head. “No, better not. If you get caught, it’ll hurt you so much. Besides, you’re going back to school in just a few days…”
Her voice trailed off, a hint of sadness creeping in. Wade hadn’t even left yet, and she was already missing him.
Ferdinand frowned. “Wade, is the Ministry’s enforcement really that imprecise?”
“In monitoring underage magic use, they can only detect a general area,” Wade explained, recalling how the Ministry had steadily declined in competence over the years. “As for anything else… well, it’s not exactly better.”
“Don’t underestimate the Ministry, Wade,” Ferdinand warned. “No enforcement body is ever truly benign. If you don’t take it seriously, you’ll make dangerous mistakes.”
Wade straightened. “I understand, Dad.”
He was right—this Ministry, which now seemed so laughably inept, had once locked up professors under Dumbledore’s command in Azkaban. It held the power to expel students from Hogwarts without hesitation. That power hadn’t weakened due to bureaucracy, corruption, or incompetence—it had only grown stronger in the hands of those who were both lazy and greedy.
The next morning, the Gray family rose early. Today was Diagon Alley shopping day, and it promised to be a long one.
They started at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, where Ferdinand already had a heavy sack ready.
“Goblins dislike paper money,” he explained to Wade. “With paper, you can only exchange up to twenty Galleons. Coins allow for higher limits, but if you bring gold, there’s no restriction at all. Goblins adore gold.”
“I don’t need that much, Dad,” Wade said. “Hogwarts provides food and lodging. Some students get by with just ten Galleons a year.”
“That’s because they buy secondhand things, can’t afford snacks, and have to ration their ink,” Ferdinand said, ruffling his son’s hair. “Your problem is that you’re too responsible, Wade. Sometimes, you should just let yourself be a little selfish.”
“And you’re studying Alchemy, aren’t you?” Fiona wagged a finger. “Don’t try to fool me. Even if I can’t cast spells, I know that Alchemy is expensive. Hogwarts won’t hand out endless supplies of rare materials for practice.”
Wade smiled faintly. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
He’d always been quiet and reserved. “I love you” was something most children said without thought, but for Wade, it was a rare, heartfelt confession. Hearing it, both parents exchanged a surprised glance, then smiled softly.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Fiona whispered, her voice like warm honey.
From then on, Fiona kept hold of Wade’s hand tightly.
After exchanging currency, Ferdinand stepped away briefly, and Fiona stayed with Wade as they entered Madam Malkin’s Robe Shop.
Hogwarts uniforms were loose-fitting robes, and even though Wade had grown three centimeters, his current ones still fit. Still, knowing he’d likely grow more before the next term, Fiona decided to order two additional sets.
“And one formal robe,” she said to Madam Malkin, discussing lining styles. “Simple design, nothing flashy. Wade doesn’t like bold colors. We need it by this afternoon—otherwise, ready-made will do.”
“Formal robe?” Wade said, standing awkwardly as a human mannequin.
“What a silly question, Wade,” Fiona said gently, as if speaking to a child. “You’re attending Professor Mor’s party tomorrow. Do you really plan to wear your school uniform?”
She sighed. “You should’ve told me earlier. We could’ve had something custom-made.”
Wade wasn’t convinced. The Hogwarts robes weren’t bad. And the formal wear on display at Madam Malkin’s looked nearly identical to his school robes.
He kept quiet. Saying otherwise would only prompt Fiona to launch into a passionate monologue about the vast difference between practical uniform and elegant formal wear—complete with at least a thousand words of explanation.
So he stayed silent, listening as Madam Malkin said, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Gray. I’ll guarantee you’ll have your son’s new robes by three o’clock at the latest. Let’s look at the styles… What color do you prefer? Oh, this one matches his complexion beautifully. Your taste is impeccable…”
“Any accessories?” Madam Malkin asked.
“Nothing too elaborate,” Fiona said. “For a boy, simple and elegant is best.”
“Mom!” Wade finally protested.
Fiona turned to him, gave him a look full of reluctant understanding, and sighed. She set down the glittering necklace, bracelet, and ring she’d been holding—fancy but useless.
“Just cufflinks,” she decided. “Cufflinks are enough. Nothing else.”
Madam Malkin smiled warmly, gathering up the other items without a hint of annoyance, and helped Fiona choose cufflinks for what felt like an eternity.
At last, the robe was settled on. Then, with a sudden, bright idea, Madam Malkin said, “Now, dear, you can’t pair a brand-new formal robe with old shoes, can you? How about checking out our latest Dragonhide Boots?”
Wade stared blankly at the ceiling. He silently cursed his lack of a book to read. Right now, he wished a customer would walk through the door—anything to make Madam Malkin busy and break the endless shopping session.
Just then, the shop bell chimed.
Wade turned sharply—only to see Ferdinand entering, holding a newspaper.
He nodded at his son. “Still not done with the clothes?”
“No,” Wade sighed. “We’re still picking out shoes.”
He fought hard to suppress the urge to complain to his father.
“Size measured?” Ferdinand asked.
“Right after we came in.”
“Good,” Ferdinand said to Fiona. “You take your time. I’ll take Wade to get other things. You can wait for us here when your order’s ready.”
Fiona waved. “Alright. But don’t keep me waiting too long!”
Outside, the father and son strolled through Diagon Alley. Less than half an hour later, they had everything they needed. Wade even made a note of several shop owners’ names and product catalogs—so he could order supplies by Owl once back at school.
Especially potion ingredients—Hogwarts only provided the most basic materials for free. Rare and expensive components were only issued in small quantities during official classes. There was no way they’d let a young wizard like him freely experiment.
When they returned to the robe shop, Fiona had just finished choosing her shoes. She was sitting with a cup of tea, flipping through Wizard Weekly.
The bell rang again.
She turned, beaming.
Wade smiled—but before he could speak, Ferdinand had already stepped forward, bending slightly to ask, “All done? Tired?”
Fiona stretched her arms with a contented sigh. “Yes, shopping is exhausting. What should we have for lunch?”
“There’s a great French restaurant nearby,” Ferdinand said. “How about a Foie Gras steak and roasted cod?”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
