Chapter 628: They're Really Rich
Chapter 628: They're Really Rich
"Oh, the esteemed Professor Diggory."
On the weekend a few days later, while on their way to Hogsmeade Village, Fred squinted and teased Cedric, "Allow me to greet you and offer my humble respects."
George, suppressing a laugh, looked at him seriously, "If possible, Professor, could you exempt us from our homework?"
Cedric rubbed his forehead in annoyance.
Although he had anticipated their sarcasm, when he saw their mischievous smiles in the entrance hall that morning, Cedric couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Fearing that others might overhear and report to Umbridge, they had been more restrained within the castle. However, coincidentally, it was Hogsmeade Weekend.
Once they were out of school, the two naturally became bolder and mocked Cedric all the way, as if performing a play.
"Shut up, both of you!" Autumn said exasperatedly, "You don't have to participate."
"No, of course we'll participate!" George replied.
"Yeah," Fred nodded, "We'll study Defense Against the Dark Arts on our own... I think your idea is great, I'm sick of that hag Umbridge!"
"No, it was Hermione's idea," Cedric corrected, "And I'm not even sure if anyone will agree to join."
"You can rest assured about that," Fred said, "We asked around last night, and in Gryffindor alone, there are seventeen people who want to participate..."
"That many?" Cedric paused, stopping in his tracks.
"Is that a lot?" Fred shook his head, "Obviously, everyone is as dissatisfied with Umbridge as we are, and they wouldn't miss this opportunity to learn real skills."
"And this is just the first batch," George added, "We mainly think that the first gathering with too many people would be too conspicuous, and there will definitely be more people joining later."
"Oh," Cedric rubbed his forehead.
He had thought that ten people from Hufflepuff would be enough, but Gryffindor seemed even more enthusiastic.
If you add Ravenclaw to that...
He turned to Autumn, "Ravenclaw won't have that many people, will they?"
"Didn't I just say that?" Autumn blinked, "Well, I forgot, but our students aren't as enthusiastic as Gryffindor. Only a few are interested in self-studying Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Hearing this, Cedric secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With this number, there shouldn't be more than thirty people, which was still within an acceptable range.
If there were more people, he wasn't sure if he could handle it.
Soon, the group made their way through the small path and arrived at the entrance to Hogsmeade Village.
Hermione was already waiting for them there.
"How about we go there now?" She ran over and said, "According to our previous plan, let's go to the Pig's Head Pub."
"Hey, no need to rush," Fred said, "The gathering isn't until ten, right? We still have an hour."
"I know," Hermione said, "But I think we should prepare in advance and see who's there. If there are professors, we'll need to change locations immediately."
"Professors won't go to such places," George whispered, "They'll only go to the cleaner and livelier Three Broomsticks."
"Hermione's right," Cedric walked over, "It's better to be cautious. I'll go with you."
"I'll go too," Autumn said, "I've never been to the Pig's Head Pub before, so this is a good opportunity to check it out."
"If you ask me, there's nothing worth seeing there," Fred said, "We took a wrong turn once and ended up there by accident."
"The environment is terrible, and it can't compare to the Three Broomsticks. The only advantage is that there are fewer people."
"Perhaps it's precisely because the environment is poor that few people are willing to go."
...
Hermione doubted their so-called "accident," but she didn't say anything.
"It's fine," Cedric said, "I don't have much to do right now anyway. Are you going to Zonko's first?"
"We have to," George said, "We need to prepare a lot of things for the joke shop, especially since the products must be attractive enough."
"Alright then," Cedric nodded, "See you later."
After saying this, he left the main road with Autumn and Hermione, heading towards another secluded path.
Fred waved goodbye and ran off with George to find inspiration at Zonko's Joke Shop nearby.
Kyle, too, did not go to the Hog's Head Pub. Instead, he accompanied Conna to the Fashionable Wizard Robe Shop.
A few days ago, he had realized that his thick robe was a bit small, and he needed a new one before winter arrived.
The Fashionable Wizard Robe Shop was located on the main road, next to the Shrieking Shack.
When the two entered the store, there were already students inside.
Two Slytherin girls, both of whom Kyle knew.
Daphne Greengrass and her sister, Astoria.
As they entered, Astoria was examining some uniquely shaped brooches, while Daphne was gazing at a magnificent gown robe on the rack with sparkling eyes.
"This is a new design," said the thirty-something witch, the shop owner, as she introduced the gown robe.
"See those golden patterns? They're made of real gold thread, and the silver is from unicorn mane hair. The gemstones are from fire crabs, all rare and exquisite."
"How much is it?" Daphne couldn't help but ask.
"Just three hundred Galleons, dear," the shop owner said with a smile. "This is my most satisfying creation yet."
Kyle subconsciously glanced at the gown robe and felt like laughing, but he managed to hold it in.
Daphne furrowed her brows slightly.
Three hundred Galleons was a bit expensive, even for her, but seeing the gorgeous gown robe, she couldn't help but like it very much.
"You should have some spare money, right?" Daphne turned to her sister and asked.
"Huh?" Astoria came back to her senses and took out a delicate purse, saying, "Not much, just one hundred Galleons."
"That's enough. Lend it to me," Daphne took Astoria's purse and said, "I need to try on this gown."
"Of course, no problem," the shop owner nodded with a smile. "Please follow me."
Then they headed to the back of the store together.
"Carrying around one hundred Galleons, isn't that a lot?" Conna said, "They're really wealthy."
Hearing her words, Kyle seemed to remember something and laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Conna asked.
"Nothing, just thinking about the first time we met on the train at the start of school," Kyle said. "You were just like them back then."
"What?" Conna was a bit confused.
"Don't you remember?" Kyle explained. "On the train, you poured a pile of Galleons onto the table, startling Cedric and me."
"Our reaction then was the same as yours now. We thought pure-blood families were so wealthy."
"That was ages ago." Conna glared at Kyle, annoyed that her past was brought up.
"Yes, it was quite some time ago," Kyle said, then changed the subject. "What do you think of that gown robe?"
"It's too flashy," Conna said, a bit dismissively. "It's pretty, but the embellishments make it look odd, and it must be uncomfortable to wear."
"But some people do prefer this style," Conna added. "Last Christmas's ball, many wore these extravagant gown robes."
"Really?" Kyle asked, unable to recall anyone in such attire at the ball.
"Of course," Conna said. "After the ball, Angelita talked about it all night. And for days after, their topic was those beautiful gown robes."
"I see."
Although Kyle and Conna spoke quietly, they caught the attention of Astoria nearby.
After all, there were only three people in the store, and it was hard not to notice them, though the distance made it difficult to hear their conversation.
And perhaps to avoid being mistaken for intentionally eavesdropping, she moved to an even more distant spot.
A gesture noticed by both Kyle and Conna.
"She doesn't seem like a Slytherin at all," Conna said.
"No," Kyle said. "She's just not like the current Slytherins."
...
(End of Chapter)
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