Hogwarts: Voldemort, don't stop me from studying!

“I love you too, baby,” Fiona said gently.

Fiona held Wade's hand tightly the rest of the way.

After switching to Galon, Ferdinand left for a while, and Fiona accompanied Vader to Madam Malkin's robe shop.

Hogwarts uniforms are all loose-fitting robes, which still fit Wade even though he had grown three centimeters taller. But considering that he would definitely continue to grow taller next semester, Fiona decided to order two more uniforms for him.

“We also need a formal gown,” Fiona said to Mrs. Morkin while discussing the lining design. “A simple style is fine, and the color shouldn’t be too flashy, as Wade doesn’t like that. We need it by this afternoon at the latest, but if that’s not possible, a ready-made garment will do.”

“A formal gown?” said Wade, who was standing next to him like a clothing display rack.

“Silly question, Wade,” Fiona said softly, as if speaking to a child. “Are you planning to wear your school uniform to Professor Morrie’s party tomorrow? You should have told me sooner so I could have gotten a proper one custom-made.”

Wade actually didn't think there was anything wrong with the Hogwarts robes, and the dresses displayed in Madam Malkin's Robes Shop were quite similar to his school robes.

Of course, this couldn't be said aloud, otherwise Fiona would use at least a thousand words to prove that the two were worlds apart.

Wade could only obediently shut his mouth as Mrs. Malkin said to his mother, "Don't worry, Mrs. Grey, I guarantee you'll have his new robe by three o'clock this afternoon at the latest. Let's take a look at the style of the dress first... Which color do you like? Ah, this color suits his skin tone very well, you have excellent taste... Any requirements for accessories? For boys, nothing too complicated or too many, just elegant and refined is best..."

“Mom!” Wade couldn’t help but exclaim.

Fiona glanced back at her son, sighed regretfully at his protesting gaze, put down the useless but sparkly necklaces, bracelets, and rings she was holding, and said, "Just choose cufflinks, that's all—nothing else is needed."

Mrs. Malkin smiled and put away the other items, showing no impatience whatsoever, and spent a long time helping Fiona choose cufflinks. After they finally settled on a dress, Mrs. Malkin seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "My dear, Mr. Gray can't wear his old shoes with his new suit, can he? Would you like to take a look at our latest dragon-skin boots?"

Vader stared blankly at the ceiling, regretting that he hadn't brought a book—he was now hoping other guests would come in so Mrs. Malkin would be busy. Otherwise, Fiona could have spent the whole day there.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, and Vader immediately turned around to see Ferdinand entering with a newspaper.

Ferdinand nodded to Wied and asked, "Haven't you bought the clothes yet?"

"Not yet," Wade sighed. "I'm picking out shoes."

He struggled to resist the urge to complain to his father.

"Have you measured all the dimensions?"

"The measurement was completed as soon as I entered the room."

“That’s good.” Ferdinand said to his wife, “Fiona, take your time choosing. I’ll take Wid to buy other things. You can also wait for us here at Mrs. Malkin’s after you’ve ordered your clothes.”

Fiona waved her hand and said, "Okay. Don't keep me waiting too long!"

As the Grays went out, Ferdinand said to his son, “I’ve subscribed to the Daily Prophet—and I’ve subscribed to one for you too. They’ll deliver it to school by owl. From now on, you need to get used to keeping up with politics.”

Wade nodded.

The father and son strolled around Diagon Alley and bought everything else in less than half an hour. Wade even kept the names of several shop owners and their catalogs so he could use the owl to buy what he needed when he got to school.

Especially potion ingredients—Hogwarts only provides the most basic ones for free, and rare and expensive materials are only provided in small quantities when formally taking related courses. It's impossible for a young wizard like him to practice freely.

When they returned to the robe shop, Fiona had just chosen her shoes and was sitting there drinking tea while flipping through a magazine called "Wizard Weekly." Hearing the doorbell ring, she turned around and immediately flashed a bright smile.

Wade smiled, but before he could speak, Ferdinand, who had been walking behind him, strode over, bent down, and asked softly, "Finished shopping? Tired?"

Fiona, who hadn't stepped out of the robe shop, stretched her arms and said, "Yes, shopping is really tiring—what are we having for lunch?"

"Isn't there a nice French restaurant nearby? How about we eat there? We'll order a foie gras steak and grilled cod..."

Chapter 51 Ferdinand's Fear

On the day of Professor Morrie's party, Wade changed into the tuxedo and dragon-skin boots that Fiona had carefully chosen for him after breakfast. He stood in front of the mirror, and Fiona circled around him, adjusting the details from time to time.

"So handsome, baby!" Fiona exclaimed in a series of exaggerated praises. "You're definitely the most dazzling little gentleman at the party. Seriously, why don't you wear the necklace I picked out for you? The arrow-shaped pendant is super cool, and it'll definitely make all the other kids green with envy."

“No! Mom, I’m not a three-year-old.” Wade firmly refused without hesitation.

Fiona sighed, "You didn't want to wear it when you were three either—"

"So I stopped wearing it when I was eleven."

Ferdinand would occasionally raise his wrist to check the time, and sometimes glance out the door.

"The professor said he would pick you up at 10 o'clock, right?" he asked his son to confirm.

"Yes, that's what the letter said."

But it was almost 10 o'clock, and there was still no one outside.

"Am I late?" Fiona wondered.

“Something must have been holding them up.” Ferdinand glanced at the door again. “I just hope they don’t suddenly show up at the door.”

“No, there are only ordinary people around here! How many people would see us like that!” Fiona said confidently. “Something must have happened that delayed us. Maybe we’ll receive a letter from the owl soon.”

As Fiona spoke, she ran over and opened a window so the owl could fly in. Just as she turned around, the flames in the fireplace suddenly turned green with a "whoosh," bathing the entire room in a greenish glow, and then a dark shadow emerged from the fireplace.

Ferdinand jumped up, his right hand swiftly reaching behind his clothes to pull out a pistol, while his other hand shoved Wade backward, shouting, "Who goes there?!"

"No—Dad, it's Professor Morrie."

Wade quickly grabbed his arm and suddenly realized that his father's hands were very cold.

He looked over in surprise and found Ferdinand's jaw clenched, veins bulging on his neck, his tense expression appearing cold and unfamiliar.

Wade was stunned.

Ever since he received his Hogwarts acceptance letter, the Greys have been overjoyed. They are brimming with curiosity about the magical world, eagerly participating in it, and their understanding of the wizarding world is almost far greater than Vader's.

Wade had always thought that was the case.

But at this moment he suddenly realized that his father may have always harbored a deep fear of the wizarding world.

Fiona was only startled at first, but she calmed down after hearing Wade's words. She took a few steps forward and asked curiously, "Is this what the Fiora journey is like?"

Ferdinand strode over, as if to greet the guest with his wife. But Wid saw that he was actually blocking Fiona's way.

Professor Morrie emerged from the flames. He dusted himself off and chuckled, “Yes, a safe and convenient way to travel. Everything is great except for getting covered in soot—hello, Mr. and Mrs. Grey, I’m Terence Morrie, as you probably already know.”

“Of course.” Ferdinand had already put away his pistol, and his face showed no sign of anything amiss. “Welcome, Professor Morrie. I’m sorry, my fireplace hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned in over two years.”

Fiona peeked out from behind him and asked, "Can we travel on fire too?"

“Oh, probably not.” Professor Morrie said with a smile, “Actually, the Ministry of Magic prohibits connecting fireplaces in the homes of non-magicians to the Floo Network. I had someone temporarily grant me access to the Floo Network so I could pick up Vader. It will be restored after we leave—Vade, it’s good to see you’re ready.”

"—Yes, Professor."

Vader glanced at his parents, put his wand into the wand pocket on his tuxedo robe, and walked over to them, saying, "Shall we leave now?"

“Of course, our guests are all waiting for us!” Professor Morrie magically produced a small bag filled with glittering powder and asked, “Have you used Floo Powder before?”

"No, Professor."

"It's very simple, just watch how I do it."

He handed the bag to Wade, pinched off a small amount of powder, and threw it into the fire. Suddenly, the flames turned emerald green.

"Remember, be sure to clearly state the address—the Tree Fern Garden. Close your eyes and don't wander around in the fireplace, or you'll get bruised and battered, and might even end up in another fireplace."

Professor Morrie walked straight into the fire and demonstrated: "The Tree Fern Garden."

He vanished from the fire in a flash.

Wade also pinched a small amount of Floo Powder and walked towards the fireplace. Just as he was about to drop it, he turned back, looked deeply at his father, and said, "Dad, I'll be back tonight."

“Hmm.” Ferdinand’s Adam’s apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something but held back, looking down at him: “Follow your professor—don’t get into conflicts with anyone.”

“I understand.” Wade nodded seriously.

Fiona put her hands on her hips and pretended to be angry, saying, "You only say goodbye to Daddy, but not to Mommy?"

“How could that be?” Wade smiled, stepped forward and hugged his mother: “Goodbye, Mom.”

He sprinkled Floo Powder, and the flames immediately turned emerald green. Vader suppressed his instinctive fear of fire and walked in as if it were commonplace.

Flames surrounded him, like warm breath. Through the firelight, Wade saw the lingering fear in his father's eyes.

It was the unease and lingering fear that came from a person's long-held sense of security being suddenly invaded by strangers.

“The Tree Fern Garden,” Wade said clearly, looking directly at his father.

In an instant, his parents and the living room disappeared from sight. He spun rapidly in the emerald flames, countless fireplaces flashing by. Wade immediately closed his eyes. Just as he was spinning dizzily, the rapid spinning suddenly stopped. Just as Wade was about to fall, a pair of strong arms caught him.

"Not feeling too good, are you?" a voice said. "I heard this is your first time using FlooNet."

The man pulled him out of the fireplace. Wade coughed twice, rubbed the soot that had accidentally gotten into his eyes, and saw a big man standing in front of him.

He was very tall, about two meters, with a robust build and a somewhat fierce appearance, but when he bent down to look at him, his eyes were very gentle.

"Ahem—excuse me, who are you?" Wade asked.

A water glass was handed to me.

"Have some water." The big guy pulled out his wand and used a Cleanse, and the dust on Vader's body instantly disappeared.

He said, “I am Steven Murray, son of Terence Murray. My father was waiting for you here, but a French friend just arrived and he is going to greet you—you can wander around and have something to eat.”

Chapter 52 Professor Morrie's Party

Steven, presumably tasked by his father to entertain the guests at the party—namely, Wade—stayed by the young wizard's side without showing any impatience. However, the stark height difference between them clearly amused the guests, who frequently glanced at them and burst out laughing.

Steven pretended not to see anything and accompanied Wade on a tour of the tree fern garden.

The garden was kept neat and clean, and a long, pale yellow table was set with a variety of food and drinks for guests to help themselves.