HP North Star's Radiance

“And what about you, Mom?” Altani asked.

“Mom thinks you’ve done a great job,” Praris said with a smile.

Altani was no longer the slightly tipsy person he had been in the auditorium; he seemed to have received immense approval.

As the two young boys walked away, Praris could still hear Gareth's voice: "You were acting so unlike yourself!"

“Oh… what am I like?” Altani asked slowly.

Gareth said, "He's so nonchalant, like he doesn't care about anything, but he only pounces on things that seem interesting."

“Is it possible that that’s my mother?” Altani had to remind Gareth. Didn’t his mother deserve his attention?

Prarese chuckled, shook her head, and walked towards her office. As soon as she opened the door, Draco pulled her inside.

"What a pity, you missed a great show!" Draco strutted around triumphantly. "Potter's son has become my teaching assistant and will be at my service from now on!"

“Teaching Assistant…” Praris raised an eyebrow, “From now on?” How did those two words end up together? He really shouldn’t have drunk with Draco after dinner; he’s still out of his mind!

Draco, chin held high, said proudly, "No difference! At least for this academic year. I might not have classes next year... Tsk, why are there so few people interested in alchemy?"

"Who said alchemy is a noble art?" Praris teased Draco with a smile. "And who said they wouldn't be happy to teach it?"

How can today be compared to those days?

Draco wished he could take seven years of alchemy courses to be able to order around Potter's son, since there was only one class in total, with only two lessons a week!

Side Story: Ron and Lavender

"How are you, Harry?"

Ron, in his 100th year, adjusted the collar of his suit in front of the full-length mirror, striking various poses like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

He had his eye on this suit for a long time, and after diligently saving up his salary, he finally managed to buy the new suit from Tuofan Clothing Store.

“Great, incredibly handsome.” Harry, who had just returned from a mission in Ireland, was sprawled on Ron’s bed with disheveled hair and a stubble, raising a hand in a thumbs-up gesture. “If we took a picture now, it would be just as good as Lockhart’s autographed photo.”

Ron whirled around as if his tail had been stepped on, looking at him with disdain, and said, "Hey, who wants to compare themselves to Lockhart, that guy who's all talk and no action?"

In his imagination, he should at least be comparable to Bill Gates or even Sirius Black, so why was he being compared to a conman and a fool?

“Oh, how come I remember that Lavender was supposedly madly in love with Lockhart?” Harry said calmly, sprawled out on the bed. “I thought that would be a pretty high compliment.”

Ron's expression froze instantly, shifting from displeasure to confusion, as if he were reluctantly accepting the answer. He subconsciously ran his hand through his hair: "Do you think I should use some hair gel and style my hair like him... Wait, who told you I was going to see Lavender?"

“Basic Auror qualities.” Harry raised one hand again, giving himself a thumbs-up.

Your best buddy is the one who betrays you in the most crucial moments.

Ron's nervousness dissipated instantly. He really wanted to physically befriend Harry, but he hesitated because of his newly bought suit.

Now that he'd been discovered, he decided to throw caution to the wind and said, "Do you think I should get a makeover? Maybe... I should go to Diagon Alley, to Prim Purnell Beauty Salon."

Ron tried to make his tone casual: "This Auror, exposed to the wind and sun, seems to have aged quite a bit..."

After working for a month straight, Auror Harry, who had just taken a break, looked up with disbelief on his face: "How long have you been unemployed! Okay, okay, my bad, go ahead, forget I said anything."

“But what man goes to a beauty salon?” Ron changed his tune again. “Wouldn’t he be laughed at?”

“Then I won’t go.” Harry continued to surrender.

“But if I don’t go,” Ron said, his voice lowering, his face showing a conflicted expression and a hint of nostalgia, “am I not as good-looking as I was when I was in school? I must have been much more handsome and dashing when I was dating Lavender.”

Harry took a deep breath and said resignedly, "Then let's go!"

“But what if we run into someone we know…” Ron started a new round of worries, completely forgetting that the shop manager himself was quite an acquaintance.

“I’m begging you to go, please?” Harry was in a terrible predicament. “It’s me—Harry Potter—who’s hoping, longing, and yearning for Ron Weasley to get some deep treatments at the beauty salon to match his brand-new high-end suit.”

"Well, actually I wasn't that keen on going," Ron said reluctantly. "Alright... since you put it that way, I'll give it a try, alright!"

Watching Ron, relieved yet unable to hide his excitement, begin searching for his wallet, Harry suddenly recalled Prince's psychology textbook: "When a man is being so hesitant and evasive, it's a form of pleading and complaining; he's waiting for you to give him a way out."

—I won't say who the example problem is.

In short, Harry didn't understand at the time, but now, watching Ron's retreating figure, he completely understood. He quickly said to Ron, "Oh, and when you get to the beauty salon, give them my name!"

"Tell me your name?" Ron asked doubtfully. "My savior's best friend wants a discount? I'll embarrass us both..."

“No,” Harry said with a light laugh, “You forgot—Prareth! Just say Harry sent you, and Ms. Priscilla will give you a good discount.”

There was no discount from Praris at all; Praris would never make Ms. Prie pay for maintaining her network of connections.

Ms. Priscilla was opening a branch of her beauty salon, and Prader invited Harry to invest. As a shareholder, mentioning Harry's name would naturally grant a discount.

Harry deliberately wanted Ron to say that, knowing that Ron spent most of his money on expensive suits, so that Ron would feel less guilty and save some money.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ron peered out of Mrs. Patif's Tea House, seemingly casually observing Lavender Brown's fortune-telling shop.

He silently recited some work mantras such as "stay alert... observe the environment... control your breathing," as if he were observing some dark wizard's stronghold.

Lavender wore an orange and brown color-blocked headband, extravagant earrings with long dangling pendants, and a brightly colored patchwork camisole and skirt with an irregular hem. She was adorned with jingling jewelry on her neck and hands, making her a potential eccentric fashion icon alongside Luna. Most surprisingly, despite this complex outfit, she wore it with a sweet and adorable charm, showcasing her unique personal style.

Seeing this, Ron became even more nervous.

Lavender seems to have changed quite a bit. Is she really not going to kick herself out?

During the Auror training courses, Moody taught them how to calm themselves down under pressure. Ron followed through with the routine, taking a deep breath and striding out with a straight neck, ready to complete the mission.

There are almost no customers during the week, so Lavender usually closes early so that Yopavati can go out or have tea with Professor Trelawney—Lavender also enjoys the good life of working two days on and five days off.

Lavender predicted that her love life would change this week, according to her horoscope. But it's already Friday and nothing interesting has happened, causing her to start to doubt herself.

Who could she possibly develop a relationship with on the weekend? Those students who were still in school? Or were there any young, handsome, single professors at Hogwarts? She leaned against the glass case, looking at a pink crystal inside, wondering if she should take it out as a decorative piece to add some "atmosphere."

Ring ring—

The wind chimes hanging on the door turned, making a crisp sound.

Lavender looked up in surprise, her eyes sparkling, but when she met her blue-eyed, red-haired ex-boyfriend, her smile vanished instantly.

What?! Ex-boyfriends count?!

Ron felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze, as if he could tear a Hogwarts out of his body. He muttered something to make conversation, "...The door is open."

Lavender glanced to the other side: "Well said, Gringotts is open too."

Ron instinctively replied, "That's why I came in."

Lavender's logic was, "My door's open, so you just come in? Why don't you just break into Gringotts?" Ron's logic was even more frighteningly simple: Gringotts is open to do business, and so are you, so it's perfectly normal for me to come in!

Hearing Ron's words, Lavender pouted and said in a tone that said, "So, what do you want to know?"

Ron's mind was in a whirl of confusion, wondering "What did I just say?" and "What is she thinking right now?" His eyes darted around, and with the quick thinking of a former Auror, he spotted the colorful poster on the wall—Lavender's Fortune Telling Shop, accurately predicting your love life!

Without thinking, he almost blurted out: "Love!"

Both of them were stunned when they heard this.

Lavender couldn't figure out whether this was a genuine customer need or if Ron was hinting at something. Ron's past offenses were still fresh in her mind, and she dared not easily believe it, fearing she would once again become a ridiculous clown.

"Oh," Lavender said casually, "How about the tarot cards?"

Ron nodded and agreed without offering any suggestions, appearing completely submissive.

Lavender took out a set of pink, frosted tarot cards from the cabinet. They were shiny and reflected light. Under her direction, Ron drew three cards: The Hermit, Two of Swords, and The Lovers.

Lavender was stunned. The Hermit represents introspection and reflection, the Two of Swords represents contradiction and entanglement, and the Lovers represents love. So, Ron was reflecting on something, and a sword could represent a person; he had two people in his heart, and he had already made his choice, finding true love.

"You bastard!" Lavender slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Get out of here!"

At Hogwarts, Lavender pursued Ron passionately and persistently, almost oblivious to the opinions of others. She believed that loving someone meant being intense and unrestrained, leaving no room for doubt; love that leaves room for doubt meant it wasn't enough.

Lavender, deep down, also harbored some insecurity. If she were confident enough, she wouldn't have cared so much about Hermione's existence. What truly belongs to you doesn't need proof; you simply take it for granted.

In the days that followed, Lavender thought about it countless times. When Harry, his friends, and her companions were playing around, she deliberately only greeted Hermione, not because she had let go, but precisely because she had never let go and still cared.

Tarot card interpretation is highly subjective. These three cards almost triggered Lavender's past painful emotional wounds. Ron, conflicted and torn, saw the two swords representing himself and Hermione, and having already made his choice, he abandoned Lavender. She immediately made the same decision as before, preemptively driving Ron out.

"What!" Ron was completely bewildered, his long limbs trembling unsure of what to do. "But I didn't do anything!"

Lavender walked around the counter and shoved Ron out: "You didn't do anything? You've already made up your mind! Since you already have someone you like, why did you come to me? Do you want me to divine a bright future for you and your lover? You bastard!"

Logically speaking, Lavender shouldn't be able to push Ron, who is quite tall, but Ron was afraid she would get hurt, so he argued with her while actively cooperating with Lavender's movements until he was about to be pushed out the door.

"That's right! I have someone I like!" Ron said anxiously and frantically, grabbing the door frame and stammering, "It's you, Lavender!"

Lavender stopped moving, staring blankly up at Ron's blue eyes, as if something had shattered.

A few minutes later, the two sat back down in their chairs. Lavender mechanically reached for a bottle of mead and then pulled out a serving glass to pour Ron some.

“A hermit,” Lavender said, “is one who introspects and reflects, seeking truth and answers in solitude.”

“I’m reflecting on my past mistakes… I always remember the day you scolded me.” Ron picked up his glass, smiled, and tried to ease the tension. “To be honest, you were really beautiful when you scolded me.”

Ron reflected on the suit for just as long as it took him to prepare it. He initially tried to forget it all with the thrill of an Auror career, but he couldn't. That wasn't the life for him, and neither was forgetting Lavender.

"Are you crazy?!" Lavender glared at him playfully. "The Two of Swords represents inner conflict and struggle, a difficult choice that must be made."

“Like the way you held the tulips,” Ron commented. “I hesitated for a long time. I thought I would regret it if I didn’t come to you.”

Lavender didn't say anything more about what the "Lovers" card meant; she had come to her senses and her gaze involuntarily fell on the mead in Ron's glass.

Ron noticed his gaze, remembered something, and hurriedly turned back to look at the poster—"Sweet Witness: Couples who confirm their relationship after a fortune telling session at our store can come to the store to receive a 'Sweet Honey Wine' to 'warm up' their love~"

"Ron, you're not allowed to look!" Lavender shouted, reaching out to grab him.

Ron obediently turned around, but said, "I saw it! I saw everything!"

Lavender hurriedly reached for the cup, but Ron snatched it away with lightning speed, holding it high: "I've been professionally trained and can recite it from memory, 'Sweet Witness,' at our store..."

“Shut up!” Lavender yelled.

Ron obediently shut up, but stood up, making it impossible for Lavender to reach the glass even when she jumped. She just glared angrily at Ron, but made no move to take out her wand and use the Summoning Charm to retrieve the glass.

“You gave it to me.” Ron’s face was a little red, whether from the heat of competing with Lavender or from genuine blushing, it was hard to tell, but a former Auror probably wouldn’t get tired so easily.

He slowly lowered his raised hand, looked down at the sulking Lavender, and thought she was really cute. The air seemed to be getting a little hot, which was quite annoying.

In the past, Lavender would certainly have pursued Ron passionately. This time she didn't, but Ron wasn't discouraged; it was his turn to pursue Lavender.

Lavender remained silent, so Ron pressed his advantage and asked, "Does this count as confirming the relationship after the divination?"

"Because Hermione and Krum are together?" Lavender suddenly said. "I saw those newspapers. Is it because you have no other choice but to choose me?"

“Of course not!” Ron exclaimed in surprise, his face turning bright red as if he had been utterly wronged. He gently gripped Lavender’s shoulder with his left hand and raised his right to swear an oath. “Hermione and I… we’ve been just friends for a long time! I know perfectly well that I have no other intentions! I didn’t mean for you to throw a bunch of tulips at me again—though you do look pretty cool throwing them—but not this time!”