After leaving Flourish and Blotts to the shop assistant's profuse gratitude, Rowan and the others continued wandering Diagon Alley. They picked up a few scattered study tools, and then Hermione hesitated before admitting she wanted a pet.
For the past two years, all her money had gone into books. Seeing everyone else with owls, cats, or rats had stirred a quiet envy. This year, she decided, she would finally get one of her own. An owl was ideal. No more borrowing the Owl Post every time she wrote a letter.
Rowan said nothing as Hermione emerged from the pet shop hugging a large ginger cat with a distinctly flattened face.
Some things, he thought, were inevitable.
By the time they finished, it was already noon. The group headed to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, where Rowan finally met Ron's father in person.
Arthur Weasley was sitting at the bar, reading the Daily Prophet. The front page featured Sirius Black's gaunt, snarling face.
Arthur lowered the paper and looked at Rowan with interest. "You must be the friend Ginny's mentioned."
Before Rowan could reply, Ginny stepped forward eagerly. "Dad, this is Rowan. The one I told you about."
Arthur's eyes lit up. "Ah, yes. Youngest national Quidditch player, and the youngest recipient of a bravery medal. Ginny's been saying you're the most impressive first-year she knows."
Rowan smiled politely. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Weasley. I've heard you're exceptional at alchemy. I've been teaching myself lately and hoped I might ask you a few questions sometime."
Arthur waved the compliment away at once. "Exceptional? Not at all. Just enthusiasm. But if you're interested, I'd be delighted to talk. I was just wondering whether putting an Extension Charm on a Muggle refrigerator might let you survive summer heat with winter cold."
That was all it took.
Alchemy, enchantment theory, magical materials. One topic flowed into another, and Rowan took the rare chance to unload questions that books had never answered clearly. Arthur explained everything with simple analogies and infectious excitement.
By evening, Rowan felt as though he'd advanced weeks in understanding.
As they ate dinner, he couldn't help thinking that if Hogwarts ever offered alchemy, Arthur Weasley would make a perfect professor.
If only I'd visited the Weasleys earlier this summer.
Still, there would be chances next year. And in the meantime, the twins' creations were worth studying too. Their prank items were crude on the surface, but the underlying principles had real combat potential if refined.
The next morning, Rowan arrived at the Leaky Cauldron with his luggage and his owl, Peggy. The Ministry had arranged enchanted cars to take the Weasley family to King's Cross, and Rowan was joining them.
Officially, it was compensation for Arthur's lost car. In truth, Rowan knew the reason. The Minister was terrified Sirius Black might target Harry. With Black's escape already threatening his position, any harm to the Boy Who Lived would end his career instantly.
The reward for Black's capture had risen to a staggering ten thousand Galleons.
Ron came down the stairs grumbling, dragging his trunk. "I can't wait to get on the train. At least at Hogwarts I won't have to deal with Percy. He just yelled at me again for dripping tea on that picture of Penelope."
He spotted Rowan and raised a hand. "Morning."
"Morning," Rowan replied.
Ginny's voice floated down from above, sharp with frustration. "Mum, I've checked everything. I didn't forget anything!"
A pause.
"Yes, Mum. I'll check again."
Ron snorted. "Looks like you've replaced Harry as her hero."
Harry sighed in relief. "Honestly, I'm fine with that."
Hermione came down next, carrying a wicker basket. "It's all right, Crookshanks. I'll let you out on the train."
Ron groaned. "You can't! What about Scabbers?"
Hermione ignored him completely, took Rowan by the sleeve, and started toward the door.
"Let's wait outside," she said. "The car should be here soon."
Rowan chuckled. "You and Ron arguing again?"
Hermione sniffed and kept walking.
Watching them, Rowan smiled.
Some rivalries, it seemed, were just as inevitable as fate.