Just as Harley expected, when they finished purchasing the other items on the list and stepped into Flourish and Blotts, Hermione immediately pounced on the bookshelves like a hungry wolf charging into a sheep pen, rapidly reading the titles exposed on the spines. She looked as if she intended to buy every single type of book there and take them home to read.
"Hermione, we're only just starting school at Hogwarts. Ninety-nine point nine nine percent of the books on these shelves won't be useful in the short term—take, for instance, the Alchemy section you're currently stopped at. The Alchemy course at Hogwarts won't officially start until we reach sixth year!"
Harley continued to persuade her while tightly hugging Hermione around the waist from behind, trying with all her might to pull her away from the bookshelf displaying Alchemy-related books, but sadly, this had almost no effect.
"Oh my God, real Alchemy... this is genuine, authentic Alchemy, Harley!"
Hermione stared intently at the thick, heavy stacks of books on the shelf, her eyes even slightly red from excitement. "I've always yearned for the kind of magic described in books that can turn things into gold... Just let me buy one basic book, I want to slightly preview the Alchemy course—"
Harley sighed. She knew she absolutely couldn't be soft-hearted now. If she opened this door for Hermione, her bookstore shopping trip would likely become unrestrained and might continue until the store closed. She had to immediately cut off Hermione's idea of moving the bookstore home.
She said firmly to Hermione, "Dear Hermione, there is no subject that requires you to preview it six years in advance, and without the foundations of Potions, Herbology, and Transfiguration, you won't be able to learn anything even if you buy Alchemy-related books. Don't waste time."
"Also, if you still want to come to my birthday party, hurry up and find the corresponding books according to the list. We don't have much time... You can choose a few extra books that introduce common knowledge of the wizarding world, like Hogwarts: A History, but forget about all the other random stuff."
Harley did this entirely out of care and concern for Hermione. One must know that books in the wizarding world are not as simple and pure as the paper books Muggles read; a considerable portion of these magical books contain magic themselves.
Solely considering the aspect of ensuring personal safety, it was truly inappropriate for young Hermione to have excessive contact with those peculiar wizarding world readings—the kind that sound strange just from the title—at least before they entered their third year.
Thinking that Harley's birthday party was being held this afternoon, Hermione gritted her teeth and forced her gaze away from the interesting books.
Although a trace of reluctance remained in her heart, Hermione knew time was pressing and she couldn't linger any longer—nothing was more important than Harley's birthday. Not even these amazing books could compare to a single strand of Harley's hair!
Hermione reluctantly cast one last glance at the books on the shelf that captivated her heart, finally picking up the booklist firmly and turning around to look for a bookstore staff member.
With the enthusiastic and professional assistance of the staff, Hermione successfully selected the required textbooks with Harley. Following the reasonable suggestions given by the staff, Hermione quickly chose three books introducing the history of the wizarding world, famous figures in the wizarding world, and the history and culture of Hogwarts, to serve as summer leisure reading.
After a period of tense busyness, they finally managed to purchase all the necessary items before the afternoon arrived.
Harley and Hermione rushed non-stop toward the Leaky Cauldron, preparing to meet up with their parents and Professor McGonagall, who had been waiting there for a long time.
By this time, the chosen one Neville had left long ago, and the Leaky Cauldron had become quiet again. As soon as they entered, they saw their parents and Professor McGonagall sitting in the corner, chatting and drinking Butterbeer.
Upon seeing Hermione and Harley return, Professor McGonagall first carefully checked Hermione's purchases, only feeling slightly relieved after confirming that every item on the shopping list had been accounted for.
She then gave the two girls a brief and concise set of instructions before hurriedly leaving the Leaky Cauldron. She needed to seize the window in the afternoon—while picking up the other Muggle-born students—to return to Hogwarts for a quick lunch and handle a few documents, or she would have to stay up all night again.
At Lily's invitation, the Granger Family enjoyed a simple lunch with the snape family at the Leaky Cauldron before returning to the snape family home via the fireplace.
Stepping out of the fireplace, Harley found her eyes dazzled by a brilliant spectacle. The myriad decorations in the hall made her squint—Merlin's golden underpants, did the Marauders perhaps rob Gringotts?
Where did they get so many golden decorations?!
"Dedicated to our most shining little princess, wishing her a happy eleventh birthday!"
James, who was standing nearby, saw everyone return and shouted joyfully, then turned sideways to display the masterpiece they had busied themselves with all morning.
The entire hall was now sparkling and magnificent, adorned with various golden ornaments. Harley could even assert that even when the young lady of the House of Malfoy celebrated her birthday, she absolutely could not have possessed such an astonishing quantity of gold!
Faced with this scene, Severus was slightly startled at first, but in an instant, he quickly strode towards the study, bedrooms, Potion Storage Room, and Potion Preparation Room, checking them one by one. Only after confirming that the three troublemakers from Gryffindor had indeed kept their prior promise and not acted recklessly in places where they shouldn't mess with things, did he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
However, he immediately frowned slightly as if he had thought of something—it looked like James had spent a fortune this time. Was he showing off his wealth?
A cold smile played on Severus's lips. A few years ago, he might have been anxious, but now, having achieved financial freedom through Potions, he simply drew his wand, levitated a huge Golden Cauldron—taller than a person—that he had prepared earlier from the basement, and said in front of everyone:
"This is the birthday present I prepared for my precious daughter, Harley—although she might not need it yet, I hope this Golden Cauldron will spark her love for Potions and help her quickly grow into a great potions master."
Lily, who was standing nearby, secretly glared at him, and Severus immediately added, "Of course, it doesn't matter if Harley isn't interested in Potions in the future. She just needs to do whatever she wants."
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