Chapter 102: The Clash at Diagon Alley (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

During the Hogwarts holidays, Cain spent his time either handling affairs at his magical supplies shop or studying magic alongside Lupin. Cain’s mastery over magic astonished Lupin; it was the first time Lupin realized there were wizards whose magic without a wand was far more potent than with one. If not for Cain’s appearance, Lupin might have thought he was instructing a magical creature in sorcery.

In Lupin’s experience, only magical creatures could cast spells instinctively without wands. Within just a month, Cain had learned many useful spells from Lupin: the Disillusionment Charm, Apparition, the Occlumency spell, the Patronus Charm, and basic memory charms like Obliviate.

However, Obliviate was only an introductory memory spell. The more advanced memory magic, Legilimency, required passing the Ministry of Magic’s tests before it could be studied. Obliviate was comparatively easier to master.

Lupin had limited knowledge of Legilimency and Occlumency himself. Like everyone, he had his strengths and weaknesses; memory magic and Transfiguration were among his less proficient areas. On the other hand, he excelled in subjects like Dark Magical Creatures and wandless magic. The knowledge of Dark Magical Creatures proved quite valuable—Cain consulted Lupin extensively and even planned to select some of the material for his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.

As for wandless magic, Cain needed no tutoring from Lupin; perhaps only magical creatures could be his teachers in this realm. While Lupin’s wandless spells were somewhat weakened, Cain’s magic grew stronger without the wand.

Cain did not learn Dark Magic from Lupin. Although Lupin was highly skilled, he was somewhat stubborn and cautious. He likely knew many Dark Magic spells, but their casting was heavily tied to the user’s emotions and was perilous. Learning Dark Magic could cause irreversible harm. Lupin lacked the confidence to teach it but did impart knowledge of the complex Animagus transformation.

Lupin was not adept at ordinary Transfiguration but understood the Animagus transformation well and disregarded the Ministry’s registration requirements. Though he never explained why, Cain guessed Lupin’s knowledge came from his three friends who were unregistered Animagi.

The process was arduous, sometimes taking years to succeed. To ensure a smooth transformation, it was best to find a wizard skilled in Astronomy for assistance. Cain, however, chose a high-tech approach. He could simply obtain data from the Meteorological Office, which was no trouble for him.

If all went well, Cain hoped to master the Animagus skill within three months. According to Lupin, some of his friends took an entire semester to achieve it.

Hermione was also interested in Animagus transformation, but Cain forbade her from learning it. He dared to undertake it himself because the plague virus within him granted extraordinary regenerative powers, while Hermione was only entering her second year and just beginning Transfiguration.

Perhaps by her fourth year, Cain might allow Hermione to try, but not now.

...

“Godfather, look! Your name and image appeared in the Daily Prophet!”

One day, while Cain was enjoying some leisure time, Hermione rushed over breathlessly, her shoes half off, clutching a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Cain put down his half-finished lemon tea and reached out to take the paper. But as Hermione extended it, she suddenly pulled her hand back and sat beside Cain, saying, “Let me read it to you, Godfather.”

She then read aloud, with great feeling, all the news about Cain from the Prophet.

“Dumbledore’s reforms in education are truly worrisome. He actually invited an unknown wizard to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor… It’s infuriating—they don’t even know you, Godfather!”

“A magical supplies shop owner? Perhaps he’s better suited to teaching Herbology at Hogwarts… What an irritating fellow.”

“There was an interview with Mr. Malfoy from the Hogwarts Board of Governors expressing concerns about the new board member. Mr. Malfoy believes that wizards born to Muggles may not understand the long history of Hogwarts…”

Before Hermione finished reading, Cain gently patted her head to stop her and said, “Alright, Hermione, if you keep reading, you’ll blow up like a balloon. Don’t mind what it says. These people are just fair-weather supporters. You can check again tomorrow.”

Cain had already sent gifts to these so-called commentators. Their stubbornness was like the French army’s—astonishingly quick to surrender in front of Gallon.

“They aren’t just prejudiced; more than that, they’re jealous,” Cain said with a smile. When he returned from the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, he had Kate buy up a large quantity of dragon materials. Half a month ago, the supply of fire dragon materials in the British magical market had become pitifully scarce.

Thanks to Cain’s involvement, prices for various parts of fire dragons had risen significantly; dragon blood had even doubled in price.

Some had noticed the unusual prices and sent people to Romania, only to receive disheartening news: Cain had monopolized the supply. From now on, the only way to buy fire dragon materials besides Cain’s shop was to purchase from black-market hunters.

However, Cain supplied Gallon to the Romanian sanctuary, empowering the dragon tamers there to better combat poachers. As a result, the black-market supply of fire dragon materials would dwindle further.

In just over a month, Cain had already hosted two European potion shops that, unable to find fire dragon materials, had no choice but to sign contracts with Cain’s magical supplies store.

Kate’s inventory had been reduced by more than half, so she and three other employees had to purchase large quantities of magical materials to expand aggressively.

Kate had been promoted to store manager by Cain. She had not brewed a potion—a favorite pastime—for over a month, fully dedicated to the business.

“Godfather, are you ready for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes after school starts?”

After putting down the Prophet, Hermione turned to Cain, her bright brown eyes full of anticipation.

“I haven’t prepared my second-year lessons yet. Although Phil said he could help me…”

If Cain didn’t understand that look, he might as well be blind. Thinking of how Hermione had spent twenty days last month brewing potions, he realized he should take her out for a walk.

“Let’s go, Hermione. I was just planning to go out today. Since you’re in your second year now, do you want to bring a flying broomstick to Hogwarts? I hear the Firebolt functions quite well…”

Hermione’s excitement about shopping was short-lived. She quickly shook her head. “No, Godfather, I don’t like flying broomsticks.”

Given the choice between potions and broomsticks, Hermione would undoubtedly choose potion brewing. Her progress in potion-making was remarkable; last month, she had already brewed a complex Polyjuice Potion and was now experimenting with its varieties.

She went to change clothes. At Cain’s home, she often wore white stockings, claiming they were more comfortable, but she changed into other clothes when going out.

...

As the new term approached, Diagon Alley brimmed with wizarding families purchasing supplies. Today, the Granger couple was absent—perhaps Hermione had spoken with them yesterday.

“Godfather, can we go to Flourish and Blotts first? Today is Mr. Lockhart’s new book launch. I want to buy a set of his travel writings.”

Hermione, draped in a wizard’s robe, radiated youthful energy, like a lively little guide.

“Gilderoy Lockhart? His writing is decent, but he seems to be a fraud,” Cain whispered into Hermione’s ear. Lockhart had many fans; saying this aloud might cause trouble.

Hermione gasped in disbelief. “Impossible…”

Cain replied, “Dumbledore told me. Lockhart was originally the candidate for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Only a few could expose him at Hogwarts, but now it’s me. Still, Dumbledore might have other plans…”

The greatest wizard of the century and her favorite wizarding author—Hermione felt conflicted upon hearing this but decided to trust Cain and Dumbledore. Still, she felt as if she’d just eaten a bean tasting like earwax.

Seeing Hermione’s flushed, pouty face, Cain chuckled and comforted her, “His stories are plagiarized from other wizards, using memory charms. The facts in the books are true but just replace the names when you read them.”

“Absolutely not! That’s plagiarism—criminal,” Hermione said angrily. “I hope Professor Dumbledore exposes this shameless man soon.”

Hermione deliberately avoided Flourish and Blotts afterward, pulling Cain to buy necessary items elsewhere, mostly wizarding clothes and textbooks.

After visiting some confectionery shops, Hermione finally went to Flourish and Blotts.

But when Cain and Hermione arrived, a commotion was unfolding outside the bookstore. It seemed someone was fighting.

“Godfather, that’s my friends, Harry and Ron!” Hermione spotted the brawling pair from her house and tugged on Cain’s robe. “Can I help them? Malfoy is so obnoxious at school.”

“The people around will notice. The Ministry forbids dueling in Diagon Alley. Put away your wand, Hermione.”

Cain told Hermione to conceal her wand. Thinking of Lucius Malfoy, who had slandered him in the Daily Prophet before, Cain silently cast a silent binding curse.

In the next moment, Lucius Malfoy found his body immobilized by a magical force. His eyes widened as Arthur Weasley landed several solid punches on him.

Arthur noticed Malfoy was restrained and refrained from further attacks. Once Arthur stopped, Malfoy suddenly regained freedom.

“You have a fine ally, Arthur!” Malfoy said bitterly, glaring with resentment. It was the first time he’d been so humiliated—beaten several times by his rival Arthur in front of dozens of onlookers without retaliation.

Most importantly, he couldn’t tell who had cast the binding curse; otherwise, he’d report Arthur to the Ministry for a fine.

“Isn’t that Mr. Malfoy?” someone nearby suddenly spoke. Both Lucius and Arthur turned their heads toward the voice and saw a handsome young wizard exuding noble charisma.

This young wizard greeted them and walked over, followed by a small wizard with tousled hair.

Arthur felt the man looked familiar, recalling seeing him a few days ago somewhere.

“Cain Pente,” Lucius hissed through clenched teeth. He roughly guessed who had cast the binding curse on him—the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts and his fellow board member.