Harry Potter and the Obscurus

Chapter 98 Night Chapter and the Door Key

The Weasleys, overjoyed at their upcoming dinner, were even more boisterous than usual. Even Percy, who usually clashed with the twins, was genuinely happy for George and Fred after hearing that his brothers had secured Harry's investment.

"It's good to make a name for yourself in your area of ​​expertise, just like Mr. Crouch said—'Do your job, fulfill your responsibilities, and do your job well.' I sincerely wish your... uh... that magic trick shop a great success."

"Oh my god, it's happening again!"

Ron, who was already tired of hearing it, complained, but when he noticed Harry giving him a strange look, he explained in a low voice:

“You don’t know Harry, Percy talked about Mr. Crouch all summer long. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, whenever he came out of his study, it was always Mr. Crouch this and Mr. Crouch that.”

Just as Ron had said, while he was explaining things to Harry, Percy had already begun telling his father another story about Mr. Crouch.

"Actually, that quality inspection report about the crucible thickness was one that Mr. Crouch asked me to complete. I told Mr. Crouch beforehand that it could be finished on Tuesday, which would be faster than he expected. You know, Dad, things have been so busy in the department lately, almost everyone is busy preparing for the World Cup."

"I'm extremely busy."

Arthur Weasley nodded, then scooped a large spoonful from the wooden bowl full of potato salad onto his plate and said:

"Ludo Bagman told me that there were about 10 people coming to watch the final. Besides building the stadium and setting up the stands, managing the wizards who came to Europe from all over the world was also a big problem. Just to check their identities, many people had to leave two weeks in advance."

"Then why were we able to make it over on the last day, Dad?"

"Hehe, well... I did him a small favor before, and I fixed the runaway lawnmower that his brother Odo had set up. He also provided us with our tickets and the door key we need tomorrow morning."

Arthur was very pleased to be able to show off in front of his youngest daughter, but his son Percy had a different opinion about Ludo Bagman.

"Ludo Bagman's character is alright, but his abilities are still hard to praise. Sometimes I really don't understand how a guy like him became a director. His subordinate, Bertha Jorkins, has been missing for over a month while on vacation in Albania, and he hasn't done anything about it! Haha, if this happened in our department, Mr. Crouch would have personally led a team to investigate!"

“Ah… Bertha Jorkins, I’ve heard Ludo talk about this. He said that before this, Bertha had gone missing while on vacation. But you’re right, if it were someone from my company, I would be worried too.”

Having gained his father's approval, Percy sighed with an air of superiority, picked up his glass, and said helplessly:

"Hopefully, Ludo Bagman can put an end to this matter after the World Cup ends. Bertha used to work in our department for a while, so Mr. Crouch has been very concerned about this case, but you know Dad, our Department of International Magical Cooperation has too many things to handle, and we really don't have the time to help other departments find people."

Arthur is a good father who is willing to encourage and support his children, but Percy's words are just too boring for the other Weasley kids.

Noticing that none of the large group was paying attention to him, Percy quickly cleared his throat in a serious manner, and then deliberately shouted in the direction of Harry and Hermione:

"After the World Cup, our company will be leading the organization of an even larger event. Of course, I can't tell you the specifics right now, as it's a top secret within the department. But it will truly be something that will go down in history!"

"Is this some kind of thick-bottomed crucible exhibition, Percy?"

"Shut up, George!"

......

"What do you think is the thing that Percy is talking about that will go down in history?"

"Ignore him. If you ask me, he's just making a mountain out of a molehill, trying to elevate his status in our eyes with this kind of trick."

“I don’t think Percy is that kind of person, but he has definitely started to resemble those old men in the Ministry of Magic more and more these past few years.”

While eating strawberry ice cream made by Jasmine Weasley, Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat on a crooked piece of the roof of the Burrow and chatted.

The summer heat was tempered by a slightly refreshing night breeze carrying the scent of fresh grass. Hedwig, who had been exhausted recently, had regained some of her energy and was now chasing the goblins in the Weasley family's rose bushes with Crookshanks.

"Ron, have you bought all your books and textbooks?"

"Everything's bought. Mom went to Diagon Alley to buy it well in advance, because if we waited until after the World Cup, it might be too late. The last World Cup final lasted five days! What about you guys?"

"We've already bought them."

Harry and Hermione said in unison.

Recalling their date at Flourish and Blotts, both of their cheeks flushed slightly. Fortunately, Ron was always rather clueless in this regard, which allowed Harry and Hermione, despite their many mishaps, to conceal their budding feelings for each other from their closest friends.

Time flies.

Ron stuffed another spoonful of strawberry ice cream into his mouth and said:

"It feels like just yesterday we were in fourth grade... Ugh... Seriously, just thinking about it gives me a headache. In another year, we'll be taking the OWL exams like Fred and George. I know you two probably don't feel any pressure, but as you just saw, our family situation is such that Mom and Dad still prefer kids like Percy. Even if he does annoying things, as long as he gets good grades..."

Hermione was incredibly enthusiastic about the OWL exams. When Ron mentioned them, she didn't even feel shy about sitting shoulder to shoulder with Harry anymore.

"Yes, that's why I'm curious why we have fewer textbooks this year. Normally, when Hogwarts students enter their fourth year, many courses are linked to the OWL exams."

After hearing what the two said, Harry couldn't help but feel a little strange. Although he could get at least O's in 7 subjects with his current grades, as Hermione and Ron said, the school should still take a responsible attitude towards the students and improve the quality of teaching before the exams.

"Don't you really know what's going to happen at school?"

Harry asked Moran in his mind without showing any emotion.

"This is a surprise, and I think it's best not to tell you. But if you really want to know, use your brain and think about it; there are already many hints around you."

"A surprise? A hint? Huh? What hint? You mean Percy? He didn't say anything!"

"It's not Percy, but can you guess why someone like Charlie, who loves dragons more than Quidditch, would choose to return to his hometown this year?"

Mo Ran's words sounded so confusing.

Even though Harry figured out that the secrets Charlie and Percy were connected, he still couldn't figure out what could be more important than the Quidditch World Cup.

As night deepened, the Weasley family, who were too excited to sleep due to various events, finally turned off the lights and went to rest at Mrs. Weasley's insistence.

The moonlight hung softly in the sky, and the chirping of insects and birds occasionally drifted in from outside the window.

With his mind preoccupied with the World Cup, Hermione, the secrets of the Ministry of Magic, and other things, Harry felt like he had barely slept when he heard Molly calling everyone to get up again.

"Kids! It's time to get up and change your clothes. Everyone hurry up and get ready, so don't be late for using the door key!"

"Snoring..."

Ron, sprawled out on his back, seemed oblivious to his mother's calls. He snored softly, rolled over, and prepared to fall back asleep. Knowing all too well how much Ron could sleep, Harry expertly drew his wand from his waist.

"Scourgify." (to clean thoroughly)

The bed and clothes, which had been enchanted by Harry, suddenly lifted Ron off the bed with a "whoosh," and before he could even cry out "Oh my god!", another spell followed.

"Silencio." (Silent and still)

"Here, drink this. It's a vitality tonic."

Ron, who had been tossed around several times and given a big fright, didn't blame Harry. In fact, the same scene had happened several times before when he was trying out for Gryffindor Quidditch candidates.

He skillfully jumped off the bed and gulped down the potion, thus completing his preparations for departure ahead of all his brothers and sisters. Ronald Weasley, who was known for his laziness in bed, was already ahead of all his brothers and sisters.

"finite." (The spell stops)

"Pfft!"

Ron, whose silence spell had been broken, shook his head and then said enviously to Harry:

"I really wish I could be as good as you. I didn't realize it before I started practicing magic, but after you coached me a few times last semester, I realized how big the gap is between us."

"Oh, it's okay, Ron."

Harry patted his friend on the shoulder and comforted him, saying:

“I believe that even if talents differ, everyone has their irreplaceable value. Besides, don’t forget who helped us pass the Wizard Chess challenge so brilliantly in first grade.”

Ron, a little embarrassed by Harry's praise, rubbed his nose. Suppressing a smile, he grabbed Harry's luggage, slung it over his shoulder, and went downstairs without looking back.

About ten minutes later, Mr. Weasley, who still held a stereotype about his son, appeared in the living room with a look of surprise on his face.

He put down the large bundle of tickets he was checking and shouted:

"Merlin's beard! The Philosopher's Stone has been forged by trolls? Ron is the first of our children to pack his bags! Molly, come down quickly, your youngest son has done a great job today."

Contrary to Harry's expectations, the Weasley twins, who were too sleepy to talk, did not jump out to tease their younger brother this time. After a while, George and Fred finally staggered down the stairs after Ginny and Hermione.

"Where are Bill and the others? I thought we were the... the slowest."

George asked, yawning.

“They’ve already started working, and they’ve accumulated far more fatigue than you guys. Besides, Bill, Charlie, and Percy can Apparate, so it won’t hurt for them to sleep a little longer.”

"Apparition? Yeah, if we use Apparition to get there, Harry... ouch!"

Before Ron could finish speaking, Harry, standing next to him, poked him in the backside with the end of his wand. Clearly, his good friend didn't want to overly reveal his abilities to adults outside of school.

"Harry? What happened to Harry?"

"Oh? Ah, Harry said he wanted to learn Apparition."

Ron stammered in response to his father.

"Then it will take a while."

Mr. Weasley said:

"The Apparition exam not only has strict testing standards, but also a certain age requirement. Just last week, the Department of Magical Transportation caught four wizards who Apparated without a certificate. Hey, why am I telling you this? Everyone hurry up and go to the kitchen to get your breakfast. Your mothers prepared sandwiches for you all last night."