Chapter 287: Molly Weasley's Letter
Rita Skeeter's decision to use the parents of second-year students as her angle of attack was nothing short of clever.
After all, for most Hogwarts families, the second year was supposed to be the cheapest one. Nearly all of a first-year's textbooks — A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, Theories of Magic by Adalbert Waffling, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore — were reused until graduation. Even Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, technically a third-year book, was already mentioned in earlier classes and often purchased in advance.
Only one book, Standard Spells (Level 2) by Miranda Goshawk, was truly required for the second year.
For parents, this was supposed to be the one year of financial relief.
But not this time.
Alexander couldn't help but admire the precision of Rita Skeeter's attack. A new, unknown professor requiring students to purchase a brand-new textbook — and one unrelated to Defense Against the Dark Arts — was the perfect spark to ignite public outrage.
It was almost identical to when Gilderoy Lockhart had forced everyone to buy seven of his own books. Even a celebrity like Lockhart had been criticized for that stunt. The Weasley family had even gone so far as to withdraw money from Gringotts to afford the extra expenses.
They were generous people — but never had much to spare.
Five children still at Hogwarts meant five additional books.
Even Molly Weasley, Lockhart's most devoted admirer, had complained back then.
Of course, most new professors of Defense Against the Dark Arts did the same. The post changed hands every year, and each teacher wanted to use their own materials.
Still, it was hard to deny that the course had once been the most popular at Hogwarts — despite its curse.
The professors' motivations varied. Quirrell hadn't tried to make money because he was too honest. Lockhart had done so out of vanity. Lupin hadn't changed the books either, likely because he couldn't secure a publisher — and perhaps because he'd spent too long living poor to want to burden his students.
Mad-Eye Moody — or rather, Barty Crouch Jr. — believed textbooks were useless. Umbridge, on the other hand, had chosen Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard, a book so pacifistic it bordered on parody. It fit perfectly with the Ministry's agenda of taming Hogwarts' rebellious spirit.
Snape, when he'd briefly held the post, had picked Encounter with the Faceless Monster. He hadn't done it for money — just because he wanted students to see something truly dangerous.
Then there was Amycus Carrow, the Death Eater who'd turned his class into a torture chamber. He hadn't bothered with textbooks at all.
Looking back, it was almost a tradition: every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor worth remembering had brought something new to the table.
So Alexander wasn't surprised that Voldemort, now the newly appointed professor, had done the same.
In his case, the textbook Magic in the Muggle World made perfect sense — even if it was shocking.
Still, there was one thing that didn't fit.
Alexander had heard Voldemort himself admit, not long ago, that he knew almost nothing about Muggle science. Yet now, within the span of a single month, he'd supposedly written an entire book on the subject — one so radical that even the Department of Mysteries had tried to suppress it.
It could only mean one thing: the contents were extraordinary.
"I bet that book contains things about space, rockets… maybe even the moon landing," Alexander thought aloud, excitement flashing in his eyes. Then he stopped himself. "No, better not imagine it yet. I want to experience it fresh."
He grabbed Kate and Penelope by the wrists and led them swiftly toward their final stop of the day — Flourish and Blotts.
"Alexander," Kate said, raising an eyebrow as they walked, "who exactly is the parent that complained about the new book? You must know, right?"
Alexander chuckled softly. He always seemed to know every bit of gossip that floated around Hogwarts.
"Molly Weasley," he replied, smirking.
Kate blinked. "But… isn't she on Dumbledore's side? And it's just one book. Even with five kids, that's only five extra copies."
"Exactly," Alexander said. "But you're forgetting one thing — Gilderoy Lockhart."
Kate tilted her head, puzzled.
"Molly Weasley is a devoted fan," Alexander explained patiently. "So when Sirius brought her the news that the new Defense professor had replaced Lockhart's legacy with a book written in just a month, she took it personally. She felt like her idol's place had been stolen."
"So she wrote the letter," Penelope murmured, understanding dawning in her eyes.
Alexander nodded, half-amused. "Education is Molly Weasley's soft spot. She means well, but when it comes to her children's studies… her temper tends to flare."
As the three of them stepped into Flourish and Blotts, the scent of parchment and ink filled the air. The shelves gleamed with hundreds of brand-new copies of Magic in the Muggle World.
Alexander looked at the cover — a deep black tome embossed with silver letters.
He smiled faintly.
"Let's see just how far Voldemort's curiosity went this time."
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