Give an angler a ten-pound fish, and he'll carry it around for three days and three nights, parading it through the entire city.
Right now, Cedric was that big fish in his father's hands—shown briefly to Wayne before being hurried off to the next person.
Seeing the despair in Cedric's eyes, Wayne knew his day was ruined.
There was nothing he could do to help. Mr Diggory's favourite pastime was showing off his outstanding son. The entire Ministry of Magic knew Cedric was Hogwarts' model student, and he~ was largely to thank.
After two seconds of silent mourning, Wayne took Hermione and Cho to the Transforming Ink Stationery Shop to buy parchment and ink.
Finally, they headed to the Magical Creatures Shop.
Hermione wanted to buy herself a pet as a birthday present.
Originally, Wayne's suitcase contained plenty of small animals, and he thought Hermione could just pick one from there.
But the young witch felt those were already Wayne's pets, and they might end up being more attached to him than to her, which would be disheartening. Insisting on buying her own, Wayne had no choice but to let her.
The already cramped Magical Creatures Shop was packed, mostly with young witches and wizards buying pets for their first year at school.
Wayne frowned.
Maybe it was his imagination, but... did this year's intake seem unusually large?
Hermione and Cho didn't notice this detail, too busy excitedly examining the shop's pets—owls, toads, lizards...
All sorts of peculiar creatures were on display, though most were harmless.
Hermione had originally planned to buy an owl, thinking Harry's Hedwig was beautiful with her snow-white feathers.
But upon entering and seeing so many options, she became overwhelmed, quietly asking Cho for advice as she struggled to decide.
"Wayne! Hermione!" An excited voice called from behind. Wayne turned to see Harry and Ron standing at the entrance.
The two boys hurried over.
"Long time no see, Wayne," Harry said cheerfully. "I've been in Diagon Alley for days—wondered why we hadn't run into you."
"I know," Wayne nodded. "You inflated your aunt."
Harry looked embarrassed while Ron snickered beside him. "Pretty sure the whole school knows by now."
"Harry, did you really inflate your aunt?"
Hermione approached, her tone stern.
"It wasn't on purpose," Harry mumbled awkwardly, feeling like he was being interrogated by Professor McGonagall. "I just... lost control."
"This isn't funny," Hermione said severely. "You were already warned last year. Honestly, I'm surprised you weren't expelled."
"Me too," Harry muttered. Fudge's attitude towards him had been unbelievably lenient.
"Well, you are Harry Potter," Ron clapped Harry's shoulder and joked. "If I'd blown up an aunt, they'd have a hard time expelling me."
"Because they'd have to dig me out of the ground first—Mum would've killed me already."
Wayne couldn't help but laugh.
Soon, the others joined in, and the tension dissolved completely. Ron had always been skilled at self-deprecating humour and lightening the mood.
"By the way, are you two looking to buy pets?" Hermione glanced between them before settling her gaze on Ron. "Has Scabbers finally died of old age so you can get a new one?"
"Not at all." Ron pulled the lethargic rat from his pocket with a worried expression. "I wanted to get him checked. He's been like this ever since Egypt – listless every day. Probably struggling to adapt to the climate."
Wayne gave it a sidelong glance.
Climate sickness?
More likely terrified by Sirius Black's escape.
...
The group arranged to meet later at the Leaky Cauldron before Harry and Ron took Scabbers for examination.
After much deliberation, Hermione – as if by fate – selected the fattest, chubbiest orange cat in the shop.
According to the shopkeeper, this cat had partial Kneazle ancestry, making it exceptionally intelligent.
But that wasn't why Hermione chose it.
The sight of the fluffy orange fur felt strangely familiar and comforting. Without hesitation, she spent her pocket money to claim the large cat, struggling to hold it while beaming with joy.
Cat food was unnecessary; the meals Gardevoir prepared for Kneazles surpassed anything pet shops offered.
After some casual browsing, they arrived at the Firebolt boutique.
"Wayne, are you buying another broom?" Cho immediately grabbed the boy's arm. "This isn't a Nimbus – they say a single Firebolt costs more than an entire team's worth of Nimbuses! Don't waste your money."
"Huh?" Wayne looked puzzled. "Didn't I tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"The Firebolt company is mine."
Cho gaped. "When did you ever mention that?"
Wayne thought carefully. He realised he'd been too preoccupied cheering Cho up recently to bring it up.
He briefly explained the backstory, leaving both girls stunned.
Cho playfully smacked his arm twice.
"How could you keep something this big from me?"
"Genuinely forgot." Wayne patted her backside. "Come on, your gifts are inside."
Hermione flushed crimson.
If you're going to pat anything, at least pat your own backside!
...
Inside the Firebolt store, Wayne had the staff bring out the prepared brooms.
With the term starting soon, Penelope had left her part-time job here, but the remaining staff recognised their young boss, avoiding any dramatic confrontations.
Cho ran her hands admiringly over the Firebolt's sleek contours and glowing ash wood, but refused: "Wayne, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
"Neither can I. I don't even like broom riding," Hermione added.
"Can't sell them now anyway." Wayne pointed to the engraved names and serial numbers on the broom tails.
"These are custom-made for you."
"But Firebolts are so expensive!"
"Don't go by retail price. The actual production cost is much lower..."
"..."
After considerable persuasion, Wayne finally convinced them to accept the brooms, grabbing an additional one for Astoria on the way out.
Exiting the shop with her Firebolt box, Cho made an exuberant declaration."This year's Quidditch champion will definitely be Ravenclaw!"
Wayne chuckled and patted her head. "Alright, Champion, time to go back for dinner now."
...
Arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, Mr Weasley, who was chatting with the proprietor, Tom, cheerfully waved them over.
"And who's this?"
"This is Cho Chang, my girlfriend," Wayne introduced to Mr Weasley. Hermione needed no introduction, having met her at the station earlier.
Seeing Hermione show no signs of displeasure, Mr Weasley sighed inwardly.
Young wizards these days certainly knew how to have fun.
"How was your holiday?"
"Quite good, though probably not as exciting as Egypt."
"You must visit sometime," Mr Weasley grew more animated at the mention of Egypt. "The pyramids there are truly marvellous."
"I heard from Ron that George and Fred nearly locked Percy inside one?"
"You met Ron?" Mr Weasley looked slightly embarrassed. "Almost, almost. Those two are always picking on Percy..."
"Dad, since when would I dare bully the Head Boy?"
At that moment, the twins returned from shopping with Molly, accompanied by Ginny and Percy.
Percy stood tall, the gleaming letter P on his badge so bright one might suspect it had been enchanted with a Shining Charm.
Wayne didn't recall the Head Boy badge being that luminous last year.
Last year's Head Girl had been Grace, whose badge he'd seen daily.
Wait... had his attention been diverted elsewhere?
While Wayne was distracted, the twins and Percy's group had approached.
"Hello Wayne, pleased to meet you," Percy said solemnly, extending his hand while subtly puffing out his chest to make his badge more prominent.
Suppressing a smile, Wayne shook his hand.
He wasn't particularly close with Percy, but neither had they any conflicts.
After being clearly rejected by Penelope, Percy started dating another Gryffindor Prefect.
Making one wonder if he chose girlfriends based on academic rankings...
Before Percy could attempt further small talk, George shouldered him aside.
George bowed deeply with an exaggerated flourish. "Young Master Lawrence, what an absolute delight to see you."
Wayne countered, "How delighted?"
George faltered, but Fred quickly responded, "As delighted as hearing Snape resigned."
Wayne nodded gravely. "That would indeed be very delightful."
Nearby, Ginny giggled until Molly tapped her shoulder. "Ginny, mind your manners as a young lady."
"What's the harm?" Ginny stuck out her tongue playfully. "Wayne's practically family."
"That's no excuse," Molly warned, though her expression softened when she turned to Wayne. "Join us for dinner tonight. We're staying at the pub and going to the station with Harry tomorrow."
"Certainly."
The twins pulled Wayne aside conspiratorially. "Did you run into Cedric earlier?"
"Yes, and Mr Diggory too."
The trio exchanged mischievous grins. Fred said slyly, "I can't imagine how Mr Diggory would react when Cedric becomes Head Boy."
"He might throw a banquet with giant P banners hanging everywhere."
Wayne raised his hand and said, "Then I'll sit at the kids' table."
...
By evening.
The entire Weasley family, Wayne's trio, and Harry all had dinner together.
Ron nearly went mad when he saw Hermione's massive ginger cat.
"A cat that big could swallow Scabbers in one bite."
Hermione looked disgusted. "Scabbers is so old, Crookshanks wouldn't even want to eat him."
With just one sentence, Ron was left speechless. He lowered his head to look at his loudly snoring rat, feeling a wave of sorrow.
Scabbers... even the cats don't want you anymore?
It's alright, no matter what, I won't abandon you!
...
The next day, Wayne entered King's Cross Station under Nagini's reluctant gaze.
Stepping onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, it was already crowded with students and parents. Wayne even spotted Mrs Greengrass and the Astoria sisters.
Astoria trotted over and hugged Wayne, her face filled with deep affection. "Wayne..."
"Have you been behaving lately?"
"Yes, Mr Moody even praised me and my sister for making great progress."
"Good girl." The young man ruffled her little head.
This felt less like having a young wife and more like raising a daughter.
Mrs Greengrass also approached, waiting until Astoria had been sufficiently soothed before asking:
"How did you convince Crouch?"
"He went to see you?"
"Yes, he came yesterday. Gave me quite a shock." Mrs Greengrass rubbed her temples. "He's famously strict and rigid, yet he agreed to help me place a few people..."
"There isn't some scheme behind this, is there?"
"Don't worry." Wayne smiled. "Mr Crouch is genuinely committed to my cause. We have a mutually beneficial partnership."
"As long as you're confident." With so many eyes and ears around, Mrs Greengrass didn't press further. After entrusting her two daughters to Wayne, she left.
...
The three boarded the train. The front compartments were mostly full, but Wayne wasn't worried—Hermione and the others had likely arrived early and secured a compartment.
As they made their way down the corridor, they happened to run into the twins, who were also searching for an empty compartment.
After passing a few carriages, they bumped into Cedric.
The model student had just changed into his robes and emerged from a compartment, heading forward. Wayne greeted him with a teasing smirk:
"So eager to enjoy your Prefect privileges, are we? What's the Prefect's compartment like? I've never seen it."
The twins waggled their eyebrows in agreement.
Cedric had been smiling when he greeted them, but at Wayne's jab, his expression soured. "You're joining in on this, too, huh?"
"I wouldn't dare." Wayne took a step back in mock fear. "What if you dock points from me?"
"Piss off." Cedric rolled his eyes. "It's Percy. He's been notifying every Prefect since boarding, saying there's a meeting."
"Hasn't he noticed his badge changed?" George quickly asked.
"Bighead? I knew it was you two." Cedric smirked. "Percy's been puffing his chest out so much, it's impossible to miss."
"But no one's bothered to point it out to him."
The twins burst into raucous laughter.
"Enough of you lot." Cedric pushed past the twins blocking the doorway. "I've got a meeting to attend."
After a few steps, he suddenly turned back, his face serious.
"Oh, and Lawrence—remember to address me by my title when on duty. Call me Prefect."
"Give you an inch and you'll take a mile, eh?" Wayne couldn't help but laugh at his audacity. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Go on, show this Prefect our 'respect'."
Before Cedric could flee, the twins pounced on him with wicked grins and dragged him into a compartment. From within came sounds that were neither quite weeping nor laughter.
Wayne shook his head. Cedric was the epitome of someone who was terrible at something yet loved to provoke. At least run further away before taunting next time—that way, you might live a bit longer.
Astoria curiously peeked her little head towards the compartment, only to be stopped by Wayne.
"Don't look. It'll dirty your eyes. Let's go find Hermione and the others."
"Oh." Astoria nodded obediently.
Daphne, walking behind them, stole a glance and immediately flushed crimson.
...
Only when they reached the last two carriages did Wayne finally find Hermione and Cho, with Penelope also inside. To his surprise, aside from the three girls, Ginny and Luna were in the compartment as well.
The already cramped space became even more crowded after Wayne brought in the Greengrass sisters, forcing him to cast an Undetectable Extension Charm to expand the area.
"Cool!" Ginny exclaimed as the compartment suddenly became much more spacious, looking at Wayne expectantly. "Can you teach me?"
"It's in the school library. You can learn it yourself," Wayne said, sitting down beside Cho. "Why aren't you with George and the others? What brings you to our carriage?"
Ginny pouted. "They forgot about me as soon as they got on the train. No idea where Ron wandered off to either."
"Besides, I have to keep Luna company, right, Luna?" Ginny affectionately slung an arm around Luna's shoulders.
"Hmm?" Luna, who had been engrossed in her magazine, finally looked up and nodded softly. "Right."
Watching the two beauties snuggled together, Wayne's lips twitched.
The citrus energy was strong here.