On Christmas Day, the Grey Family enjoyed a grand feast, watched a musical, and took lots of photos using the vintage camera that was Ferdinand's Christmas gift to Vid, while Fiona's gift was developing potion.
"This camera was bought at Diagon Alley, they said it works fine even at Hogwarts." Ferdinand smiled and said: "This way you can capture your life at school."
"The owner of the ice cream shop at Diagon Alley told me that if you use the right developing potion, the people in the photos will move!" Fiona said excitedly: "So what are we waiting for? Let's take pictures today!"
However, after taking the photos, they realized that even the small task of developing photos requires a Magic Wand, but Vid can't use magic at home.
Seeing Fiona disappointed, Vid suggested: "Actually, we could stay at the Leaky Cauldron for one night—there are many adult wizards there, even if magic is used, the Ministry of Magic can't pinpoint who did it, you won't receive a warning letter."
Fiona was tempted but shook her head: "Forget it, if we get caught, it wouldn't be good for you! Besides, you'll be going back to school in a few days…"
Speaking of which, she started feeling sentimental. Vid hadn't left yet, but she was already starting to miss him.
Ferdinand frowned and asked: "Vid, is the Ministry of Magic's enforcement accuracy that low?"
"For monitoring underage wizards using magic, they can only detect a general area. As for other matters—" Vid thought about the story where the Ministry of Magic gets worse every year, "—other things don't seem to be very effective either."
"Do not underestimate the Ministry of Magic, Vid." Ferdinand warned: "No enforcement agency is not a violent institution; if you don't recognize it, you might make wrong judgments."
Vid replied seriously: "I understand, Dad."
Indeed, the Ministry of Magic that he now looks down upon could imprison professors under Dumbledore's command in Azkaban and has the authority to expel students from Hogwarts. This authority hasn't weakened much because of the Ministry's bloated, corrupt, and incompetent nature—quite the opposite, incapable and corrupt people are more prone to abuse their power.
The next day, the Grey Family got up early because they were going shopping at Diagon Alley, which was bound to take a long time.
As always, they went to Gringotts first to exchange money; Ferdinand had already prepared a heavy bag.
"Those goblins don't like banknotes." He explained to Vid: "If it's banknotes, you can only exchange up to 20 Galleons. The limit for coins is higher, but if you use gold, there's no limit. Goblins love gold."
"I don't need that much money, Dad." Vid persuaded: "Hogwarts provides food and lodging, and some students only need 10 Galleons a year."
"That's because they have to buy everything second-hand and can't buy snacks; they even have to save on ink." Ferdinand patted his head: "Your drawback is being too sensible, Vid; sometimes you can be a little more willful."
"Besides, aren't you learning Alchemy?" Fiona wagged her finger: "Don't think you can fool me! Even though I can't do magic, I know that learning Alchemy surely costs a lot; Hogwarts surely can't provide unlimited materials for you to practice, right?"
Vid pursed his lips slightly and said softly: "Thank you, Dad, Mom – I love you."
He had always been reserved since he was little; saying "I love you" was something ordinary children were accustomed to, but he found it hard to say. Hearing it suddenly, the Greys were pleasantly surprised, exchanged a glance, and couldn't help but smile.
"I love you too, darling." Fiona said tenderly.
On the way afterward, Fiona held Vid's hand tightly.
After exchanging for Galleons, Ferdinand stepped away for a while, and Fiona accompanied Vid to Madam Malkin's robe shop.
Hogwarts uniforms are loose robes, and even if Vid grew three centimeters taller, they were still a good fit. But considering he would surely continue to grow taller next term, Fiona decided to order two more sets of uniforms for him.
"And one dress robe as well." Fiona said while discussing the lining style with Madam Malkin: "Keep it simple, don't use flashy colors, Vid doesn't like that. We need them by this afternoon at the latest; if it's not ready, off-the-rack is fine."
"A dress robe?" Vid said, acting as a clothing display nearby.
"Silly question, Vid." Fiona said gently, as if talking to a child: "You plan to wear your school uniform to Professor Morry's party tomorrow? Oh, you really should have told me earlier, so we could customize a suitable one."
Vid actually thought the Hogwarts robe was fine, and the dress robes displayed at Madam Malkin's store closely resembled his school robe.
Of course, he couldn't say that aloud, or Fiona would take at least a thousand words to prove how vastly different they were.
Vid could only obediently keep silent as Madam Malkin said to his mother: "Don't worry, Madam Grey, I assure you'll have his new robe by three in the afternoon at the latest. Let's look at the styles for the dress robes… Which color do you prefer? Ah, this color suits his complexion so well, your taste is quite good… Do you have any preferences for accessories? For boys, nothing too complex or excessive, something elegant and refined is best…"
"Mom!" Vid couldn't help but interject.
Fiona glanced back at her son and regretfully sighed at his protesting eyes, placing down the jewelry-adorned, sparkling yet useless items like necklaces, bracelets, and rings, saying: "Just the cufflinks, okay? Nothing else is needed."
Madam Malkin cheerfully packed away the other items, not in the least bit impatient, and accompanied Fiona to choose cufflinks for a good while. Once they decided on the dress robe, Madam Malkin suddenly seemed to recall something and said: "Dear, young Mr. Grey shouldn't pair old shoes with his new dress robe, should he? Would you like to look at our latest Dragon Skin Boots?"
Vid stared blankly at the ceiling, regretting not bringing a book—he was now just hoping for another customer to enter, making Madam Malkin busy. Otherwise, Fiona could spend an entire day here.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang once, Vid immediately turned his head, only to see Ferdinand entering with a newspaper.
Ferdinand nodded at Vid and asked: "Haven't bought the clothes yet?"
"Not yet." Vid couldn't help but sigh: "Choosing shoes."
He tried hard to resist the urge to complain to his father.
"Have the measurements been taken?"
"Got them done as soon as we walked in."
"That's good." Ferdinand told his wife: "Fiona, take your time, I'll take Vid to buy something else. Wait here at Madam Malkin's once you're finished ordering the clothes."
Fiona waved her hand: "Alright. Don't keep me waiting too long!"
The father and son exited, and Ferdinand said to his son: "I've subscribed to the Prophet Daily—also subscribed to one for you; they'll deliver it to school via owl. You should start getting used to paying attention to current affairs more often."
Vid nodded.
Father and son wandered around Diagon Alley for less than half an hour and bought the other items, Vid specially noted down a few shop names and product catalogs, so he could order needed items via owl when at school.
Especially the Magic Potion Materials—Hogwarts only provides the basic ones for free, rare and expensive materials are only offered in limited quantities during classes, and certainly not given to young wizards like him for unrestricted practice.
When they returned to the robe shop, Fiona had just finished picking out shoes and was sitting with a cup of tea, flipping through a magazine called Wizard Weekly. Upon hearing the bell at the door, she turned to look and immediately beamed a bright smile.
Vid smiled slightly, but before he could speak, Ferdinand, originally walking behind him, strode forward, leaned down, and asked softly: "All done? Tired?"
Fiona stretched her arms, saying: "Yes, shopping is exhausting—what are we having for lunch?"
"There's a nice French restaurant nearby, how about we eat there? Order a foie gras steak and roasted cod…"