An Interlude on the Way Home
Wizet and Luna continued on their way and soon saw Xenophilius outside.
Xenophilius is dressed in traditional wizard attire, wearing a green robe adorned with buffalo horn patterns and a matching pointed hat.
A male wizard standing nearby, wearing a shirt and a slanted skirt, was still earnestly advising, "Your attire is far too revealing and will make our work more difficult..."
Wizet felt utterly bewildered. He couldn't quite tell whether it was the bright and eye-catching wizard's robes that drew attention, or the bizarre combination of a shirt and a slanted skirt that was more likely to attract attention.
As the three of them walked along, Xenophilius's striking attire indeed attracted a lot of attention.
However, Xenophilius didn't care at all and just walked ahead on his own, muttering to himself.
"Luna and I hitched a ride with Arthur, but when we went back, his family had four more kids to pick up, so there wasn't enough room for everyone..."
"I've already asked Arthur, and we can actually take the bus to the Leaky Cauldron and then use the fireplace to get home..."
Xenophilius looked very experienced, but it was actually his first time riding Muggle bus.
As he handed the ticket seller two Bronze Knut and was about to board the train, Wizet quickly took the Bronze Knut and then Xenophilius off the train.
He was still somewhat indignant after being pulled off the carriage. "Arthur even told me that it only cost a few copper coins to get on... Why was that man staring at me like that?"
The main material for making pennies is copper, which is somewhat similar to Bronze Knut. It's quite normal for wizards to confuse them.
Wizet shook his head slightly and explained, "Mr. Lovegood, Muggle have their own Bronze Knut called a penny."
"So... didn't I almost Anti-Statute of Secrecy just now?" Xenophilius, still shaken. "I don't want to end up in Azkaban!"
"It shouldn't be..." Wizet reassured her. "The materials are very similar, and it's normal for them to mistake one for the other... Shall we take the Knight Bus back to the village?"
"That's good! Looks like you've learned a lot at Hogwarts! You're much more reliable now!" Xenophilius then looked at Luna, "Honey, what do you think?"
Luna covered her mouth and smiled, "Wizet knows the way back better, I think it's better to listen to him."
The Knight Bus responded quickly; the magical bus appeared before Xenophilius his wand.
"Floo Powder is so cheap! I was hoping to save some money..." Xenophilius paid the fare with a pained expression.
Although his family is now much better off financially, he still maintains his frugal habits.
There are many passengers tonight, and all the beds are occupied.
While Xenophilius paying, Wizet and Luna went to a window seat.
Just as Wizet finished putting away his suitcase, the Knight Bus suddenly started moving.
Luna, who had lost her balance, leaned backward and fell directly towards Wizet.
Wizet instinctively grabbed Luna's arm and sat down on the suitcase, her whole body stiffening.
Luna's long hair flew up and fell onto Wizet's face, tickling her a little;
My nasal cavity was filled with the delicate fragrance of grass and trees, as if I were in a garden.
Not only was Wizet stiff, but Luna's movements also froze, as if a warm sensation had surged from the hands supporting her arms to her body.
The suitcase slid backward and bumped directly into a brass bed.
Thump!
The bronze bed made a loud thud.
The sudden start of the car, coupled with the loud thud of it hitting the brass bed, left the two men shaken and their hearts racing inexplicably.
"Excuse me, passenger... could you please get up?" ticket seller Stan Shunpike groaned.
Xenophilius complained in pain, "Couldn't you have waited until I was steady on my feet before driving? Was it really necessary to be in such a hurry?"
They both fell to the ground, with Xenophilius still on top of Stan Shunpike.
Hearing their conversation, Wizet realized what was happening, her tongue slurring, "That was pretty scary... Just now... are you... alright?"
"Hmm..." Luna hummed, and the two quickly separated.
She gripped the windowsill with both hands, staring out the window as if lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something.
Wizet pulled a few pieces of parchment from her pocket, turned them into sturdy enough seats, and gestured for Luna and Xenophilius.
"Honey, are you alright?" Xenophilius with concern. "Your face looks a little red. Did you hurt yourself somewhere?"
Luna kept looking out the window and replied in a murmured voice, "Yes, I'm fine... you don't need to worry."
The short 20-minute drive felt both incredibly long and incredibly short to Wizet.
This feeling is hard to describe in words; it's like something in your brain colliding and then quickly separating, creating a bizarre and indescribable sensation.
Even after getting off the car, he felt lightheaded and somewhat dizzy, like he was carsick.
"Wizet, are you alright?" Xenophilius, puzzled. "Why are you walking so unsteadily? Did you miss lunch and are you starving?"
"I had snacks for lunch..." Wizet gave a dry explanation, "Maybe it's because I was doing homework the whole time on the train and didn't get a break..."
"Mr. Lovegood, you take Luna back first... I'll walk a bit and get some fresh air, that should make me feel much better, you don't need to worry."
Xenophilius patted Wizet on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "You little rascal! You really are Ravenclaw just like me!"
"When I was on summer vacation, my plan was to finish my homework first, and then I could do whatever I wanted during the summer vacation, right?"
"Alright! Then walk slowly." He turned to Luna and said, "Honey, keep an eye on him for me. I'll go back and heat up the stew first."
"Okay, Dad."
The Ottery St Catchpole is relatively remote, hidden in a hilly area and woodland.
The sky darkened completely. It was summer, and the melodious chirping of insects filled the air, evoking a sense of leisurely rural life.
A cool forest breeze swept over him, dispelling Wizet's daze and bringing him back to his senses.
He took out his wand and whispered the incantation, "Lumos Solem!"
A bright ball of light appeared, and soon many flying mosquitoes were attracted to it, circling around it.
Wizet and Luna walked side by side, their shadows occasionally colliding and overlapping under the illumination of the orb.
The chirping of insects seemed to become a concerto, rising and falling in sync with their footsteps.
Luna tried to catch the mosquito with her hand. "You've mastered so much magic! This is the Wand-Lighting Charm, right? And what was that just now... Transfiguration?"
While helping Wizet with hand-drawn illustrations, she also learned a lot about the textbook.
Wizet. "Summer vacation is long. Once I get the wand, I can teach you everything I know."
Luna blinked and said, "I'm really looking forward to it, Teacher Vizet..."