Isn't This Easy?

"Mr. Crouch, do you know Albania?" Bertha Jokins asked in a light tone.

"Certainly."

Barty Crouch nodded, behaving like an ordinary, amiable boss who, on his way home from work, encountered a boisterous subordinate in the elevator and patiently chatted with her.

"I'm going on a long vacation!" Bertha Jokins exclaimed excitedly. "I'm going to Albania to visit my second cousin, and also to the south to visit an aunt! I'm so excited; I hear Albania has lots of exciting and novel things to do..."

"Albania ..." Crouch repeated, "I've heard that black magic is prevalent there, and the underground market is thriving."

He had one more thing to say, and most importantly, that was where Voldemort was said to have lingered on the brink of death.

As the Director of International Cooperation, Crouch had attended the International Wizarding Union Conference as a representative of the British Ministry of Magic, and he recalled Dumbledore's initiatives and warnings at the conference.

Voldemort...

Barty Crouch stared straight ahead, his graying hair reflected in the gleaming interior of the elevator. Many, led by Fudge, thought Dumbledore was getting senile, but he didn't believe they were Dumbledore.

"Oh yes, there must be a lot of interesting things there!" Bertha Jokins said cheerfully, her eyes filled with anticipation for Albania.

The elevator chains made a crisp clicking sound, the lights at the top of the elevator swayed slightly, and Crouch's wrinkled eyes looked even more profound... The Memory Charm can be broken in the face of a powerful wizard, and whatever secrets Albania may be hiding, Bertha Jokins's trip there on vacation at this time risks exposing those secrets.

If Voldemort really has something going on over there, and happens to be able to uncover his secrets from Jokins ' mind, his foolish son will surely come knocking on his door.

"Bertha, your vacation may have to be postponed for the time being," Crouch said in a somber tone.

"Huh?" Jokins was taken aback.

"The Quidditch World Cup final is about to begin, and we're short-staffed. We need you to stay and help out."

"But..."

Crouch advised gently, "You know you've caused a lot of trouble over the years. If you can help the Department of Magical Games and Sports complete its mission successfully this time, you might regain the praise of your colleagues."

Jokins ' eyes lit up. "You're right, Mr. Crouch!"

The golden gate jingled open, Jokins staggered out, his long golden hair cascading down his back like waves.

Crouch watched her until she disappeared from sight, and only looked away after a long while.

Crouch arrived at an ordinary magical fireplace in the hall, grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, and stepped into the magical flames. "Crouch family!"

The emerald green magical flames surged even higher, the bright light causing Barty Crouch to close his eyes. When he opened them again, he was already inside the Crouch family's fireplace.

"Master! You're back!" The House-elf Winky immediately came to greet him.

"Hmm..." Barty Crouch strolled out from behind the fireplace, took off his coat, and handed it to Winky. "How was he today?"

"Master Barty behaved very well; he is a good boy!"

Winky folded his coat and hung it up, then nervously followed behind him. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and asked, "Master, have you thought about letting Master Barty go to watch the Quidditch final?"

"You've been trying to persuade me about this for months, but this isn't something a House-elf you should be concerned with, Winky." Crouch walked to the chair in the Kitchen, reached out and removed the Invisibility Cloak that was hanging in mid-air, a rare moment of fresh air for Barty Jr. Crouch Jr.

As if Winky throat had been grabbed, her voice was suddenly cut off. However, compared to other families with strict rules, Master Crouch rarely disciplined her, so she dared to say a few more words.

Winky sobbed twice, her voice trembling as she said, "Sir, Master Barty likes Quidditch. Let Master Barty go. He can watch the game wearing Invisibility Cloak, and no one will notice him... Please, let Master Barty breathe some fresh air."

Listening to the house-elves chattering in his ears, Crouch stared at those dull, lifeless eyes for a long time. Perhaps he was too tired from the day's work, and Bertha Jorkins had also disturbed his peace of mind. The usually deep-thinking Director of the International Cooperation Division and former Minister of Magical Execution showed a rare look of sorrow on his face.

Crouch's eyes welled up with tears as he looked at his son in the dormitory, whose eyes were vacant and whose expression was blank. He was neither as thoughtful as he was at the Ministry of Magic, nor as quick-witted as he was at the International Wizarding Congress. He was only in a daze and filled with indescribable complex emotions.

Many years ago, before the lady of the Castle, Mrs. Crouch, died, the Crouch family would occasionally host banquets and Yule Ball to help him advance his career in the Ministry of Magic. Although not as extravagant as the Malfoy family's, these were still brightly lit and filled with distinguished guests.

At that time, Barty Jr. had not yet graduated from Hogwarts and was still an immature child. He would always hang out with a few silly children from Pure-blood Families. Using his authority as the young master of the house, he ordered Winky to open the door to the storeroom. The silly children, in high spirits, each grabbed a flying broom and ran around at the Yule Ball.

After the Yule Ball, he wanted to teach that idiot a lesson, but his wife stopped him. At that moment, Barty Jr. was hiding behind his wife, making crude faces at him that were completely unlike the behavior of Pure-blood Families.

Many years later, he learned that Barty Jr.. not only hung out with those foolish Pure-blood Families children, but had also joined the Death Eater, who worshipped the Dark Lord. But just like the child who rode a broomstick recklessly at the Yule Ball years ago, by the time he realized it, the damage was done.

At the time, it was during the period of reckoning following the departure of the Dark Lord. In order to prevent his foolish son from implicating the entire family and to prevent the Crouch family, which had been passed down for thousands of years, from being divided up by other greedy Pure-blood Families, he had no choice but to take a hard line and personally send his foolish son to Azkaban.

That year, he sat on the judge's bench at the Ministry of Magic, looking down at his son with an air of superiority, and pronounced in a cold, stern voice. "The evidence is conclusive, life imprisonment!"

"Master, Mrs. Crouch Mrs. Crouch prefer that Master Barty Master Barty go. She rescued him to give him his freedom, not to imprison him for life..."

Winky spoke softly, large tears streamed down her large, protruding eyes, which were as big as tennis balls.

"Book a VIP box on the top floor of the stadium..." Crouch finally relented, "And you can take him away after everyone has left."

"Yes, Master!" Winky exclaimed in delight.

On a morning in early August, Diagon Alley was bustling with activity.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of various snacks, candies, and baked bread. At the Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour's street-facing counter, a mixture of various fruits and light cream had just been transformed into a smooth ice cream under the effect of a uniquely improved Freezing Charm. As soon as the lid was lifted, a sweet and cool breeze spread out, reaching deep into the nasal cavity.

With the Quidditch final about to begin, many wizards rushing to watch the game are buying items for their viewing needs: tents, Muggle- style clothing, Telescope ... They plan to buy team souvenirs at the game venue, where prices are higher but the atmosphere is better. Some shrewd wizards are also making bulk purchases in Diagon Alley, intending to resell them at higher prices near the game for a profit.

In short, Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour was packed with people, and there were even long lines in front of the ice cream counter.

Outside the long line, Hermione stood and carefully instructed Loren, "You stay here and queue for ice cream. I'm going to Flourish and Blotts to buy some books, understand?"

"Understood." Loren had a Licorice Wands in his mouth, which tasted sweet.

"I want strawberry flavor, not mint, understand?"

"Mint flavor, not strawberry, understand!" Loren nodded.

Hermione pinched his arm and glared at him with her beautiful eyes. "If it's mint flavored, I'll stuff a scoop of ice cream inside your collar!"

After saying that, he nimbly jogged away.

Loren watched her back. The girl's brown curly hair, tied into pigtails, swayed back and forth, shimmering in the sunlight. The skin on the back of her neck was snow-white, and a classic light blue denim jacket clung to her body, showing off her slender arms and waist.

Oh my, it's so beautiful...

"Little wizard, what flavor of ice cream would you like?" Florian, the owner of the ice cream shop, was a very kind wizard.

"Emmm..." Loren hesitated for a few seconds, "Sir, could you make a double-layered ice cream scoop? I mean, the inner layer is mint flavored and the outer layer is strawberry flavored."

"Certainly!"

Florian wielded the long spoon used to scoop ice cream with deft, skillful movements.

Not far from Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour is Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts is right across the street.

Hermione walked past Flourish and Blotts without stopping, turned a corner, and stepped into Slug & Giggs Apothecary, a Potions and ingredient shop that sells Potions as well as many ingredients that can be used to make Potions. Sometimes, however, they are not so strict and the items they sell can also be used to make alchemical items.

For example, the horns, leg bones, and fur of Fantastic Beasts can be used in both Potions and Alchemy.

The entire pharmacy smelled terrible. There were barrels of viscous substance near the entrance, and various jars of powders and herbs against the wall. Bundles of feathers, fangs, and claws hung from the ceiling.

"Hello, I need Two-horned Beast horn, Acromantula silk..." Hermione checked the list she had confirmed with Flamel the night before, reading out the materials she needed one by one. After listing all the plant and animal materials, she tentatively asked, "Do you have any goblin-made silver coins here? Copper coins are fine too..."

"Yes, how many do you need?"

Two.

"Please wait a moment."

"..."

Five minutes later, Hermione walked out of the craft shop with light steps, a smile on her lips as she hummed a cheerful tune, her mind preoccupied with how to make Loren's birthday present.

There are four days left until Loren's birthday!

Hermione, thinking about the extra materials in the pendant, couldn't wait to try it out.

Not long ago, she sent Harry a whole box of sugar-free snacks for his birthday, but she couldn't send Loren those things for his birthday. Ancient Rune had been studying for a year, and she had also consulted Flamel about Alchemy, so she planned to make Loren a special gift herself.

But all of this still needs to be kept secret.

Hermione pursed her lips, concealing the smile on her face and the eager gleam in her eyes.

After passing the Eeylops Owl Emporium, you'll find Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour ahead, where Loren is standing guard with two boxes of ice cream.

I walked up behind him and peeked at it on tiptoe. One was pink strawberry flavored, and the other was yellow mango flavored. Condensed white steam kept rising from the box, showing no signs of melting. Manager Florian's improved Freezing Charm kept the ice cream at its best.

Hermione patted him on the shoulder. "Let's go, let's go buy some stuff for the game..."

Loren turned around quickly, a strange smile spreading across his face before disappearing just as fast. He pursed his lips and handed her the pink ice cream, his eyes darting around as he pretended not to care, saying, "Why did it take so long? I was thinking of going to Flourish and Blotts to find you, but I was worried we'd miss each other..."

Hermione took the ice cream, noticed his expression, and looked at him strangely, focusing on his eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Loren avoided her gaze, his eyes darting around before he retorted confidently, "How do you know I'm looking at you if you're not looking at me?"

This person seems to have some issues.

Hermione for a few seconds, her gaze falling on the ice cream in her hand. She looked at the ice cream suspiciously, then at Loren: "Is there something wrong with this ice cream?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Loren straightened his back and said firmly, "I think you just think you look great today!"

"Yeah?"

Hermione looked into his eyes and met his gaze.

Loren felt a little guilty.

Lately, I've been feeling like Hermione's Legilimency has broken through his Occlumency, but how could that be? Even Voldemort and Dumbledore couldn't do that. I should try to look into her eyes less often in the future, lest I unknowingly fall for it.

Hermione didn't press the matter further. Instead, she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, put it in her mouth, and, savoring the sweet, soft shaved ice, said in a clear, melodious voice:

"Do you think a high ponytail looks good? This hairstyle is quite easy to tie up. How about leaving some bangs out?"

"Hiss..."

Loren saw Hermione suddenly begin to glow in the sunlight, the clear and pure light illuminating his dark thoughts and making it seem as if a giant was wielding a heavy wooden club and hammering his conscience.

I feel a little ashamed of myself.

Hermione sipped her sweet shaved ice, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a smile.

"I've got an idea to make ice cream taste even better!"

Loren quickly snatched the ice cream from her hand and poured it into his own container. He then used the included Wooden Spoon to stir it rapidly, mixing the mango, mint, and strawberry colors together to create a light reddish-yellowish-green hue.

"It tastes better this way."

Hermione tried a bite, and the cool, refreshing taste was mixed with the crispness of mint. "It really is!"

Behind the counter of the ice cream shop, watching the strange little wizard and Witch walk away together, the shopkeeper Florian smiled. Perhaps he should also try to launch a new flavor.