An Ordinary Wizarding Life

Early August arrived, on an ordinary late summer morning.

In a Kitchen on the edge of a rural town Ottery St Catchpole, south of Stoat Hill, the most striking thing is a large black oven. Moving your gaze along the window, there is a long table in the garden behind the Kitchen.

For the Burrow, today's furnishings are a bit too formal.

A woman was busy in the Kitchen, her red hair like a flickering flame in a fireplace. She wore cloth shoes and a plaid apron over a thin summer sweater. Years of housework had left their mark on her; wrinkles lined her forehead and the corners of her eyes, and her eyes were no longer as bright as they had been in her youth, but her cheeks still held a touch of girlish charm, indicating that her love for life remained.

She was a bit short and plump, but very agile. She held a thin wooden stick in her hand and swung it like a musician. Flour, eggs, butter, and sugar... all the ingredients prepared the day before jumped into the basin and rolled together.

"Oh, I knew the techniques in that book were useful..."

Molly exclaimed cheerfully, tilting her head slightly to glance at the clear sky, her satisfaction even more evident. "Today is a perfect day for making a fruitcake!"

She was speaking to the people outside. In the living room outside the Kitchen, Loren, Harry, and Ron were cleaning up the dishes left over from breakfast. They all looked very diligent, but they were all taking a break.

Arthur and Percy went to work and wouldn't be back until evening. Bill and Charlie were setting the table outside, George and Fred were upstairs fiddling with something, and Hermione and Ginny were doing some Ancient Rune homework in the shed. For a while, it was just the three of them there.

Ron piled the cutlery together, the clinking of metal creating a crisp, pleasant sound. He peeked into the Kitchen cautiously and said, "It's best not to disturb her now, or Mom will blame you for the cake's failure, instead of that Household Magic book..."

Loren flipped through a book of Household Magic called "The Magic of Baking Cakes." According to the preface, this book, along with "The Magic of Baking Bread" and "The Magic of Baking Pies," is part of a series that is hailed as one of the top ten must-read series for 20th-century wizarding housewives.

"Actually, I think this book is quite well written." Loren flipped through the pages with great interest.

Harry, intrigued, leaned closer and saw the illustrations in the book. Flour, eggs, butter, and juice were being added to a cauldron like potions, and a smiling blonde young Witch was stirring it. The next illustration showed the finished fruitcake.

Harry: "..."

Is this some kind of Potions brewing or a cake baking?

"It's a perfect day for making a fruitcake, I knew it before I even got out of bed..." Molly's cheerful voice came from the Kitchen. "The rooster's crow was very loud, and there were other birds too. Oh, Loren, your birthday has come at a perfect time."

"If you ask me, I have to thank you for this, Mrs. Weasley," Loren replied loudly.

Yes, Molly somehow found out it was his birthday and announced it to everyone at dinner yesterday, proposing a grand birthday party for him, which was supported by all the Weasley.

"I won't stand on ceremony with you, Loren ..." Molly said with a smile, "I plan to make a few more cakes. We'll try them out during the day, and we can improve them no matter how good or bad they are. I'll also set aside the ingredients for a large cake for Arthur and Percy to enjoy at dinner when they get back..."

"Do you need any help?"

"Oh no, you little guys are helping if you behave yourselves."

"..."

In the shed next to the Burrow, the two girls stared intently at the silver coins laid out in front of them and the Mithril -hot in the bronze crucible.

Before she knew it, Hermione had a thin layer of sweat on her face, and a few strands of hair were sticking to her skin, but she didn't notice at all. She diligently dipped her brush into the thick mithril and drew dense Mithril on the Runes Goblin Silver Coin.

"What will these two silver coins be made into?" Ginny couldn't help but ask.

The roommate had been working on the silver coins for several days, and in the middle of it, she accidentally connected several symbols together, causing a problem with the Magic Power circuit that led to an explosion that almost shattered their bedroom window.

Because of this, they had to hide in their father's shed to continue the unfinished part.

Hermione brushed aside a few strands of hair that were sticking to the corners of her eyes, lowered her forehead and wiped the thin layer of sweat on her sleeve. "According to my design, all the symbols will be integrated into the lower layer of the silver coin after completion, so they will still be in their original positions."

Ginny crouched down beside her, bringing her eyes close to the silver coin as she examined it closely. "Is there some kind of strange magic in it?"

"A rudimentary mobile phone."

"What?"

"It's something that can exchange information."

"Oh..." Ginny nodded as if she understood but not quite. She used to have some interest in Ancient Rune, but now she had no interest at all.

She saw Hermione rest for a while and then continue focusing on the silver coins. Ginny glanced at her and said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry, Hermione, it's all my fault for letting slip to Mom that it's Loren's birthday today... otherwise you wouldn't have had to rush like this."

"It's not your fault. Harry and Ron also know it Loren's birthday, and..." Hermione shook her head, a smile playing on her lips, "I think it's something to be happy about that Mrs. Weasley is celebrating Loren's birthday. I've never had this experience before."

Ginny breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good..."

The Mithril surface spewed flames, and a faint, thunderous sound emanated from it, whether from the flames or the Mithril itself. The metal block, which was square just a few days ago, was now reduced to a layer only half the thickness of a fingernail. The patterns on the Goblin Silver Coin were being covered by crooked symbols at a visible speed.

Ginny roughly estimated that, at Hermione's current speed, she should be able to finish before dark.

"The cake is ready!"

Molly saw the cake base in the oven, turning an enticing golden yellow, plump and full, and she could imagine its soft and sweet taste just by looking at it.

This is the batter she made according to the instructions in the book, only reducing the amount of ingredients proportionally. Originally, it was less than half the height of the mold, but it rose quite a bit and looks very successful.

When the baking time was up, Molly noticed that cracks were starting to appear on the smooth surface of the cake. She realized she had overbaked it and quickly opened the oven to take the cake out.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the oven was opened, the originally fluffy and full cake base collapsed quickly like a deflated balloon, and in the blink of an eye, it became ugly.

Just then, Loren and his two companions, who had heard the shouts, squeezed into the Kitchen and witnessed the scene, falling silent for a moment.

Fortunately, it had only collapsed; the rest of the cake seemed fine, and the overflowing sweet aroma suggested it tasted pretty good. Molly used a spoon to break it open and examined it. Inside, the golden cake contained many honeycomb-like air bubbles of varying sizes. With her experience, she roughly knew where the problem lay.

"Try it."

After confirming that it wasn't too hot, Molly broke off a piece for each of them and handed it to Loren and the others.

Even Crookshanks, which was rubbing against their feet, had some kind of Fantastic Beasts, the Niffler. Crookshanks has a very good stomach and can eat almost anything that humans can eat, so there's no need to worry about poisoning or indigestion.

Loren took a bite; it wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly delicious either.

The taste of cake bases is generally similar; the main difference lies in the texture. A cake that has collapsed during baking will have a mediocre texture.

Harry and Ron exchanged a silent glance. They felt that it wasn't as good as what the House-elf Hogwarts made, but they certainly couldn't say that, so they had to remain silent.

"Hmm..." Molly tasted it. "The egg whites weren't whipped properly, and the air bubbles weren't eliminated. Besides fruit, we need to add something to make it more flavorful..."

She placed the cake on the counter. "Some of the walnuts on the mountain should be ripe by now. Go pick some and put them in the cake. Call Bill and Charlie; they know where it is."

"Okay, Mom."

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley."

The three of them turned and slipped away nimbly.

Squeak—

Loren pushed open the old iron gate from the outside.

Hermione stopped what she was doing when she heard footsteps, and pulled Ginny to block the counter from view of what was on it. The two stood side by side, tilting their heads to look at the door.

Loren looked at them both with a puzzled expression. "Aren't you finished yet? Why is your Runes homework so complicated?"

Harry and Ron peeked out from behind Loren. Ron patted his chest with a hint of lingering fear. "Even Hermione had such a hard time. If it were us... I'm so glad we didn't choose Ancient Rune."

Harry nodded in deep agreement.

Hermione pursed her lips. "The homework isn't difficult, but I want to explain the basics of Ancient Rune to Ginny. She's very interested in Ancient Rune."

Ginny's eyes widened suddenly.

When did this happen?

No, I didn't!

"It really is Professor Granger ..." Loren muttered. "Would you like to come with us to pick walnuts on the mountain? Mrs. Weasley said some of the early ones are already ripe and ready to eat."

Just as Ginny was about to agree, she felt Hermione tug at her clothes.

"..."

Hermione calmly said, "We won't go. We can stay home and help Mrs. Weasley bake a cake."

"Yeah yeah..."

Ginny forced a smile, glaring at Hermione as she grinned and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "No, you'll have to help me from now on too..."

Hermione nodded with a smile, "You guys go have fun, don't worry about us."

"Strange..."

As Harry closed the door, he couldn't help but mutter, "It seems like they're hiding something from us, don't you think?"

"Everyone has secrets, and that's just how girls are."

Loren grinned. He'd been acting suspiciously for days, and today he felt even more anxious. He wasn't stupid; how could he not guess?

Oh my, I can't wait!

The path to the mountains was not easy to walk, especially where hickory trees grew and there were thorny brambles everywhere. The thorns and brambles would snag on clothes and leave faint white marks, and sometimes they would even snag the fabric and make the clothes come undone. Bill's Dragon Hide came in handy, while the others had to use Mending Charm to fix their trouser legs as they walked.

Crookshanks, however, seemed quite adapted to its environment, leaping about on the soil covered with rusty pine needles and squeezing through the gaps in the dense branches with agile movements, showing no sign of its lazy, sunbathing demeanor.

The roadside is dotted with brightly colored mushrooms and shed feathers of birds. Crookshanks seems quite interested in these novelties, pouncing on them as if hunting, but it doesn't chase after the occasional passing bird, being a polite and good cat.

The path always meanders through pools of lemon-colored sunlight and dark vine-covered corridors. There are also streams in the mountains that converge into small ponds in the low-lying areas, like ponds, clear and cool, holding the coolness of the mountains.

"I never noticed there were so many fish here."

Ron poked his head out into the pool and kicked a pebble in, splashing water everywhere. Startled freshwater fish churned the water, while large frogs fluttered away from them.

Seeing this scene, Ron became interested and kicked several pebbles in succession, making the calm pool churn.

Bill and Charlie exchanged a glance, somewhat disdainful of their youngest brother.

Crookshanks noticed the large fish swimming around, and Persimmon's face showed more interest. He stood cautiously by the pool, poked his head out to peer at the fish in the water, and stretched out his front paw to poke at it. The icy water made him shiver, and he turned away, flicking his brush-like tail.

Loren casually picked up a flat stone, spun it horizontally from his hand, and bounced it a few times on the water's surface before it landed in the water. Harry couldn't resist the urge to try it himself and picked up a stone to do the same.

Yes, the splashes of water are quite pretty.

The wizard's method for picking walnuts is simple: without harming the walnut tree, he uses Repelling Charm on the trunk or Levitation Charm to shake the branches, and the ripe walnuts fall down with a clatter, making small dents in the soft soil.

Just as a piece of fruit fell, Bill looked at Ron, who was bending down to pick up the fruit, and his eyes gleamed with eager anticipation. He shook his wand, and a whole bunch of walnuts fell down again.

Ron cried out in pain as the fruit hit him, and picked it up and threw it at him.

Others were quickly drawn in, and what was originally a peaceful walnut-picking activity gradually turned into a fierce back-and-forth battle.

The group returned to their the Burrow, covered in dust and grime, only to be scolded by Molly and ultimately punished by being made to peel walnuts.

The sweet, glossy, ivory-like walnut kernels piled up like a small mountain in the glass bowl. The Pigwidgeon was the first to come over to beg for some, and Ron quietly slipped it a small kernel. Then, the Hānhan, Hedwig, Errol, Hermes also came down one after another.

The hooting of owls begging for food, the laughter of little wizards teasing their pets, and the irritating scolding of housewives echoed around the strange tall houses on the edge of the village.

Loren scratched Crookshanks's chin and casually tossed a walnut kernel to Hānhan.

This is probably what the life of a wizard is like.