The sun was shining brightly on the morning of the 31st.
With the World Cup over, there weren't many tents left in the camp.
However, the good weather only exists in Dartmoor, Devon.
It has been raining in London for several days in a row, and it is estimated that it will continue to rain for the foreseeable future.
This year, in addition to textbooks, Hogwarts has added a formal robe to its inventory list.
Diagon Alley
Outside the Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"Old Wen, aren't you going in?"
Vincent, holding the umbrella, shook his head. "We already bought a dress when we went shopping in Milan last month."
Alfred looked at him and Hermione and exclaimed, "Old Wen, your luck is just too incredible!"
James glanced back at the dazzling array of robes in the shop. "To be honest, wizards don't have very good taste."
Wizards' robes, regardless of gender, are all knee-length or longer.
From Muggle's perspective, even the custom-made pieces from the Twilfitt and Tattings aren't particularly attractive.
To put it nicely, it's retro; to put it bluntly, it's outdated.
As Milan is the world's design capital, James, Muggle-born, certainly understands the true value of the gowns he buys there.
His face was full of envy and jealousy. "It's all the Death Eaters' fault. If the camp hadn't been locked down for so long, I could have been wearing a stylish and handsome suit too."
Alfred pulled him into the store. "Alright, it's good that we can come and choose. Many parents don't dare to let their children go out. What kind of dress they wear depends entirely on their own taste."
Vincent and Hermione, who were left outside the store, recalled what had happened when they passed by the secondhand robe shop.
Although the Weasley family were struggling, Percy had graduated and they could barely afford new textbooks for their four children.
However, this year there was an additional expense for formal gowns, so they had to opt for secondhand items, just like in previous years.
Vincent and Hermione heard a familiar voice from afar.
"I'd rather be naked than wear it!"
The voice belonged to Ron, who spread out a dark purple tuxedo robe with a look of disgust and showed it to Molly.
The dark purple color is actually okay, it's just that the length makes it look like a skirt.
The ruffled neckline is fine, but the cuffs have the same lace trim.
The design elements of the dress are fine, but when they are all combined together, they not only have nothing to do with fashion and coolness, but also give people a particularly ridiculous feeling.
Molly thought it was alright and paid for the dress directly.
Because after the twins and Ginny bought theirs, this was the last dress in the secondhand robe shop, and Ron had no other choice.
What happened next is unknown, but he'll probably get a good laugh from Fred and George.
Vincent and Hermione finished their reminiscences, and Sirius Black brought Harry over.
"Have you already bought it?"
"Yes." Vincent noticed that both of them looked unwell. "What's wrong? Did something bad happen?"
Harry glanced at Sirius Black. "We just ran into the Malfoy at the Twilfitt and Tattings Store."
Narcissa is Sirius Black's cousin, and he is also Harry's godfather.
However, judging from their expressions, there was definitely no warm greeting between relatives just now; something unpleasant must have happened.
Vincent and Hermione didn't ask any further questions, Sirius Black led Harry into the store.
A few minutes later, the two men came out with Alfred.
Where's LeBron?
"Still choosing."
Alfred shook his head. "Never mind him, let's go buy the new textbooks first."
The group arrived at Flourish and Blotts, which was diagonally opposite.
They put the umbrellas away, turning them back into the original Owl Court Club badges.
Besides turning into an umbrella, the badge can also be transformed into practical items such as a water bottle, sun hat, and sun-protective clothing.
"A Hogwarts student? What grade's textbook?" the shop assistant asked.
"Fourth grade." Sirius Black pulled out his purse. "Please prepare five sets of textbooks."
Alfred wanted to refuse, but the other party's aura of wealth was just too strong.
Vincent and Hermione accepted the textbooks without any qualms.
"Ah Fu, just accept it without worry. He'll be unhappy if you don't."
Sirius Black had already led Harry out of the bookstore, giving them no chance to refuse.
"Alright." Alfred put away James's set as well. "I'd also like to buy a new copy of A History of Magic. What about you?"
Hermione looked upstairs. "I also have a few books I'd like to buy."
Vincent took her hand. "Let's go."
Alfred was caught off guard by this display of affection and instinctively opened his Magical Communicator to send James a text message.
Soon, James requested a video call.
He was wearing a silver formal robe and struck a particularly flamboyant pose.
"Ah Fu, what do you think of this one?"
"This one's the one. Come to the bookstore as soon as you're done buying it," Alfred said, ending the call.
Not long after, James arrived.
"What's wrong?"
"Look—" Alfred gestured towards the upstairs.
Vincent and Hermione were walking hand in hand past rows of bookshelves, occasionally engaging in some intimate interactions.
"Burp—" James let out a burp. "Ah Fu, shouldn't we get girlfriends too?"
Alfred nodded emphatically. "How about we have a race to see who's faster?"
"OK."
Upstairs, Hermione suddenly pulled Vincent and quickly walked to a large bookshelf against the wall.
She stood on tiptoe, trying to reach a book that was placed on top of the bookshelf.
Vincent reached out and took it down. "The Forgotten Ancient Magic and Spells? So you're interested in this kind of magic."
Hermione took the book. "I guess so. I want to learn a relatively obscure spell."
She opened the catalog and carefully examined each item one by one.
She closed the book with a disappointed look on her face when she finished reading.
"Didn't find it?"
"It seems this magic is really obscure."
Vincent glanced around, then took her hand and led her to a row of empty bookshelves.
He took Grindelwald's Spellbook from the Flamel Ring. "Tell me what kind of magic it is; maybe it's in there."
Hermione hesitated for a moment, then said, "Occlumency."
Vincent paused, then instantly understood. "Wait a minute, let me see if I have any."
The reason she wanted to learn Occlumency was probably because she didn't want to reveal some of his little secrets.
For example, his monopoly on the core technology of the Magical Base Station, and his relationship with Grindelwald.
"I've got it."
Hermione rushed over, but all she saw were blank pages.
Vincent took her hand again. "That way you can see."
Beautiful black cursive characters appeared on the blank pages:
"Occlumency is a magic used to shut down one's thoughts and prevent them from being Legilimency."
Therefore, using Occlumency can prevent Legilimency practitioners from spying on one's thoughts and feelings, or from being influenced by them...
Learning this magic does not necessarily require the cooperation of Legilimency; a wizard with sufficient talent can learn it on his own.
The two found a clean place to sit down.
Grindelwald himself was a top master of Occlumency, and he left behind many related techniques and insights in his book.
Although it was only one page long, Hermione read it very carefully.