Knockturn Alley? The Five-Person Squad Reunites

This morning, everyone gathered by the fireplace, ready to use the Floo Network to go shopping in Diagon Alley. George seemed particularly excited today; his parents finally didn't have to worry about their textbooks anymore.

"Harry, you first," Mrs. Weasley said, holding a flowerpot filled with sparkling powder in front of Harry.

"Huh? Me?" Harry had only just heard about the Floo Network.

"Oh! I forgot, Harry's never used Floo Powder before," Ron suddenly chimed in.

"And us two too~" Bing Huan rested his head on Hermione's shoulder and said listlessly. He had spent the entire previous night being lectured by Hermione about Lockhart's autobiography.

The best achievements he could recall were Trolls, Werewolves, and Vampires. Bing Huan had already taken down the last one when he was ten, and Hermione had even kicked the first one a few times last year. Why worship such a thing?

"Never used it?" Mr. Weasley asked. "Then how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy things before?"

"We drove."

"The subway."

"Sword Flight."

Mrs. Weasley, seemingly worried about the children's safety, interrupted her husband's curiosity.

"They'll be fine," Fred grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and walked to the fireplace. "Alright everyone, watch closely. Diagon Alley." He tossed the powder into the fire, which turned emerald green, and Fred vanished in the blink of an eye.

Mrs. Weasley was still giving instructions to the three of them, especially the nervous Harry. Things like not going to the wrong fireplace, the different types of fire, and pronouncing the destination clearly.

"He'll be alright, Molly. Don't be so tense," Mr. Weasley said, patting his wife's shoulder reassuringly.

"But dear, if Harry gets lost, how will we explain it to his aunt and uncle?"

"You're worrying too much. They should be thanking you!" Bing Huan said with a hint of disdain, recalling the face of the Dursleys that looked like it could fit two people.

"...Alright Harry, you must pronounce it accurately. Fred and the others will meet you there."

Harry nodded frantically, took some Floo Powder, and sprinkled it in. Just as he was about to speak, he was choked by the soot.

"*&#￥%**"

Hermione: "What did he just say?"

Bing Huan: "Hmm, let's first rule out Diagon Alley."

Bing Huan took out a map. "Even if he goes to the wrong place, it shouldn't be too far. Luckily, the entrances are relatively close, except for these few in the neighboring Knockturn Alley."

Bing Huan then took out a communicator, one he had given to each of the five-person team before the summer holidays.

"Draco, Draco, please respond if you can hear me."

After a moment, Draco's voice came through. "What do you want with me, young master?"

"Are you and your father going to Knockturn Alley today?"

"Yep."

"Oh, Harry just used the Floo Powder for the first time and mispronounced it. He might end up there. Keep an eye out."

"What?! Why is Potter always involved when something goes wrong? Fine, I got it."

Meanwhile, Harry, waiting to be rescued, experienced a dizzying sensation, nausea, and more nausea. Harry had become the most empathetic person in the world for those who get carsick.

Before Harry could take it anymore, the Floo Network decided to let him go. Harry successfully landed on the cold stone floor—with his face. He adjusted his broken glasses. The last time he was this disheveled was when he first entered the wizarding world a year ago.

He looked around. It was a dim shop that looked rather... hmm, illegal. Although he had guessed the general location from the environment, Harry still waited until he was sure George and Fred weren't around before accepting that he had taken the wrong path.

Afraid of being mistaken for a thief, Harry was about to slip out when he heard two sets of footsteps approaching outside. Harry quickly hid inside an unlocked door.

The ones entering were a father and son with blond hair, Lucius and Draco. Lucius pulled a bell and turned to warn his son, "Don't touch anything, Draco. We should stay away from these things in the future."

Draco reluctantly withdrew his hand. "I thought you were going to buy me a gift."

"I did say I'd buy you a broomstick, for racing," Lucius placed the brought-over box on the counter, awaiting the shopkeeper's arrival.

Harry saw that Draco had initially intended to leave, but then he remembered Draco's initial demeanor and thought his father might not be a good person. Exposing himself now would be risky, especially in his current disheveled state. If that guy saw him...

He would definitely mock him for a whole semester!

Draco also leaned closer. "I'm certainly not inferior to those guys in terms of skill, but I lack the physical advantage, which puts me at a disadvantage in confrontations. Speaking of which, Father, you said we should stay away from those dirty things, so why are we here?"

Lucius patted the box. "Of course, we're here to get rid of the dirty things at home. A junkyard is more professional at handling trash. As for your Quidditch, why not try a nimble position?"

Draco looked at his father strangely. "Didn't you tell me to have fewer conflicts with Potter?"

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "But you've become friends now, haven't you? That's another benefit of joining the righteous side. They never dislike healthy competition among their own. Ah~ Mr. Borgin."

A hunched man emerged from behind the counter. "It's an honor to see you, Mr. Malfoy, ah! And young Master Malfoy. How may I assist you?"

"I assume you've heard, the Ministry has been stepping up inspections lately," Lucius said, fabricating a reason, considering he might need to gather information from the Dark Wizard side later. "You know, these things at my home inevitably cause some trouble."

"Even you are being bothered."

Lucius pouted, putting on a hateful expression. "The Malfoy name still has some use. It's just that the Ministry is becoming more and more meddlesome. It must be that damned Arthur Weasley."

What followed was a long negotiation. After the shopkeeper and the Malfoy father and son left, Harry sneaked out. A sign at the shop entrance told him he was in Knockturn Alley, a place he had no clue about.

"Lost, dear?" an aged female voice sounded in his ear. It was an old witch whose teeth were covered in moss.

"I'm fine! Thank you!" The commotion quickly attracted the attention of others, and a few immediately gathered around. Of course, it wasn't long before a cane blocked them. "Please keep your distance from my Malfoy family guest."

Draco also emerged from behind. "Hey, Potter! ...Did you roll around in the dirt?"

Lucius led Harry down a winding alley. "This should be our first formal meeting, Mr. Potter. I am Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father." He casually used magic to clean the dust off Harry and fix his glasses.

"Hello, thank you."

"Potter, you can't even pronounce Diagon Alley correctly. Luckily, I was here today, or you might have been kidnapped," Draco said, slinging an arm around Harry as if he were his savior.

"Draco~ Be polite to your friends. It's only natural to make mistakes during your first practical attempt. Didn't you fall three times before learning to fly?" Mrs. Weasley chided.

Along the way, Lucius acted like a considerate elder, sharing interesting tidbits about the Wizarding World with Harry. However, recalling Lucius's words in the shop, Harry couldn't help but ask, "Earlier, in the shop..."

"You saw?" Lucius didn't seem bothered by the topic. "Just as I told Borgin before he arrived, the Malfoy family will stay far away from those things in the future. Of course, you're probably more concerned about my comment to Arthur. You probably wouldn't believe me if I said I said it on purpose... Hmm~ The witness has arrived."

Before they knew it, the three had arrived at the entrance of Gringotts. The Weasley family was just coming out, and Bing Huan and Hermione had also brought the Granger Couple.

"Lucius? Harry?" Mrs. Weasley could hardly imagine these three together.

After explaining the situation, Mr. Weasley, though also puzzled by Lucius's change, nodded. "Indeed, Lucius has provided information on several illegal dens recently. But why were you in Knockturn Alley?"

Lucius smiled wryly and spread his hands. "Arthur, this is a chance to say goodbye to the past in exchange for good behavior. This was promised to me by the Ministry."

"Say goodbye to the past?" Hermione still disliked this roundabout way of communicating.

"It means I'm going legit now. Turn in the bad guys, get rid of the contraband you have, commonly known as 'If you hit him, you can't hit me anymore.'"

Harry also pulled on Mr. Weasley's arm. "He really was selling things. I'm sorry, sir, I misunderstood you just now."

Lucius waved his hand. This was the boss's friend. "It's alright, kid. Being misunderstood by you means my acting skills are passable."

Arthur had never seen such an open Lucius. The children, reunited after more than half the summer, the shining Deathly Hallows on the hourglass, Hogwarts' most troublesome five-person penalty team.

Draco looked at the jovial Lucius. "Although it's a good thing, this father of mine now feels like a stranger."

Ron chimed in, "After the Galleon problem was resolved, Mom's fan-girling also made me feel like a stranger."

Bing Huan added, "Your house might be full of Lockhart's books from now on, and signed ones too."

Harry asked, "Is Lockhart really that famous?"

Hermione replied, "Of course, Harry, let me tell you..."

Bing Huan sighed.