Hufflepuff's Cup Secured

August 25th, London, Diagon Alley, Leaky Cauldron.

After settling Fleur in, Skylar came to London alone. Fleur naturally wanted to come with him, but having just taken over the operations and management of Miraculous Alchymia, she still needed time to familiarize herself with the work environment and procedures. She could only remain in Hogsmeade Village for now and devote herself fully to managing the shop. Skylar, meanwhile, used this time to complete an important transaction he had been planning for a long time.

Night had already fallen, yet London's wizarding world remained brightly lit. The Leaky Cauldron was crowded with people, thick with the smells of alcohol and tobacco. By the time Skylar stepped into the shabby tavern, he no longer looked like himself.

Standing at the entrance, he lowered his head slightly, hunched his shoulders, and casually shook the dust from his cloak like an unkempt wandering wizard. Stripped of the aristocratic air that belonged to Skylar Malfoy, he was now Carter Yang—a worn-down, destitute man weathered by life. His face looked somewhat haggard, exhaustion hidden in his eyes, and a faint, bitter smile hung at the corners of his lips, as though life had crushed every last hope out of him. Only a trace of composure and sharpness remained concealed deep within his shadowed pupils.

He walked to the bar and dropped several loose silver Sickles onto the counter, the sound crisp and decisive.

"Give me the cheapest one." His voice was low and hoarse, like an old drunk whose will had been ground to dust by life.

The proprietor, Tom, gave him a cursory glance and casually poured him a glass of cheap beer. The foam roiled for an instant before quickly fading away. Carter Yang—Skylar—lifted the cup and took a small sip without showing the slightest