Formal Robe

On Christmas Day, the Gray Family enjoyed a feast, watched a musical, and took many photos. The old-fashioned camera they used was Ferdinand's Christmas gift to Wade, while Fiona's gift was developing solution.

"This camera was bought in Diagon Alley. They said it could work normally at Hogwarts too," Ferdinand said with a smile. "That way, you can take pictures of your life at school."

"The owner of the Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley told me that as long as you use the right developing solution, the people in the photos can move!" Fiona said excitedly. "So what are we waiting for? Let's take pictures today!"

But after taking the photos, they realized that even something as simple as developing them required a Wand, and Wade could not use magic at home.

Seeing Fiona's disappointment, Wade suggested, "We could stay at The Leaky Cauldron for a night. There are lots of adult wizards there, so even if magic is used, the Ministry of Magic won't be able to determine who did it. We won't get a warning letter."

Fiona was tempted, but she still shook her head. "Forget it. What if you get found out? It would be terrible for you! Besides, you'll be going back to school in a few days..."

As she spoke, she grew melancholy. Wade had not even left yet, and she already missed him.

Ferdinand frowned. "Wade, is the Ministry of Magic's enforcement really that inaccurate?"

"When it comes to monitoring underage wizards using magic, it can only detect a general area. As for everything else..." Wade thought of how the Ministry of Magic's performance in the story had worsened year after year. "...it doesn't seem very capable either."

"Don't underestimate the Ministry of Magic, Wade," Ferdinand warned. "Every law enforcement agency is an institution of violence. If you cannot face that fact squarely, you are liable to make the wrong judgment."

Wade said seriously, "I understand, Dad."

Indeed, the Ministry of Magic he now looked down on could send professors under Dumbledore's command to Azkaban, and it also had the authority to expel Hogwarts students. Its power had not weakened much because of the Ministry's bloated bureaucracy, corruption, and incompetence—quite the opposite. Incompetent and corrupt people were even fonder of abusing power.

The next day, House Gray got up early, because they were going shopping in Diagon Alley, and that was bound to take a long time.

As usual, they went to Gringotts to exchange money first. Ferdinand had already prepared a heavy bag.

"Those Goblins don't like paper money," he explained to Wade. "With banknotes, you can exchange at most twenty Galleons. The limit is higher for coins, but there is no limit if you use gold. Goblins all like gold."

"I don't need that much money, Dad," Wade tried to persuade him. "Hogwarts provides food and lodging. Some students only need ten Galleons for an entire year."

"That is because they can only buy secondhand old things, cannot buy snacks, and have to save even on ink." Ferdinand patted his head. "Your flaw is that you are too sensible, Wade. Sometimes, you can be a little willful."

"And aren't you studying Alchemy?" Fiona wagged a finger. "Don't try to fool me! Even if I can't use magic, I know that studying Alchemy must cost a great deal of money. Hogwarts cannot possibly provide you with unlimited materials for practice, can it?"

Wade pressed his lips together and said softly, "Thank you, Dad, Mom—I love you."

He had been reserved since childhood. Though "I love you" was an ordinary expression that other children said without thinking, he had always found it difficult to say. Hearing it so suddenly, Mr. and Mrs. Gray were both delighted. They exchanged a glance and could not help smiling.

"I love you too, sweetheart," Fiona said tenderly.

For the rest of the journey, Fiona held Wade's hand tightly.

After exchanging their money for Galleons, Ferdinand left for a while, while Fiona accompanied Wade to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

Hogwarts uniforms were loose robes, so even though Wade had grown three centimeters taller, his still fit him. But considering that he would certainly keep growing next term, Fiona decided to order him two more uniforms.

"And a formal robe as well," Fiona said as she discussed lining styles with Madam Malkin. "Something simple. Don't make the color too flashy; Wade won't like it. We need it by this afternoon at the latest. If there isn't enough time, a ready-made one will do."

"A formal robe?" Wade, standing beside them as a clothes display rack, asked.

"What a silly question, Wade." Fiona spoke softly, as if talking to a child. "Are you planning to wear your school uniform to Professor Murray's party tomorrow? Oh, you really should have told me sooner. Then we could have had a suitable one properly tailored."

Wade actually thought there was nothing wrong with Hogwarts robes, and the formal robes displayed in Madam Malkin's shop looked quite similar to his school robe anyway.

Of course, he could not say that. Otherwise, Fiona would use at least a thousand words to prove that they were worlds apart.

Wade could only obediently keep his mouth shut and listen as Madam Malkin said to his mother, "Don't worry, Mrs. Gray. I guarantee that you'll have his new robes by three o'clock this afternoon at the latest. Let's look at the formal robe styles first... Which color do you prefer? Ah, this shade suits his complexion very well. You have such good taste... Do you have any requirements for accessories? For boys, they needn't be too complicated or too numerous. Noble and elegant is best..."

"Mom!" Wade could not help saying.

Fiona glanced back at her son. Under his protesting gaze, she sighed regretfully and put down the useless but glittering gem-studded necklaces, bracelets, Rings, and other things in her hands. "Just cufflinks, then. Cufflinks will be enough—nothing else."

Madam Malkin smiled as she put the other items away, without the slightest impatience, and spent a long time helping Fiona choose cufflinks. After they finally settled on the formal robe, Madam Malkin suddenly seemed to remember something. "Dear, little Mr. Gray can't possibly wear old shoes with his new formal robe, can he? Would you like to look at our newest dragon-hide boots?"

Wade stared blankly at the ceiling, regretting that he had not brought a book. Right now, he was hoping another customer would enter so Madam Malkin would become busy. Otherwise, Fiona could spend the entire day here.

Suddenly, the bell above the door rang. Wade immediately turned his head, only to see Ferdinand entering with a newspaper in hand.

Ferdinand nodded to Wade and asked, "Haven't you finished buying clothes yet?"

"Not yet." Wade could not help sighing. "We're picking out shoes."

He tried very hard to resist the urge to complain to his father.

"They've measured everything, right?"

"They finished measuring as soon as we came in."

"Good." Ferdinand said to his wife, "Fiona, take your time. I'll take Wade to buy some other things. Once you've ordered the clothes, wait for us here at Madam Malkin's."

Fiona waved a hand. "All right. Just don't make me wait too long!"

After the Gray father and son left the shop, Ferdinand said to his son, "I subscribed to the Daily Prophet. I got one for you too; they'll deliver it to school by owl. From now on, you need to get used to paying attention to current affairs."

Wade nodded.

The father and son made a circuit around Diagon Alley and bought everything else in less than half an hour. Wade also specifically noted down the names of several shopkeepers and their product catalogues, so that after returning to school, he could order whatever he needed by owl.

Potion Ingredients in particular—Hogwarts only provided the most basic ones for free. Rare and expensive ingredients were only supplied in small quantities during the relevant formal classes. There was no way they would let a Young Wizard like him practice freely with them.

By the time they returned to the robe shop, Fiona had only just finished choosing her shoes. She was sitting there drinking tea while leafing through a magazine called Wizarding Weekly. Hearing the bell at the door ring, she turned to look over and immediately broke into a radiant smile.

Wade smiled too, but before he could say anything, Ferdinand, who had been walking behind him, strode over, lowered his head, and asked gently, "Finished shopping? You must be tired."

Fiona, who had not taken a single step out of the robe shop, stretched her arms and said, "Yes, shopping is really tiring. What are we having for lunch?"

"Isn't there a good French restaurant nearby? How about eating there? We can order foie gras steak and roasted cod..."