A Strange Gift

Magic always leaves a trace.

He had once sculpted superfluous forms with the help of Ryan's necklace.

Harry wasn't too surprised that Harry had used it again.

His thoughts were now entirely focused on finding the location where the Horcrux had been destroyed.

He only knows two things for sure right now.

But are two enough?

If that's not enough, we need to find the remaining Horcrux, destroy them in the real world, and then hold the ritual in the Mirror World.

What if—?

Is he going to take action against the current Professor Riddle?

Professor Riddle seems to have become a good person. Is he really willing to turn against a good person in order to resurrect his mother?

These thoughts lingered in his mind, so much so that he casually took off his clothes and shoes, climbed into bed without washing up, and fell asleep.

The next morning, the morning sunlight shone through the window onto his face.

This was accompanied by the sound of owls flapping their wings.

"This voice doesn't sound like Hedwig's, nor does it sound like the one that always brings me the Daily Prophet." With that thought, Harry opened his eyes.

A brownish-yellow Long-eared Owl, seeing him wake up, excitedly circled in mid-air before landing in front of his bed.

Hedwig called out with an air of nobility, seemingly disapproving of the Long-eared Owl's impatience.

Harry put on his glasses and removed the letter from the Long-eared Owl's right leg.

It wisely pecked at the food and water bowl that Harry had specially left for the other owls and then flew away.

Instead of always going to Hedwig's like Pigwidgeon.

"From Hogwarts!"

Harry unconsciously broke into a smile.

He noticed that this letter was thicker than usual.

He tore open the seal, pulled out the first parchment inside, and read it:

Dear Mr. Potter:

Please note that the new school year begins on September 1st. The Hogwarts Express will depart from Platform 9 at King's Cross Station at 11:00 AM. Third Year students are permitted to visit Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please have your parent or guardian sign the enclosed consent form. A reading list for the new school year is also enclosed.

Your loyal vice principal

Professor McGonagall

"This is the consent form?"

Sirius should be coming today, it's my birthday.

"But I can finally go to Hogsmeade," Harry murmured excitedly.

"Harry!" The door was suddenly opened, accompanied by the sound of someone huffing and puffing as they climbed the stairs.

It's Draco.

He seemed very excited, but for some reason looked a little haggard.

Maybe it's because I've been spending too much time with Pansy?

They had communicated on the letter that Draco and Pansy weren't as restrained as he and Ginny.

Pansy seems to be constantly entangled with Draco.

Draco reportedly has almost no personal time left.

"Here, this is your gift."

"I think it would be best to deliver it to you personally." Draco took out a package.

"This is--"

"It looks great." Harry was a little speechless.

When he opened it, what appeared before him was a silver robe that shimmered in the sunlight.

That's so flashy.

"I had this robe custom-made at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. It's groundbreaking in using composite materials developed by Walker," Draco said with a smile.

Harry could only change into the clothes under Draco's pleading gaze.

"Hiss! "Harry couldn't help but exclaim.

"Not bad, right!"

"The best thing about this material is that it reflects sunlight and feels cool and moist like water. It gives you the feeling of being in the shade of a tree even under the blazing sun," Draco said.

Ron stepped forward.

"My legs are almost numb from squatting," Ron said with a pained expression.

He had been hiding behind Draco the whole time.

But because he was a head taller than Draco, he could only squat.

He stamped his feet as he handed over a box.

"This is--"

"Are you going to give me a new outfit?" Harry looked at the contents of the box, both amused and exasperated.

It was a pair of shoes, similar in appearance to sneakers in the Muggle world, but much lighter and with a faint fragrance.

"I bought this at the Twilfitt and Tattings. They also have collaborations with Walker and Skywalker Alchemy Workshop."

"These shoes possess a magic that ensures self -Cleaning and repair."

"The material used is a resurrection material that is very elastic, light as a feather, and continues to emit a fragrance no matter how long it lasts."

"You—" Ron looked at the shoes and Harry, hesitating to speak.

"Okay, I'll change." So Harry put on the shoes Ron had given him.

"Again?" Another figure appeared behind Ron and Draco.

"My gift!"

"I also think it would be better to deliver it in person!" Ginny jumped out and handed over a package.

"It can't be—"

"As expected." Harry held up a pair of navy blue shorts, a helpless smile on his face.

"Look closely, there are also gloves and a shirt."

"These are all made from the tanned skin of Graphorn, soaked in Potions."

"It retains its characteristic of rebounding spells very well."

"And it's also very sturdy; the salesperson said it can even be used as a bulletproof vest."

"You know what a bulletproof vest is, right? It's something used in the Muggle world to protect against Metal Wand," Ginny said, stepping forward and touching the vest as she spoke.

"Fortunately, at least this has nothing to do with Water Construction Company and Skywalker Alchemy Workshop."

"I almost thought they were going to be sold in the clothing market too." Harry breathed a sigh of relief for no apparent reason.

Then he looked at the trousers in his hand and noticed the gloves and shirt.

They were all the same color and material, and so thin that he didn't notice them.

"Graphorn skin?"

"You can't tell anything from the color at all," Harry exclaimed in amazement.

Harry knew that Graphorn was a Care of Magical Creatures with slippery tentacles around its mouth for feeding, two very sharp golden horns on its head, four fingers, a spiky back, a huge body, and a grayish-purple color.

Its hide is even tougher than Dragon Hide, and most spells have no effect on the Graphorn.

However, Harry didn't dwell on it for long, because Ginny's eyes were filled with the same look as Ron's and Draco's earlier.

Tell him to change these on.

So Harry had no choice but to look behind Ron and the others.

Is anyone else here?

"I need to change my clothes. If you're here, hurry up and come out." Harry looked around again.

"There's no one here."

"Everyone else is downstairs."

"You'll be in for a shock when you go down there," Ron said, patting Harry on the shoulder.

"You'd never guess who else has come," Draco said with a mysterious expression.

"Bill and the others worked all night, and even used Silencing Charm so as not to disturb everyone's rest," Ginny emphasized.

"Ahem, "Harry cleared his throat. "But, haven't you forgotten something?"

"I have to take off all my clothes before I can put them on Ginny."

"I don't have the kind of magic that allows Fairies godmothers in fairy tales to dress you up with a single click." Harry shrugged speechlessly.

Thank you to Zu Wu Qiang Liang for the monthly pass and to all the other students for the recommendations and subscriptions!