An expensive birthday gift

On the day before the Christmas holidays ended, William and Hermione returned to Hogwarts.

They didn't travel by water this time, nor did they ride the toad, and they probably never will again... the psychological trauma is too great.

So Nicolas used Apparition to take the two to Hogsmeade, and they then rode Thestral back safely to Hogwarts.

This is what wizard travel should be like: safe and fast!

After returning to school, William and Hermione parted ways and went back to their respective house common rooms.

But the lounge was empty; everyone wouldn't be able to get to school by train until evening.

Out of boredom, William went to the Gryffindor common room and found the twin brothers.

The three sat down in the empty common room, Fred pulled William aside, asking him how he had flooded the Slytherin Common Room.

On the day of the holiday, quite a few young wizards saw William and Hermione at the bottom of the Black Lake; the news had already spread like wildfire.

The twin brothers are now particularly interested in this matter; they've been inspired and are also preparing to flood Slytherin.

They planned to sneak into the Slytherin Common Room and then blow up the toilet pipes.

But after only three attempts, Percy reported them, and Professor Snape put them in solitary confinement for several days.

The twins have now refused to speak to Percy.

William quickly explained what had happened that day.

"So, does that mean we can't go to Black Lake anymore?" Fred sighed. "Those Merpeople tribes are too vengeful."

"It's alright, as long as we trade fairly with them," William said softly, leaning back in his chair.

"Mr. Scamander taught me some good methods to effectively improve my relationship with the Merpeople."

"But we need to take it slow to build a good relationship with them. It's best to avoid the Black Lake for now, especially with Cedric; he's the Merpeople ' number one enemy."

To be precise, all three of them were tricked by Cedric.

William tossed a badge to Fred and George, saying, "This is my latest creation, called the Warming Badge."

After the two pinned the badges to their chests, they channeled their magic, and a warm current flowed through them.

"Great! This stuff could sell like hotcakes!" Fred blinked excitedly; he had quickly spotted a business opportunity.

"We can sell it not only at schools, but also in Diagon Alley."

Previously, the most impressive product in their store was the map; it was a high-tech product that others couldn't imitate.

But their customers are only students and parents, so the target audience for this badge is much smaller.

"Is it easy to imitate?" George asked worriedly.

He was afraid that once his products were sold, counterfeit versions would appear within a few days.

"No, the core of this badge is an alchemical core inscribed with ancient Ancient Runes."

Around the core, many obscure protective spells were cast, all created by Nicolas.

Not only is it difficult for others to crack, but if they try to open it by force, the badge will automatically destroy itself.

There's no such thing as a one-year warranty in the Wizarding World, nor is there any patent protection.

The only way to protect them is through the wizard's magic.

With William saying this, George and Fred were relieved.

The three quickly discussed the selling price and plan.

"By the way, the Forbidden Forest Hallucinogenic Mushroom are ripe; we can go pick them in the next few days," Fred said.

Hallucinogenic Mushroom are extremely precious magical ingredients and an important component of Felix Felicis.

This stuff is expensive, just like gold, so William and his group didn't want to buy it from Diagon Alley, so they had to go to the Forbidden Forest to pick it.

"Okay, once Cedric arrives at school, the four of us will go to the Forbidden Forest together," William said.

As the group was chatting, the door to the common room suddenly opened, and Harry and Ron slipped in through the passageway.

"William, you're here! We've been looking all over the library," Harry said in surprise.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"We just ran into Hermione, she was wearing a badge, could you sell us one?" Ron asked enviously.

"Of course, but dear little brother, do you have that much money?" Fred grinned wickedly, revealing a shrewd and mercenary face.

George chuckled, "A badge costs at least five Galleon, but since you're our first customers, we'll only charge you four Galleon each."

The price isn't expensive; a fake wand on the market costs five Galleon, let alone William's excellent alchemical product.

Ron muttered to himself, realizing he really didn't have any money; he had thought it would only Sickle.

"I'll pay Ron, but he can forget about his birthday present this year." Harry readily pulled Galleon from his pocket.

Ron's birthday is March 1st, which isn't long, so it's a reasonable birthday present.

But young wizards usually give each other very inexpensive gifts; for example, at Christmas, Ron gave Hermione a quill pen.

This is like receiving a mechanical pencil as a gift, without actually buying any lead.

Compared to a quill pen, a gift that costs only a few Knut, the Warming Badge is indeed quite expensive.

Ron clearly knew as well; his face flushed slightly, and he nodded. "That's right. I'll pay you back for your birthday, Harry!"

The twin brothers exchanged a glance, their faces showing utter confusion, unsure of what to say.

William placed the bag on the table, Fred expertly pulled out a handful of badges from it.

Harry and Ron picked and chose, but in the end they both chose the badge with the Gryffindor lion's head.

The two put it on with satisfaction, and a warm feeling washed over them.

Ron said happily, "Now I don't have to wear the sweater Mom gave me anymore. It's too thick and inconvenient to move around in."

Every boy has a wandering heart.

In his previous life, William often wore only a thin coat during the dead of winter, freezing like a dog, prioritizing style over warmth.

Looking back now, that was really stupid.

William took out all the candies from his bag and gestured for everyone to eat them.

Fred chuckled, "William, another Christmas present? Then we won't stand on ceremony."

William had so much chocolate that he distributed a huge pile of gifts to Fred and his friends last year.

"So, William, did you ask?" Harry asked hastily, leaning forward in his chair.

"That thing... is it Philosopher's Stone?"

He had asked Hermione earlier, but the girl didn't answer and went back to her room.

"Yes, Nicolas said it was borrowed by Professor Dumbledore." William nodded.

He didn't say that the Philosopher's Stone had lost its magic; Nicolas had instructed him not to tell anyone.

This is Dumbledore's plan.

"I knew that was the Philosopher's Stone!" Harry pondered for a moment. "What should we do? We should protect that Philosopher's Stone!"

Quirrell released the Troll on Halloween; he must be trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone!

William gave Harry a strange look.

"Harry, don't forget Professor Dumbledore is at the school; no one can steal the Philosopher's Stone from under his nose."

"Or do you feel that the Philosopher's Stone is... safer in your hands?"

"Uh, no... no, that's not what I meant." Harry quickly shook his head.

William is right. As long as Dumbledore at school, he has no need to worry about it.

With that thought in mind, Harry relaxed.

William smiled and gestured for him and Ron to come and get some candy too.

Ron unceremoniously chose the largest chocolate cake, seemingly determined to make up for his earlier loss.

Harry also tore open a Chocolate Frog and took a bite.