Chapter 208: Drooling with Fear
Dylan strode towards Honeydukes Sweetshop. There were many young wizards there. As soon as he stepped through the door, he heard Fred's loud voice from inside. "Dylan! You're finally here! We've been waiting so long, the daylily is almost cold!"
—"Daylily" was something Dylan had casually said to Ron before. Later, somehow, Fred and George picked it up.
Dylan looked in the direction of the voice. The Weasley brothers were standing next to a shelf, with a guy sporting a traditional Afro haircut beside them. It was Lee Jordan—Fred and George's good friend.
"I thought you'd be here early, but I rushed over and couldn't find you for ages," Fred complained.
Dylan slowly walked over. "I went to get some drinks."
Hearing this, George immediately raised an eyebrow, leaned closer to Dylan, and then sniffed. "Goodness, the Butterbeer scent you brought is really strong. Why did you go to the Three Broomsticks too? I would've gone looking for you there if I'd known!"
Fred nodded. "And you could've treated us to a round."
George looked regretful. "What a pity."
Dylan rolled his eyes. "Ever since you guys made a name for yourselves with those protection charms last time, aren't there a lot of people buying strange prank items from you now? Are you really that short on money for drinks?"
Fred winked and leaned in. "A penny saved is a penny earned!"
George chuckled. "Alright, Madam Rosmerta's drinks are indeed delicious. That fragrant aroma is simply irresistible—and it's suitable for underage drinkers." Fred pulled Dylan towards another shelf. "Come on, come on, I have something good to show you!"
Dylan followed him forward. After stopping, Fred released him. Then, mysteriously, he picked up a Fizzing Whizbee from a sample box, twirling it between his fingers. —Dylan even suspected that Fred learned this flashy technique from Lockhart.
"What's this?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Shhh, a little trick." Fred suddenly clapped his hands. Then he extended his hand, placing it in front of Dylan, palm open. What was originally just one Fizzing Whizbee had now become two. Dylan glanced at them, then looked up at Fred, saying nothing.
Fred winked. "Want to bet? See which candy has a prank hidden inside? It's just a little trick. I don't think you'd be scared, would you, Dylan?"
"Such boring reverse psychology won't work on me, and besides—" Dylan subtly glanced at Fred, then reached out and directly pulled the original candy from Fred's sleeve pocket. "Neither of these two look like normal candies to eat." Dylan casually flicked it, tossing the Fizzing Whizbee into Fred's mouth.
"Mmm! So sweet!" Fred instinctively caught the candy in his mouth. The sweet honey instantly spread across his tongue. However, the next moment, he snapped back to reality, pouted, and looked helpless. "Dylan, that's not fair. Do you really have to use divination for even such a small pastime? Goodness, you're too boring!" As he finished speaking, he sucked on the candy in his mouth, then mumbled softly, "I think this shop only has the highest quality candies in the samples. The regular candies always feel like something's missing."
Dylan rolled his eyes. "Do I need to use magic to expose such a crude trick?" He added, "I even saw you hide the candy with my own eyes."
Fred's eyes widened. "You actually know magic tricks?"
George said, "He's from a Muggle family, so he must know Muggle magic tricks!"
Fred looked disappointed. "I was hoping to surprise Dylan with a magic trick!"
Dylan shook his head. "That's why I should be surprised. Where did you two learn magic tricks? Instead of studying real magic, you're learning these superficial tricks that rely on sleight of hand and misdirection to fool people."
Fred blinked, and like spilling beans, explained to Dylan how he and George learned magic tricks. Dylan then realized that Mr. Weasley had been researching Muggle knowledge more frequently lately, especially during the summer holiday a few months ago.
Mr. Weasley had personally performed the magic tricks he had just learned for Fred and his brother. Mr. Weasley was an adult wizard, after all, and even if his technique was crude, he could completely hide it with magic. So, tricking Fred and George, those little brats, was more than enough. As a result, the two twins pestered Mr. Weasley to teach them magic tricks. They eventually learned most of it, but were still far from mastering it.
Dylan didn't have any particular opinion on this. If it was just magic tricks, in fact, with his current skills, he could perform them quite smoothly. But... Who would learn magic tricks when they could learn real magic? That's insane!
"We think this kind of magic trick can be combined with prank items."
"Yes, it gave us a lot of inspiration."
Dylan nodded. "Alright, if you really want to learn magic tricks well, then next time, try to avoid too many unnecessary flourishes." He continued, "The true essence of magic tricks lies in creating cognitive bias. Whether it's visual misdirection or psychological suggestion, simply using sleight of hand is meaningless." He added, "Or rather, sleight of hand also serves the purpose of deception."
Fred and George listened, half-understanding, but this didn't stop them from admiring Dylan. "You're truly amazing! You're so good at magic, and you even understand magic tricks so well!"
Dylan pouted. "Magic tricks are deception, but magic is creating reality. But no matter what, aren't they both trying to break the logic of reality and create fantastic experiences?" He explained, "So they're connected. I naturally know something about magic tricks—and my dad always used to perform magic tricks for me."
Although they were basically performances Mr. Hawkwood did to win his wife's affection, at least after he was born, he would also casually show him a trick or two. —Of course, the main point was still to perform for Dylan's mom.
"Wow, your dad must be really interesting!" Fred's eyes lit up.
"We'd have so much to talk about with your dad!" George also added.
Dylan glanced at them. Heh heh~ Mr. Hawkwood practically "raised" even his own son casually. You two expect him to spend time and effort on you? That's a pipe dream!
"Alright, what exactly do you want to show me? Is it just this flawed magic trick?" Dylan looked at the two. "Or... these two prank candies?"
"Oh! We're being underestimated!"
"Don't be silly, Dylan, these two prank candies are just an appetizer." Fred and George exchanged glances. The two, who had been close together, suddenly separated. Between their crossed arms, a paper bag was dramatically pulled out with a "swish."
"Clap, clap, clap!" A round of applause broke out. It was Lee Jordan, who had been silent all this time. —Dylan wasn't quite sure why this Black person was named Lee. Dylan guessed it was possible that the young Black man's mother was from the East.
"Look at this!" Fred said.
Dylan looked at the paper bag, then opened his mouth. "Wow, a paper bag?" He clapped his hands along with Lee Jordan.
"What paper bag?" Fred was startled.
George snapped back to reality. "No, we're talking about what's inside!"
"—Weasley's Prank Exclusive Grand Gift Bag!"
"Specially prepared for you!"
"For someone who has always supported us, never discouraged us, and even provided money and effort—"
"And even ideas!"
"—Some ideas are really brilliant!"
The Weasley twins looked sincere. "Dylan, we're really grateful to you!"
"Oh?" Dylan became slightly interested. He looked at the paper bag they were holding. "Inside... are all sorts of new prank items you've created?"
"Exactly!" The Weasley twins nodded repeatedly.
"...Let me see." Dylan reached out and took the paper bag from the twins' hands.
Fred winked. "There are many items here, and they each have their own uses."
George chuckled. "But you'll have to explore them one by one. We won't tell you!"
Fred added, "And one more thing!"
George continued, "Don't use magical divination! That's cheating!"
The two then said in unison, "We've put a real gift, specially for you, in here!"
"Just see if you can find it~"
"But we both think you have the ability!"
Dylan looked at the tote bag in his hand, then at the Weasley twins. After two seconds of thought, he couldn't help but speak. "Thanks, but... why does this paper bag look so worn?"
The two, who had been full of anticipation, suddenly froze.
"Uh..." George scratched his head.
"That's the bag my mum uses for groceries. I accidentally ripped a hole in it, so I brought it along," Fred said, blinking guiltily.
(;) ... Just like them.
"Are you sure Madam Weasley won't scold me when she sees me?"
"Of course not!"
"We're sure!"
The Weasley twins then looked serious. "She'll only scold us, never you, don't worry!"
"...Doesn't sound like a good thing either." Dylan sighed helplessly. He could only hope that the next time he visited the Weasleys, he wouldn't suffer any unprovoked disaster because of this bag.
Dylan lowered his gaze, looking at the "Weasley's Prank Exclusive Grand Gift Bag" the twins gave him. The brown paper bag was squarely bulging, its edges sticking up defiantly. There was indeed a hole in the middle, on the back. But now that he held it, it was on the front. His thumb could feel the outlines of the items inside through the paper.
There were round ones, like Fizzing Whizbees, and prank candies. There were also some angular items, he wasn't sure what they were. And some uncomfortable small glass vials. Dylan had some guesses about these. Not long ago, George and Fred would come to him for advice on Potions. The glass vials probably contained prank potions.
"Maybe I should show these to Professor Snape." Dylan looked up again at Fred and George, a slight smile on his lips, and raised the heavy paper bag in his hand.
"Thanks, I think this grand gift bag will keep me entertained for half a year. As for the real gift you mentioned, I'll discover it little by little." As soon as the paper bag was lifted, the various items inside made a rattling sound.
"Hehe! We hope you'll be surprised when you see our gift!" The Weasley twins chatted with Dylan for a while longer, then impatiently pulled Lee Jordan and bid Dylan farewell.
After the three left, Dylan watched them go. —Apparently, they were heading to the Three Broomsticks. Dylan shrugged. That pub, to accommodate the young wizards who occasionally wandered into Hogsmeade Village each year, had already introduced non-alcoholic drinks.
Even if those young wizards went there, it was mostly to experience the atmosphere of the pub. And a real pub only gets lively at night. But they had to return to Hogwarts by then. So this phenomenon probably just persisted.
Dylan tossed the Weasley Prank Gift Bag into his Panel Space, then wandered around Honeydukes Sweetshop for a while. Unlike Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeydukes Sweetshop would occasionally release new products. Dylan bought a lot.
Not just for himself to eat. Coal Ball quite liked some of the dairy-based candies too. Dylan bought much more candy this time than before. —He planned to share some with Luna when they returned to school.
He paid. Dylan left with the candy. After stepping out, he casually tossed the candy into his Panel Space. Many pumpkin lanterns were piled on the cobblestones of Hogsmeade Village. The air still carried a sweet, sugary scent, occasionally wafting into one's nostrils with the cold air.
Dylan walked a few steps along the outer wall of Honeydukes. He walked around the crowd. When no one was paying attention, he slipped into the shadows of an alley. Then, he put on his Shadow Ring, instantly becoming invisible. At the same time, he pulled out his several Dementors, Little A and the others, and held them in his hand. This way, they would also become invisible with him.
After becoming invisible, Dylan could confidently walk through wave after wave of young wizards arriving there, heading towards the temporary Ministry of Magic office in Hogsmeade Village. However, it was precisely because he was passing by with the Dementors that the surrounding air became even colder. Especially when Dylan passed by, many young wizards shivered from the cold.
He arrived at the temporary Ministry of Magic office. Dylan looked at the iron gate in front of him. "Do Dementors celebrate Halloween too?" Looking at the newly hung pumpkin lantern padlock on the iron gate, Dylan's lips twitched.
Orange flames still flickered inside the pumpkin lantern padlock. Dylan aimed his wand at the lock core. He originally thought of just breaking in, but after a moment's thought, he lowered his hand. Then he shimmered and passed directly through the wall.
There was only one person on guard inside. Dylan went around to the back. There were quite a few Dementors there. Dylan instantly drooled with fear.
....
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