"Alright, Manager, I came here to buy my Hogwarts textbooks, not to watch you yelling at people. If there's nothing else, we'll be getting back to our shopping."
Marius Cloud's tone was calm, but unmistakably commanding.
The shop manager hurriedly agreed, still debating in his heart whether he should just fire that clueless idiot Aug on the spot to appease Marius.
"Mr. Cloud, if you like, you could simply hand over your list, and I'll have someone deliver all the required Hogwarts textbooks directly to your family's estate."
"No need." Marius smiled and waved it off. "Since I'll be attending Hogwarts, I figured I might as well experience the standard back-to-school process like everyone else."
The manager bowed slightly with a flattering smile. "Of course. As long as it pleases you, Mr. Cloud. Please send my regards to your father."
"I will."
With a casual wave, Marius dismissed the manager, who finally took the hint and left, while Ogg remained standing in place like a disgraced criminal, not daring to utter a word.
Meanwhile, the Grangers were once again thrown into stunned silence. It felt like they'd experienced more shocks today than in their entire lives combined.
They couldn't believe that the friendly young man they'd met in the bookstore—a boy who seemed so warm and approachable—was actually someone of high standing in the wizarding world!
Seeing how respectfully the shop manager treated Marius, Mr. and Mrs. Granger found the scene oddly familiar—it reminded them of how Muggle businessmen grovel before the elite.
But with this new understanding, the Grangers became even more reserved in front of Marius. Sensing their unease, Marius was about to say something when a voice boomed from the crowd:
"Excuse me! Please make way!"
"I heard there's been a conflict between Muggles and wizards here. Stand aside—I'm an official from the Ministry of Magic, and I'm here to handle it!"
A red-haired, middle-aged man with a round face squeezed his way through the crowd. The moment he laid eyes on the Grangers, his eyes lit up.
"Ah! You must be the Muggles! Wonderful to meet you! I'm Arthur Weasley, from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office!"
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Weasley," Mr. Granger said, forcing a polite smile as he shook the overly enthusiastic man's hand.
Arthur, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room, continued, "Care for a drink? I've always wanted to learn how your Muggle transportation works…"
Then, spotting Hermione tucked close to Marius, Arthur quickly added, "Oh, of course! I meant, we can buy schoolbooks for the children first, then grab a drink—or maybe stop by Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour? Great place."
The Grangers exchanged an awkward glance before Mr. Granger replied, "Thank you for the kind offer, but we really don't—"
"No need to be so formal! Your daughter is an adorable little angel! And as it happens, my youngest son is starting at Hogwarts this year too. I'm sure they'll be the best of classmates—and friends!"
Arthur reached behind him and pulled forward a tall, freckled boy. "This is my son, Ron. You should get to know each other!"
The Grangers smiled even more awkwardly now. Mrs. Granger attempted to politely decline, "It's very nice to meet another classmate of Hermione's, but—"
"Oh right! I nearly forgot why I'm here!" Arthur suddenly clapped his hands together as if a lightbulb had gone off. "I heard there was some trouble here, yes? Don't worry! I'm very familiar with misunderstandings caused by Muggles not knowing wizard customs. I can absolutely help."
"No, I think we've already—" Mr. Granger tried to clarify.
"Ah, I've heard of you!" Arthur interrupted as his eyes swept the group, finally landing on Marius. "You're the only heir of the Cloud family, aren't you? A pure-blood family that thinks very highly of itself. No wonder there was trouble."
"I've heard of you too, Mr. Weasley," Marius replied with a smile that now held a tinge of annoyance. "But it's only today that I've witnessed firsthand just how rudely you can ignore everything others try to say."
Realizing Arthur had mistaken Marius for the cause of the earlier commotion, the Grangers quickly tried to speak up in his defense—but Arthur had already stepped in confidently.
"No need to worry! In our world, even families like his can't cover the sky with one hand. I'll sort this out."
"Hey! What kind of tone is that?!"
Aug, who had been silent up to now, suddenly jumped out, as if he'd grown a backbone. "Hah! I know you—Weasley! You're nothing but a blood-traitor! A self-hating pauper daring to speak so brazenly to the honorable Mr. Cloud? Watch your tongue!"
"And who are you?" Arthur's face flushed red with fury. "Oh, silly me—how could I forget? Pure-blood families always come with little lackeys. You're like a tail-wagging dog—honestly, it's embarrassing!"
Aug nearly drew his wand in rage. Arthur wasn't backing down either; his hand slid toward his own wand, and tension crackled in the air.
"Enough."
Marius' voice cut through the building conflict, subtly laced with magical mental influence that sent a jolt through both men's minds.
"Look at yourselves!" he snapped. "This is Flourish and Blotts! Every new student headed to Hogwarts comes here to buy their schoolbooks. Do you really want to start a duel in front of a shop full of children?!"
Arthur's face went crimson—nearly matching his hair. But before he could speak, Marius continued sharply:
"And let me remind you—Mr. and Mrs. Granger are standing right beside you. They're Muggles with no magical protection whatsoever. Mr. Weasley, are you here to help them… or kill them?"
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T/N:
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