Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Only the original characters added to J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter.
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After careful consideration, Kyle finally decided to cheat and conceal the news about Fluffy, the three-headed dog.
He loved magical creatures, too, but he wasn't Newt, and he didn't have that unique talent. A magical creature like a three-headed dog was extremely rare, even in Greece. If he missed this opportunity, it would be hard to see again.
Comparing the two, Kyle decided to cheat.
But as compensation, and to clear his conscience, Kyle immediately broke free from the twins' arms, came to Chris's side, and gave him an apologetic look.
Chris was bewildered.
The twins were equally confused.
They had just put aside their plan for the gift, to sprinkle the jumping powder on Kyle's head, but at the last minute, Kyle ducked and ran. They'd already spread the jumping powder!
Even a second earlier or later would have been fine, why did they do it at this moment?
The twins were stunned, watching helplessly as their scattered powder drew a beautiful cross in the air before flying straight towards each other's heads.
"Hiss...hiss..."
"Scratch...scratch...scratch..."
Two sharp gasps and a rustling of fur from behind them instantly caught everyone's attention. Everyone instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
Turning back, they saw Fred and George furiously scratching at their hair like two adult baboons.
Their already slender locks were now tangled like a chicken coop. Honestly, the Sorting Hat looked better than their looks at that moment.
"Oh, Fred, George, what are you up to again!"
Mrs. Weasley, her face flushing, approached the twins, grabbed each by the ear, and headed towards a nearby alley.
At least there were fewer people there, so she could avoid losing face.
Unlike now, right on the main street of Diagon Alley, her two sons were actually imitating baboons.
Merlin's beard! If they continued, centuries of Weasley family reputation would be completely shattered. Gone!
Mrs. Weasley's actions were decisive, but it was hard on the twins. They inhaled noticeably louder. And, Kyle couldn't tell if it was just an illusion, but he saw tears on their faces.
If it were true... well, twins, even the tears were in the same place.
Meanwhile, watching Mrs. Weasley escort the twins away, Mr. Weasley was clearly relieved. He fought back his embarrassment, repeatedly urging everyone to go shopping and not wait for them.
At the end of the line, Kyle hid beside Ron, struggling to hold back a laugh.
But the next moment, he looked up and caught Diana's gaze, and his nerves faltered. He forced a smile, awkward but polite.
His mother was great in every way, except for her ridiculously good sixth sense. Growing up, he'd never been able to hide anything from her.
He was lucky to have traveled through time, waiting five or six months before she gave birth. Otherwise, Kyle was certain his identity would have been discovered long ago.
"Really..."
Kyle scratched his head, thinking to himself, "With a mother like that, there's absolutely no privacy."
Diana didn't say anything, just gave Kyle a warning look and turned away.
It wasn't that serious; Molly was just overly concerned.
The twins were notorious troublemakers at Hogwarts. Their exploits had long been known throughout the wizarding world through the students themselves, even to Diana.
Just the bizarre things she'd heard included exploding toilet seats, trapping Mrs. Norris in a sack during a night out, throwing dung balls under the Slytherin first years's seats, and accusing them of pooping in class. There were probably many more she didn't know about.
Compared to these, imitating a baboon in the street was trivial.
Therefore, anyone who witnessed them would at best chuckle, never once blaming the Weasleys. (With the exception of a certain pure-blood with long platinum hair who wished to remain anonymous.)
Mrs. Weasley's reaction was simply because she hadn't adjusted yet.
Bill, Charlie, and Percy were all exceptionally talented children, and Mrs. Weasley subconsciously projected that impression onto the twins. Even though their behavior differed markedly from their older brothers, that impression wasn't easily erased.
After all, Bill and Charlie weren't exactly well-behaved at home and during their first year at Hogwarts, but it's undeniable that they were still among the best students at Hogwarts.
Just imagine the serious Percy imitating a baboon on the street, and you'll probably understand Mrs. Weasley.
But this situation is only temporary. After another school year or two, as more news comes from Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley will gradually get used to it.
At least she'll be much calmer when faced with such situations again.
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Not long after this little incident, the group parted ways.
Since Ron and Ginny weren't old enough to start school yet, the Weasleys' visit to Diagon Alley was only to buy textbooks for the twins and Percy for the new school year.
But Kyle was a new student and had a lot to buy, and the first and most important thing he had to buy was definitely a wand.
No need for a guide, Kyle navigated Diagon Alley with ease and quickly found his destination: the small, shabby shop.
Ollivander's: Crafting fine wands since 382 BC.
Kyle stood at the doorway. Every time he came here, he was speechless.
This place was so shabby! The dust on the windows could be scraped off to create a sculpture right by the door. Do wizards just love a sense of age?
But Gringotts and the Broomstick Shop were great, clean and beautiful.
Or was it the exclusive business that convinced you to come no matter what?
But Gringotts was also an exclusive business…
Kyle had been thinking about this for a long time, even asking Chris and Mr. Weasley, but to this day, there was no answer. Standing here, Kyle could only shrug, dismissing it as the unruly behavior of a craftsman.
As for asking in person, that was out of the question. It wouldn't offend anyone. After all, he was the most renowned wand maker in the British wizarding world, so maintaining a good relationship was important.
However, Ron would be starting school next year, so he could talk to the twins about it. Scamming… Ugh, just ask their youngest brother for help.
Don't accuse him of cheating his friends.
He was pitting Ron Weasley, what did that have to do with his dearest friend and twin brother, Ronald Weasley?
[End of the chapter]