Overall, the Fire Dragon Reserve gathering area is quite nice, and it's not as chaotic as Chris said.
At least Kael hasn't encountered any strange people here.
It's just that all the shopkeepers here are so unscrupulous, always trying to sell him expensive and impractical junk products.
Fortunately, Charlie accompanied him. As a "local" who has lived here for two years, he's already familiarized himself with every store.
Most shopkeepers, seeing Charlie with him, sighed regretfully and stopped trying to sell Kael their so-called hot products, instead retrieving the genuine good stuff from the corner.
Overall, Kael made quite a haul this trip, buying nearly three hundred Galleons' worth of stuff.
By the end, Charlie was practically alarmed just looking at him.
He knew Kael was wealthy but didn't expect him to be this rich… purchasing items by the box, especially when buying those accessories; he nearly cleared out the store's inventory.
Even with discounts, you can't spend like this… more than three hundred Galleons, spent in the blink of an eye.
Charlie tried to convince Kael to take it easy; having money doesn't mean you should waste it.
But Kael shook his head, "You don't understand, Charlie, this might not be enough."
If his suitcase hadn't been borrowed by Newt to observe the Norwegian Ridgeback Norbert, and the Transfiguration Lizard Skin Bag space being limited, Kael would even want to buy another two hundred Galleons' worth of items to take back.
"Not enough?!" Charlie stared, "Do you have over a hundred friends?"
"If I really had to count… certainly not fewer." Kael thought for a moment and said, "But it's not just for giving to people.
Many classmates at Hogwarts didn't have the chance to come here, and surely haven't seen such amazing specialties. Since I'm here, I am buying for them."
"Uh?" Charlie didn't quite understand his meaning.
But Kael didn't explain too much since Weasley wasn't very perceptive about this.
"Anyway…" He packed away the huge pile of parcels and looked up, saying, "I might write to you in the future, asking you to help me buy some things to send to Hogwarts."
"That's no problem." Charlie agreed without hesitation, "But it might not be timely; you know, we only have at most two days off a month."
"That's alright."
Kael laughed, "Moreover, I'll pay you the original price, and the discounts from the shopkeepers are yours to keep…"
"No way!"
Kael hadn't finished speaking before he was interrupted.
Charlie seemed to feel underestimated, unhappily saying, "No matter how much you want, I'll negotiate a good discount for you; I do have that much face."
"No…" Kael explained, "I mean, those would be your compensation."
"What nonsense are you saying." Charlie was even more upset, "It's such a small matter; why talk about compensation? You think I am that sort of person!"
"I didn't mean it like that…"
The two argued all the way back, but even returning to the reserve, they didn't reach a consensus.
No matter what Kael said, Charlie kept saying he was willing to help buy things, but he was adamant about not taking any compensation.
Charlie wasn't unaware of Kael's intention.
It's merely taking specialties from here to Hogwarts, adding a bit of money, and selling them to others.
Though he understands the logic, he simply refuses to take Kael's money.
Moreover, Charlie doesn't think Kael could sell much… after all, he's not the first to attempt this.
Diagon Alley has such a store, specializing in famous local specialties; the last time he went home, he saw John Senior's handcrafted Dragon Fang necklace inside.
However, as for the business there... how shall we put it, he's never seen more than two people inside, even during Christmas or before school starts.
If opening a store in Diagon Alley doesn't work, how could it work in Hogwarts, where students barely have any money?
Charlie firmly believes that just what was bought earlier is enough for Kael to use for years.
So, once back at the reserve, he patted Kael's shoulder and walked away without a backward glance.
In response, Kael could only give a wry smile.
Forget it, let's worry about it later.
...
In the last few days of August, the helpers who had come before started gradually leaving the reserve.
Professor Rockneil also left. Before departing, he invited Kael to visit Beauxbatons… it's not a transfer, just for fun.
Kael happily accepted.
"Once the new species data is sorted out, I'll send you a copy," Professor Rockneil said, and then left via Portkey.
Also, Edward Lima said before leaving that he'd send Kael a copy of the new edition of "The Monster Book of Monsters."
...
Due to Chris needing to go through one more procedure and do the final handover with the Romanian Ministry of Magic, Kael and Newt stayed another day.
The Portkey's destination was set to the Ministry of Magic.
Upon arrival, a weary-looking wizard hurried over.
"Newly-arrived individuals must register here and must have their belongings checked… Oh, Chris, it's you."
"Arnold?" Chris looked at the newcomer, puzzled, "When were you transferred to the immigration office?"
"Not transferred."
Arnold said, "I'm here to help."
"Help?" Chris examined his surroundings.
The place was indeed crowded, with a long queue at the registration area.
"Here to help maintain order?"
"This couldn't be helped…" He sighed and said, "You know, due to the Sirius Black matter, checks have been strict here recently, and we've been short-handed."
"It's really tough for you." Chris said, preparing to queue.
"Oh… Chris, you don't need to."
Arnold stopped him, "The portkey indicates you came back from the Romanian Ministry of Magic; it's certainly impossible for you to be related to that person, right."
"Of course not." Chris nodded, "At the time, at least a dozen were present."
"Which is why I say you don't need." Arnold casually scratched a few notes on a pad, muttered quietly, "Besides, the Minister seems to have something important for you; I doubt he's patient enough to wait for several hours, otherwise it'll be bad for me."
"The Minister is looking for me?"
"Yes, he was here about half an hour ago." Arnold looked up at Kael and Newt.
Chris quickly said, "This is Mr. Newt Scamander and my son Kael; we came together."
"Oh, Mr. Scamander…" Arnold was a bit surprised, but continued jotting things on the pad.
"Alright, three people in total, registration complete!"
Soon, he closed the pad and said, "Hurry on now, don't keep our Minister waiting."
A few minutes later, Kael walked through the Ministry of Magic corridor, bewildered.
He was just thinking about how to switch his suitcase to Muggle mode, but then realized they were released easily, without needing to go through any procedures?
"Arnold Peasegood, a Memory Erasure Officer; we've worked together a few times."
Chris explained, "Moreover, before our departure, Romania should have already contacted the Ministry of Magic, typically eliminating the need for further registration in such cases."
The trio then took a turn, arriving at the opulent main hall of the Ministry of Magic.
With different itineraries, the trio parted ways upon reaching here.
Chris needed to take an elevator to find Fudge, while Kael and Newt navigated through the crowd to the long fireplace passage.
Both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts prohibited Disillusionment, so they decided to use Floo Powder to reach the Leaky Cauldron first, and then return from there.
Mainly because Kael had to go to Diagon Alley, while Newt just wanted a place to Disillusion, any place would suffice for him.
Due to a large number of daily visitors at the Ministry, even with over a dozen fireplaces, they seemed insufficient. People continually exited them, and as soon as the internal green flames extinguished, they reignited.
After waiting a few minutes, a fireplace finally became available. Kael hurried over and tossed in some Floo Powder.
Kael stepped into the fireplace; as the scenery before him shifted, he promptly transitioned from the bustling Ministry of Magic to the equally lively Leaky Cauldron.