pdf-ebookys Chapter 48 The Scarred Man Scattered Gold and Silver in His Humble Abode
Chapter 48 The Scarred Man Scattered Gold and Silver in His Humble Abode
Picking up where we left off. Harry had made up his mind to meet Lockhart and ask him for the brilliant plan to defeat Voldemort.
Arthur and Molly then ransacked the furniture, looking for some silver or copper coins.
"Oh, damn it, we used to be able to find four or five bronze knuckles under the sofa every year. When did you guys become so meticulous?"
As the saying goes, one should not wash one's dirty linen in public. Although the Weasleys are not particular about such things, with Harry and Hermione as outsiders, how could Percy and Ginny, who are both sensitive, possibly bear it?
Percy whispered, "Uh, Dad, Mom, my owl can be used by Ginny first. I'm not in a hurry to write letters these days."
Ginny chimed in, "I think I have enough money too. I can wear Ron's robes. Aside from needing to buy new books for Defense Against the Dark Arts, I can use the ones Bill and the others passed down..."
Ginny's voice trailed off as she blushed deeply, having lost all face in front of Harry and Hermione.
It was precisely because of their poverty that old books were passed down through generations. The seven sons stood shoulder to shoulder, wearing old clothes, all of them grown up, yet their clothes were still intact.
The Weasleys spoke clearly, and Harry heard them perfectly. He put down his steak, got up, and went straight upstairs to his bedroom.
Upon seeing this, Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "Harry? Where are you going?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance, both understanding something.
Before long, Harry came downstairs carrying a package, the package jingling as he walked.
Arthur and the others were puzzled. "Harry, what did you take with you?"
Harry placed the package on the table, untied the four corners, and with a flick of his finger, a burst of golden light shot out, turning Arthur's face yellow.
Molly was also stunned. She had lived forty years and had never seen so much gold.
Percy swallowed hard, while Ginny couldn't stop smiling.
Harry pushed the pile of gold coins away, cupped his hands, and said, "I have been living in my humble abode for a month, and I am fortunate to have been taken in by the Director and his wife, who have provided me with delicious vegetables every day and wonderful sauces every night."
"Although we are not related by blood, they treat me like their own flesh and blood."
"A month here feels like twelve years in a lifetime. I hope you and your wife will accept this small gift."
After Harry finished speaking, Arthur and Molly were both stunned by the gold coin.
A small gift?
That's at least two or three hundred Galleons—Harry calls this a meager gift?!
Although Arthur was a poor man, he possessed an unwavering integrity despite his poverty. He quickly pushed all the gold coins away, saying, "Harry, this won't do. How can I take your money?"
Harry chuckled and said, "Chief, you are mistaken. Ron and I are sworn brothers, though not related by blood, our bond is stronger than blood."
"Isn't this little bit of money between me and the director just a matter of transferring it from one hand to the other?"
"Harry, thank you for your kindness." Molly's eyes were filled with gratitude, and her words were gentle. "But we are adults, and we won't take money from a minor like you."
Harry knew that Molly was a person who was gentle yet firm, so he pointed to Ron and the others and said, "Madam, please don't be offended. This gold and silver is really for the brothers to buy things."
Molly knew that Ginny needed money to enroll in school, so she kept quiet for a moment.
Seeing this, Harry tried to persuade Arthur with flattery and consideration, making him lose his sense of direction and unable to distinguish front from back from back. In his daze, Harry forced money into his hands.
Twirling the bag of gold coins in his hand, he felt that even the position of Minister of Magic, Fudge, was not as enjoyable as it was now.
Harry, who had just been all smiles, pulled out twenty Galleons from Percy and said, "Prefect, you must be very busy and working hard for us Gryffindors. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
"This...this..." Percy blushed furiously and quickly stood up, saying, "This is against the rules!"
Harry chuckled, "How can Hogwarts rules govern the Burrow?"
Harry had to ask several times before Percy finally accepted the money.
This once dashing and handsome young man was now acting coy and hesitant, struggling for a long time before finally speaking, "Ahem, thank you, Harry."
"If you have any problems while at school, as long as it doesn't violate any principles, you can ask me for help."
Fred and George were both shocked. Open the back door?!
He never even gave his own younger brother special favors!
Then Harry, along with Fred, George, and Ron, scattered gold coins.
These people had long been grateful for his kindness, and this time they were used to it. They simply thanked him and accepted the money.
Harry then searched his own body again, found the last ten Galleons, gave them all to Ginny, and laughed:
"Please don't be offended, sister. Once you're enrolled in school, if you ever feel you have any shortcomings, feel free to tell me."
He casually spent over a hundred Gallons, such extravagant spending had already stunned Ginny, how could she possibly feel disgusted?
"No, brother—uh… Harry, thank you."
Ginny thanked him repeatedly, but Harry waved his hand and said, "Why is the director still standing there instead of eating with us?"
Arthur seemed to wake from a dream, and then nodded.
After lunch, everyone headed to Diagon Alley to make some purchases.
The Weasley children were overjoyed and chattered incessantly.
You should know that in the past, when I went to Diagon Alley, I dared not wander around because I was penniless. Now that I have Harry's big sum of gold and each of us has given him our own money, I can finally enjoy myself.
The group changed their robes and went to wait in front of the furnace.
Harry asked curiously, "Wasn't the director going to Diagon Alley? Why is he sweeping the hearth again?"
"Oh, Harry, haven't you ever used Floo Powder before?" Arthur eagerly explained, "There are passageways between the hearth walls. We just need to stand in one, throw the Floo Powder, and tell them where we want to go."
Having said that, he instructed Percy to demonstrate.
He crawled into the furnace wall, grabbed a handful of powder, shouted "Diagon Alley!", then flicked the powder away, creating a white light before disappearing from sight.
Harry exclaimed with delight, "Wonderful! Wonderful! This magic is truly wonderful!"
Immediately afterwards, everyone grabbed some Frozen Powder, went into the furnace wall one by one, and then gathered together from the opposite alley.
"Alright, let me count, one, two, three... Very good, not a single one is missing."
Arthur tossed his robe, and the pocket inside, containing over a hundred gold coins, jingled. "Let's go, let's go to Flourish and Blotts."
When they arrived at the bookstore, it was packed with people, the line stretching from inside to outside the street. Harry exclaimed, "Damn it! How come there are so many people in this damn bookstore? There are more people than in the entire Diagon Alley!"
"Oh! Look!" Hermione exclaimed suddenly, pointing to the colorful ribbons floating in the air, "The famous wizard Lockhart has arrived... It's Lockhart!"
Harry, overjoyed, grabbed his knife and pushed his way forward, shouting, "Where is Lockhart? Let me see him!"
Harry, deeply troubled by the situation, racked his brains for a way to summon spirits. Suddenly, Lockhart appeared at Flourish and Blotts, brandishing a knife and demanding an audience. To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment.