At Florin's Sweetshop, the two found a table with a parasol. Wien ordered two ice creams, one for himself and one for Hermione.
“Consider this a complimentary service. I’ll be home by five at the latest.”
Hermione took out her wallet and gave Wien two Sickles.
Since learning that Wien was an orphan, Hermione's attitude had become very gentle. Until just now, she had been persuading Wien not to spend money recklessly. He still had several years before he could earn a living on his own.
Wien just nodded with a smile and didn't refute.
Hermione was no different from the one in his memory. Her speech had a domineering air, always talking about studying and books.
But the kindness in her heart had never been concealed.
There was a reason why the Sorting Hat ultimately placed her in Gryffindor.
Taking Hogwarts: A History, Hermione eagerly flipped through the pages.
This was a book rented for a Sickle an hour, and the young witch cherished it, focusing intently.
After receiving the Sickles, Wien's system prompt came abruptly.
【Detection of Host Successfully Earning a Young Wizard's Allowance, Special Large Long-Term Task Activated - Drain Their Wallets!】
【Task Description: What money is more precious than a child's allowance? Drain their wallets! Every Galleon earned can be exchanged for system points, at a rate of 1 Galleon for 5 points.】
【This task is valid during the Host's enrollment at Hogwarts, and will disappear upon graduation or withdrawal.】
Wien: “...”
System, be a decent person.
1 Galleon for only 5 points?
Wait, how much allowance do young wizards get in a year? Normal students, perhaps only a dozen or so. The pure-bloods from Slytherin might have more, but even someone like Ron only gets one or two Galleons a year. There are many others like him.
So little money, and you’re targeting their wallets?
That's just not right!
Wien sighed in despair. Hermione looked up in confusion, "What's wrong?"
“Nothing, just thinking about some things. By the way, how much allowance do you have?”
Without thinking, Hermione immediately replied, "Apart from buying books, I have 5 Galleons this school year."
Only 25 points…
Wien looked at the young witch with disgust, making her bewildered. She snorted softly and continued reading.
While he despised the system's task, the points...were still very enticing.
He could become stronger quickly with points. If Voldemort's minions came to Hogwarts, he could protect the other young wizards.
Isn't that a win-win?
No, he's not going to rob these young wizards. The system said it clearly. The points must be earned, not stolen.
So, he could only obtain them through normal transactions.
Thinking about it this way, the young wizards have won twice, while he's at a loss!
The more Wien thought about it, the angrier he became. He silently considered what kind of things could most effectively drain a young wizard's wallet.
A future merchant was rising, one who would make young wizards both fear and hate him…
Time flew by.
The sun slowly sank westward, and the two hours passed quickly.
Wien gently tapped on the table, rousing Hermione, who was still engrossed in reading. He said softly, "I should go home.”
“Ah? Oh.” Hermione reluctantly closed the book and returned it to Wien.
“When will you come to Diagon Alley again?” Hermione asked.
"What about you?" Wien looked at her.
“I practice charms at home in the mornings, and I go to Flourish & Blotts to read in the afternoons.”
Hermione planned to finish all the books about the wizarding world and Hogwarts before school started, so she could learn as much as possible.
“Then just keep the book for now.” Wien waved his hand.
“But I don’t have enough money…”
“Don’t worry about the money. Borrow it for a week. I’ll come to Diagon Alley then, and you can return it to me.”
This was also a kind of reward from the young witch for activating a system task for him.
Hermione was overjoyed, holding the book to her chest and promising to return it to him in a week.
In return, Hermione gave Wien her home phone number and took his as well, for easy contact in the future.
........
Hogwarts.
This morning, Professor McGonagall finally finished guiding the last pure Muggle-born young witch and returned to school.
She happened to be in the school at the same time as Dumbledore, so she went to the Headmaster's office on the eighth floor to report the situation.
Dumbledore smiled and listened to McGonagall's report. His gentle gaze, magnified by his half-moon spectacles, fell upon McGonagall:
"Minerva, you've worked hard. If I hadn't sent Snape out, you would have been much less busy."
McGonagall's expression remained serious, "It's all for the school. There's no need to talk about being hard-working. Speaking of hard work, Albus, you’re the one who’s most tired.”
"Ha ha." The old man chuckled, “That makes me feel ashamed.”
McGonagall didn't answer, but instead asked the question she was concerned about, "How's Potter doing? Didn't Hagrid mess things up?"
"I trust Hagrid, just like I trust you," Dumbledore said. "Although there was a little incident, you'll see the child on September 1st.”
Dumbledore briefly recounted what Hagrid saw and heard at the Dursleys' house. McGonagall’s anger was visible.
"How could they do that!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"Relax, McGonagall. Muggles often have some prejudice against wizards. In fact, there's not much difference between the two. At least they raised the child, didn’t they?"
McGonagall’s anger hadn’t subsided, but her good manners prevented her from saying anything out of line.
Dumbledore comforted her, "Alright, Minerva, if you have nothing else, go back and rest. Enjoy the last month of vacation. You'll have to deal with those energetic little ones soon.”
“Sorry, I actually have one more thing, almost forgot.” McGonagall rubbed her forehead, "I met a young wizard with great talent, Wien Lawrence."
"He spent nearly an hour choosing his wand, and then spontaneously performed the Patronus Charm."
“Oh?”
Dumbledore's eyes lit up, and he sat up slightly.
"Impossible!"
The portraits of the former headmasters on the wall also stopped pretending to be asleep. One wizard, who looked very mean, cried out.
“McGonagall! I’ve read so many books, you can’t fool me. How can a young wizard who just touched a wand be able to cast a Patronus!”
"Calm down, Phineas." Dumbledore motioned for him to be quiet, then asked, “Can you tell me more about the situation?”