A certain broken Hogwarts

Chapter 124 A Trip to Diagon Alley

The morning at Shafiq Manor was peaceful and serene. Beautiful white roses slowly opened their petals, which had been closed at night, in the morning light. Several little flower fairies, who had recently moved in, lazily lay in the flower stamens, fluttering their bright, transparent wings.

After feeding his magic pigeons and rabbits, Owen stroked the rabbits' soft fur one by one, then released the magic pigeons, watching them soar gracefully in the blue-gray sky in a line, finally landing on the edge of the fountain in front of the manor.

He left the greenhouse and, as soon as he entered the foyer, saw Mr. Albert dressed formally, about to go out.

At the Shafik family home, Mr. Albert manages the family business, cultivates affiliated forces and connections, and maintains and expands the family's wealth and power, with Ms. Adeline occasionally lending a hand. Although he appears busy, juggling the potion business and being a member of the Wizengamot, he is actually not very busy in his daily life, and can delegate many tasks to his assistants. However, some social engagements are unavoidable.

"Good morning, Dad. Going out so early?" Owen said with a smile.

"Yes, a potions-gathering." Albert glanced at the time and said casually, "They certainly know how to pick their time..."

Owen watched his father leave in a hurry, then strolled leisurely to the study, where, unsurprisingly, he saw Ms. Adeline. Aside from attending banquets and balls with friends, she mostly preferred to stay home researching magic, either reading in her study or conducting magical experiments in her laboratory.

After greeting his mother, Owen glanced at the books on the shelf and casually asked, "Mom, how's the snake I brought home during the Christmas holidays?"

"That Blood Curse Orc?" Lady Adeline shook her head slightly. "I studied it for a while and did make some progress. But it's difficult to tame, very aggressive, and carries the curse power of dark magic and a potent poison, making it quite dangerous. So I locked it up in the dungeon."

"You know, this curse is practically impossible to break. It has completely turned into a beast, losing all humanity and past memories, although it is much smarter than ordinary animals..." She smiled slightly, her calm, deep green eyes gazing gently at Owen, "A cunning little animal. You can deal with it as you please, but be careful not to be fooled by it."

Owen stroked his chin and pondered for a moment: "Let's just keep it locked up for now. I don't need it right now..." He brought Nagini back only to annoy Voldemort and because he was a little interested in the Blood Curse, but he didn't have the mind or energy to study it now. He still had a lot to learn.

He continued to wander through the spacious study, which was like a small library, with rows of antique bookshelves filled with well-preserved books. He spotted a copy of "Dark Art: The Duel Curse" on the top shelf and, with great difficulty, managed to reach it by standing on tiptoe.

After glancing at the table of contents, Owen skillfully copied it into his spatial dimension. Then he heard Ms. Adeline's footsteps approaching. He placed the book back on the shelf where he could reach it, then turned to his mother and asked, "Is something the matter, Mom?"

"A letter has arrived from Hogwarts." Adeline held a yellow parchment envelope in her hand, glanced calmly at the bookshelf behind Owen, and handed him the letter.

Owen glanced at the green ink writing on the cover, leaned against the bookshelf, and opened the envelope. The letter informed him that he would be taking the Hogwarts Express from King's Cross Station to school on September 1st, and also listed the new books he would need for the year, such as "Standard Spells, Level Two" and "Defense Against the Dark Arts: Basics".

Owen raised an eyebrow. Where's Gilderoy Lockhart's book? Could it be that he's not the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year? That makes sense; thanks to his butterfly effect, the situation is basically in chaos now, and nobody can predict what the future holds.

He casually put the envelope away, and then heard Adeline say, "Are you planning to go to Diagon Alley to buy books today?"

"Is there anything I can bring?" Owen asked.

"No," Adeline said. "There's a pretty famous author having a book signing at Flourish and Blotts today; it's going to be a mess there."

"Giddro Lockhart?" Owen's expression was thoughtful.

"I think that's his name," Adeline said casually. "He's very famous, especially among witches. But his books aren't very rigorous; they're just some interesting fantasy stories."

The implication is that Irving can read his books, but should just treat them as stories and not take them as fact to learn from.

"I understand," Owen nodded.

Adeline gazed quietly into his eyes, then suddenly raised her hand to stroke his hair, her voice slightly hoarse as she softly said, "It's best not to get involved with dark magic before fourth grade." After saying that, she took the book he had picked up earlier from the bookshelf behind Owen and put it back in its original place.

"I know." Owen smiled helplessly.

Adeline glanced at him with her beautiful, deep eyes, her lips twitching slightly as she felt a headache coming on. She knew Owen was always opinionated, and once he made up his mind, even she could hardly stop him. And now, he seemed to have developed an interest in dark magic.

She didn't mind Owen getting involved in this field, but not now. Although its influence on people wasn't obvious when they weren't deeply involved in the realm of dark magic, children who weren't mature enough in their judgment and self-control were easily tempted by the characteristics of dark magic, seeing it as a shortcut to becoming stronger and sinking deeper and deeper until they couldn't extricate themselves.

"Let's make a deal, Owen." She considered for a moment, then said slowly, "Learn the Patronus Charm first, and then you can explore this realm."

"Huh?" Owen looked up at her, somewhat bewildered.

"The Patronus Charm is a widely circulated form of white magic, and it's closely related to the mind and the self. Many wizards believe that the Patronus can protect a wizard's mind from darkness, although there's no evidence to prove this." Adeline took a book from another bookshelf. "But I've found that it does have some use in this regard, though not very effective, but at least it can serve as a reminder."

Owen took the book from her, somewhat amused and exasperated, and nodded obediently, saying, "Okay, Mom."

After speaking for a while longer, he bid farewell to his mother and quickly left the study, the smile on his face slowly fading. He glanced thoughtfully at the book in his hands and murmured with a slightly mocking tone, "A guardian angel..."

However, for him now, the Dark Guardian is indeed his guardian angel. It cannot protect his mind, and even drags him deeper into the realm of darkness, but it can protect his life and even help him kill.

Owen smiled slightly and put away the book in his hand. He held and rubbed Melett, who was sleeping soundly, in the living room for a while, then precisely timed the little one's temper to flare up before leading her into the fireplace and into the garden villa in London.

Almost two weeks have passed since Harry's birthday, and during this time, a group of young wizards have made this place their gathering base, bringing plenty of snacks and trinkets they bought while traveling. However, this is a Muggle residential area, so they spend most of their time playing inside the houses.

"Hey Owen, how's it going?" Harry was already waiting there, looking at him expectantly.

"Each bottle of this potion only blocks your tracks for seven days. Remember the time." Owen tossed him several bottles of potions.

Harry hurriedly caught it and rushed out to deal with the filth he loathed, not forgetting to shout, "Thanks, Owen!" He already owed Owen enough, so a little more wouldn't make a difference; he'd kept it all in mind.

"I'm going to Diagon Alley, wanna go together?" Owen asked casually as he was about to leave through the fireplace.

"Wait for me!" Harry called out. He quickly cleaned up the mess on his body, waved his wand nervously, grabbed some money, and rushed back.

"Hmm... Floo Powder?" Although he had seen his friends come and go from the fireplace many times, this was Harry's first time using it. These days he had been staying in the house doing his homework, enjoying what could truly be called a holiday, and hadn't gone out to wander around.

"Yes, you need to clearly state your destination, and watch out for the ash. Close your eyes, keep your arms close together, and don't move around..." Owen briefly explained the precautions, then watched as the other person sprinkled a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace, entered the towering flames, and then coughed violently in the fire while shouting out their destination.

"We agreed to speak clearly..." Owen grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and stepped into the fireplace, closing his eyes to recall the words Harry had just shouted, then uttering the exact same words. Since they had agreed to travel together, he didn't intend to abandon him... He shouldn't have asked that question earlier...

His body spun rapidly as he quickly reached his destination. Owen stepped out of the furnace and saw Harry, covered in soot, getting up from the ground, dizzy and cautiously looking around with his shattered glasses in hand. This was clearly not Diagon Alley.

"I don't quite understand, how did you come to call Diagon Alley 'Flip-Over Alley'?" Owen waved his wand to brush the ashes off his clothes, crossed his arms, and looked around at the merchandise on display: a withered human hand, a stack of bloodstained playing cards, a dull glass eyeball, several hideous masks, and all sorts of human bones and instruments of torture.

His gaze lingered on the deck of cards, and he looked with some interest at the description beside it: Lucky Cards, which can ensure the owner wins every gamble.

Hearing Owen's voice, Harry turned around in surprise and delight: "Owen, what are you doing here? This isn't Diagon Alley!"

"I came with you." Owen's gaze never left the stack of cards.

Having apparently overheard their hushed conversation, a hunchbacked man appeared behind the counter, running his hand through his slicked-back hair. Upon seeing the two men, a knowing look crossed his face. Then, with a polite yet sly smile, he said in a mocking tone, "Welcome, two little wizards who've wandered into the wrong shop. You've dirtied my store; how do you plan to compensate me?"

Harry looked at him somewhat awkwardly, and cautiously pulled Owen back a step. Something about this place just didn't feel right.

Irving glanced at the filthy, blackened floor and the dusty shop windows and counters, smiled slightly, and said, "If you consider this 'dirty,' Mr. Borgin."

"May I ask who you are...?" Bokin's cunning expression turned serious. Having seen countless people, he could naturally tell that Irving was not an easy little guy to manipulate.

"Owen Shafik." Owen, with the same polite smile on his face, softly uttered his name.

"Ah, you must be the young master of the Shafik family, a pleasure to meet you," Borgin said in a slick tone. He no longer paid attention to the disheveled Harry beside him, seemingly mistaking him for Owen's henchman. "Want to buy something?"

Irving smiled and looked again at the stack of cards beside him: "Does it really guarantee a winning streak?"

"Of course, I never lie to my guests." Bokin's smile deepened.

"I don't believe it," Owen said with a grin. "Unless you can beat me with it. Ah, I have plenty of confidence in my own abilities."

Bokin grinned, and said regretfully, "Well, I won't use it. It might bring you good luck, but it could also bring you disaster." He added slickly, "I'm not deceiving my guests, I just haven't told them everything."

"You're a fine businessman, Mr. Borgin," Owen said in a gentle tone, his expression unchanged. "Could you tell me about this mask?"

Finally, Owen left the store with a smiling bow and farewell from Borgin, toying with a black ghost mask in his hand. According to Borgin, this "Fool's Mask" could conceal a person's face, height, build, and even scent, making it a valuable tool for robbers. It was classified as a dark magic item because of its cruel and secret manufacturing process.

Harry merely glanced at the mask in Owen's hand without offering any opinion. In truth, he also thought the mask was quite useful, despite its rather frightening appearance and questionable origins. He surveyed his surroundings, using spells to repair his glasses and clean the ashes from his clothes as he followed Owen through the intricate and winding alleyways.

"Owen, you know this place well?" He put his wand back in his pocket.

"Not bad," Owen said. "Hold your wand tight and stay alert. Never put down your weapon in Knockturn Alley; this is a haven for dark wizards."

Seeing Harry nervously gripping his wand, Owen nodded, then smiled slyly and said, "Just keep going down that path and you'll get out. Good luck, I'm rooting for you." With that, he cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, and his figure vanished instantly.

"Owen?" Harry panicked for a moment.

"There's nothing I can do, I'm not very familiar with my Disillusionment Spell yet, so I can only use it on myself," Owen's lazy voice came from the side.

"Don't think I don't remember you reciting this spell to me!" Harry cried, his face contorted with rage. From the dark doorways along the street, several ragged wizards stared intently at him. Even the strangely dressed passersby seemed to harbor ill intentions, and the several terrifying-looking old witches at the roadside stalls were eyeing him greedily. Everything was chilling.

He mustered his courage and strode forward with an expression of heroic sacrifice. In a place like Knockturn Alley, such a young wizard was like a plump and adorable little lamb, attracting many malicious glances.

Owen, invisible, followed Harry, watching with interest as he used a Disarming Charm to knock away the wand of an old witch who was harassing him, only to be grabbed by the wrist and barely managed to break free with a Body Binding Charm. Then, Harry frantically knocked out a guy who rushed out of a doorway to snatch his wand, and then, chased by a group of "enthusiastic fans," ran like a rabbit, escaping Knockturn Alley in a chaotic frenzy.

"Well done," Owen said casually as he revealed himself, ignoring the resentful look Harry was giving him.

"Diagon Alley is just ahead," he said.

The two strolled along the cobblestone path. Harry quickly forgot the danger he had just experienced, his eyes dazzled by the colorful snacks, and his hands were soon full of ice cream and candy. Owen sipped a glass of iced lemonade, lost in thought, but in just a moment of distraction, he realized that Harry had disappeared.

When he found Harry outside the window of the flying broomstick shop with a dark expression, Harry was with a group of young wizards outside the shop, staring longingly at the glittering Nimbus 2001 broomstick in the shop, his ice cream melting in his hand.

"Want to buy a broom?" Owen said casually. How old is he? He can still get lost in the blink of an eye… Traveling with companions really isn't for him; he looks like he's taking care of a child.

"I don't know, I probably can't afford it?" Harry touched the gold coins in his pocket.

Owen glanced at him; clearly, this guy had absolutely no idea what his own wealth was like. By his estimation, while Harry's inheritance might not be comparable to that of a pure-blood family like the Shafi'k family, who controlled the magical goods business, it was still definitely enough to make him a millionaire.

"It's not expensive, you can go get the money first." Owen went into the store, picked out a Nimbus 2001, and paid quickly, saying this. Harry hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the flying broomstick. He temporarily separated from Owen and went to Gringotts to get the money.

Owen smiled and waved as he watched him leave, then walked lightly to Flourish and Blotts, where he saw a large crowd gathered outside. A banner hung in the upstairs window that read: Gilderoy Lockhart's autobiography, "The Magician Me," is available for sale.

The bookstore was packed with witches of all ages, their eyes shining as they surrounded the entrance, making it impossible to move. The male witch trying to maintain order was hoarse from shouting.

Owen disliked crowded environments, so he sat down on a bench near the bookstore, intending to wait until the crowds dispersed before going in. On his way, he spotted the Weasley family, their hair ablaze with red. The short, plump woman, presumably Mrs. Weasley, displayed remarkable energy, leading her family into the bookstore with great enthusiasm. She let them go in to buy other books, while she herself, holding a copy of "I Can Be Magical," waited expectantly in the long line.

Just as Owen was getting drowsy waiting, Harry came over carrying a flying broomstick. He stroked his broomstick with obvious delight, a satisfied expression on his face.

"Going to buy books?" He reluctantly stuffed his flying broom into Owen's small bag, which was enchanted with a seamless stretching spell, and then looked at the crowded bookstore.

"Go on, I still have one book to buy," Owen sighed. It seemed this book signing wouldn't be over anytime soon.

The two managed to squeeze into the bookstore through the gaps in the crowd, but their small stature quickly disappeared into the throng.

Inside the bookstore, Lockhart, dressed in a bright blue robe, sat in the most prominent position, surrounded by large photographs of himself. He quickly signed autographs, occasionally winking at the large camera beside him and flashing a dazzlingly white smile.

"If I didn't know this was a book signing, I would have thought he was making a video of toothpaste 'GG'," Harry muttered to himself.

(End of this chapter)