Chapter 127. Diary
After leaving the bookshop, everyone regrouped at the Leaky Cauldron.
Except for the Grangers—they had to return to the Muggle community.
Adrian Wesson had gone to a clothing shop and was the last to arrive.
When he came in, he happened to see Molly tugging the twins by their ears, scolding them—for fanning the flames.
Adrian had just taken a seat at the long table when Arthur shot him a sly wink.
"Thanks to your help," he murmured, rubbing his reddened knuckles, "Malfoy finally got a taste of his own medicine."
Adrian smiled faintly, surprised all the same—he hadn't expected Arthur to notice that hidden jinx in such a chaotic scene.
"What are you two whispering about?" Molly's voice came from across the table.
"Nothing," Arthur said, a little guilty.
After that, Adrian turned to Harry. "How's life at the Burrow?"
Harry was idly leafing through the books Lockhart had given him—all personally signed.
To be honest, after seeing the real Lockhart, he'd suddenly gone off them.
Hearing Adrian, Harry instantly looked up, eyes bright.
"Brilliant!" he said happily. "A thousand times better than at the Dursleys'."
"'Course it is!" Ron said around a mouthful of sweets, words muffled. "At least we don't lock you in a cupboard."
"We don't have lard pudding either," Fred and George added.
Every Weasley burst out laughing. "Lard Pudding" was Harry's nickname for Dudley.
A bit rude, perhaps, but Adrian found it wonderfully apt.
Just then Molly slapped her forehead. "Merlin's beard!"
"What is it?" Hagrid looked over.
"I forgot to buy Ginny's textbooks for Defence Against the Dark Arts this year," Molly said, jumping to her feet in a flurry. "So much happened just now—one moment's inattention and… hey, dear, you didn't remind me either."
Arthur, embarrassed, scratched his head. "Er… well…"
Hearing this, Harry gathered all of Lockhart's books piled on the table and pushed the lot in front of Ginny. "Take these. I don't want his autograph."
"You can't," said Mrs Weasley at once. "I'll buy you a new set—if Lockhart's signing hasn't finished."
"No need," Adrian cut in. "Harry already has a full set."
Harry nodded. "I've nearly finished them."
At that, Mrs Weasley had Ginny accept the textbooks.
Indeed, paying for so many children's schoolbooks was no small burden for them.
"Ah, right," Adrian suddenly looked at Harry. "About the rest of the holiday—do you still want to stay with the Weasleys?"
In fact, only a little over ten days remained before summer ended.
Harry shook his head, looking a bit guilty.
"Much as I want to stay…," he hesitated, then said, "my summer plan… honestly, I've fallen rather behind."
Adrian nodded, thoughtful.
"Don't worry," Ron said, taking a gulp of his drink and clapping Harry on the shoulder. "You can come next term."
"Any time," Arthur said cheerfully.
After leaving Diagon Alley, Harry returned to his earlier routine—training under Adrian during the day, home to rest at night.
Though Harry had been missing for quite a while, the Dursleys—unexpectedly—didn't bring it up at all. In their house, Harry had, it seemed, become a "ghost."
Naturally, Harry was delighted. It let him throw himself wholly into the wizarding world.
He could no longer imagine how unbearable life without magic would be.
As for Adrian, after obtaining Lord Voldemort's diary, he did not act rashly.
The Tree of Wisdom gave the very same appraisal as with the Ravenclaw diadem:
[Name: A contaminated magical item]
[Status: Soul contamination]
Tom Riddle's diary—this was a Horcrux Voldemort created while still a student, and the first he ever made.
Among all his Horcruxes, this seemed to be the only one with its own will. If someone wrote on a blank page of the diary, they could converse with the memory of sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle.
Moreover, the diary could absorb vitality from the user's body—a highly dangerous ability.
After obtaining this Horcrux, Adrian kept it in his plantation.
He currently had no Purifying Potion and so could not force the shard of Voldemort's soul out of the Horcrux.
Nor did he have the ingredients to brew one.
Those apples with Purifying traits wouldn't ripen until November.
As for cultivating a new plant with Purifying traits, Adrian had yet to succeed.
Until he had a Purifying Potion, Adrian would, for safety's sake, take no action toward the diary.
Anything of Voldemort's deserved caution.
For students, summer always seemed to pass faster than other days—as if someone had cast an Acceleration Charm.
Soon enough, it was the first day of term.
Sorting his things had taken a bit of time, so when Adrian brought Harry to the station it was already close to half past ten.
Luckily, they had reached the station by Apparating directly, so there was no need to worry about being late.
The Hogwarts Express departed at eleven o'clock.
Entering the station, Harry and Adrian quickly reached the pillar leading to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Looks like we're the last ones," Adrian said after checking his watch. "We'd better hurry."
Harry nodded. With his first-time experience to go on, he pushed his trolley at full speed toward the pillar.
At the very instant the wheels were about to touch the brickwork, Adrian realised something and shouted, "Stop!"
Too late.
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, Harry slammed trolley and all into the solid brick wall.
His things scattered everywhere. Harry fell hard, spectacles askew, his forehead stinging hot.
Hedwig's cage tipped over and rolled several times, finally coming to a stop at Adrian's feet.
As Hedwig screeched in outrage, Harry rubbed his forehead and stared at the pillar in disbelief. "What just—"
Adrian sighed. He had actually forgotten what happened in the original that first day of term—a House-elf named Dobby had blocked the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to stop Harry from going to Hogwarts.
It seemed Dobby had done it again.
"Someone's sealed the entrance with magic," Adrian explained as he walked to the barrier, touched the sealed portal, and turned back to Harry. "But don't worry—I can take care of it."
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