The crowd burst into thunderous applause as Lockhart returned to his signing table to continue appeasing his fans.
Charlie and Harry, having received their books, were preparing to leave the store when Draco strutted over. Clearly still salty from watching Harry steal the spotlight earlier, he couldn't resist throwing shade.
"Enjoying all the attention, Potter?" he sneered.
"Must feel great to have the entire wizarding world revolve around you, huh?"
Charlie's eyebrow lifted slightly.
Are you trying to include me in that jab?
Draco saw Charlie's raised brow, and turned pale on the spot.
"I-I didn't mean you, Charlie! I meant Potter!" he stammered, his voice nearly cracking.
Ron snorted nearby.
"Drama-co's acting up again. Why do you always fold the second you see Charlie?"
"I am not folding!" Draco snapped, his face flushed but his voice clearly lacking confidence.
At that moment, Mr. Weasley walked over, frowning.
"Ron, what are you doing? We need to go."
Lucius Malfoy sauntered up lazily, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Well, well... Mr. Weasley, father of seven, can actually afford to step inside a bookstore?"
That expression, identical to Draco's, made Charlie wonder if the family had a gene for smugness.
Mr. Weasley's face darkened instantly.
"Lucius, you'd better be careful. The Ministry's watching. Wouldn't want them catching you red-handed."
Lucius let out a soft, patronizing chuckle.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll give you a raise for trying so hard."
Mr. Weasley's expression turned stormy.
Lucius pressed on with faux sympathy.
"Honestly, how do you live on that miserable little salary? Risking your life for scraps…"
Then, he reached into Ginny's cauldron and pulled out her tattered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.
He flipped through the frayed pages with a smirk.
"Used books for your daughter? Oh, wait, not just your daughter. All your kids, isn't it? Like a litter of pigs."
That last line struck deep.
Mr. Weasley exploded.
"Shut your mouth!"
He lunged at Lucius.
From the side, Fred and George yelled gleefully:
"Go, Dad!"
"Hit that snob!"
Mrs. Weasley cried out in panic:
"Arthur, stop!"
But it was too late. The two men were already grappling, knocking over shelves and sending books flying. Fans screamed and scattered in every direction.
Charlie, meanwhile, was fully in spectator mode, watching with unconcealed amusement.
Ah, now this is the good stuff.
No one in the wizarding world ever gets seriously hurt in a fistfight anyway. A healing charm or a potion and you're fine. This is basically entertainment.
As several people tried to break up the brawl, Charlie moved closer, pretending to help.
He leaned toward Mr. Weasley.
"Garlic bird, garlic bird, you're no match for him."
Then turned to Lucius with equal faux concern.
"Look at him, he's out for blood. You might want to back off, you're gonna get hurt."
[Your Majesty has truly mastered the art of instigation. Without you, they might've already stopped fighting. +10 Tyrant Points]
The fight intensified.
Mr. Weasley's fist landed square on Lucius's nose with a dull thud.
Lucius, not to be outdone, grabbed Mr. Weasley's hair and pulled hard.
It took several adult wizards to finally separate the two.
Mr. Weasley's robe was torn. One eye was starting to swell.
Lucius's golden hair was in disarray, and blood dripped from his nose.
Charlie sighed in disappointment.
Just when it was getting good. This was way more fun than a Quidditch match.
Lucius attempted to gather his dignity. He picked up his fallen snake-headed cane, brushed off his robes, and tried to compose himself.
Unfortunately, the bleeding nose ruined the look.
He snatched the used Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration from the floor and marched up to Ginny.
"Little girl."
His voice was sharp and venomous as he dropped the book back into her cauldron.
"Better take care of your book. Your daddy can't afford a second copy."
Ginny's eyes welled up instantly.
Mr. Weasley tried to lunge again, but Mrs. Weasley clung to his arm with surprising strength.
"Arthur! Don't lose it again!"
Lucius turned toward Charlie. His face switched from venom to warmth with alarming speed.
"My apologies, Mr. White. What an unfortunate scene to witness."
He gave a polite bow.
"Draco, we're leaving."
The Malfoy father and son disappeared into the crowd.
Mrs. Weasley trembled with rage.
"Arthur Weasley!"
Her voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
Mr. Weasley hung his head like a scolded schoolboy.
"Fighting in front of the children!"
After such a public meltdown, nobody really felt like shopping anymore.
"We should go home," Mr. Weasley muttered, dabbing at his nose.
"We should," Mrs. Weasley agreed, still fuming.
The group left the bookstore and made their way to the Leaky Cauldron in uncomfortable silence.
Charlie quietly took the subway back to the orphanage.
When he opened the door to his room, he found Storm still sound asleep.
He tiptoed over and pulled out a stick of jerky from his bag.
A special snack, bought just for Storm.
Then he took out the sterilization powder and sprinkled it on the meat.
Immediately, the color changed from appetizing brown to a sickly green.
A horrific stench rose from it, a blend of rotting fish, moldy cheese, and a hint of sulfur.
Charlie gagged and stepped back, holding his nose.
Can this stuff even be eaten?
He nudged Storm gently.
"Wake up, buddy."
Storm blinked awake, yawned, and stretched, fluffing up his feathers.
"I brought you something tasty."
Charlie held up the jerky.
Storm perked up immediately, flapping his wings in excitement.
He bounced over, beak close to the treat and froze.
He looked up at Charlie with a gaze that was far too human.
It said one thing:
"Do I look like a bloody idiot to you?"
<><>---------------------------------------
Every 200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
40 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
p(a)treon.com/Aaltairr
Add to Collection!
🚨 TL/N 💥
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed