Vid didn't ask more questions and looked down at the product list first.
As a small village, Hogsmeade naturally couldn't compare to Diagon Alley, the commercial center of the British Wizarding World, in terms of the number of shops. However, despite its size, it had all the essential shops one might need, like clothing stores, quill shops, magic equipment stores, post offices, bars, tea houses, and more. Of course, the most popular among students was undoubtedly the candy store, with a long list of various candies on the product list, amounting to more than all other categories combined.
Vid glanced again at the items others wanted to buy and couldn't help but ask, "Can he carry all this stuff?"
"In the Hufflepuff common room, Cedric specifically mentioned—" Theo laughed, "He said—don't worry about whether my arm can carry all this, there's the Levioso spell! Other third-year students said they could help too; we won't let Cedric do all the heavy lifting alone."
Michael lay on the table lethargically, lamenting, "Ugh—why don't we have such enthusiastic seniors in Ravenclaw? They only give you a sideways glance and say something like—don't worry, you'll be able to go in two years. And they add—it's for your own safety! No one even offered to bring us a handful of candy! Ugh, another day wishing to be in Hufflepuff!"
Theo and Leian exchanged a proud smile.
Hermione and Neville, on the other hand, simultaneously thought of Gryffindor Prefect Percy Weasley—"I'm the Prefect, you must listen to me!" "Do you want to cause the house to lose points?" "First-year students, don't think about slipping through, Filch will check everyone; he won't let anyone out who shouldn't be! Of course, I'll also help keep an eye on you troublemakers."
Or the two Weasley twins in third year—"Of course, no problem, Dungbomb or Burping Powder?—What an idea! You'll give Filch a surprise! Special offer fifteen silver Sickles!—I swear, only five Knuts more than Hogsmeade!"
However, before they got the money, they were caught by Percy for their purchasing scheme, and most importantly, the twins' items were mainly prank products that would make Filch scream, leading to the brothers being chased all around the common room by their elder brother.
Hermione and Neville, despite their significant differences in academic performance, were both somewhat "fringe members" of Gryffindor. They swallowed their complaints about the Weasleys but inwardly envied the Hufflepuff atmosphere.
Vid laughed, saying, "Michael, before you envy Hufflepuff for having a senior who cares about the younger students—when we reach third year, would you want to help Ravenclaw's young wizards buy a variety of candies?"
"Are you kidding?" Michael responded without hesitation, "It's such a hassle! I don't want to spend my rare weekend completing a task list!"
"So—Ravenclaw is self-centered," Vid said plainly, choosing some items that others hadn't picked much, so they could exchange them after buying.
Not knowing whether Cedric would be startled by Theo's and Leian's long list.
...
"Actually, I think Vid, you are like Cedric."
After the day's studies ended, Theo stayed behind specifically to say this to Vid.
"Hmm?" Vid was still immersed in the Petrification Spell and completely forgot what everyone had discussed earlier.
Theo looked into his eyes and said earnestly, "Although it was never said, our SSC group came together entirely because of you, Vid—you always selflessly guide us in practicing spells and you're willing to share your hard-earned notes. I've never seen another Ravenclaw do this."
Vid was somewhat surprised, looking at Theo, not knowing what to say.
"Michael and Hermione are so smart, they hang out with us everyone because of you; me, Leian, and Neville, we originally weren't outstanding in grades, even bottoming out in some subjects, but thanks to your help, we've recently started to earn some points for our house as well. Professor Flitwick praised us several times, and last Herbology class, Neville even dared to speak up, and Professor Sprout gave him an extra point."
Theo concluded, "Vid, you're Ravenclaw, but you're definitely not self-centered or indifferent; you've helped us a lot—I just wanted to tell you this."
After Theo left, for a long time, Vid felt a strange emotion filling his heart.
He packed his things and left the Umbrella House, seeing Miss Claudia in a portrait strolling in the grass, with sorrow on her brow, reminiscent of Sister Lin in his mind.
Looking at the door of the Umbrella House closing, Vid muttered to himself, "How could it be because of me that everyone gathered? Theo, that guy, might've forgotten—it was him who applied for this classroom with Professor Sprout!"
Miss Claudia remained silent as always. She never spoke to students nor visited like other portraits, always staying on this empty lawn. Apart from occasionally walking around, she seems nearly indistinguishable from a Muggle's portrait.
...
Cedric kept his promise; Vid and his friends' list was all purchased without a single extra Knut.
"Oh my, I'm flying!" Hermione exclaimed as the brown-haired girl floated gently up into the air after drinking a cup of beverage, with Vid quickly reaching out to steady her, preventing any possible injury from rising too high.
After a while, the magical effect of the beverage faded, and Hermione slowly descended to the ground. She said a bit crossly, "They should have put consumption warnings on the packaging!"
"How interesting, Hermione!" Michael said.
Hermione gave him a stern look, blushing, "Well, I was wearing a skirt!"
Michael was at a loss for words, lowering his head, "Sorry—you have a point."
"Everyone, watch!" Theo shouted, "I'm going to eat this Pepper Imp!"
Everyone watched expectantly.
Theo threw the candy into his mouth, chewed a bit, his expression suddenly changing, and then he breathed fire out of his nose!
Everyone burst into laughter.
Michael grabbed a handful of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans for everyone, enthusiastically suggesting, "Come on, try these Every Flavour Beans! Let's bet on who gets the worst!"
He was first to toss one into his mouth, "Not bad, carrot flavor."
Leian ate one, making a face, "Unlucky—earwax flavor."
Vid was curious, "How do you know what earwax tastes like?"
Leian was taken aback, staring at the sky, then around, before nonchalantly turning to Theo, "Hurry up, your turn."
Theo grinned and ate, "Hmm—a honeydew melon flavor! Truly lucky!"
Hermione also took one, "Beef flavor, not bad, not good."
Neville eyed the yellow Every Flavour Bean in his hand fearfully, mumbling, "The unlucky one won't always be me, right?" He closed his eyes and swallowed it, his tongue immediately sticking out, stammering, "Water, water, water!"
"Did you get a sand flavor?" Michael handed him the water and asked with interest.
Tearing eyes filled Neville as he drank a large glass of water and said, "It was super spicy pepper flavor."
Everyone turned to Vid.
Vid looked disdainfully at the Every Flavour Bean; he had never tried this Wizarding World's specialty, because he heard Bertie Bott's Beans even had vomit flavor—what kind of prank thinking is this from the manufacturer?
But everyone awaited him, and after some mental preparation, Vid ultimately tossed the bean into his mouth.
"What's the flavor?" the group curiously inquired.
Vid relaxed, smiling, "It's the taste of snow."