After much deliberation, Kael finally decided to let his dad down this time and kept the secret about the three-headed dog, Fluffy.
After all, he also loved Fantastic Beasts, but he wasn't Newt and didn't have that innate talent. Creatures like the three-headed dog are extremely rare, even in Greece. If he missed this opportunity, it would be tough to encounter it again.
Between the two choices, it's better to let his dad down.
However, as compensation and to ease his conscience, Kael immediately broke free from the twins' arms and gave Chris an apologetic look.
Chris looked at him, utterly confused.
The same confusion was shared by a certain set of twins.
They had just been about to start an operation that was put on hold before gifting their Jumping Powder onto Kael's head. At the last moment, Kael ducked, even though the Jumping Powder was already thrown!
He could have moved a second earlier or later, but why at this precise moment?
The twins were dumbfounded, just staring wide-eyed as their Jumping Powder drew a beautiful criss-cross path in the air before heading straight for each other's heads.
"Hiss... Ha..."
"Scratch... Scratch... Scratch..."
Two sharp intakes of breath and the sound of fur being scratched came from behind, immediately attracting everyone's attention. They all instinctively turned to look in the direction of the sound.
Upon turning, they saw Fred and George Weasley, scratching their heads furiously like two grown baboons.
Their hair, already not very neat, was now even messier under their claws, looking worse than a bird's nest. Honestly, even the Sorting Hat looked better than them right now.
"Oh, Fred, George, what are you up to now!"
Seeing the growing number of strange looks around, Mrs. Weasley, face flushed red, marched over to the twins, grabbed them by the ears, and dragged them into a side alley.
At least there were fewer people there, and she'd be a little less embarrassed.
Unlike now, right in the middle of Diagon Alley, where her two sons were impersonating baboons on the main street.
Merlin's beard! If this continued, the Weasleys would lose their family's hundreds of years' worth of respect, just like that!
Mrs. Weasley's movements were decisive, but it was tough on the twins, whose breathing noticeably grew louder. Also, Kael couldn't help but wonder if he was seeing things, but he thought he saw tears in their eyes.
If it were true... he could only say that if one was a twin, even tears seemed to stream at the same place.
On the other side, seeing Mrs. Weasley cart off the twins, Mr. Weasley heaved a sigh of relief, holding back his embarrassment and hurriedly urged everyone to go buy things without waiting for them.
At the end of the line, Kael hid beside Ron, struggling hard to hold back his laughter.
But the next second, when he looked up and saw Diana's gaze, he was entirely deflated, forcing a grin that was awkward yet polite.
His mum was wonderful in every way, except her intuition was ridiculously high, and nothing he'd ever done could escape her notice.
He was lucky to have crossed over during those few months before being born, otherwise, Kael was sure his identity might have been discovered long ago.
"Seriously..."
Kael scratched his head and thought, "Having a mum like this means you have no privacy at all."
Diana didn't say anything, just gave Kael a warning look before turning away.
In truth, it wasn't that serious; Molly was just concerned about nothing.
As for the twins, they were famous troublemakers at Hogwarts, their antics well-known throughout the Magic Realm, even Diana had heard of them.
To her knowledge, the twins had once blown up toilet seats, bagged Mrs Norris during a night stroll, and thrown Dungbombs under the new Slytherins' seats while accusing them of soiling themselves in class, among other things she likely hadn't heard of.
Compared to such feats, acting like baboons on the street was trivial.
So most people who saw it just chuckled, not elevating it to the whole Weasleys' reputation (except for a certain unnamed blond member of a Pure-Blood Family).
Mrs. Weasley's reaction was so intense merely because she wasn't accustomed to it yet.
Bill, Charlie, and Percy were all exceptionally outstanding children, so Mrs. Weasley instinctively shifted such expectations onto the twins. Even if their behavior differed vastly from their three brothers, such impressions aren't easily erased.
After all, Bill and Charlie, at home and upon starting school, weren't exactly well-behaved, but they were undeniably among Hogwarts' best students.
Put it this way, imagine serious Percy acting like a baboon on the street, and you can understand Mrs. Weasley.
However, this situation was only temporary. After one or two more school years, with more reports from Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley would gradually grow accustomed.
At least, she'd be much more composed the next time something like this occurred.
...
Not long after this little interlude, everyone split up.
Since Ron and Ginny weren't yet school-aged, the Weasleys were at Diagon Alley only to help the twins and Percy buy new school yearbooks.
But Kael, being a new student, had a lot to buy, and first and foremost, he had to purchase a wand.
Without needing directions, Kael navigated Diagon Alley smoothly and soon found his destination.
That small, shabby shop.
Olivander: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
Standing at the door, Kael always felt a bit speechless.
This place was too rundown. The dust on the windowsill was thick enough to sculpt something right outside the door. What, do wizards all love this aged look?
But Gringotts and the Broomstick Shop were both excellent, looking clean and stylish.
Or does having a monopoly give them such confidence that no matter what it looks like, you'll come anyway?
But Gringotts is also a monopoly...
Kael had pondered this long ago and had even asked Chris and Mr. Weasley, but until today, there was no answer. Standing here now, Kael could only shrug it off as an artisan's nonchalance.
As for asking directly, that was not possible; it wouldn't be wise to offend them. After all, Olivander was the most renowned wandmaker in the British Magical Realm, maintaining a good relationship was essential.
However, with Ron starting school next year, he could con-uh, no, ask the twins to let their youngest brother, Ronald Weasley, help 'ask' a question.
Don't call it exploiting friends.
He was using Ron Weasley; it had nothing to do with his dear friends, the twins' younger brother, Ronald Weasley.
...