0539 Hogsmeade


    The cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade, usually echoing with nothing more than the soft whispers of winter wind, had taken on a different character in recent days.


    The magical vige''s shops, their wooden signs creaking gently in the breeze, primarily catered to the young witches and wizards of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On days when Hogwarts wasn''t hosting student visits, most shopkeepers could be found loungingzily in their doorways, basking in the weak Scottish sunlight that filtered through the perpetually misty air.


    Their lively conversations inevitably turned to the uing Triwizard Tournament, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they discussed about it.


    The arrival of the visiting students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, though rtively few in number, had transformed the vige''s usually subdued atmosphere. Their presence brought an unexpected vitality to the otherwise tranquil streets, their foreign ents and colorful uniforms adding sshes of life to the vige''s traditionally somber Scottish character.


    The initiative to introduce these international students to Hogsmeade had originated from young Gabrielle Dcour''s innocent request, and both Bryan and Dumbledore had recognized it as an excellent opportunity to ease the subtle tensions simmering between the three school.


    Fleur''s enthusiastic response to the vige had caught Bryanpletely off guard. Having observed her proud demeanor and generally dismissive attitude toward all things Hogwarts-rted, he hadn''t expected her sudden and intense fascination with Hogsmeade.


    In the span of three painstakingly long hours, their group had barely managed to traverse a quarter mile of the main street, as both Dcour sisters were entranced by every shop window, magical disy, and curious object they encountered.


    Bryan was painfully reminded of how exhausting it was to shop with women - thest time he''d experienced such torture was literally in his previous life. He couldn''t very well let two delicatedies carry their packages, especially when one was even younger than magical education age. Out of politeness and chivalry, he offered to carry their bags, and afterward, the two girls wentpletely wild with shopping.


    The sisters'' wealthy background became increasingly apparent with each purchase, their golden Galleons flowing freely as they acquired one exotic magical item after another. Their shopping spree showed no signs of fiscal restraint, each whimsical desire immediately transformed into a new purchase.


    The rising collection of packages soon began to overwhelm Bryan entirely, forcing him to resort to levitation charms just to manage their extensive purchases - that included everything from mountains of Honeydukes'' finest sweets to an rming quantity of Filibuster''s Fireworks (Gabrielle had bought many, perhaps finding Hogwarts nights too dull).


    Walking down the street, Bryan felt like a walking spectacle, he drew amused nces and poorly concealed snickers from passing vigers. Some even went so far as to pulling out the magical cameras. More concerning were the increasingly suggestive looks and whispered conversations that seemed to focus on him and Fleur, creating an air of juicy gossip.


    The situation reached new heights of absurdity when the sisters emerged triumphantly from Scrivenshaft''s Quill Shop, adding yet more packages to the orbital dance of shopping bags floating around Bryan like peculiar satellites.


    Fleur finally noticed Bryan''s increasingly darkening expression, but rather than showing any sign of remorse, she simply tossed her silvery hair with elegant defiance and shed him a dazzling smile - an action that only worsened matters.


    The vigers, with their rtively weak resistance to magical influence, were particrly vulnerable to the Ve''s natural charm, even more so than the young wizards at Hogwarts.


    Bryan realized with growing unease that his presence was likely the only thing preventing an avnche of admirers from approaching Fleur. The vigers'' increasingly pointed looks sent a chill down his spine - thest thing he needed was to be the subject of scandalous rumors in the magicalmunity.


    With sharp determination, he called out "Reega!"


    His voice cut through the murmur of the street, and with a distinctive pop, the house-elf he had previously assisted materialized before them.


    Reega, now fully recovered from her earlier period of weakness, executed a deep bow that brought her long nose nearly to the cobblestones.


    "Great Professor Watson, how may Reega serve you!" her squeaky voice rang with earnest devotion.


    Though Beauxbatons employed house-elves in their own right, making the sight not entirely foreign to Fleur, she couldn''t help but watch with curious interest as Bryan interacted with the creature.


    "If you please—" Bryan''s voice softened considerably as he addressed the eager house-elf, "I''d appreciate it if you could deliver thesedies'' purchases to their quarters."


    "It would be Reega''s highest honor—" The house-elf''s bow deepened even further before she disappeared with a crisp snap of her fingers, taking the impressive collection of packages with her.


    "Miss Dcour—" Bryan began tactfully, pressing his lips together as he chose his words carefully, "I''ve just recalled some rather urgent matters requiring my attention, if you wouldn''t mind—"


    "Oh!" Fleur''s sudden exmation of delight cut through his attempted escape. She pointed eagerly toward a shop in the distance, her blue eyes sparkling with renewed excitement. "That''s drags Wizardwear! It''s quite famous, with a branch in Paris. The weather here is so much colder than I anticipated - I simply must get some new clothing!"


    Bryan couldn''t help but note how women always "needed" new clothes, regardless of whether the weather had any actual bearing on the matter.


    Fleur''s swift departure toward the shop rendered Bryan''s carefully nned excuse utterly useless, leaving him standing alongside young Gabrielle.


    The younger Dcour sister turned to him with an expression of practiced innocence, batting her long eyshes and offering a sweet smile. Her entire demeanor showedplete confidence that Bryan wouldn''t abandon them here.


    This is all for the harmony and stability of European magical education—Bryan told himself internally, then after releasing a deeply resigned sigh that seemed toe from his very soul, he conceded, "Very well, let''s proceed - but after this shop, I sincerely hope we might find somewhere to rest. I''d rather duel with Dumbledore himself than continue shopping—"


    "My sister always loses track of time when buying clothes- we''ll likely miss the evening feast—" Gabrielle''s melodious giggle carried a hint of mischief as she spoke. The young girl, disying an almost rming level of trust in Bryan, wrapped her small fingers around his sleeve and practically dragged him toward drags Wizardwear.


    By the time Gabrielle had sessfully maneuvered Bryan through the shop''s doorway, Fleur had already found her target. She stood with perfect posture; her head tilted back elegantly as she gazed up at a magnificent dress suspended high on the wall.


    The shop''s proprietor, a witch with an expertly cultivated air of sophisticated helpfulness, was already engaged in what appeared to be an enthusiastic description of the garment''s many qualities.


    The dress in question was extraordinary - a masterpiece of magical tailoring that seemed to capture and hold light within its pristine white silk fabric. The cut was perfect, creating flowing lines that suggested both grace and dignity.


    Along the hem, enchanted crystals caught and reflected light like captured stars, creating an effect that somehow managed to convey both noble elegance and untouched purity. The overall effect was breathtaking, though Bryan couldn''t help but think it entirely impractical for daily wear at a wizarding school.


    "What are your thoughts?" Fleur''s voice carried a note of genuine pleasure as she turned to face Bryan, her eyes sparkling with an enthusiasm that matched the dress''s crystalline embellishments.


    Bryan chose his words with polite care, "While the dress is undeniably beautiful, I must point out that it seems rather impractical for attending sses or traversing the castle grounds. Furthermore, I doubt it would provide much protection against the Scottish Hignds'' notorious chill."


    Gabrielle covered her mouth to suppress a giggle, while Fleur''s response was to wrinkle her nose and huff in obvious disapproval of his practical considerations. Without further discussion, she instructed the eagerly hovering shopkeeper to retrieve the dress and prepare it for fitting.


    Bryan observed with growing resignation how the peculiar female obsession with clothing transcended age barriers. Gabrielle was just like her older sister, bingpletely absorbed in examining the rainbow of magical garments hanging throughout the shop.


    Seizing his opportunity, Bryan quickly imed the shop''s sole chair, a rather worn piece of furniture that nheless felt like a sanctuary after their lengthy shopping spree.


    To be honest, this was Bryan''s first time entering this shop. During his early years at Hogwarts, financial constraints had limited his options - his schrship fund barely covered essential educational expenses, forcing him to purchase his school robes from the more economical Madam Malkin''s shop.


    Even after he began earning some extra galleons in hister years, he had chosen to invest his modest wealth in magical research rather than frivolous clothing expenses, though he well remembered how some of his wealthier Slytherin housemates had regrly boasted about their purchases from this very shop.


    As his gaze wandered listlessly around the shop''s interior, Bryan found himself somewhat underwhelmed. To his practical eye, many of the disyed garments seemed to differ only in minor decorative details - a sash here, a pendant there, various embellishments that seemed to serve no purpose beyond inting the price.


    However, something unexpected caught his attention, causing him to abandon his hard-won seat. In an easily overlooked corner of the shop, far from the borate gowns and refined robes that dominated the space, hung several unremarkable garments crafted from doubleyered fabric. Their design was surprisingly practical, bearing a striking resemnce to Muggle athletic wear.


    Approaching the disy, Bryan reached out to examine the fabric, nodding unconsciously as his fingers assessed its quality. The material impressed him - smooth to the touch yet clearly durable, with properties that suggested bothfort and functionality.


    Taking a few steps backward, he studied the grayish-blue garment with growing interest. His expression shifted from casual observation to intense concentration as various possibilities began forming in his mind.


    "Has that particr outfit caught your fancy?" Fleur''s voice, tinged with surprise, suddenly broke through his contemtion. "It seems rather... ordinary, doesn''t it?"


    "Oh, not exactly—" Bryan replied, running his fingers over the practical garment once more. "Actually, I believe this would serve excellently aspetition wear—"


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