Chapter 256: Conflict in Flourish and Blotts

After the photo session, Lockhart, brimming with self-importance, announced to the crowd that he would soon be joining Hogwarts as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

“Both Harry Potter and his classmates will receive a true, magical experience with Magical Me starting September 1st!” he declared.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. A few middle-aged wizards, unclear if they were fans or just awestruck, even shouted in excitement. It was as though Lockhart’s presence alone could ensure the students' safety and finally break the infamous curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position.

Amid the enthusiastic cheers, Harry suddenly felt a heavy weight in his arms. Looking down, he realized he’d been handed the complete works of Gilderoy Lockhart, nearly causing him to trip as he attempted to walk. The one silver lining was that he finally had an excuse to escape the crowd.

He maneuvered his way over to the edge of the gathering, where Kyle stood chatting with Ginny.

“These are for you
 I’ll buy my own copies later,” Harry said, pouring Lockhart’s books into Ginny’s new cauldron. Then, looking at Kyle, he couldn’t help but ask, “Where did you disappear to just now?”

“Oh, I noticed you were having a great chat with Lockhart, so I slipped off to pick up some other textbooks,” Kyle replied, nodding toward a stack of books piled on a nearby table. When Lockhart had called out Harry’s name, Kyle had taken the chance to vanish into the crowd, hoping to dodge any potential interaction. Little did he know that he’d also managed to avoid being dragged into the spotlight by Harry’s quick-thinking escape tactic.

'This kid’s getting too clever for his own good these days,' Kyle thought with amusement.

“What did you need me for?” Kyle asked, keeping a straight face.

“Oh
 nothing, really!” Harry replied, his eyes widening as he took in the stack of thick books Kyle had gathered. He counted seventeen in total. He knew third-years had the option of adding two elective classes, but this seemed a bit excessive.

“It’s only two more classes
 do you really need that many books?” he asked, bewildered.

“Normally, no, but I may have signed up for a few too many classes,” Kyle admitted. “Five of these are for Ancient Runes, and seven are for Defense Against the Dark Arts—they make up most of the pile.”

Ancient Runes
 Harry thought, firmly deciding he’d skip that intimidating-sounding subject next year.

After some brief conversation, Kyle took his books over to the counter to pay. Due to Lockhart’s signing event, most of the Flourish and Blotts staff had been assigned to help with book selection, signing, and payment for Lockhart’s works, creating a one-stop service for his admirers. However, for any other purchases, customers still had to go through the regular counter, which meant Kyle ended up waiting in a long line.

When he finally returned with his purchases, he found Mr. Weasley facing off with a middle-aged man with blonde hair. Mr. Weasley’s face was tense and grim, looking far more serious than usual.

“If you're as unafraid of inspections as you claim, why were you sneaking around Knockturn Alley?” Mr. Weasley challenged, his voice simmering with anger.

“Do produce some evidence, Weasley,” Lucius Malfoy replied smoothly. “I merely brought Draco to Flourish and Blotts to buy his textbooks for next year. I haven’t been anywhere near Knockturn Alley.”

“And yet
 you must have been getting overtime pay for all those ‘searches’ you’ve conducted over the years,” Malfoy sneered.

Reaching into Ginny’s cauldron, Malfoy pulled out a battered copy of A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration, inspecting it with mock disdain. “I’m afraid, given current circumstances
 what's the point in playing the hero if there’s no proper paycheck?”

Mr. Weasley’s face flushed even redder than Harry’s had been minutes ago in front of Lockhart. “Seems we have very different ideas of what makes someone a bad wizard, Malfoy.”

“Apparently so,” Malfoy replied coldly, his gaze sliding to the Grangers, who looked alarmed and out of place.

“Just look at the company you keep, Weasley
 mingling with muggles. Has your family really sunk so low?”

With a clang, Ginny’s cauldron flew from her hands. Kyle couldn’t tell whether Mr. Weasley had thrown it or if Ginny had done it herself, but it didn’t matter. The cauldron clattering to the floor was the spark that set off an explosion.

Mr. Weasley lunged at Malfoy, shoving him backward into a towering shelf of spellbooks. As thick volumes tumbled down, Malfoy staggered, momentarily dazed.

“How dare you lay a hand on me!” Lucius spat, swinging his snake-headed cane at Mr. Weasley.

But before the blow could land, a large hand clamped down on Malfoy’s arm. Hagrid had appeared, striding over the scattered books, and with one strong pull, he yanked Lucius back.

Malfoy struggled, glaring venomously, but couldn’t shake free of Hagrid’s grip.

“This isn’t over,” Malfoy snarled. “Come, Draco.”

As he turned toward the door, he passed Ginny’s cauldron and, with a spiteful glint in his eye, dropped "A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration" back into it. He sneered, “Here, girl, keep your book—it’s likely the best your father can afford.”

With a final, scornful look, he swept out of the shop, Draco trailing behind him.

“Good thing Kyle called me over,” Hagrid muttered, releasing Mr. Weasley and giving his robes a brisk shake to smooth them out. “You shouldn’t have listened to him, Arthur. The man’s rotten, and so’s his whole family. Not worth a word.”

Mr. Weasley didn’t respond, his jaw still clenched. Ginny’s outburst had given him the excuse he needed to confront Malfoy, and if he were honest, he’d enjoyed it—something about landing a punch on that smug face felt like a well-deserved treat, like the warmth of Butterbeer on a frigid day.

As Hagrid straightened Mr. Weasley’s robes, he led the group out of Flourish and Blotts. “Come on, let’s get outta here!”

The shop assistants looked like they wanted to intervene, but with Hagrid towering over them, none dared make a move. Outside, the Grangers were visibly shaken, and Hermione was whispering reassuringly to her parents.

Mrs. Weasley, however, was furious. “Setting such a bad example for the children
 fighting in public
 what on earth will Gilderoy Lockhart think?”

“Oh, he was thrilled!” Fred said with a grin. “He even asked the Daily Prophet photographer if they could include the fight in the story
”