Novel Bin Chapter 328: The Humble Abode
Chapter 328: The Humble Abode
One week later.
On the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon County, there lay rolling hills and fertile meadowsthe very backdrop for the Weasley family's abode.
A touch of crimson appeared on the horizon as a tall, slender young man emerged from the lush green fields.
Felix, with light and nimble steps, followed a winding path, passing ramshackle sheds, and stood before a small yard. Before him stood a crooked, multi-story house that leaned precariously, with a sign that read "The Burrow" jutting out askew.
Beside the entrance lay a pair of tall boots and a rusty cauldron. Several plump brown chickens pecked around the yard.
Felix surveyed the scene. The layout of the house alone hinted at many tales. The ground floor, the most delicate from the outside, likely resembled the original Burrow, topped with a charming red roof. However, the young Weasley couple, as their family grew, found the space insufficient. They added a second floor, then a third...
As a result, the house evolved in a whimsical direction.
The door suddenly swung open. Arthur Weasley welcomed Felix inside. They entered the cramped kitchen, where a spotlessly clean long wooden table occupied most of the space. Cabinets and cupboards surrounded them. Mrs. Weasley, wearing an apron, bustled by the sink, cooking away. An old radio emitted a quirky tune.
"Professor Harp, hello!" Amid her busyness, Mrs. Weasley turned with warmth. She pointed her wand at the cauldron, producing a burst of heat, and its lid jumped up. Mrs. Weasley added chopped sausages and vegetables, saying, "Let's have breakfast together. I made a hearty soup, some hard cheese, and buttered bread."
Felix smiled and thanked her.
She then turned to Mr. Weasley and said, "Dear, wake the children." Before a response came, a loud "pop" and explosion echoed from upstairs. Mrs. Weasley's hands trembled, causing a plate to collide with the sink, chipping a corner.Visit novelbin(.)c𝒐m for updates
"Don't be upset, Molly. I'll go deal with them." Mr. Weasley rushed upstairs.
"Again... They mess around with their prank products all day, only to come back with four certificates," she huffed. Using her wand, she repaired the plate. "They won't even come down to help when they wake up..."
Directing the cleaned dishes to fly onto the table, she explained, "Charlie and Bill won't be back for a few more days. Right now, we only have five children at home."
Felix remarked, "I saw Charlie some time ago."
Mrs. Weasley's attention was piqued. She inquired about her second son's well-being, expressing concern, "He keeps assuring me that the job is safe, but after all, it involves dragons..."
"He has a reliable team," Felix reassured. He steered the conversation to lighter topics, like feeding dragons roasted meat. However, Mrs. Weasley was clearly shaken, so he switched to talking about Charlie's captain, and how he and a cute Norwegian Ridgeback dragon competed all day for brandy.
"That doesn't sound very smart," Mrs. Weasley mused.
"Cough cough! They get along well. It's more like a game..." Felix said, walking into the living room. His eyes fell on a wall clock. Unlike the ordinary clock in the kitchen, this large clock had nine hands, each ending like a spoon, pointing toward a family member's photograph. Instead of numbers, the clock face was marked with possible locations for each family member, including "home," "school," "work," "on the way," "missing," "hospital," and more. At the typical 12 o'clock position, it read "fatal danger."
Felix speculated about the magic used in this enchanted objectthere had to be a tracking spell, perhaps a name-revealing charm, a bodily status-detecting spell... Maybe the clock itself symbolized a magical contract.
In no time, two red-haired boys came downstairs. It was Fred and George, the twins, dressed in pajamas. Their gazes were searching, and they brightened upon seeing Felix examining the clock on the wall.
"Professor, you're a man of your word!"
"Where are we off to later? Percy said you conjured a castle"
"What kind of magic is that? Can we learn it?"
"Are you planning to buy Zonko's?"
Mrs. Weasley emerged from the kitchen, hands on hips, sternly assessing their appearances. "Look at you two, what on earth? Change into proper clothes. We have a guest."
The twins hung their heads sheepishly, then turned to go upstairs. As Fred was about to leave, he added, "Professor, wait for us. We've got a new product"
"Fred!" their mother scolded sternly.
Fred immediately nudged George and they scampered upstairs. Just before disappearing, Fred poked his head out, grinning, "Mum, actually, I'm George."
A muffled voice sounded next to him, "You're blabbering"
"Don't think that saying that Mrs. Weasley puffed up her chest, but the twins purposely stomped their feet, making clattering footsteps. From around the third floor, an angry voice shouted, "Can't you keep it down a bit?"
Mrs. Weasley filled the plates with food. "That's Percy. He's probably working on a report... He's just joined the Ministry of Magic, full of ambition, determined to make a mark."
Felix chuckled, "Fred and George are hard workers too. Their Skiving Snackboxes are quite popular." He didn't mention those eccentric prank products.
"Well, that's true..." Mrs. Weasley paused, "I just feel that it's too early for them to think about making money, with two more years until graduation."
"Mrs. Weasley, they're simply pursuing what they're passionate about. You should know them best. Given their personalities, what kind of job do you think they'll pursue after graduation?"
Mrs. Weasley hesitated. Despite not wanting to admit it, she couldn't imagine these troublemakers dressing impeccably and working at the Ministry. Or, for that matter, doing any job that involves conformity.
At this moment, Mr. Weasley returned, followed by a young girl with flaming red hairGinny, the youngest of the Weasley clan. She gazed at Felix with curiosity, his attire today devoid of any magical influence.
Ron yawned incessantly as he walked behind, his eyes half-closed, as if sleepwalking. Percy and the twins were the last to appear. Percy had meticulously combed his hair and wore a perfectly tailored suit.
"I'm currently working with Mr. Crouch, as his assistant. Every day is quite fulfilling. Today, I'm heading to the Quidditch World Cup site." Percy introduced his work, greatly admiring his boss. Judging by Felix's perspective, Percy seemed to be emulating Barty Crouch's style.
The twins exchanged knowing glances, wanting to say something but were caught by Mrs. Weasley beforehand. "No talking at the table."
Fred muttered under his breath, "Mum's too biased, she doesn't even scold Percy."
"Yeah, because he's a junior supervisor, in charge of seven or eight people..."
"More than Dad."
"But what does he do again?"
"Weasley, level this piece of land"
"The southern stands lack two hundred seats"
Ron and Ginny lowered their heads, their lips stretched wide in exaggerated grins, struggling not to laugh. Percy grumbled in frustration, "You lot peeked at my notes!"
Mr. Weasley coughed twice, "Children..." He nodded toward Mrs. Weasley, who held a spoon filled with soup, fire blazing in her eyes like an angry lioness. The twins immediately fell silent.
The twins swiftly cleared their plates while Felix also laid down his fork and knife. Addressing the Weasley couple, he said, "Thank you for the hospitality. Oh, Mrs. Weasley, no need to serve more. I've had three bowls of soup already..."
Outside the Burrow, the twins each carried a large package containing their latest research accomplishments.
"There are seven types of fireworks that can stay suspended in mid-air for a long time!"
"Alright, we've got time to discuss this later. Now, hold onto my arm tightly." Felix said. The twins grasped his arms, one on each side. "Side-Along Apparition, right? We're almost there" With a twist, the three of them vanished.
They reappeared in a narrow London alley. The twins looked around with curiosity, their gazes fixated on a colossal rubbish bin. "Professor, isn't this Diagon Alley?"
"Spot on," Felix said, "You'll need to change into different clothes first to avoid startling people. Our itinerary today is quite packed."
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