[202] The Watcher in the Walls

Watching Hermione leave, Harry and Ron both breathed a sigh of relief. "Hall, you don't actually think her cat is really cute, do you?!" Ron was starting to doubt Hall's taste.

"It's alright. Passable. Quite cute with its fur." Apart from spiders, Hall didn't dislike furry creatures. Besides, compared to the bad mood Lockhart brought him today, that flat-faced cat was actually quite cute.

Ron didn't even know where to begin his rebuttal.

The group went to Flourish and Blotts to pick up their textbooks.

"Damn it! How does Gilderoy Lockhart have so many books!" Ron, clutching a thick stack of Lockhart books, wore a pained expression. "And this Monster Book of Monsters is going to bite! How did Hagrid choose these textbooks?!"

Harry nodded frantically beside him. Too many books. Too heavy.

Then they both looked at Hall, only to find he was carrying just one copy of The Monster Book of Monsters. The book, which had been thrashing and trying to bite in their arms, was unusually docile in Hall's hands.

"Hall, how did you do that?"

"Ten Galleons," Hall said lazily, beckoning with his finger.

Harry pulled out ten Galleons without hesitation. Cheap. Bought it.

"Just gently stroke the spine a few times. These kinds of books are meant to be stroked in the right direction." Hall didn't care that Ron was getting a freebie. As long as it wasn't free.

Harry immediately did as instructed. The monster book, which had been bouncing around in his arms, immediately quieted down.

"Where did you put Gilderoy Lockhart's books?" Harry couldn't find them anywhere in Hall's arms.

"I didn't buy them."

Harry and Ron stared at Hall. Is that even possible?

"What else?" Hall glanced at them. "It's not like you'd actually read them after buying them."

Harry and Ron simultaneously looked down at the huge stack of books they were carrying, meeting Lockhart's smiling face on the cover. Harry instantly wore a pained expression.

"And believe it or not," Hall said, looking at Harry, "when school starts, he'll definitely mention in class that he gave you a set of books." The books from last year were a gift. Harry's books were newly bought this year. "Lockhart will publicise that you cherish his books so much you bought a new set."

Harry was already wearing a pained mask. He hadn't forgotten being forced to take pictures by Lockhart last year. "Hall, you should've reminded me sooner. Is it too late to return the book?"

Hall gave him a sympathetic look. It was definitely too late. That was the downside of the wizarding world — returning something once it was out of the store was almost impossible. Consumer rights? None.

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"Consider it a lesson learned. Remember to read it when you get back, otherwise you'll feel even more guilty about the money you spent."

Ron was almost in tears. "Waaah! Hall, I should've known better than to buy it! I could have saved some money for my allowance!"

Molly had given them all the money they needed for the books, with a little extra — their allowance for the new semester. If they'd been careful, it would've been almost a Galleon. This was a huge amount for Ron. He'd never been this generous in twelve years. But he'd just realised he could've had even more money.

On the train to school, Hall said goodbye to Ron and Harry as soon as he boarded, mainly because Crookshanks looked very frightened. "I'm going to find Draco."

"I'm so sorry, Hall..." Hermione looked at him with a guilty expression.

Hall smiled and waved. It wasn't a big deal.

He carried his luggage through two carriages and quickly found Draco's compartment. To his surprise, besides Draco, only Zabini was there.

"I won't ask about Pansy and Daphne," Hall said casually, sitting down next to Draco. "But where are Crabbe and Goyle?" Those two were Draco's henchmen. Hall had thought Draco would have them guard the compartment.

Draco snorted and didn't speak.

"Those two made the young master angry," Zabini shrugged at Hall and continued explaining. "You know, because of your arrival, you've taken Draco's best friend's place. But your status..."

Zabini was cut short by a glare from Draco. He raised his hands. "Fine, fine, I won't say anymore." But he gave Hall a look.

Hall understood. The surname Weasley made many Slytherins prejudiced against him. If Hall weren't so outstanding, if he hadn't received so many honours, those people would've mocked him to his face. But at least a large portion didn't dare to openly criticise him, because his excellence had earned supporters among the younger students. Slytherins' admiration for strength was innate.

"Let those two idiots calm down on their own," Draco said vaguely, trying to shift Hall's attention.

"Thank you for defending me, Draco," Hall said gratefully.

Draco fell silent. Zabini laughed heartily.

"By the way, have you seen the teachers this year?" Draco changed the subject but got genuinely angry. "Dumbledore is really senile! He actually hired these people! Let's not even talk about Gilderoy Lockhart — he's all show and no substance, and he made me buy a bunch of flashy but useless books. What's with Hagrid? That monster book is insane!"

Draco glanced at his still-struggling suitcase.

Hall straightened up. "One hundred Galleons, to serve Master Malfoy and subdue this wretched book."

Draco slowly, reluctantly pulled one hundred Galleons from his pocket.

"I'll offer one hundred Galleons too!" Zabini laughed. "My book has a strange temper. Even tied up, it's still not enough."

After paying, Draco mumbled something. But Hall, further away, heard it clearly: "A new semester, can't you give your wallet to Hall a little later? This is a bad start. He has to restrain himself."

New semester, new beginnings. Most importantly — as a third-year student, Hall's curriculum had changed. Flying lessons ended in second year. The remaining compulsory courses were History of Magic, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, Potions, and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Then there were five new electives: Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Muggle Studies. Besides the seven compulsory courses, students generally had to choose three electives.

"What are you going to choose?" Draco asked, quill in hand, his gaze sweeping over the electives before turning to Hall.

"Ancient Runes... can I skip the rest?" Hall was confused about the difference between Divination and Arithmancy. Both were divination, so why two kinds? Then there was Care of Magical Creatures — Hagrid was a good person and loved magical creatures, but that didn't necessarily mean he could teach well. Passion wasn't everything. As for Muggle Studies, what could they possibly study?

"Don't come crying to me about Ancient Runes later."

"I'd rather take Professor Trelawney and Hagrid's classes than Defence Against the Dark Arts." The thought of Lockhart was giving Hall a real headache. He wanted Grindelwald to teach him instead — Grindelwald was the real expert.