Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 520 Lupin's Nervousness

Chapter 520 Lupin's Nervousness

Diagon Alley was indeed more lively than ever on Christmas Day, with Christmas trees adorned with gifts everywhere on both sides of the main street.

Those gifts are free to take; they might contain a small spoonful of beetle eyeballs, a quill pen, a pair of broom tweezers, or a small bag of pet treats.

None of them are particularly valuable, but they can still bring some surprises when opened.

Of course, not all shops are like this. For example, Ollivanders Wand Shop has its doors closed, let alone a Christmas tree.

Garrick was actually at home. Celen had written to him earlier, telling him that the wizarding world was not safe lately, that the Death Eaters were causing trouble everywhere, and that he should stay home.

Although Garrick didn't take it too seriously in his reply, he stopped running off to remote magical forests as before and instead stayed in the shop studying the wand books he had almost worn out.

Except for the month before school starts, the wand shop is basically empty of customers, even on Christmas. Whether it's open or not makes no difference.

However, now that we're here, Xilun definitely needs to go back.

Mrs. Weasley and Percy went to Madam Malkin's Robes Shop. The others, led by Bill, wandered from shop to shop, spending all the gold coins they had on them before reluctantly preparing to return to the Leaky Cauldron.

Around noon, Xilun also entered the Leaky Cauldron.

The place is also filled with various Christmas elements. Instead of spider webs, holly and ribbons hang on the rusty light bulbs. Several snowmen wearing Santa hats are piled on the old tables. On the liquor cabinet behind the bar, a black skull is singing Christmas carols in a harsh, saw-like voice.

"Anyway, at least people will know it's Christmas today—" Hermione said.

Harry glanced disdainfully at the snowman beside his cup, which insisted on throwing its arm into Harry's butterbeer mug. Harry had no choice but to cover the rim of the mug tightly with his hand.

Aside from that, everything else is pretty good.

Mrs. Weasley and Percy returned at noon, half an hour later than planned.

Celen noticed that Percy was still carrying three books, probably because he had been delayed at Flourish and Blotts.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we should head back soon," said Mrs. Weasley, hurrying toward the fireplace.

Ron was the first to stand up.

Diagon Alley was indeed very lively at Christmas, but money was spent quickly. He couldn't resist buying things, and his once ample allowance was now almost gone. He'd better hurry back.

Everyone returned to the Burrow using Floo Powder.

"Mom, we seem to have forgotten about Fred and George." Ginny looked around the kitchen and suddenly realized that two of them seemed to be missing.

“No, they didn’t forget. Lee Jordan invited them to his house for lessons,” Mrs. Weasley said. “They said they’d be back in the evening.”

"No wonder it's been so quiet along the way," Bill said with a smile.

Visiting Lee Jordan's house?

It seems Fred and George haven't told Mrs. Weasley about their plans to open a shop in Diagon Alley. When Sirius came, he even made a special trip to 93 Diagon Alley; the two of them were busy cleaning there.

Oh, Lee Jordan is here too.

However, since they hadn't told Mrs. Weasley, Siron naturally wouldn't either.

After lunch, more people gradually arrived.

The first person to arrive was Nymphadora Tonks, the youngest Auror and a natural shapeshifter who could transform into anyone at will—not even a human. For example, right now, she had transformed herself into a duck with rhinoceros horns, saying it was a little Christmas performance for everyone.

Sirius returned later. He looked travel-worn and his face was slightly pale, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

"Don't worry," he said to Harry. "I'm just cold. You certainly don't want to be running around outside on Christmas Day, it's so cold—oh, long time no see, Nymphadora, how have you been—"

"I told you, don't call me by that name!" Tonks' hair immediately turned a bright, fiery red as he glared angrily at Sirius.

"Sorry, I forgot." Sirius quickly raised his hand to admit his mistake.

After Tonks stormed off, he whispered to Harry, "Tonks doesn't like people calling her by her first name. She prefers to be called by her last name, and it's not offensive to her."

Harry nodded in realization.

Then came Charlie, who also returned. He appeared on the path in front of the Burrow with Alastor Moody, who had just recovered from his injuries and been discharged from the hospital, and three other wizards whom Siron did not recognize.

As for Lupin, whom Xiren cared about most, he did not break his promise, but he arrived very late.

He didn't appear wearily in the candlelight until it was completely dark and people were busy setting up tables and chairs next to the garden.

Xilun asked him about the gift.

"I—I'm sorry, I hope I didn't scare you," Lupin said apologetically.

"I'm not so easily frightened by a bone." Xiren shook his head. "I just don't understand what you mean by saying in your letter that a werewolf volunteered to give me a leg bone."

"It's like this—" Lupin quickly explained, "I met some werewolves like me. We didn't want to bite people, and we weren't accepted by wizards, so we had to hide. But a week ago, Fenrir Greyback's followers found us and wanted us to join them."

Upon hearing the name, a complex emotion flashed in Lupin's eyes. He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Fenrir Greyback was a brutal werewolf who enjoyed biting people, so of course we couldn't join him. Enraged by the rejection, the two werewolves attacked us on the night of the full moon."

"That's when Scar's leg was bitten off by them."

Scar—that must be the name of a werewolf.

"But why would he give me his own bones?" Siren asked. "Although I don't understand werewolf customs, it's not common for werewolves to give away parts of themselves as gifts."

A distinct emotional fluctuation flashed in Lupin's eyes again, and for some reason, he suddenly became reserved.

"Because I mentioned you—and the Triwizard Tournament—they know you have a special method for making wands—"

Ok?

Siren vaguely sensed something, raised an eyebrow slightly, and quietly looked at Lupin.

This made Lupin even more nervous.

But at that moment, Mrs. Weasley's voice came from the direction of the Burrow.

"Bill, Charlie, hurry up and set the table."

"Ah, I'll go help," Lu Ping said hastily, then ran off as if fleeing.