Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Suer and Hermione emerged side by side from a Diagon Alley shop, chatting and laughing. The shop specialised in magical objects, and Suer had bought a large glass sphere containing an exquisite moving galaxy. Angel was sure to love it.

He had not forgotten the wizard chess set he had mentioned to Mr Ellison either. Suer planned to give it to him as soon as he returned home. He only hoped Mr Ellison would not overturn the table while playing Mr Granger, because the pieces had truly filthy mouths.

They had also found everything Hermione needed for her Animagus practice at two apothecaries. To be safe, Suer bought two complete sets of ingredients, and another stream of Galleons poured from his purse.

As they passed Quality Quidditch Supplies, they found a large crowd of young witches and wizards gathered before the window. An assistant stood nearby, loudly presenting the new product in the hope that some wealthy customer might secure his commission.

“The Firebolt is not merely another member of the Nimbus family. It is a revolutionary broom,” the assistant repeated proudly. “From a standing start to one hundred and fifty miles an hour in ten seconds! Ten seconds!”

“Look at the tail. Every birch twig has been individually selected and honed into a streamlined shape. That means almost no wind resistance when you fly!”

The Quidditch enthusiasts in the crowd cheered and discussed it excitedly, their eyes fixed on the broom with undisguised longing.

Suer and Hermione both preferred watching Quidditch to playing it. Flying had never been Hermione’s strength, while Suer simply did not trust broomsticks. Just look at Harry–how many times had he fallen from one?

Come to think of it, Harry would receive a Firebolt in his third year.

Slytherin had only recently equipped its entire team with Nimbus 2001s, and those brooms were already about to be surpassed. Malfoy might be weeping in the lavatory when he found out.

Farther along the cobbled road stood Flourish and Blotts, where they had agreed to meet Harry and the others. Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions was next door.

Harry and Ron had not arrived, but Percy stood before a shelf, absorbed in a book.

“I’m going to buy something at Madam Malkin’s. I won’t be long.”

Hermione spoke softly to Suer, then skipped into the clothing shop. Through the broad window, he saw her exchange a few words with Madam Malkin before the woman lifted the curtain behind the counter and led Hermione into the back.

Behind the street-facing window of Flourish and Blotts stood a large iron cage holding about a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters. It was the same biting book Hagrid had sent Harry and one of the books on the third-year list, though only students taking Care of Magical Creatures needed to buy it.

The battle inside the cage was ferocious. The Monster Books tangled together, biting one another as each tried to become master of the cage. A thick carpet of shredded paper already covered the floor beneath them.

While the books fought viciously, Suer watched their unusual wrestling match with great interest.

“Hogwarts student?” The manager noticed Suer standing outside and hurried from the shop. “Here for your new textbooks?”

“Yes, sir.” Suer nodded. “I need the third-year books.”

The manager looked dreadful. A white bandage encircled one hand, and faint traces of blood were seeping through it. “Forgive me for asking, but you don’t happen to need one of those, do you?”

He pointed at the heap of books that seemed intent on tearing one another apart.
Suer glanced at the manager’s bandaged hand with sympathy. “I’m afraid I do need a copy of The Monster Book of Monsters.”

“Damn.” The manager swore irritably, then sighed and beckoned.

“Come in. I’ll get one out for you. You don’t mind if a corner is missing, do you? I can’t help it. They’ve fought every day since they arrived. My assistants are too frightened of being bitten to come to work, and I’ve already been bitten seven times today.”

A satisfying ripping sound made both of them turn. Two Monster Books had seized a third from opposite ends and torn it in half.

“Stop! Stop!” The manager rushed inside, grabbed the walking stick beside the cage and thrust it through the bars, striking the books in an attempt to separate them.

It did no good. The moment one Monster Book was knocked down, it opened its jaws and hurled itself at another target.

“I will never stock these things again. It’s every bit as disastrous as that shipment of The Invisible Book of Invisibility–we spent a fortune and never found a trace of them! I thought those were the worst…”

“Would you like some help, sir?” Suer kindly asked the manager, who looked close to tears with frustration and regret.

“A Freezing Charm?” the manager asked.

“It won’t work.” He shook his head. “We tried that ages ago. They only stay quiet for a while. As soon as the spell wears off, they are as lively as ever. We can’t waste an assistant standing beside those damned books and recasting the charm all day.”

“I know how to keep them calm,” Suer said. “There is a way.”

“Really?” The manager regarded him suspiciously. He did not believe a boy about to enter his third year could solve the problem, but any hope was worth taking.

“We’ve tried everything, including tying them with rope. It was useless. They even helped one another bite through the knots.”

“If you can calm them down, I’ll give you a Monster Book free of charge. If you need any other books, I’ll offer you a good discount. Thirty per cent off… no, half price,” the manager said through gritted teeth.

“Thank you for your generosity.” Delighted by the promise, Suer nodded. “The method is very simple.”

“Immobulus!” Suer drew his wand and flicked it gently. Every Monster Book in the cage froze in the midst of battle.

Disappointment crossed the manager’s face, and he shook his head slightly.

Suer had already reached into the cage and taken out one Monster Book. Then he stroked its spine.

“There,” he said.

The manager failed to notice the movement along the spine. He said kindly, “We’ve tried that. The Freezing Charm doesn’t–”

“Finite Incantatem.” Suer tapped the book in his left hand with the tip of his wand and stood calmly in place.

The manager saw what he had done and immediately stopped talking. He retreated several steps, terror flashing across his face. “Put it back! The shop won’t pay your medical expenses if it bites you.”

Yet the Monster Book rested obediently in Suer’s hand without moving. It showed no sign of opening its jaws and attacking him.

Suer tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at the manager.

“It’s that simple? Stroking the spine is all it takes to calm them? Thank heavens. Those damned books have nearly driven us mad.”