Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

Chapter 302: Mudblood and Spider Lily

Upon entering the gift shop, Ron's eyes fell upon Ciel and Hannah, who were selecting items. Ron glanced at the price tags and immediately felt a surge of superiority well up in his chest. The items Ciel and Hannah were examining were located in the cheapest section, little trinkets priced in Knuts. Only a few pieces of jewelry reached the price of one Sickle.

Yet even so, Ciel and Hannah seemed unable to decide. When Hannah picked up a silver-gray metal pendant priced at one Sickle and seventeen Knuts, Ciel repeatedly shook his head.

"That's too expensive. Let's pick something else."

Hearing this, Ron's lips curled into a smirk. The sense of superiority in his chest grew even stronger. This feeling was truly rare for him. Previously, he'd always been the one viewed with such eyes—eyes that conveyed pity.

So this is what having money feels like? It really does give you a feeling of superiority. I'm a rich person now, too. At least a Sickle means nothing to me, whereas Ciel still has to haggle.

Taking a deep breath, Ron appeared quite pleased with himself. He picked up several exquisite pieces of jewelry and addressed the shop owner, "Give me some recommendations. Which would be appropriate as a gift? I'm buying for a girl, so nothing cheap would be acceptable. It really should cost at least one Galleon."

At that moment, Hannah naturally heard Ron's words. She lowered her head to look at Ciel. "Ciel, are the gifts I'm looking at all too cheap?"

Ron's heart leapt. He was about to speak when Ciel smiled and patted Hannah's shoulder.

"Gifts are about the thought behind them, Hannah. The fact that you want to give me a gift is the most precious thing. I would treasure even a small stone."

Pointing at a hollowed-out glass pendant, Ciel continued, "I really like this one. It's hollow inside; you can place a seed inside it. How about we each get one?"

Hannah's face filled with joy. "Then it's settled. You bought me ice cream, so I'll buy this. Boss, ten Knuts for two, thank you."

After Hannah purchased the two glass pendants, Ciel withdrew a Patronus Tree seed from his pocket and poured a concentrated drop of sacred tree potion into the pendant. The Patronus Tree seed immediately began to gleam with silver light within. He then placed the glowing pendant around Hannah's neck.

During the Forbidden Forest trial at the end of the first year, timid Hannah had wanted to protect him, mustering her courage to combat a Devil's Snare with a Stunning Spell. Ciel had always remembered this deed. Though this pendant didn't contain Ciel's own near-Legendary Patronus Tree seed, the protective effect it provided was considerably stronger than an ordinary Patronus Tree seed, sufficient to protect against some common dark creatures.

Hannah gazed at the silver-glowing pendant, her eyes sparkling like stars. As Ciel placed it around her neck, her cheeks flushed crimson, looking as though she had a fever.

The two then left the gift shop. Ron stood frozen, watching their departing figures, his expression souring at the intimate display.

Wait, wasn't it supposed to be Hannah receiving a gift from Ciel? How had Ciel turned a simple glass pendant into such an elaborate gesture? Was there no justice in the world?!

The gift shop owner beside him also clicked his tongue in admiration, his eyes gleaming brightly.

"Right! How didn't I think of that? Anything placed inside a hollow glass pendant would completely transform its value. Genius!"

He quickly turned to Ron.

"Young wizard, you mentioned wanting something high-quality as a gift earlier, yes? Is it for your girlfriend? Then you've certainly come to the right place—"

Before he could finish, Ron jerked as if pricked by a needle.

"I don't have a girlfriend."

The shop owner blinked.

"Then you—"

Ron stiffly turned and left. "So I'm not buying anything."

He strode out of the gift shop, watching Ciel and Hannah laugh together from a distance. But the memory that surfaced was of Hermione with Ciel that day, speaking and laughing, looking shy and bashful. Miss Know-It-All, who ordinarily lectured others with a stern, pedantic expression, had never worn such a face for Ron. And now she'd gone so far as to dress up carefully!

Ron's fists clenched tighter and tighter. Just then, his vision blurred, and a familiar figure appeared.

"H-Hermione?!"

Though she wore different clothing than on that date with Ciel, she'd similarly groomed her hair meticulously, looking as though she'd come to admire a celebrity. Yet Hermione didn't seem to notice Ron. Instead, she squeezed through the crowds and hurried forward.

Ron's expression darkened first, then brightened with anticipation. He'd already imagined the scene where Hermione would angrily confront Ciel for being a cad who played with feelings.

I knew it, Ron muttered to himself. Ciel acts all low-key at school, like he only cares about herbology. But during summer break, look. He dates Hermione first, and now he's dating Hannah. He'll be caught red-handed now.

Ron waited eagerly. But then Hermione, breathing heavily, caught up to Ciel and Hannah.

"Ciel, Hannah! What a coincidence. I thought that was you, so I hurried over. I can't believe it really was you!"

Hannah quickly blushed and greeted Hermione nervously. "H-hello, Hermione."

Looking at Hermione's careful appearance, Hannah sincerely remarked, "You look really beautiful today."

Hermione's face reddened. Observing Hannah's braided hair and floral dress, she sighed, "You look lovely too, Hannah. The braids suit you perfectly."

As the two girls exchanged compliments, Ciel said helplessly, "Alright, alright, you don't need to be modest. I think you're both the most beautiful today. The two most beautiful witches at Hogwarts might be right here. Haven't you noticed the envious looks from the other students? If you don't mind, I'd be quite happy to let them admire a little longer."

Hannah and Hermione then noticed that passing Hogwarts students were indeed looking at Ciel with envious eyes. Their faces flushed simultaneously, and they each grabbed one of his arms, escaping the scene as though in flight.

Observing from afar, as Hannah and Hermione, one on each side, clutched Ciel's arms like his wings, their synchronized departure froze Ron's anticipatory expression instantly.

No, it's not—how can this be? Hermione, don't you have principles? Aren't you supposed to be prudish? Why aren't you angry?!

At that very moment, Nagini's voice timely resonated in Ron's mind.

"You see, Ron? You place too much hope in others. Do you think those little witches are as pure as they appear? They're quite calculating. Particularly, that Hermione Granger, you know, did you see her hypocrisy? Let me tell you why she acts this way, because she's a mudblood of inferior blood, desperately wanting to climb into a high branch of a noble, ancient pure-blood family."

"Someone like Ciel Sprout, an only child, whose family, though not extraordinarily wealthy, is renowned, with the Hufflepuff Head of House as his backing. If she can latch onto him, her future in the magical world would undoubtedly become much easier. I've seen many such witches."

Ron opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to refute Nagini's words, especially that term, mudblood, which felt like burning him. It was absolutely a word he'd been taught never to mention these past years. Yet moments later, scene after scene flashed through his mind.

Hermione had always been harsh with him, wearing a stern, pedantic expression. But with Ciel? She laughed so brilliantly. She'd even linked arms with another girl to hold Ciel's arm!

The more Ron thought, the more his chest churned with reluctance and jealousy, like silt roiling in a swamp, demanding release. Nagini's words echoed like an incantation.

"Mudblood, mudblood, mudblood—"

Unconsciously, Ron began grinding his teeth and repeating the word.

Simultaneously, Nagini's next words embedded themselves deep in his mind.

"Ron. A young wizard selected like you should consider pairing with a girl from one of the high noble pure-blood families. Pure-blood supremacy, you'll elevate the Weasley family to prominence once more!"

Ron recited these thoughts, and a look of genuine acceptance gradually spread across his face.

Meanwhile, Ciel was strolling through the street with Hannah and Hermione, all three laughing together. As they passed a shop, Ciel happened to glance through the window and stopped dead.

There, displayed in pure view, floated flowers entirely composed of purple-red mist.

This immediately halted his progress. His face brightened with genuine delight.

"Hmm?"

"This is—"

"Spider Lily?!"