At Flourish and Blotts:
"That will be 23 books in total, 1 Galleon and 3 Sickles. Do you need anything else?" Madam Pince asked after counting the books.
Hermione appeared flustered. Apologizing to Madam Pince with a nod, she quickly pulled Cro behind one of the bookshelves.
"What's wrong? Is there another book you wanted to buy?" Cro asked curiously.
"No… I left in such a rush that I forgot to bring any Galleons. I'm so sorry," Hermione said, nervously wringing her hands like a child who had made a mistake.
Hearing this, Cro couldn't help but laugh. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small golden pouch.
"Did you think I'd bring you here to buy books without bringing money? Here, take this. You might need it later," Cro said, handing her the pouch.
Hermione stared at the pouch in shock, feeling the weight of the coins inside. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Shh, just take it and don't ask too many questions. You know I wouldn't harm you, right?" Cro said with a smile, gently ruffling her hair before walking back to the counter.
Still dazed, Hermione stood there for a moment, staring at Cro's back with a mixture of feelings. Was her intuition right all along? Cro was definitely no ordinary person. What secrets could he be hiding?
[Detected intense curiosity!]
[Reward obtained: Silver Chest!]
...
Cro's lips curled up in amusement, but he didn't pay much attention to the system notification. Instead, he continued talking to Madam Pince about something he wanted.
"The Monster Book of Monsters? That's a book about dangerous magical creatures. Usually, it's not needed until third year. Isn't it a bit early for you to be buying it? That thing is... very dangerous, you know?" Madam Pince frowned.
Hermione, who had just rejoined them, tilted her head in confusion. The Monster Book of Monsters? Was that also a book?
"I love magical creatures, and the Monster Book is something I've always wanted. I know it's dangerous, but I also know how to calm it down," Cro replied earnestly. "Does your shop happen to have one in stock? I really need it! Price isn't an issue!"
Cro's face was full of sincerity.
After all, who wouldn't want a book that could bite? Imagine putting it on Malfoy's bed in the middle of the night—what fun!
...
"You must keep it safe, and unless absolutely necessary, don't unlock the chain! It's very dangerous, very dangerous!" Madam Pince warned, clearly reluctant to sell the book to Cro. However, she couldn't resist his persistence nor the appeal of a dedicated student, so she finally agreed to sell him the sealed Monster Book of Monsters.
"Thank you, Madam Pince! We'll remember that!" Cro said, expressing his gratitude.
As soon as the purchase was complete, Cro and Hermione hurriedly left the store, with Madam Pince watching them leave with a worried expression.
They had to run, after all—better leave before Madam Pince changed her mind!
The Monster Book of Monsters was indeed dangerous. Even in the original story, third-year Harry Potter had trouble controlling it. Clearly, it wasn't meant to be sold to a first-year student. But Cro, with his sweet talking, had charmed Madam Pince into giving in.
In the end, not only did he leave with the Monster Book, but he also earned a Silver Chest.
"Why did you buy something so dangerous? Even if we have it, we can't actually read it, right?" Hermione asked in confusion, clutching the small bag with the Extension Charm that Madam Pince had given them after their purchase. Though the bag looked small, it was quite spacious.
Cro, carrying the sleeping Monster Book, gave it a light tap.
"The book may be dangerous, but it contains valuable information. Almost 90% of the wizarding world's dangerous magical creatures are documented in it!"
Cro added silently to himself, And it can also bite people's backsides.
For just one Galleon, it was a steal!
...
"Dangerous magical creatures? Oh, they're no joke. Wait—is that the Monster Book of Monsters you're holding?"
Hagrid's large figure suddenly appeared in front of them, with little Harry Potter standing by his side. Spotting the book in Cro's arms, Hagrid's eyes lit up with nostalgia.
"Professor Hagrid, Harry," Cro and Hermione greeted politely.
"I've always loved magical creatures because I think they're fascinating! If I ever get the chance, I'd love to raise a few, like a dragon. Riding one would be amazing!" Cro said.
Hagrid's face lit up with excitement at the mention of magical creatures.
"Exactly! Magical creatures are incredible! You might not know this, but my dream is to raise a dragon too. A Hungarian Horntail would be great, but a Fireball Dragon would be just as good!"
Hagrid, having found a kindred spirit, launched into an excited conversation with Cro about various magical creatures, from different species of dragons to Acromantulas.
[Detected intense excitement!]
[Reward obtained: Golden Chest!]
---------------------
T/N:
For advanced 30 chapters and exclusive content, visit my Patreon: p@treon.com/WizFic.