Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures - H.P.S.T Chapter 1588: Xenophilius Lovegood

“Hey, Barmer, Barny, you two take care of these charming ladies. I just remembered something important I need to discuss with Fred,” said George, shoving Evan and Harry toward the group of middle-aged witches, leaving them to escort the ladies to their assigned seats.

He flashed the women a flamboyant smile before quickly running over to Fred and the two beautiful young girls.

The ladies began speaking French at a rapid pace as they watched George’s retreating back.

“What are they saying?” Harry asked.

“Uh… I think they’re talking about how Fred and George look exactly alike,” Evan answered uncertainly.

No one could really understand what the ladies were saying. Evan guessed they must be talking about Fred and George.

Whether or not they were really commenting on the twins’ looks was hard to say.

It was also possible they were referring to their attire. They were wearing dress robes made of fine dragon hide, extravagant enough that few wizards could afford them.

Of course, it could also be that the women were remarking on their lack of manners, only interested in young and pretty girls.

The heavily made-up woman, probably in her fifties, puffed out her breasts at Evan and Harry, as if to suggest her figure was far superior to that of younger women.

In unison, Evan and Harry took a step back, their heads twisted, and exchanged a silent glance.

French girls were really passionate — and the older “aunties” were no exception, every bit as bold.

If only Gabrielle were here to translate for them, but she, along with Hermione, Elaine, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Madame Delacour, and several other witches brought in to help, were all crammed inside the house, busy dressing Fleur since the morning.

Evan could understand that the bride’s appearance was the most important part of a wedding; but honestly, wasn’t it taking a bit too long?

Fortunately, he knew a little French himself. He and Harry compared the names on the guest list word by word and eventually managed to find the ladies’ seats.

The two had barely finished ushering the ladies to their seats, barely had time to relax, when Hagrid caused a certain amount of disruption on the other side of the grounds. He had sat himself, not upon the magically enlarged and reinforced seat set aside for him in the back row, but on five seats that now resembled a large pile of golden matchsticks.

He hurriedly stood up to apologize, nearly knocking over the guest next to him.

“No, let me do it, Hagrid!” Mr. Weasley shouted, rushing to repair the damage.

Hagrid shouted apologies to anybody who would listen, while Evan and Harry hurried back to the entrance.

“What a mess. I just hope Sirius and Lupin get back soon. I wonder what’s going on at the Ministry.”

“No news is the best news,” said Evan, hoping things weren’t too bad.

No news meant the Ministry was still locked in an endless debate over whether to fight the Death Eaters.

It didn’t mean much, but it certainly wasn’t bad news. That was the Ministry’s usual style!  

Scrimgeour had summoned all the Aurors ahead of time, ensuring they wouldn’t be completely defenseless if something unexpected happened.

Although he wasn’t holding out much hope, Evan still wished he’d survive.

He and Harry returned to the entrance. Fred and George hadn’t returned yet, and Ron was face to face with a most eccentric-looking wizard.

Slightly cross-eyed, with shoulder-length white hair the texture of candyfloss, he wore a cap whose tassel dangled in front of his nose and robes of an eye-watering shade of egg-yolk yellow. An odd symbol, rather like a triangular eye, glistened from a golden chain around his neck.

Evan squinted at the symbol for a moment. It was the symbol of the Deathly Hallows.

It was all too familiar to him. A thousand years ago at Hogwarts, he’d seen the magical essence of those three Hallows through the power of a prophecy.

Those three Hallows seemed unrelated, yet they were interconnected, capable of conquering death when combined.

Well, since he wore the symbol of the Deathly Hallows on his chest, this man must be Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna’s father.

Actually, he was an old acquaintance of Evan’s.

The two had collaborated and interacted many times in the early days of Hogwarts Magic, but this was truly their first meeting in person.

“Xenophilius Lovegood,” he said, extending a hand to Evan and Harry in turn, “my daughter and I live just over the hill, so kind of the good Weasleys to invite us. But I think you know my Luna?” he added to Ron.

“Yes,” said Ron. “Isn’t she with you?”

“She lingered in that charming little garden to say hello to the gnomes, such a glorious infestation! How few wizards realize just how much we can learn from the wise little gnomes — or, to give them their correct name, the Gernumbli gardensi.”

“Ours do know a lot of excellent swear words,” said Ron, “but I think Fred and George taught them those.”

“You can’t deny that they’re quite clever, aren’t they?!” said Mr. Lovegood. “By the way, why don’t I see Evan Mason? Isn’t he here today?”

“Er… well,” Ron stammered, casting an uncertain glance at Evan, “he had something else to do, so maybe not today…”

This was truly strange. Evan was standing right in front of him, but Mr. Lovegood hadn’t recognized him. Thanks to the Polyjuice Potion, he and Harry both looked like local Muggle boys from the nearby village — no one knew who they were.

“You know, Mr. Lovegood, it’s not convenient for him to appear in public right now,” Evan replied.

“Oh, yes, it’s inconvenient for him to show up. Everyone knows that the Dark Lord is looking for him and Harry Potter. There are rumors everywhere in the Wizarding world, but none of them are true. If you ask me, the Dark Lord is afraid that Evan and Harry will replace him and become the most powerful and evil Dark wizards. Anyone who knows the truth of the matter knows this. Those two boys have powers that he doesn’t understand,” said Mr. Lovegood. “Of course, becoming the most evil Dark wizard doesn’t deny Evan’s talent. We have worked happily together many times. He likes and supports the magazine I founded, The Quibbler, and I am also the most loyal reader of Hogwarts Magic. You see, we share the same quality: a determination to tell the public the truth. Though I don’t deny his focus is a little… unusual.”

Translating_Wizard

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