Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 274 Hogsmeade's Weekend

Dense bushes covered the perimeter of the forbidden forest, extending towards the Mandarin Willow. Black dogs, hidden behind the bushes, crossed the area and lay panting under beech stumps.

The dense tree roots pushed open the soil, forming a hidden depression. From a distance, it just looks like a pile of dead branches and fallen leaves. Even if you pass by, you can't tell anything unless you look closely. It is a natural and excellent cover.

"Meow……"

The cat, curled up in a pile of yellow leaves, raised its head and let out a short meow.

"Can't we find a chance to bring that damned rat out?"

Sirius couldn't understand the specific meaning of the cat's meow, but he could deduce its meaning from Crookshanks' expression: their planned operation had failed.

He gritted his teeth: "That rat has been hiding in the Weasley family for thirteen years, and he's still so cowardly. After hearing the news of my escape from prison, and being scared by you several times, he now hides on the Weasley kid all day long, without ever leaving his side. He has no chance at all. That cowardly and despicable wormtail!"

"Meow……"

Sometimes it would hide under the bed in the dormitory during class, but it couldn't catch that mouse.

The large, ginger-colored cat had a blank expression on its persimmon-shaped face. It stretched out its paws to scratch at the small insects in front of it. It was a girl's pet, and its activity area was limited to the lounge and the girls' dormitory. Ron was still wary of it.

"They're always hiding under the dorm bed and on the Weasley boys, so we can't bring them out. We'll just wait for another opportunity. Halloween is coming soon, and they'll be going to Hogsmeade for the weekend, with Wormtail following them."

A hint of hatred flashed in Sirius's eyes. "We'll wait in Hogsmeade, my little cat. I need you to create an opportunity for me."

"Meow?"

“An opportunity to be alone. Weasley boy, Harry, and your mistress. The three of them always go together. I can’t tear him apart in front of three students, so you’ll have to distract the other two.”

Sirius's voice hardened, "Delaying it a little, three to five minutes will be enough."

Crookshan frowned slightly, his persimmon-shaped face becoming even flatter: "Meow!"

“I know the Weasley boy is innocent, he was deceived, and I won’t hurt him,” Sirius explained in a low voice. “I will only tear that rat to pieces. That’s the price he deserves. James and Lily, and the twelve Muggles, he got what he deserved!”

"..."

Crookshan looked into those gray eyes, as if it wanted to say something, but feline language is limited, and in the end it said nothing, just lowered its head, bit the small insect, chewed it twice, and swallowed it.

Sirius seemed to understand what it was trying to convey, stroking the fallen leaves with its paws: "Yes, this is something I should have done thirteen years ago, but I hid away."

He looked back at the path in the field. It was recess time, and the lawn and pebble path were filled with students dressed in black wizard robes. Harry and his friends were huddled together whispering.

“I missed a lot of things. After James and Lily were killed, Hagrid took Harry and rode my motorcycle to find Dumbledore. I thought they would raise the child well.”

Sirius Black sobbed softly, “When I found him later, he was in a bad situation and had suffered a lot of injustice because he had no relatives. His godfather was disheartened and hid in Azkaban to escape.”

Crookshan did not respond.

“But I’m back now. The traitor who betrayed his friends and family, the rat who faked his death and hid, he will pay for his crimes, even if it means giving me a Dementor’s question.”

Sirius paused briefly, "It would be best to say goodbye to Harry."

The woods were quiet. A hunting dog lay on a treetop, and a baby snake lay on the dog's head. The dog and the snake remained silent, staring blankly into the distance.

……

Saturday, October 10.

The morning fog had mostly dissipated, but not completely; it was still hazy, and the air was moist and fresh.

The wind blowing from the Forbidden Forest and Black Lake carried a coolness.

Melvin, dressed in a satin coat over a shirt and sweater, and wearing a newsboy cap that provided some protection from the wind, stood on the steps of the castle courtyard like a Muggle without magic, exhaling white breath from his mouth and nose, and occasionally nodding and smiling at the students who met his gaze.

Occasionally, I would snap out of my reverie and listen to Professor McGonagall's points of attention.

The pendulum of the clock tower swung back and forth, and the students' impatience was hard to hide; if they delayed any longer, it would be lunchtime.

There were just the right number of students waiting in the courtyard. The students in their fourth year and above already knew the rules and didn't need the professors to remind them repeatedly. They had already left the school early on with Flitwick and Sprout. Only the third-year students, who were going to Hogsmeade for the first time, were left behind to listen to the vice-principal's rambling.

Perhaps because it was their first time, the students' faces were filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Please remember, children, a guardian's signed permission is only the most basic requirement. Going to Hogsmeade is a privilege, and only outstanding students can enjoy the activity week. If you don't want to be deprived of this privilege, you'd better not cause trouble at Hogsmeade."

Harry nodded emphatically and stood at the front of the line with a smug look on his face.

Led by Professor McGonagall and Mr. Filch, the group left the castle and headed in the opposite direction from the Black Lake and the station. The winged boars on the gateposts watched them walk out of the main gate. The young wizards found everything outside the gate novel and looked around curiously.

Melvin turned up his collar and walked at the back of the group to prevent any students from falling behind.

The morning mist outside was even colder. Looking up and observing carefully, I could vaguely see several black cloaks floating in the sky. Even from a distance, I could still sense the cold gaze from under the hoods. Those were the Dementors guarding Hogwarts.

There aren't many, so I'll try to catch a few more when I get the chance.

It's more noticeable during the day; you have to wait until it's a dark and windy night.

After walking for about ten minutes, Hogsmeade came into view in the distance. To celebrate the upcoming Halloween, the streetlights were decorated with magic, the whole street was covered with colorful ribbons, and colorful magical smoke drifted out from the shop signs, creating a dazzling scene.

As the closest wizarding village to Hogwarts, the shops in the village are similar in nature to those outside Muggle schools, primarily serving students and their parents.

The closed-off magical boarding school only has a long break every six months, and the long and tedious school life needs these shops to break it up.

Upon entering Hogsmeade Village, the students let out a shout and rushed toward the shops lining both sides of the road.

Businesses were already bustling with activity. Quidditch Boutique, Literati Quill Shop, and Mrs. Partridge's Tea House were just some of the shops packed with customers, while Honeydukes Candy Shop was overflowing with people.

Harry charged into the candy store with all his might, his Seeker's agility coming in handy. Ron followed behind, babbling incoherently and urging those in front to make way. Even the usually composed Hermione was pushed around until her face turned red.

Melvin and Professor McGonagall exchanged a smile, shook their heads, and walked toward the street behind them.

Professors can't just push and shove like students to buy things; they also need to purchase winter supplies and settle last month's outstanding payments. That's just how tough the world of adult wizards is.

“Melvin, let’s split up. I’ll go talk to Devis and Bans about the school’s purchase of teaching materials, and you go handle the food and medicine ingredients. We’ll meet at the Three Brooms at lunchtime. What do you think?” Professor McGonagall handed over a list of tasks to be completed.

Melvin sighed. "I think I deserve a raise."

...Lunchtime.

Melvin stood at the tavern entrance, glanced at the list in his hand, and looked up at the new sign with three brooms.

His collar was neat, his newsboy cap was slightly askew, and he had one hand in his coat pocket, occasionally pulling out a nut and popping it into his mouth to chew—a snack that shop owners would give him.

The tasks on the list were mostly completed, with only the beverage business remaining. Students mainly drank milk, fruit and vegetable juices, or hot cocoa, which the elves in Hogwarts kitchens could make themselves. However, the professors' drinks had to be sourced from outside, and the pub they dealt with was the Three Brooms.

"It's really not pleasant at all. It takes forever to get here after drinking." Some of the customers coming in and out of the tavern were drunk and were helping their companions shouting loudly, "If you ask me, those guys in the Ministry of Magic are heartless. It would be enough to have Aurors patrolling. Leaving Dementors here is just disgusting to us."

His companion nodded in deep agreement, looked at the notice posted in the shop window, and spat fiercely.

Customer Notice:
Until further notice, Dementors will patrol the streets of Hogsmeade every day after sunset.

This measure was taken solely for the safety of the residents of Hogsmeade, and was cancelled once Sirius Black was recaptured.

We hope that customers will not linger outside after dark.

Happy Halloween!

Dementors are indeed an annoying patrol group. They have been stationed in Hogsmeade since the start of the school year, and they roam the streets and alleys after sunset. Under the orders of the Ministry of Magic, these monsters have not attacked the residents, but the magic they bring makes them very uncomfortable and their lives very inconvenient.

"Can't do business after dark? Shops selling goods are okay, but taverns can't operate normally either... It really has a bad impact."

Melvin looked away, but out of the corner of his eye he saw someone waving at him from inside the tavern.

It was Flitwick and Professor Sprout, along with Hagrid and Kettleburn, who were already seated at the bar, having ordered their drinks.

“Melvin, come here quickly, Ms. Rosmerta has prepared some newly brewed mead for you.”

"coming."

Melvin smiled and nodded, stepping into the warm pub, where he was immediately enveloped by the boisterous conversation of the patrons.

……

Honey Duke Candy Shop.

Mr. Froome, the owner, carried boxes of candy around, constantly restocking. Rows of shelves in the shop were filled with all kinds of candy, and the sweet aroma lingered in the air. The hardwood shelves gleamed slightly in the candlelight, making it hard to distinguish whether they were made of tung oil and wax or icing sugar and honey.

A low table was set up in the middle of the aisle, covered with a tablecloth made of hawthorn peels, and set out knives, forks and toothpicks. Plates filled with various loose candies were placed in the middle, and students passing by could try them as they pleased, without having to buy anything.

Some students had more candy in their paper bags than in their stomachs. When they saw Mrs. Froome as they left the candy store, their cheeks flushed slightly. But the store manager and his wife just smiled and didn't say anything sarcastic.

"By Merlin! It really is a candy house from a fairy tale! Although my stomach was full ten minutes ago, every time I see those candies, I feel like I can still stuff myself with some more."

Ron picked up a piece of honey candy and popped it into his mouth, savoring the sweet sensation of honey flowing from the candy coating.

"The most amazing thing is those magic candies, it's unbelievable, how did they do that?"

Hermione looked at the blue glowing bubbles floating between the shelves; those were from the Super Bubbles, which wouldn't burst for days.

“My weekend at Hogsmeade was the perfect weekend ever.” Harry held a coconut sorbet in his hand, the kind that glows, which made his smile radiant.

They wandered around the candy store several times, becoming more and more reluctant to leave, until their stomachs were completely full. Only then did the three of them carry the brown paper bags out of the candy store.

Harry and Ron grinned foolishly, still savoring the lingering sweetness in their mouths.

Hermione felt her purse, which was bulging with pocket money; she had very little of the allowance she had prepared.

The little witch secretly regretted: She had originally planned to buy a few quill pens from the literary club, but she ended up spending all her money at the candy store.
"Meow..." A cat was meowing in the alley next door.

The voice wasn't very pleasant; it sounded a bit hoarse to a cat, but it was very familiar, as if I had heard it many times before.

"It's kind of like Crook Hills," Hermione muttered.

She turned her head and looked at the large ginger cat in the alley. Its face was flattened like a persimmon and had scars. Its fur was fluffy and messy. It was not just somewhat similar, it was practically a Crookshanks.

"Meow!" Crookshan noticed its owner's gaze and immediately came over to rub against her trouser leg, calling out repeatedly to signal her to come with it.

"You want me to go with you? Crookshanks, is there something over there? How did you get here?" Hermione asked a series of questions, but wizards and cats have difficulty communicating, so she could only reluctantly follow the cat.

"Shouldn't Crookshanks be in the common room? How did they end up in Hogsmeade?"

Harry was also puzzled. Holding the bag of candy, he patted Ron on the shoulder and said, "Come on, Ron, let's go take a look."

"No! I don't want to talk to that weird cat."

Ron shook his head and pushed Harry's hand away. "My toad mint is still jumping around in my belly and I'm feeling really bloated. I don't want to run off with a cat. You guys go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back here."

Harry, recalling the argument the two had had over their pet, didn't say much: "Then don't wander off, we'll be back soon."

"Go ahead, go ahead," Ron said casually.

He did hate that ugly cat, and it even caused a conflict with Hermione because of it. However, he didn't hold a grudge against Hermione. Isn't that how friends bicker and argue? Even brothers sometimes fight.

He's so happy today, he's really eaten too much, there's still toad candy jumping in his stomach, and he doesn't want to run around.

Watching the two disappear around the corner, Ron found a step nearby and sat down, placing the candy beside him. He held the paper bag with one hand and rubbed his stomach with the other, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

I want to burp but can't.

"Hmm, why is there no one around? Is the candy store in such a remote location?"

Ron was somewhat surprised after his bloating subsided.

I didn't feel it when I was with my friends, but now that I'm alone, I suddenly feel lonely.

Just then, he sensed some movement behind him: heavy, steady breathing, sharp claws scraping against the stone pavement, and four feet walking, as if a wild beast was approaching.

He turned his head shakily and saw a lean black dog baring its teeth and making a low growl.

(End of this chapter)