The Return to Hogwarts

"I got up really early this morning to borrow two magic books about guardian spirits from the library, but Mrs. Pince told me that all the books on that subject were taken yesterday. Oh, why couldn't they have been kind enough to leave me some!"

Under Hermione's angry glare, Ron unceremoniously snatched the orange she had prepared for Harry, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it with gusto, juice splashing everywhere.

"You don't actually want to learn this magic, do you, Hermione?"

Ron looked at Hermione with an absurd expression.

“Last night in the common room, you heard what Percy said, didn’t you? Even the professors don’t all know how to deal with Dementors. And as for the freak that Professor Blaine created, didn’t you see it, Hermione? Dumbledore’s expression wasn’t much better than ours on the Quidditch pitch yesterday.”

Harry, who was silently listening to Ron and Hermione's argument about whether young wizards could possibly know how to deal with the Dementors, suddenly had a thought pop into his head.

Hermione believed that Ron, and herself, had the biggest problem: a lack of motivation in their studies. She had tried so hard to urge them on, but the results seemed to be very limited.

While grateful for Hermione's kindness, Harry wasn't really keen on her intentions. He couldn't expect others to use his own skills to his advantage, just as he had never asked Hermione to ride a flying broomstick and perform a high-altitude, steep dive for everyone.

Hermione ultimately failed to convince Ron to have a stronger desire to demonstrate his knowledge, so she turned her head away in a huff, refusing to look at them, and stared out the window before turning back towards the sun at the edge of the earth.

The crimson glow of the setting sun streamed into the school hospital, bathing Ron's cheeks in its light. He then shared some new news with Harry.

"Neville has gotten himself into trouble again."

"Oh, what's going on?"

Harry frowned as he thought of Neville, who had fought alongside him in Professor Blaine's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, helping Gryffindor to victory and bravely surfacing.

"Could it be Malfoy's gang?"

“This has nothing to do with Malfoy, Harry,”

Ron rubbed his rumbling stomach and said with a pout, "..."

"It's the same old problem. Neville has lost something again, and this time, it's his wand. It's really puzzling why Neville isn't as clever as those two big oafs behind Malfoy when it comes to keeping his things safe?"

Although Ron's words weren't very kind to Neville, Harry did feel that Neville had an excessive talent for losing things.

"--Neville thought he had left his wand on the Quidditch pitch. Last night, he foolishly tried to rush out of the castle to look for it, only to run into Filch and that old bat Snape."

Hearing Ron say that, even Harry couldn't help but sigh for Neville. Losing his wand was bad enough, but to run into the two people Neville feared most at school was even worse.

"What happened next?"

Harry showed some interest in the topic and pressed for more information.

"Neville said that Filch was planning to torture him severely, and Snape seemed to want to use him as material for Potions class. Fortunately, Professor Blaine, who happened to be passing by, saved his life and even ordered Filch to help him find a wand on the field this morning,"

Ron shrugged and said,

"But unfortunately, his wand may not have landed on the court."

Poor Neville—

Hermione said worriedly, "How will he attend class without a wand?"

Ron dismissed Hermione's concerns, believing that Neville's wand, like the toad he often couldn't find, would appear soon.

Knowing that Neville hadn't been bullied by Malfoy and his gang, Harry wasn't too worried. In fact, as he fell silent again, Harry suddenly thought of something—

Professor Blaine.

Hmm, he seems to be particularly good at fixing things. Last school year, he managed to keep Ron's wand, which looked like it was completely beyond repair, going on for a while longer. And he also seems to be particularly good at dealing with Dementors.

Chapter 220 Young Man

Ron and Hermione had planned to come over and chat with Harry after dinner, as Ron had requested, but Harry declined their offer and instead asked Ron to go back to his dorm and bring him his backpack.

"I've fallen behind in my studies."

Harry sat on the bed, opened his schoolbag and glanced inside. Then, under the worried gazes of Ron and Hermione, he said, feigning nonchalance,

"I need a quiet environment to work on my history of magic assignments, so you can all go about your own business."

Harry's clumsy lie couldn't fool anyone. Ron looked at Harry on the bed with concern, ready to say something, but Hermione next to him gave him a hard shove in the ribs, ordering him to shut up.

"Okay, Harry—"

Hermione glared at Ron. "If you need any help—"

Hermione glanced quickly at the Invisibility Cloak peeking out of her bag and said...

“Ron and I are in the lounge. You can call us anytime.”

Then, without saying a word, he pulled the bewildered Ron away from the school hospital.

Time flew by, and before we knew it, the sky had darkened to the point of being completely dark.

As a frequent visitor to the school hospital, Harry knew Madam Pomfrey's habits inside and out. When it was nine o'clock, Madam Pomfrey left her small office and made her rounds of the wards. When she saw Harry sleeping peacefully, she nodded in satisfaction. After scolding the two first-year wizards from Ravenclaw who had caught bad colds to go to sleep, she extinguished all the candles in the hospital.

In the darkness, Harry listened intently to the sounds. After confirming that Madam Pomfrey had returned to her office, he glanced at the two first-year students who were chatting intently and furtively outside the beds, and then slid down from the edge of the bed.

When it comes to the ability to wander around the castle in the middle of the night, if Harry claims to be third in the entire Hogwarts, then no one would dare to claim to be second. As for first place, Ron's two older brothers, Fred and George, are tied for first.

Now, although it's not yet time, there's no one in the castle. Along the way, apart from a few fifth-year students who will be taking the OWLS exams in the fall, Harry only saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle walking towards the Slytherin dungeons when he passed the Great Hall. Moreover, everyone had a blank and lost look on their faces.

Something is wrong.

Harry glanced at the pitch-black outside, thinking strangely.

He instinctively took a few steps after him, but was then driven back by a nauseating stench.

Oh, right!

Harry suddenly remembered that Professor Blaine had mentioned before the interesting competition that the winning house would receive 50 extra points, while the losing house would have to clean the Owlhouse over the weekend.

In that competition, Malfoy and Parkinson, who had a great advantage, ultimately lost their victory due to a series of complex factors. Based on Harry's understanding of this annoying house, they would probably put all the blame on Malfoy and Parkinson for pushing him and Neville overboard. This was probably one of the few bright spots in the eyes of Slytherin, so all the bad consequences should be borne by Malfoy.

As for Crabbe and Goyle, they were probably drafted by Malfoy.

Watching the three Slytherins' dejected figures, Harry instinctively wanted to sneer with glee. However, recalling Malfoy's 'noble' actions after he and Neville were pushed into the water, Harry hesitated for a moment. In the end, he silently shook his head and quietly walked in another direction.

On his way to Professor Blaine's office on the third floor, Harry lingered for a while in front of Professor Lupin's office.

Harry also felt a great deal of goodwill towards this year's professor, who was gentle in temperament and whose teaching was widely praised. It wasn't just goodwill, but a kind of inexplicable warmth. Harry could also feel that Professor Lupin's attitude towards him was beyond the normal teacher-student relationship.

"It's rare to see a wizard who dares to address Voldemort by his full name."

Remembering the last time everyone went to Hogsmeade and he met Lupin, Harry muttered something under his Invisibility Cloak.

In the end, Harry did not choose to knock on Professor Lupin's office. Although he was concerned about Professor Lupin's condition, he did not want to disturb his rest.

Harry felt much more relaxed about meeting Professor Blaine.

Professor Blaine helped him get rid of the identity of 'Slytherin Chamber of Secrets heir,' which was a huge help. Moreover, during the summer vacation, he also let him know his deepest secret—Professor Blaine's own background. To this day, Harry has not revealed a single word about this to Ron and Hermione.

He spent most of August with Professor Blaine, and to be honest, it was a very pleasant summer vacation because Professor Blaine never acted like a professor or an adult wizard in front of him. You could feel that he always treated him with the peaceful attitude of a friend.

Du, du, du—

After looking around to make sure there was no one else or wandering ghosts nearby, Harry removed his Invisibility Cloak, crumpled it up, stuffed it into his backpack, and then knocked on Professor Blaine's office door.

Professor Blaine appeared before him, wearing gray pajamas and a dark green robe with silver patterns over them.

Professor Blaine looked a little tired, because Harry could see dark circles under his strange pale purple eyes, and his gray hair was a bit messy, as if he hadn't gone out today and hadn't taken care of it.

"Harry--"

Amosta, who knew who it was before opening the door, raised an eyebrow and smiled as he looked at Harry, who seemed a little uneasy.

"Looks like you're recovering well?"

"Is that so, Professor Blaine—"

Harry said somewhat awkwardly, "Mrs. Pomfrey thinks so too, um... she thinks I can be discharged early."

Amosta pursed his lips, glanced at the bag Harry was carrying, but didn't call him out on his lie. He simply stepped aside and said gently,

"Of course. Well, it's a bit cold outside, so we can come in and talk slowly."

That's why Professor Blaine is so well-liked; he's always so understanding!

Harry looked up, his expression brightening, and followed Professor Blaine into the office.

"Professor Lu Ping?"

When the door creaked shut and Harry saw a person in a worn wizard's robe, with a clearly sickly face, standing beside a blazing fireplace, Harry blinked in astonishment.

"Professor Lu Ping?"

Good evening, Harry.

Bathed in the golden firelight, Professor Lupin's smile appeared exceptionally gentle.

"It's great to see you so energetic, Harry."

After saying that, Lupin looked at Amosta, who had returned to his desk.

"Thank you for your care and help these past two days, Amosta. I think I can get back to work tomorrow since Harry needed to speak with you—"

"Oh, it's nothing really!"

Harry said awkwardly,

"Well, I heard from Ron and Hermione about yesterday, I mean, after I lost consciousness you cast a spell. Hmm, it was quite something."

Amosta and Remus exchanged glances, both unable to suppress their laughter.