The Return to Hogwarts

Are there any other people who have this request?

Amosta looked at the students below, but apart from Hermione glaring angrily at Draco, the others all looked slightly bewildered and no one spoke.

Amosta pursed her lips, said nothing more, glanced at the smug Draco, and quickly left.

"Does anyone know what that little bastard Malfoy is up to this time?"

Students poured out of the classrooms, most of them preparing to go down to the auditorium for lunch, but it was still early, and many others were also preparing to go back to their dormitories, so the crowd gradually dispersed.

Throughout the journey, Malfoy wore a foolish arrogance on his face, so as soon as the Slytherin students walked to their tables, George immediately asked impatiently.

"Look at his silly, goofy expression, as if he's gotten away with something!"

Fred echoed his brother's words, and the two brothers' remarks were echoed by the crowd.

"What's going on, Hermione?"

Harry leaned over, and judging from Hermione's expression, he realized that Hermione probably knew something.

Harry's question also reminded the Gryffindor students, who all knew that Hermione was the quickest learner, and they all turned to her, wanting her to share her thoughts.

"Malfoy probably didn't ask Professor Blaine for a pass to the restricted section of the library because he wanted to find material for his thesis—"

Hermione's expression had calmed down by now, and she spoke calmly.

"I guess he was thinking of looking in the forbidden section to see if any book contained instructions on how to make a door key, or perhaps a way to bypass the Magic Transportation Department's surveillance and connect to the fireplace without permission—"

“This is in the forbidden section?!” Neville exclaimed in surprise.

"The forbidden book section has everything, Neville—"

"Thinking about the help they'd received from the restricted section of the library over the years," Harry said casually, but then he came to his senses, his tone becoming serious.

"Malfoy is planning to secretly obtain the door keys and fireplace. Isn't he afraid of being discovered by the Ministry of Magic?"

“Malfoy’s father spends a fortune in Galleons every year on those greedy politicians, and I bet he doesn’t care at all, and—” Fred said indignantly, but then his eyes darted around, “Oh, that despicable, cunning fellow, he’s probably seen through it all—”

"What did you see through?" Harry immediately pressed.

"Professor Blaine, of course—"

George said in a matter-of-fact tone,

“Professor Blaine told us about these methods, which means he likely used them before he became famous. But Professor Blaine didn’t have any ‘study abroad’ experience in Azkaban, right? So, these methods shouldn’t be under the Ministry’s surveillance—”

Harry's emerald eyes immediately lit up with excitement, and the thought popped into his head that he should find some time soon to put on the Invisibility Cloak and wander around the forbidden book section.

"Think about Professor Blaine's last question—"

Harry wasn't the only one with the same idea, Lee Jordan said regretfully.

"He's probably just waiting for us to ask him for the note. Oh, what a cunning move!"

The topic of whether or not to break the law to prepare backup plans for dangerous situations is too sensitive. Even the most audacious Gryffindor students dare not discuss it openly. Everyone has their own plans, and Harry has been hesitant as well.

For the Ministry of Magic, he might already have a 'bad track record'. Before the start of his second year, Dobby used a levitation charm in his bedroom, resulting in a warning from the Ministry. Before the start of his third year, he was caught red-handed by the Ministry for inflating his aunt. Although Fudge said these were minor issues, he was worried about breaking the law again.

The Ministry of Magic wouldn't allow him to take his wand into Azkaban to fight those disgusting Dementors, would it? Just look at Sirius's expression every time he mentions Azkaban.

After entering the Great Hall, the Gryffindor students parted ways.

Since it was still early, there weren't too many people coming down for lunch, and the auditorium was relatively quiet.

Ron was chatting and laughing with Lavender near the foyer when he saw Harry and the others walk in. He stood up in a bit of a panic and walked towards them without greeting Lavender.

Upon seeing this, Harry frowned slightly and subconsciously looked at Hermione. However, Hermione, whose gaze was also fixed on Ron, looked completely calm and showed no unusual expression.

Harry frowned even more deeply, a question swirling in his mind—why was he observing Hermione's expression?

"What were you guys talking about just now? I've seen you standing in the lobby for ages. Did something interesting happen during PE class?"

To cover his embarrassment, Ron, his ears turning red, asked first.

“We’ll talk about it later, Ron—”

It was inappropriate to discuss today's lesson in public, so Hermione stopped the conversation before Harry could let it slip.

Lavender had already turned around and started chatting with Parvati. Harry, Hermione, and the others returned to their usual seats. Hermione opened her bag, took out the book Sirius had given her, and while munching on a pie, she was completely absorbed in the book.

How about this book?

Harry felt that Hermione shouldn't be so calm, while Ron's awkwardness was more in line with expectations. He glanced at Hermione sideways, casually trying to find a topic to talk about.

"Very interesting—"

Hermione mumbled in reply.

"This book is a travelogue from Sirius Black's ancestor's journey around the world two centuries ago. It records how Mr. Black encountered various crises and how he resolved them. I'm currently reading about his time in India, where he clashed with a sorcerer, was poisoned by a venomous snake, and was also cursed. Oh, I'm curious to see how he resolves his troubles."

Hermione's gaze then became even more focused.

Harry opened his mouth, knowing full well that if he bothered Hermione again, he might be met with her wrath. Meanwhile, Ron across from him was eating in silence, clearly avoiding something.

Harry blinked, pursed his lips, and for a moment, he also became somewhat disheartened.

Chapter 738 How to wage war

2024-02-08

Although the pleasant Christmas holidays are over, the students are clearly still affected by the holidays. For a whole week, most of the students were listless and lacked energy, a situation that the experienced professors had long anticipated.

So, during the first week of class, apart from two Slytherin professors who disappointedly assigned homework, the other professors did not assign any heavy workload, allowing the students to have a relaxing weekend.

For older students, this weekend is even more anticipated because it's Hogsmeade's open day, and the kids who have earned some pocket money at home are eager to spend it.

By the afternoon, the atmosphere in the castle had become noticeably more lively.

The fourth-year Gryffindor students only had two classes in the afternoon. After finishing their Herbology class with Hufflepuff, Harry, Hagrid, and Dom went to the edge of the Forbidden Forest to visit Hagrid and Dom.

They shared with Hagrid the pleasant few days they had spent in Grimmauld Place, but did not tell him that they, Sirius, and Remus had also made a trip to Professor Blaine's place.

But when they asked Hagrid how he spent his holiday, the usually smiling Hagrid suddenly blushed and stammered, unable to give a coherent answer. This undoubtedly piqued Harry and the others' interest, but Hagrid refused to say anything more and instead deliberately steered the conversation toward Hermione's attitude toward saving the elves.

"I've noticed you haven't been as keen lately on persuading Doom to fight for a vacation and paycheck, Hermione?"

Hagrid said with a smile.

Although they knew Hagrid was trying to change the subject, Harry and Ron were still successfully led astray by him. They immediately looked at Hermione, who was reading a book with great enthusiasm, wanting to hear what she had to say.

"Oh--"

Hermione looked up, glanced at the three people watching her with mockery, and instead of getting angry, she proudly raised her head.

"That's because I have other plans—"

"You've started a new organization again, Hermione?"

Harry clicked his tongue and asked, looking like he had something on his mind.

"Actually, you just gave up, didn't you?"

But Hermione once again played the secrecy card, refusing to say more no matter how much they asked. Even when Ron teased her with a grin as they left Hagrid's hut, she only glanced at him sideways.

A cold wind howled across the snow-covered lawn. After a chilly Christmas holiday, the soft snow had turned into ice in the low temperature, and the ice made a cracking sound when you stepped on it.

Arriving at the Quidditch pitch, Harry looked up at the towering clubs and suddenly felt a strong urge to fly for a while.

This school year was truly agonizing for young wizards like Harry who loved Quidditch. The Triwizard Tournament was fun, but without Quidditch matches, life always felt soulless.

"Ouch, it's so cold—"

Ron's voice trembled as he gasped for breath.

"Stop daydreaming, Harry, hurry up and run! After we finish running and have dinner, you'll have to tell me what happened in today's PE class!"

Harry had no choice but to lower his head, wrap his scarf tightly, and start walking.

Ron at least reminded him that if he flew in this weather, he would probably freeze into a block of ice.

Actually, Hermione was clearly better at teaching Ron than Harry, but the problem was that after the Christmas holidays, the second match at the end of February was suddenly much closer.

Although she has now figured out the hidden clues inside the golden egg, this does not solve the actual problem.

How to survive an hour underwater, what obstacles she will encounter underwater—mermaids, Greendylow, Kaba, and of course, if the giant squid is also an obstacle, then Hermione thinks it's basically hopeless to pass the competition.

Also, regarding the hint—"We will take away your beloved treasure"—what could that be?

These questions had been bothering her during the holidays, and she still doesn't have clear answers.

Anxiety drove Hermione to read even more frantically than ever before. By the time the three of them returned to the common room and Harry began telling Ron about today's gym class, the stack of books around her was already as tall as a first-year student.

People passing by stared in astonishment at Hermione, who was reading two books almost simultaneously and muttering to herself.

"Hermione, Hermione?!"

Harry called several times before finally waking Hermione, who was engrossed in her books.

"what?"

Hermione said impatiently, her gaze still fixed on the two thick books that could be used as bricks, which were spread out on her lap.

"What do you think of Li Qiaodan's speculation today—"

Harry felt a little helpless, but he really wanted an answer.

"It's that question Professor Blaine asked after class. Was he implying we should ask him for the notes?"