The Return to Hogwarts

It's impossible to expect these 'protagonists' to stay out of trouble; even if they don't cause trouble, problems will find them.

With that thought in mind, Amosta followed Professor McGonagall into the box.

Chapter 740 Heartbreaking

2024-02-09

To avoid explaining to their classmates what the bags they were carrying were for, Hermione, Harry, and Ron got up very early. While they were having breakfast in the Great Hall, Snape was the only one eating quickly at the faculty table above, and the three of them were sitting alone at the Gryffindor table.

Harry glanced at Snape's greasy hair with disgust, genuinely wondering how Professor Blaine could maintain such a good relationship with someone like that.

But Snape seemed to notice his malicious gaze, and Snape, who was eating, suddenly stopped and stared at him expressionlessly.

Before Snape could notice his disdainful look, Harry quickly lowered his head and pretended to deal with the bacon on his plate. He wasn't afraid of Snape; it was just that they were going to Hogsmeade later to do something meaningful, and he didn't want to be picked on by Snape at this time.

The roads, which had been deserted throughout the Christmas holiday, were covered with a layer of melting snow and ice. When you stepped on them, the snow water mixed with mud was enough to submerge your feet.

"Shouldn't we be smarter?"

Ron had already sent his old clothes home, and he didn't have much to give the orphanage children at school, so it was only natural for him to help Hermione carry her luggage. Walking out of the woods, looking at the endless fields stretching out from Hogsmeade village, Ron, panting, said...

"Phew, we don't need to go this way at all. The secret passage with the hunchbacked witch on the fourth floor is a much better choice."

"Oh!"

Harry, who was also struggling to carry a bundle, glared at Ron with annoyance.

“That’s right, Ron. The problem is you brought it up a bit too early. Why didn’t you wait until we got to Hogsmeade to bring it up?”

Hermione, huddled inside her cloak, listened to Harry and Ron's complaints, then turned to look at them and giggled. Ron and Harry had shared her load, so she was the one with the easiest job.

Two more students emerged from the slightly dark woods they had just passed through. The two, arm in arm, caught Hermione's attention. She squinted and looked closely, then suddenly gasped softly.

"how?"

Harry stopped abruptly, turned around, and immediately his expression darkened.

"It's that idiot Diggory and his dance partner at the ball. Who was that girl again?"

Ron was drawn to Harry and Hermione's unusual behavior. After glancing at them, he casually remarked, looking at Harry beside him. He knew that the girl next to Diggory was also a student in gym class.

But to Ron's surprise, Harry didn't answer his question. Instead, he took long strides forward without saying a word, much faster than before.

"Hey, wait a minute, what's wrong?"

Ron exclaimed, looking puzzled.

“That girl is Cho Chang from Ravenclaw, a year ahead of us,” Hermione whispered, glancing sympathetically at Harry’s retreating figure before tugging at Ron’s sleeve.

"Let's go, Ron. I don't want to explain to them what these packages are for—"

Things rarely go as planned. Just as they spotted Cedric and Cho Chang, the two also spotted the three of them. Before Cho Chang could stop them, Cedric was already waving at them and cheerfully shouting...

"Hey, wait a minute!"

Cedric grabbed Cho Chang's hand and pulled the somewhat embarrassed Cho Chang forward quickly. He was a little confused as to why the three Gryffindors ignored his call, and Cedric quickened his pace as if they hadn't heard him.

The packs on Harry and Ron's shoulders slowed them down, and by the time Cedric's shout was thirty feet behind them, even Harry couldn't pretend he hadn't heard it. He had to stop and wait for Cedric to come over with a sullen expression. He didn't even look at the two of them, pretending to admire the snowy scenery in the field, treating them as if they were invisible.

"Oh, good morning—"

Cedric pulled his muddy boots out of the snowdrift, kicked them off, nodded and smiled at the three of them, completely oblivious to Cho Chang's unnatural expression beside him.

Ron just shrugged. He wasn't familiar with Cedric; the two had never even spoken.

Hermione glanced quickly at Harry, then knew she couldn't expect any friendly conversation between Harry and Cedric.

Good morning, Cedric, Cho Chang--

"What are you doing?"

As Fred and George described it, Cedric was indeed quite oblivious at times; he didn't realize that the three people opposite him weren't particularly interested in talking to him, and continued to gaze at Hermione with a bright smile on his handsome face.

"What are you planning to do? I mean, these two big packages?"

"Oh--"

A group of people walked slowly forward. Hermione hesitated for a moment before responding.

"I have some old luggage that I plan to send home. The owls at school can't handle such heavy packages, so I'm thinking of going to Hogsmeade, where the post office can help with this—"

Cedric's confusion vanished instantly. He released Cho Chang's hand and spoke solicitously to Hermione.

"This package doesn't look light."

His gaze swept between Harry and Ron, and after a moment's hesitation, Cedric chose Harry, whom he knew better.

"I can help you—"

If Hermione hadn't secretly reminded him during the first match that the warriors were going to face a dragon, he would have had no chance of passing the test. So, Cedric was just trying to help Hermione.

However, Cedric had no idea that his enthusiasm would go unanswered.

Harry paused, dodging Cedric's outstretched hand. Facing the somewhat caught-off-guard Cedric, he simply mumbled a remark.

"Need not--"

Harry's overreaction caused the others to frown, while Cedric looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Oh, Harry can handle it--"

Only Hermione and Cho Chang knew what was going on with Harry's coldness. Cho Chang pursed her thin, light pink lips, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, whether from anger or shyness, it was hard to tell.

Hermione sighed inwardly but forced a smile, wanting to quickly change the subject. However, even with her brain working overtime, she couldn't think of anything to say for a moment, and could only awkwardly ask…

"You... um, are planning to go to Hogsmeade?"

Ron's cheeks puffed up, seemingly amused by Hermione's silly question. Fortunately, Cedric didn't notice anything amiss; he took Cho Chang's hand again, his smile radiating satisfaction and happiness.

"Yes, Qiu is going to Wenrenju to buy quill pens, however, we plan to go to Padif Tea House together--"

“Padiff Tea House?” Ron blinked, puzzled. “Is there such a place in Hogsmeade?”

“It’s in the alley behind the Three Broomsticks pub—” Hermione, always quick to answer questions, blurted out, “I heard Lavender say it’s a good place for couples to go on dates… cough cough, I mean—”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Hermione immediately realized she shouldn't have said that in front of Harry, and she quickly tried to salvage the situation.

"Hmm, it's quiet there, perfect for chatting—"

Harry's expression tightened instantly, and he suddenly had an urge to take off the package from his shoulder and throw it and Cedric into the ditch by the roadside.

Ron, however, was taken aback when he heard Hermione say that. Then, he nodded thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with eagerness.

"Well then, see you later--"

The journey was truly agonizing. The others in the group were all preoccupied with their own thoughts, but Cedric was oblivious to everything and enthusiastically chatted with Hermione about their training in gym class the previous day. Hermione could only grit her teeth and continue the conversation under Cho Chang's increasingly hostile gaze.

They finally arrived at Hogsmeade. Cedric waved to them and led Cho Chang in another direction. Harry, who had been silent the whole way, couldn't help but glance at Cho Chang. However, Cho Chang immediately noticed his supposedly discreet action, and the girl, seemingly startled, quickly turned her head to the other side.

Harry pursed his lips, his heart sinking into despair.

"Should we—"

Ron stared at Cedric and Cho Chang's departing figures, a look of eager anticipation in his eyes.

"Let's go to that Padiff tea house later, it might be quite interesting—"

"Come on, Weasley—"

Harry, expressionless, strode towards Bee Duke. Watching his retreating figure, Hermione's eyes filled with pity. She sighed, then tugged at his sleeve, her plea rejected. A somewhat resentful Ron jogged to catch up with Harry.

Chapter 741 Shocking Change (Part 1)

2024-02-09

This was supposed to be a pleasant day for Harry, but it was all ruined by his chance encounter with Cedric and Cho Chang.

Hogsmeade was beautiful in the snow. The laughter of the young wizards didn't disturb the tranquility of this ancient magical village; instead, it made the atmosphere even more harmonious. Having grown up in the Muggle world, surrounded by skyscrapers and bustling traffic, Harry knew all too well just how unique Hogsmeade was.

But Harry just couldn't be happy.

He knew very well that he shouldn't blame Cedric; pursuing the girl he liked wasn't a sin.

But Harry just found Cedric an eyesore, and even hearing his name made him uncomfortable. This wasn't just because Cedric had stolen the girl he liked; perhaps it was also because, for the first time, he realized that he had been defeated in courage by another boy, and had lost completely.

So, when he entered Honeydukes Candy Shop, to vent his frustration, he threw all thirty glittering Galleons from his purse at the shopkeeper, Froome. In gratitude for Harry's generosity, the shopkeeper gave them a large bag of Pepper Potts.

"Are you crazy, Harry?"

Ron stared at Harry with a look that was a mixture of reproach and confusion.

"What's wrong with you? Thirty Galleons! That's almost a semester's allowance! Don't you plan to live frugally? Even if you sympathize with the children at that orphanage, look at all this stuff you bought: ice mice, chocolate frogs, Fudge flies, and bubble gum!"

Ron then looked at Hermione.

"I guess these candies aren't very common in the Muggle world?"

“Oh—” Hermione looked at Harry with concern. “You’re right, Ron—”

Ron raised his eyebrows high and glanced sideways at Hermione.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Hermione asked softly.

"It's nothing, I feel great--"