The Return to Hogwarts

Hermione raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "If St. Mungo's also had a library, I wouldn't mind staying a few more days."

Hermione was well-liked, especially after the first match of the Wars of Champions.

Many young wizards lined up to congratulate Hermione, and even some from other house tables left their seats to come over. For example, Cedric came with Cho Chang, Krum, Luna, Hannah, Ernie, Justin, and Fleur with Gabrielle.

"I don't want to face two boys by myself in the second game."

Fleur tossed her cascading silver hair and smiled as she spoke to Hermione in her distinctive voice.

"Oh, I'll try not to hold you back."

Hermione responded with a smile.

On the way back, as she passed Amosta, Fleur paused. She raised her beautiful chin, her face—possessing both delicate, arched eyebrows and captivating, yet alluring without being seductive—facing Amosta.

"If there's another thrilling adventure like this next time, can I come along?"

"Miss Delacour--"

Amosta smiled politely.

"There's no need to blindly pursue excitement. I believe the second competition will give you plenty of fun."

Furong twitched her upturned nose, preparing to accuse the man in front of her of feigning ignorance. But seeing that the commotion had subsided, Amosta took the opportunity to pat Gabrielle's hair, who was standing next to Furong and looking at him with adoration, before walking towards the faculty and staff dining table with a smile.

Harry and the others watched Professor Blaine walk toward the front of the Great Hall until he was seated, their eyes filled with reverence.

"What an amazing person!"

Two seats away from Hermione, Angelina pulled out the Daily Prophet from her pocket and shook it. Today's front page was still reporting on the controversial progress of the United Tribunal's sentencing of the group of dark wizards, with all sides now calling on Dumbledore or Blaine to uphold justice.

"The articles about Professor Blaine in the Daily Prophet over the past two years, if collected, might be thicker than a history book of Hogwarts. Hermione,"

Angelina turned to look at Hermione.

"The newspapers haven't mentioned anything about you, but it's definitely related to this dark wizarding organization, right? Professor Blaine left Hogwarts to investigate the truth behind your attack, and not long after, news broke that he had uprooted the organization. Did he tell you why that organization was persecuting you?"

"Well"

Having been away for half a month, Hermione was incredibly nostalgic for the food at Hogwarts. She was busy bombarding Harry and Ron with questions about their progress in their classes while shamelessly shoveling scrambled eggs into her mouth. Hearing Angelina's question, Hermione's eyes flickered.

“I don’t know. Angelina, Professor Blaine didn’t mention it to me either. Maybe they just don’t like me.”

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. As Hermione's two best friends, they immediately realized that Hermione was hiding something, but with so many people around, it wasn't the right time to ask.

Angelina wanted to ask more questions, but Hermione, having swallowed her food, slumped heavily and sighed deeply.

"I've never felt so tired. All I want to do is go back to my dorm and rest, but that's not possible. I've fallen so far behind in my studies, I have to catch up as soon as possible. Of course, before that, I need to take a shower. There are too many patients at St. Mungo's, and I was so weak before, I could never get a turn."

“You can go to the prefect’s private restroom, Hermione. I have the password.”

Angelina said with a grin,

"I assure you, this will be an unforgettable experience for you."

To Harry and Ron's surprise, Hermione actually showed interest and leaned closer to Angelina to ask her a question.

"Hasn't she fully woken up yet?" Ron exclaimed in surprise.

"Or is she not Hermione at all, but someone who drank Polyjuice Potion? You know what I mean, Harry. She would never have given up her studies for pleasure before."

"Maybe--"

Watching Hermione quickly blend into the group of girls, her cheerful laughter never ceasing, Harry shrugged and casually said,

"She's just become more confident, we just haven't realized it."

Chapter 831 Jiang Ye

2024-03-29

An ordinary lunch at Hogwarts took on the feel of a banquet due to the return of Amos Tower and Hermione. Infected by the joyful atmosphere, most people in the Great Hall had a great appetite, and the plates on the long table were so clean they looked like they had been washed.

It was lunchtime on a school day, and after eating and drinking their fill, the young wizards left their seats and returned to their respective dormitories. They needed to prepare the textbooks for the afternoon classes, and then they would hurriedly begin their afternoon lessons.

The professors didn't have much time for idle chatter either. After arranging a time with Amostella to have a drink at the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade on the weekend and listen to his detailed account of how he wiped out the organization, the professors gradually left.

“Filch, following your orders, has inspected all the packages and letters sent to Hogwarts these past few days. Oh, I must say, this process is absolutely necessary; you wouldn't believe what these students have bought through all sorts of channels,”

Before leaving, Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and took a few angry breaths.

“Filch gave me a list of contraband items sent to Hogwarts and the names of the students who bought them, along with his recommendations for appropriate punishments. But I think it’s best for you to make the judgment, Amosta. The list is in my office now; you can pick it up after school, before dinner.”

After saying that, she left without waiting for Amosta's reply, as she was in a hurry.

Make a note of this, Amosta turned to look at Snape.

"You really don't participate in the weekend colleagues' gatherings?"

“I don’t want to waste my time listening to you boast about your ‘great achievements,’ Amosta.”

Snape said something casually, and then he left the faculty and staff dining table.

Amosta smiled and stood up as well.

Only Dumbledore, who didn't have to come to work, and Professor Moody, who didn't have a class in the first period, remained at the faculty and staff dining table. The three of them walked together toward the foyer.

"So, Amosta, has Mr. Longbottom told you when he plans to return to school to continue his studies?"

As Dumbledore went up the stairs, he casually asked Amostella a question.

"He told me that the wand he had been using all along belonged to his father, Frank, and now that his father had woken up, he had to return the wand to his father and buy another one from Ollivander."

Amosta said

"Of course, he definitely wants to spend more time with his parents. He has always dreamed of his family being reunited."

Noticing that Moody was looking at him with a complicated expression, Amosta pondered for a moment, then smiled and said to him...

“I want to thank you, Professor Moody. I heard from Principal Dumbledore that you have been assisting with the preparations for the second match while I was away.”

"No need to be polite, Blaine,"

Moody said gruffly,

"Just helping out with a small favor."

Despite saying that, Amosta still detected a hint of panic in Moody's hoarse voice. He looked at Moody calmly, only to find that the other was avoiding his gaze.

Dumbledore, sandwiched between the two, seemed oblivious to everything, maintaining a cheerful smile throughout.

"Is things relatively peaceful in the Forbidden Forest lately?" Amosta asked.

Moody remained silent. He understood that Blaine's question wasn't directed at Alastor Moody, but at Vitia Kriona, and that he wasn't asking whether the Forbidden Forest was peaceful.

"There aren't many despicable people these days who dare to come to Hogwarts and cause trouble,"

Moody said in a low voice,

"The centaurs in the Forbidden Forest are very protective of their territory. They're not even keen on letting me into their area right now, but they know the wizards in the castle are holding an important event, and they're willing to help protect the Forbidden Forest during that time."

"That's it"

Amosta said softly, and then fell silent.

Moody and Amosta's offices were both on the third floor, and Dumbledore needed to walk through the third-floor corridor to get to his tower. After saying goodbye to each other, only Amosta and Dumbledore were with him.

"You think—"

After taking a few steps, Dumbledore's smile vanished.

What does she plan to do?

"He's probably trying to atone for his sins."

Amosta remained expressionless, but in the end, he sighed, his heart still heavy with resentment. He stopped and gazed into the distance.

The spring breeze rustled the willow branches hanging down by the lake. Under the sunlight, the shimmering lake surface resembled thousands of silver mirrors arranged together, and the dazzling light reflected made Amosta squint.

What's going on underwater?

The spring breeze seemed to have a special magic. Amosta felt a sudden wave of weariness as the breeze brushed against his face. He wanted to leave everything behind and get a good night's sleep, but now that things had come to this, there was no room for him to be carefree. After a few moments of silence, Amosta took a deep breath, letting the lingering chill of winter air fully enter his lungs to stimulate himself and perk himself up.

“Alastor did indeed tamper with the finish line of the track when setting up some of the underwater obstacles,”

Dumbledore said calmly,

"Some remarkable and wonderful magic has been set up; perhaps you could take a look when you have some free time."

“I will go,” Amosta nodded.

“Do you think,” Dumbledore hesitated for once, and like Amostana, he looked somewhat tired, “that they are prepared for all of this, I mean, Harry and his friends.”

Amosta's lips twitched as he looked at Dumbledore, who seemed lost in some kind of self-reproach.

"All of this has been done with your tacit approval, Headmaster Dumbledore."

Dumbledore's hair and beard fluttered in the wind, no longer as silvery as before, but rather somewhat gray.

"yes."

Dumbledore seemed lost in thought, and mumbled something in his sleep.

"Witnessing all of this was a cruel thing for him, but he had to overcome his fear, muster the courage to face it, try to understand it, and fight against it entirely spontaneously."

Amosta neither agreed nor disagreed with these remarks; he simply smiled and then quickly left for his office.