The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 267 Clever Ginny

After some common ingredients were carefully prepared by Mrs. Weasley, lunch officially began.

During the meal, there wasn't much small talk, partly because the food was delicious, and partly because everyone had already said what needed to be said.

……

After lunch.

As the boys left one by one, only Ginny and Mrs. Weasley remained in the living room.

After a moment's consideration, Ino decided to ask to see the secret of the clock.

"Mrs. Weasley..."

"Just call me Aunt Molly!" Mrs. Weasley said.

"Okay, Aunt Molly!" Ino naturally changed her form of address.

"You know, I'm very interested in alchemy, and this clock... it gives me a very magical feeling..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mrs. Weasley immediately promised:

"Look if you want, it's no big deal. Besides, when Arthur comes back, I'll have him make you a new one, since you probably won't need to feed the chickens or mow the lawn anymore."

"So Mr. Weasley made this?"

Ino was somewhat astonished. He had thought it was an heirloom, but it turned out to be a modern imitation.

"He made it!" Mrs. Weasley nodded and laughed. "He always liked to make little things; he called it supplementing the family income."

As they spoke, he noticed something interesting. Although Mrs. Weasley was smiling, there was a hint of pride in her expression, a deep-seated satisfaction with her husband.

"That's great!" Ino said with a double meaning.

Both the Weasleys' relationship status and Mr. Weasley's alchemy skills were addressed positively.

Mrs. Weasley understood the double meaning, but she quickly changed the subject, saying with a serious expression:

"Although you're still young, what I want to say is, when you're dating a girl in the future, don't care too much about her appearance; those things are unreliable..."

Throughout this elder-style lecture, Ino listened with a smile, occasionally nodding in agreement.

He knew perfectly well that Mrs. Weasley's intention was simply to offer a kind reminder out of compassion after learning about his past.

……

The brief chat ended with Mrs. Weasley's departure.

Similarly, after receiving permission, Ino also picked up an oil lamp and began to examine the clock.

Faced with the unfamiliar alchemical path, he had no intention of thinking about it, but vaguely felt that it might be related to the so-called traces.

What he needs to do now is simply copy it down. There are some things that don't need to be understood in a hurry. He can just take them down and secure them for himself.

Moreover, if I were to enter a fantasy world with a long storyline in the future, this copied-down unfamiliar knowledge would be the best reading material to pass the time.

Time passed by, second by second.

The entire clock circuit is not very complicated, and it was almost over in about half an hour.

As the last stroke was completed, Ino stretched lazily.

Turning around, I found Ginny still sitting in the chair, looking at me with a curious expression.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" He genuinely admired Ginny.

"No! But I think there's something you need to know!" Ginny shook her head, her expression becoming somewhat serious.

"Hmm! Tell me about it."

With the clock issue resolved and nothing else to do, he was curious to hear what Ginny had to say.

As the female protagonist in the original story, aside from her slightly ordinary appearance, Ginny embodies all the characteristics of a female protagonist in the story: loyalty, intelligence, courage, and unconditional trust in Harry.

Meanwhile, seeing Ino sit down, Ginny slowly spoke:

"Hermione and I are friends, very good friends! There are some things I still want to say, I hope you don't mind."

Ino didn't interrupt, nodded slightly, and then continued to listen attentively.

"She works very hard, harder than anyone else! I know that very well..."

Ginny's voice rang out in the living room, and as she narrated, Hermione's daily life was slowly revealed.

"...She never told me she was tired. She only said it was so she could stay in the Transfiguration Club and learn about alchemy..."

As a clever girl, Ginny talked about Hermione's efforts, but she didn't mention what she was working hard for, nor did she specifically mention any particular person.

But many things don't need to be said explicitly, since neither of the two people present are stupid.

……

A few minutes later.

Ginny finished recounting what she had seen and heard.

Ginny's observations were incredibly accurate, because she could describe the time and place of everything, including the Hermione she saw.

As for anything else that wasn't seen, or that was just speculation or conjecture, there was nothing of the sort.

Similarly, Ino also felt a bit emotional at this moment, realizing that the changes in the story had also changed many people.

The once all-knowing young lady who worked 996 has now truly become a 007 worker, yet she does it all without making a sound.

"Since that's the case, let me tell you something too, about a friend of mine..."

After a moment's thought, Ino decided to repeat what he had said yesterday, which was to refute the Lucius couple's manipulation of Draco's marriage.

"...I also hope you can convey this to Hermione: there's no need to change yourself for anyone; just do what you like."

"Okay! I'll find a chance to tell her," Ginny said earnestly.

The weight on her heart was finally lifted. Even though Hermione was a year older than her, she always felt that Hermione used all her talent for studying.

This leads to Hermione appearing less capable than a freshman on some simple emotional issues.

Ginny felt extremely worried about this.

……

evening.

With Mr. Weasley and Percy's return, the Burrow finally reached its population peak.

The small house was now packed with people.

Nine people in one house, whether it's the Weasleys or Eno, they all enjoy this lively atmosphere.

The former is probably just a simple liking, after all, the Weasley family originally consisted of nine people.

For Ino, the latter truly brought back a feeling from the past, a scene from a distant memory where the whole family would gather together every year on the day of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

The men sat in a group, chatting noisily; the housewives were busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner; and the children were playing so wildly that they had forgotten their own names.

Things have changed, and he thought he would never find the atmosphere he once had again, but unexpectedly, in his small, humble home in Devon, he experienced the long-lost liveliness once more.

Arthur, George, Fred, and Draco stood around the video mirror, eloquently sharing their opinions.

Yes, Arthur was involved as well.

The director of the Department for the Prohibition of the Abuse of Muggle Articles was particularly enthusiastic when he heard Fred's new ideas.

Clearly, Arthur was knowledgeable and knew a thing or two about videotapes and televisions.

On the other side...

Percy, determined to make a name for himself in the Ministry of Magic, sat next to Ino after dinner, chatting incessantly about some dubious current affairs.

Ino didn't have much to say about Percy's enthusiasm.

Perhaps Percy's style differed from, or even could be described as, from the Weasley family tradition.

But when you need something from someone, you must first humble yourself. There's really nothing wrong with bending down for your ideals within the bounds of what's right.

(End of this chapter)