The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 3 Miss Rabbit

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.

"I've already sent Hagrid to pick up the child."

Dumbledore removed his crescent-shaped spectacles, took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, and carefully wiped away non-existent dust from the lenses.

Looking at the silent Snape before him, Dumbledore could roughly guess what the other was thinking, but some things... really can't be solved by wishful thinking alone.

Thinking of this, his gaze inadvertently swept towards Snape, or more precisely, he looked at the other man's arm hidden under his wide robe.

The Black Magic Mark.

Dumbledore knew this magic better than anyone else—this mark that should have disappeared after Tom's death, yet it had mysteriously persisted for eleven years, though it had now become very weak…

But existence is existence, that's an indisputable fact. Perhaps this also indirectly proves one thing: Tom... never died, or rather, never truly died.

This year marks Harry's enrollment in school again, which means the boy who survived his ordeal will finally come into everyone's view.

All the past events, one by one, resurfaced before Dumbledore's eyes.

"Severus, once Harry enrolls, I hope you can pay more attention to him and help him grow up as quickly as possible."

On the other side, Snape's expression softened slightly upon hearing the name Harry.

However, this brief moment of gentleness was fleeting. Soon, Snape's eyes returned to their empty and indifferent state.

However, Dumbledore saw all of this. His century of life experience told him that there was no need to say anything more at this moment.

After a brief silence.

Snape, unusually, spoke up, "I am the Head of Slytherin. Unless he is sorted into Slytherin, I will only fulfill my duties as the Potions professor."

"Of course, that's enough!" Dumbledore replied with a hearty laugh.

Some things don't need to be explained completely; it's best if both parties understand each other implicitly.

"So, this is the only thing you called me here for?" Snape's tone remained as calm as ever.

"These are the names of the young wizards who need guidance. There are quite a few new students this year, and Minerva has complained to me more than once that we don't have enough people."

As he spoke, Dumbledore opened a drawer to the side and took out a thick stack of bound parchment.

"You need to finish this work before school starts. Felius and Pomona got the list yesterday."

"Ha!" Snape scoffed as he took the list, but still accepted it nonetheless.

He knew better than anyone why so many new students were suddenly flooding into Hogwarts; it was simply because they wanted their children to forge a deep friendship with the Savior.

It's just that those who fled at the first sign of trouble have now changed their tune and come back.

……

Foyle Bookstore, London.

The most important thing about this historic bookstore is its extensive collection of books; it is probably the bookstore with the most comprehensive collection in all of London.

Someone once calculated that if all the books in a bookstore were neatly arranged and lined up, the line could stretch for a terrifying 48 kilometers.

Located at 84-119-125 Charing Cross Road, its vast grounds have earned it the title of the world's largest bookstore.

You can tell just from the address number how huge this bookstore is; it even has more than 400 staff members on a daily basis.

On the second floor of the bookstore, in the folk tales section.

Ino was engrossed in reading a one-inch-thick copy of "One Thousand and One Nights".

Over the past two years, he has developed a habit of reading regularly.

You know, in that fantastical world, there are always fables, fairy tales, and folklore stories. Reading more books and accumulating more knowledge is never a bad thing.

Sometimes, mere specious premonitions can create real miracles.

As for why a bookstore was chosen instead of a library.

Ha! No legitimate library would issue a library card to an orphan of unknown origin, especially since a library card requires a substantial deposit.

After much deliberation, free access to the bookstore became Ino's best option.

Especially in a super-large bookstore like Foyle, no one pays any attention to a boy, let alone how long he lingers in front of the bookshelves.

……

"...In the end, the princess came back to life, married the prince, and they lived happily ever after."

As one story ended, Ino rubbed her slightly sore neck.

This is also one of the biggest drawbacks of bookstores: there are no comfortable tables and sofas for people to use.

Therefore, it is quite common to stand for one or two hours while reading in a bookstore.

"One Thousand and One Nights? I gave up on that book when I was six! I never knew you had such a unique hobby, you liar."

A crisp sound rang out behind him, causing Ino to frown slightly; he didn't like being disturbed while reading.

But the owner of the voice seemed to be of similar age, and for the sake of his reputation and future income from divination, he couldn't just turn a blind eye.

Suppressing her displeasure, Ino turned and politely said, "I don't think so. No book should be judged by the reader's age, and..."

He stopped mid-sentence and began to scrutinize the girl in front of him.

Two years may be a long time, but that's not enough for him to forget the students he'd consulted.

As for the brown-haired dumpling in front of him, he was certain it was their first meeting. Putting everything else aside, the other man's two large, white front teeth alone were enough to make him unforgettable.

Since he wasn't a client, there was no reason to be polite anymore. Thinking this, Ino changed her tone, saying sarcastically:

"Tsk tsk tsk! If I remember correctly, you've never once consulted me for a divination. Drawing conclusions without verification—don't you think that's a bit too hasty? This… Miss Rabbit!"

"You..." The girl seemed a little embarrassed and angry upon hearing this, her fair face flushed red. "You're so proud of yourself for commenting on someone else's appearance? That's not gentlemanly at all..."

However, before the other person could finish speaking, Ino seized on the linguistic loophole and retorted, "Is it ladylike to casually give others nicknames?"

"Phew..." Hermione was instantly deflated by the rebuke, and took several deep breaths to try to calm herself down.

She was furious. This was the first time she had suffered such a loss in an argument with someone her age, and the other person's words were so logical that she couldn't refute them for the time being.

"Okay, I apologize for the nickname thing." Hermione's mind raced. Faced with a setback, there was no need to dwell on it. After a swift apology, she continued:

"Here's a pound. I'd like you to do a divination to see if I'll go to Winchester College or Wycombe Abbey in the future."

"Okay! Let's find a quiet place, I'll start the divination now." Ino agreed without hesitation.

Only a fool would refuse money that's offered to him.

Putting everything else aside, the cost of entering Hogwarts in the future, even disregarding the daily expenses of the school, will be a huge expense just to buy storybooks.

After all, you can't find Muggle books in the Hogwarts library.

A new book release marks a new journey. Thank you to all our readers, both new and old, for your support.

(End of this chapter)