The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 399 The Change in the Castle's Atmosphere

As the only known legendary alchemical item that can extend lifespan, the Philosopher's Stone truly is a miracle.

It was thanks to this miracle that Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenaerts, lived for over six hundred years.

……

Ino gently picked up the magic stone from the box, examined it carefully in her palm, and it reflected a dazzling color in the sunlight.

Perhaps if someone else had brought out the Philosopher's Stone, they would have thought it was a transaction, but since Dumbledore was willing to give it up, he probably wouldn't have thought that much about it.

But in any case, Ino still felt that some things needed to be said to avoid any misunderstandings later.

"Professor, it is my honor to witness this alchemical miracle, but I must clarify that there are some things I will do my best to do, but I cannot guarantee."

If possible, he wanted to help secretly, as a reward for the old man's lifelong hard work; if not, he could only continue in the dream.

That's enough, really.

Seemingly understanding Ino's meaning, Dumbledore nodded with a smile:

"Actually, Ariana is a bit special. As her brother, I can't choose what I think is best for her!"

Upon hearing this, Ino put down the magic stone in her hand, leaned back on the sofa, and sighed softly:

"That's great! But too many people don't understand this principle."

Suddenly, he felt that Dumbledore truly deserved this reputation.

Self-discipline and benefiting others! This is an easy phrase to say, but truly difficult to put into practice.

If anyone in the world wanted to resurrect Ariana, Dumbledore would always be the first, even surpassing Ariana herself.

Perhaps, for Dumbledore, his sister's resurrection was not only a continuation of family ties, but also a kind of relief.

aside.

After hearing Eno's exclamation, Dumbledore said in a serious tone:

"I can't be selfish, even though I was selfish once when I was younger. I have no right to control Ariana's life..."

"So you'd better discuss this!" Ino said with a smile, adding that it would be inappropriate to have a heavy topic on such a bright and sunny morning.

"Hahaha, great! If there's another chance, we'll definitely discuss it."

Dumbledore let out a hearty laugh, then said something with a double meaning.

"Then we'll have to wait. After all, night and day always need to be balanced."

As a weaver, Ino doesn't oppose dreams, not at all.

However, dreams and reality must always be distinguished. Some have said that beautiful dreams are a good medicine for life, but every medicine has its side effects, and long-term use may be detrimental to life.

……

While Ino was in the principal's office on the eighth floor, Professor McGonagall was also receiving her guests on the third floor of the castle.

"Navie, theoretically this leave slip needs your grandmother's signature. Although you're in sixth grade, you're still not an adult."

Professor McGonagall looked at Neville with some difficulty. She knew the student in front of her; he was a rare good kid, well-behaved since he entered school and had none of the mischievousness typical of Gryffindor.

On the other hand, although Neville was mentally prepared, he still looked disappointed after being clearly rejected.

Seeing this, Professor McGonagall reached out and rubbed her temples.

She wasn't afraid of students like George and Fred; she could always resort to violence. But what really gave her a headache were students like Neville, who would stand there silently, just staring at her obediently.

"Tell me! What exactly do you want?" Professor McGonagall asked, sounding somewhat weary.

This time, Neville no longer remained silent and quietly stated his purpose:

"I want to go to San Mongol to see my mom and dad!"

Upon hearing this reason, Professor McGonagall was stunned. She had thought of many strange and wonderful reasons, but this was the only one she had missed.

After a few seconds of thought, reflecting on Neville's experience, Professor McGonagall sighed softly:

"Go ahead! Remember to say hello for me."

After saying that, she picked up the quill pen next to her and quickly signed her name.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall." Neville's face lit up as he accepted the signed consent form.

To be honest, after waking up this morning and figuring everything out, he didn't want to wait a moment longer. He had never imagined that his parents could be lucid.

Neville felt very guilty about this. Not only was he unable to make his own decisions as a child, but as he grew up, he never seriously considered all of this and instead followed the views of Dr. St. Mungo.

They believed that the parents were beyond recovery from the damage caused by the Heart-Rending Curse and could only retain some of their bodily instincts.

But yesterday's experience truly woke him up from his dream.

When he was a child, he would spend the whole day in the hospital ward. But ever since then, every time he went to St. Mungo's Hospital, he would just look into the room through the window.

The thought that his mother might be waiting alone all year, waiting for his one and only visit, was unbearable.

Therefore, Neville really didn't want to waste another moment. If it weren't for his grandmother's feelings, he would have even wanted to drop out of school and leave.

……

At the same time.

As Neville walked along the path leading to Hogsmeade, the overall atmosphere of the castle subtly became somewhat strange.

Perhaps "weird" isn't quite accurate; "ambiguous" would be a more fitting alternative.

Whether Muggles or wizards, the campus of youth never seems to lack hormones.

Draco and Estoria weren't the only ones to meet in a dream, but their encounter was probably the most awkward.

At the end of the fourth-floor corridor.

Two senior wizards were present today in the usually quiet prize display room.

Draco was somewhat embarrassed; he didn't know how to face Astoria.

In fact, Draco wasn't the only one who felt awkward.

Seeing that the other party remained silent, Astoria also tacitly kept quiet.

She wasn't sure when the feelings developed, even though they had met quite early on.

At that time, she had not yet entered Hogwarts, but due to her mother's instructions, she could only attend the so-called classmate reunion with Daphne.

Logically speaking, it would be very abrupt and impolite to go without an invitation.

Astoria clearly remembers the situation at the time. Besides herself and Daphne, there were three other people present: Swinburne, Parkinson, and Draco.

But the first person to react and respond was the boy who was a year older than her.

Not only did they politely defuse her embarrassment, but they also warmly introduced them to each other.

Perhaps, the seed of affection had already been planted long ago.

But having this goodwill doesn't mean Astoria can accept everything from yesterday.

She inexplicably met the other party's parents, and what's even more outrageous is that she was holding her daughter in her arms...

……

at the same time.

Perhaps sensing that the silence couldn't continue, Draco broke the silence first:

"Hmm... I really like Lucy."

Upon hearing this, Astoria almost fainted. She had expected to hear an explanation, some words of comfort, or even a confession.

But the truth is... the other person immediately said they liked children.

"I think you've got something wrong, Mr. Malfoy!" Astoria said with her last shred of sanity.

"That was just a dream, nothing ever happened between us..."

"How could that be! It might be a reflection of the future," Draco said anxiously.

In fact, he couldn't pretend nothing had happened. The warmth he felt last night with his wife, daughter, and family made him gradually understand the sacrifices his father had made.

Draco's anxious look amused Astoria.

"The future can be changed! Besides, you haven't taken any action yet."

After saying that, Astoria turned and left the prize display room.

On the other side, Draco, hearing these almost explicit words, chased after them without thinking.

"Wait a minute..."

(End of this chapter)