The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 420 A Small Punishment

Bilbo, as the first Hobbit protagonist in Middle-earth, led a legendary life.

From a clueless boy leaving the Shire to someone who could face Smaug, who was on par with the Balrog, alone, and even wear the One Ring multiple times, his mind and spirit remained completely unaffected.

If Middle-earth were to truly choose a protagonist, the real protagonist, Bilbo Baggins would undoubtedly be the one.

He had it all too easy. The entire adventure, though seemingly perilous, ended without him suffering any harm, not even a scratch on his finger. He completed his adventure smoothly, returning home with treasure and fame, where he lived peacefully for decades.

These experiences were simply beyond what his nephew Frodo could ever have imagined.

In contrast, Frodo's journey was far more arduous than described. On his way to the Demon City, he was stabbed by the Ringwraiths with evil blades, stabbed by the ogres with spears, and poisoned and wrapped in spider silk by the giant spider Hilob...

These two, uncle and nephew, give the impression that one is a lucky protagonist and the other is a protagonist's stand-in.

……

in the valley.

Ino arrived at Bilbo's dwelling, where everything was modeled after Bag End.

"I don't know what happened to those two brothers next door, but I brought them the finest Ciel cigarettes."

Inside the room, Bilbo lit his pipe and spoke with some regret.

"They might have been held back by something else, who knows? After all, we can't keep everyone tied to us all the time."

Ino didn't take it to heart; everyone has their own life and story.

"Yes, you can't keep everyone tied to your side." Bilbo sighed deeply. Over the years, his face had grown increasingly old, but his eyes remained as bright as ever.

Judging from his tone, Ino knew exactly what had happened, and asked with a light laugh, "Frodo is gone again?"

"He's gone! Ever since his injuries healed, he's always loved to travel... If you ask me, you shouldn't have given him that magical drawing board, what was it called, a camera or something..."

Bilbo mumbled on and on, seemingly complaining, but more like an old man's reluctance to part with his child.

Instead of interrupting Bilbo's rambling, Ino sat to the side, ordered some local Shire specialties for herself, and listened with great interest.

He knew, in fact, that Bilbo was very lonely, truly lonely.

Unlike Nico, at least he had his wife by his side, and he had owls, two-way mirrors, and other means of communication.

Bilbo had nothing.

……

half an hour.

It seemed that he had talked a lot and used up some energy, as Bilbo also showed a slight sign of fatigue.

"Have a drink, old friend!"

Ino stretched out her finger and gently tapped the table, and a glass of bright red beverage slowly appeared.

"There is no such thing as parting in this world, only longing. Don't think too much about Frodo. When the Brothers Grimm arrive, we'll have a good drink together."

"I don't miss him at all," Bilbo said stubbornly, then picked up the drink on the table and started drinking it in sips.

"Alright, alright, you don't miss it!" Ino replied with a smile, then changed the subject and asked:

"Do you want to play chess? If not, I'm going to bed. I might be very busy tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Bilbo shook his head and said:

"Go to sleep. I'll be very busy tomorrow. I want to cultivate the land behind the house and plant some of the Shire's specialties."

Just as Ino was about to get up, his expression suddenly changed.

……

The auditorium at the same time.

Now comes the "thrilling" moment.

The three Gryffindors, though barely taller than a table when they stood up, were bolder than the top of the Astronomy Tower.

"Are we really going to give it a try?" A young wizard with red hair and freckles looked at his companion with uncertainty.

"What else can we do? Are we just going to slink away like that, with so many people watching?"

"Then I'd rather die."

Faced with the rejection from his two companions, the red-haired wizard looked firmly at the Goblet of Fire within the seven-colored orb.

The transformation of the three young wizards was witnessed by everyone watching.

Faced with this rare spectacle, everyone wore expressions of anticipation, as if watching a good show. Although there were many legends surrounding Professor Svenburn, they had never witnessed him unleash any magic in all these years.

If it weren't for film and television records, many things like blizzards, fireworks, and candy rain would be considered fairy tales, exaggerated embellishments.

Now, with such a rare opportunity, and the fact that three fearless Gryffindors volunteered to try, even some seventh-year graduates who were about to enroll stopped in their tracks and cheered on the "true warriors" with their eyes.

In such an atmosphere, not only the parties involved, but also many onlookers had the idea of ​​trying it out, and they all looked eager to give it a shot.

……

in the valley.

Ino shook his head with a wry smile.

Just now, he suddenly sensed that someone had bravely attempted to set up the age line.

To be honest, this was quite unexpected.

He truly didn't expect anyone to dare to take on the challenge; the courage of these teenagers was truly remarkable.

After sighing, he then struggled with how to punish her.

To be fair, although he set an age limit, he never expected anyone to dare to challenge it, so there was no subsequent punishment.

The seemingly fantastical seven-colored magic is, in reality, just a facade.

But now that a "warrior" is challenging him, he can no longer pretend he doesn't see it.

……

However, regarding how to punish...

For a moment, Ino really didn't know what to do.

He originally wanted to randomly transform these mischievous fellows into various animals, but he quickly rejected the idea.

Regardless of whether Professor McGonagall agrees or not, Moody had already used this tactic in the original story, so it's nothing new.

Moreover, and most importantly, Ino was genuinely afraid that this would become a trend, causing people who were originally unwilling to try it to do so.

Just like in the original story, George's Fred used an aging agent to exceed the age limit, and after being discovered, he grew a long beard.

Instead, the twin brothers laughed and started comparing whose beard was more attractive.

This shows that the little wizard's thought process is truly beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

If they were randomly turned into animals, it might actually trigger a competition. Just imagine Professor McGonagall seeing a castle full of chickens, ducks, geese, cats, and dogs when she teaches tomorrow morning... and this is while the other two schools are visiting.

For no apparent reason, Ino shuddered.

moment.

"Bilbo, what's a good way to punish a naughty child without hurting him, but in a way that teaches him a lesson?"

Unable to come up with a good idea, Ino could only turn to his old friend.

Nearby, Bilbo, who had been somewhat drowsy, suddenly perked up upon hearing the topic of punishing children.

"Punishment? In the Shire, if a little one misbehaves, we only have one way to punish them..."

……

Inside the auditorium.

Suddenly, melodious music began to play.

Meanwhile, three daring young wizards were fixed in the distance, with an oval stage burning with campfires rising beneath their feet.

(End of this chapter)