The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 57 Hogsmeade

The Christmas holidays have arrived as scheduled.

After declining Christmas invitations from Malfoy, Pansy, Hermione, and Neville, Ino went to Hogsmeade alone as planned to spend her first Christmas in the wizarding world.

……

The path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade is a secluded one paved with cobblestones.

Ino carried a briefcase in her left hand and held the elderflower wand in her right, walking slowly while casually waving the wand in the air.

Where the tip of the cane swept across, clusters of pure white snowflakes rose up. After a brief pause in the air, these snowflakes slowly descended and merged with the snow piled up on the roadside.

"It's like fulfilling a long-held dream: a bubble gun with unlimited battery life..."

As Ino gazed at the snowflakes drifting freely from the tip of his cane, he couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection).

This fun little snow trick was something he had recently figured out, and it was also a prerequisite for the White Witch to leave behind her second spell.

The falling snowflakes are a fascinating magic, not only highly visually appealing but also helping him adapt to ice and snow—a win-win situation.

That's why, after learning this magic, he could basically sprinkle snowflakes wherever he went, except in the classroom and the library.

Of course, this behavior also angered Filch, the castle steward.

However, after Professor Flitwick and Dumbledore intervened, this act was transformed into adding a festive atmosphere to the castle during Christmas, which was considered a public service and even earned them bonus points.

Although the matter was left unresolved, Ino found helplessly that whenever he stayed in the corridor, he would always see Filch cursing and swearing, truly like a shadow following him.

Although Filch stopped intervening, he banged the metal bucket with the mop, making a harsh sound, and muttered veiled sarcasm to himself, as if to say: Although I have no right to control you, I'm going to disgust you to death.

Faced with such a boring and shameless act, there was no other way but to back down. After all... Harry had chosen Snape to confront him head-on.

But he chose to argue with Filch? That seems rather beneath him.

……

Time always slips away quietly on the journey.

The buildings of Hogsmeade can be seen in the distance.

Ino also longed for this village, which was entirely made up of wizards.

Here, you can not only bypass the Ministry of Magic's trail, but you also don't need to worry about the Secrecy Act. Whether practicing magic or living a normal life, you don't need to have any scruples in Hogsmeade.

As he drew closer, the full view of Hogsmeade was revealed to him.

At first glance, the streets are lined with uniquely shaped and ancient houses, giving one the feeling of traveling through time and arriving in a medieval town.

The festive atmosphere here is no less than that of Hogwarts, and in some details it even surpasses the castle's decorations.

As if by prior arrangement, all the shops in Hogsmeade were adorned with Christmas decorations early in the morning: colorful bells, tiny gift boxes, miniature Santa hats, and moving snowmen lining the streets...

Although Ino was always curious about why wizards celebrated Christmas, this curiosity did not stop him from enjoying the present moment.

Being in this dreamy and colorful world always makes people forget all their troubles.

……

On the main street.

Ino looked up at the first shop next to him, which was also the closest shop to him.

"Gladrgs Wizardwear."

He glanced at his standard robe again, then pushed open the door and entered without hesitation.

The store is spacious, with various new clothing items neatly arranged.

Elegant Clothing is a well-known international chain brand in the wizarding world, and the variety of goods available here is far superior to that of Madam Malkin's shop in Diagon Alley.

From robes to pajamas, and even all sorts of unusual socks, everything was displayed on the shelves.

"Merry Christmas! Welcome to Elegant Wizarding Costume Shop, Hogsmeade Branch."

A crisp voice rang in Ino's ears. Turning around, she saw a slender woman who looked young and had freckles all over her face.

"Merry Christmas, ma'am. I'd like to buy two casual robes. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Of course! We have many robes that would suit you," the shop assistant said with a smile. "But I need to know your style preferences first."

"Simple, monochromatic, without any decorations or embellishments, preferably dark gray or brown."

Ino rattled off all her demands in one breath.

"Oh, and give me two more pairs of thick cashmere socks."

……

Half an hour later.

When Ino emerged from the Elegant Clothing Store again, the Hogwarts robe she had been wearing was gone.

Instead, he wore a grey hooded long shirt, somewhat like a cape, but with sleeves sewn on.

"What a waste of money..."

To be fair, although he thought the robe was well-tailored, he still felt like he'd been ripped off.

The clothes don't have any magical properties; perhaps some effort was put into the selection of materials and the making of the garments.

However, this garment, which even a Muggle could make, costs a whopping 9 Galleons and 12 Sickles—enough to order three identical garments from Madam Morkin.

Perhaps, the magical world also has what is known as brand effect.

Although she secretly criticized him, she did not hesitate at all. After leaving the robe shop, Ino began to look for a place to stay.

After all, when you first arrive in an unfamiliar place, you need to find a place to stay.

……

Hogsmeade truly lives up to its name as a village.

Ino walked the entire main commercial street, from one end to the other, in less than fifteen minutes.

Moreover, he was strolling slowly, looking around as he went. If he had been rushing, it would have taken even less time.

This also shows that Hogsmeade is not actually that big, or rather, the number of wizards in the entire British Isles has always been very small.

But one thing he was certain of was that no matter how small the number was, it was definitely not the absurd three thousand people.

Even without counting the students at Hogwarts, there were more than just this many people at Hogsmeade in front of him.

Although the commercial street is not long, there are many residential areas nearby, and looking through the windows at the lit-up lights, you can tell that these houses are not vacant.

……

As he strolled leisurely, the entire main street unfolded before him like a beautiful painting.

Before long, Ino spotted the Three Brooms Bar not far away.

Perhaps because of the Christmas holidays, when he entered the bar, he found that there were already quite a few customers sitting there. Although it wasn't crowded, it was a bit noisy.

"Hi! A new face, a handsome and cute young man. Honey, first-time guests here are entitled to a free drink, except for alcoholic beverages, of course. After all, I don't want to receive a yelling letter from your mother."

The bar owner, Ms. Rosmerta, had appeared before them at some unknown time.

"Thank you for your generosity, but I'd like to stay here for a while, until the end of the Christmas holidays. Are there any rooms available?"

Ino responded with a smile, while her gaze inadvertently swept over the other person.

A middle-aged woman who perfectly fits Western aesthetic standards.

Although the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes are a subtle testament to her age.

But the charm bestowed by time and the elegance that comes with the passage of years are qualities that most young women lack.

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(End of this chapter)