Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

The day to go home finally arrived, and early in the morning, John boarded the Hogwarts Express with his friends.

The group chatted about their holiday plans in the car.

Since the Quidditch World Cup doesn't start until the end of summer vacation, they still have to enjoy their holidays as usual for the first month and a half.

Of course, if one day a brilliant idea comes along and invites the others, they will most likely go.

"Hey, look! My dad's in the newspaper!"

Inside the private box, Titus suddenly raised the Daily Prophet in his hand with delight.

Today's front page of the newspaper features news reports about the Quidditch World Cup, along with a photograph of an animal.

The photo shows Minister of Magic Fudge, Director of International Magic Cooperation Barty Sr., and Director of Sport Ludo Bagman, posing for a picture next to a golden trophy.

The caption below the photo reads: "The magical sporting extravaganza—the Quidditch World Cup—is about to begin! Teams from around the world are ready to go, and the eyes of the magical world are all focused on it!"

The three people in the photo are all smiling, and team flags can be vaguely seen fluttering in the background.

These are likely just promotional photos arranged by the Ministry of Magic to report that preparations for the Quidditch World Cup are complete.

However, they did not see Titus' father in the photograph.

"Where's your dad? I can't see him."

Ryan asked, somewhat puzzled.

"That's it? Just that back view!"

Titus pointed to the corner of the photo, to that very tiny figure from behind.

The group was taken aback. After looking closely, they realized that the figure did indeed resemble Mr. Crowe.

John was somewhat speechless; Titus had managed to spot such a small figure from behind.

No wonder he's my own son.

John took the newspaper and began to read its contents.

This is a newspaper that they subscribed to together. The newspaper is delivered to Hogwarts every week, and then they read it together.

We each ordered our own during the holiday, since we weren't together.

Most of the newspaper articles were about the preparations for the World Cup, and the content was quite detailed.

Aside from that, there wasn't anything else particularly special; it was just about magical incidents happening in various parts of the Ministry of Magic, and the appearances of some strange beasts.

John flipped back to the front page of the newspaper, his gaze falling once again on the group photo.

Fouché, as minister, stood in the center, while Barty and Ludo stood on either side.

Fudge's smile looked very kind, like a friendly uncle next door.

Ludo Bagman's smile was even more radiant, his beaming face revealing an undisguised excitement.

Old Barty's smile, however, was very formal and lacked warmth, as if he was merely maintaining an expression while fulfilling some kind of duty.

I always felt that Old Batty's demeanor was somewhat different from what I had seen in the newspaper last semester.

But John couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

If I can't explain it, I won't say it.

John stopped thinking about it, handed the newspaper to Ryan across the street, and looked out the window at the scenery.

......

The train soon arrived at King's Cross Station.

John and his friends dragged their suitcases off the train. They had agreed to keep in touch by writing letters during the summer vacation, and then each headed toward their parents who had been waiting for them.

John walked all the way outside the station, intending to go straight home.

Anyway, he's only a few steps away from home, and his parents won't come to pick him up.

As soon as John arrived outside the station, he saw his mother chatting happily with a couple he recognized.

John paused for a moment, then quickly walked over.

As he got closer, he recognized the couple as the Grangers.

"Hello, Mom, and hello to all the uncles and aunties."

John called out to the group, and Mrs. Merrick turned around with a smile on her face.

"You're back, son! Let Mom see you."

"Hmm, you've grown taller, that's good."

As John's mother spoke, she looked her son up and down, her eyes filled with pride.

Mrs. Granger chimed in with a smile, "Yes, little John has grown quite a bit taller since I last saw him. I reckon he'll be taller than our daughter by next year."

Upon hearing this, John put his hands on his hips and said smugly.

"No need for next year, next semester is fine, Auntie."

Upon hearing this, the three parents exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from behind.

"You think you're the only one who'll grow taller, and I won't?"

Hermione appeared behind John, carrying a suitcase in one hand and a cat carrier in the other, with a familiar smile on her face.

John was no longer willing to complain about the problem that had arisen behind Hermione's back.

Hermione simply winked at him playfully, then greeted her parents and Mrs. Merrick.

Mrs. Merrick was happier to see Hermione than to see her own son.

"Hermione, you're finally back! Auntie has been waiting for you for so long."

John, standing to the side: ? ? ?

Weren't you here waiting for me?

Mrs. Merrick hugged Hermione affectionately, as if she were her own daughter.

Even the Grangers could only shake their heads with helpless smiles.

Although Hermione was a little unaccustomed to this treatment, she still smiled and responded to Mrs. Merrick's hug.

After Mrs. Merrick released Hermione, she took the luggage from her hands and shoved it into John's hands, saying, "John, take this, don't let little Hermione get too tired."

Then he grabbed Hermione's hand and said to her with a smile.

"Come on, little Hermione, let's come visit Auntie's house."

Hermione looked at her parents, who smiled and nodded.

It's clear that the two families had already discussed it beforehand.

Hermione then smiled and agreed.

Then Mrs. Merrick took Hermione's hand and beckoned the Grangers to cross the street together.

John was left standing there alone, carrying his luggage, staring blankly at the departing figures of the others.

?

......

John only found out later.

It turns out that since meeting the Grangers last time, both sets of parents have gotten along very well and have been in frequent contact and visits, gradually becoming familiar with each other.

They had arranged to visit Merrick today and have dinner there.

It's right next to the station, so it's very convenient.

The elderly father couldn't attend because of work, but he rushed over as soon as he got off work.

The two families enjoyed a pleasant dinner together, and afterwards the parents sat around in the living room chatting.

John and Hermione, meanwhile, hid in the room, staring at each other blankly.

To be honest, this was Hermione's first time entering John's room; she hadn't been there at all before.

Hermione looked around. The room was simply furnished, without much decoration, and very clean.

Of course, this tidiness was most likely cleaned by Mrs. Merrick.

John ignored Hermione's wandering gaze, since he didn't have anything shameful hidden in his room.

He hugged the orange and lay down on the bed.

My bed at home is still the most comfortable.

Big Orange was already used to John's squeezing and twisting. It just lazily rolled over and, imitating John, lay on his chest, revealing its furry belly.

John gently scratched the big orange's belly, his eyes closed, a little tired after a day of driving.

Hermione, on the other hand, was examining a picture frame on John's desk.

That was a photo of John and his family taken during a family trip.

John was only 7 years old at the time. Instead of being held by his parents, he stood between them, making a peace sign and smiling brightly, his face still chubby from being a baby.

It took John several years to accept his new parents' situation after he first transmigrated.

Gradually, I opened my heart and completely treated myself as a child, enjoying this hard-won second childhood.

Hermione looked at John in the photo and chuckled softly.

"You were quite cute when you were little."

"Just kidding, I've been handsome since I was a kid."

John didn't open his eyes and shamelessly replied, to which Hermione rolled her eyes.

She looked at John and Orange lying on the bed, smiled, and sat down beside John's bed.

Reaching out, I touched the big orange's belly. The big orange squinted its eyes in enjoyment but didn't move an inch.

Hermione said to John in an annoyed tone.

"I finally made it to your house as a guest, and you're just lying in bed sleeping?"

"Who's sleeping? That's called resting."

John said lazily.

Hermione shook her head helplessly, looked around the room, and it seemed there wasn't much to see.

She glanced at John, then at the empty edge of the bed beside him.

After hesitating for a moment, she lay down on the bed next to John, staring at the ceiling.

She was also a little tired, and gradually closed her eyelids.

The room fell silent. John sensed Hermione's movements but didn't react.

Both of them closed their eyes, and their breathing gradually calmed down.

After some time, Mrs. Merrick's voice came from outside the door.

"Hermione~ Your parents are calling you back, how about we let you stay here tonight...."

Mrs. Merrick spoke as she pushed open the door, but stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence.

She saw two adorable children sleeping peacefully together, with the big orange cat lying between them.

When the orange cat saw someone enter, it lazily opened its eyes, yawned, and then squinted its eyes again, clearly displeased with the disturbance.

When Mrs. Merrick saw this, she immediately covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling, her heart melting with tenderness.

After watching for a while, she belatedly left the room and gently closed the door behind her.

After leaving, she turned and jogged back to the living room, then put her hands on her hips and smiled at the Grangers.

"Your daughter is staying here tonight! No discussion!"

The Grangers: ?