My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 387, Section 384: Blood Feud

"Harry!"

Hermione screamed out loud.

"Why are you here? Did you run away from school?"

"You've learned stealth?" Ron asked, his face full of interest.

Harry didn't hide anything from them; instead, he told Hermione and the others everything about the Marauder's Map.

Even Lynn's prophecy about him was no exception, because he would need Hermione and the others' help if he wanted to find out who Moonface, Wormtail, Bigfoot, and Prongs were.

"You shouldn't have run out like this! It's very dangerous for you outside the school! That wanted criminal, Blake, is looking for you everywhere!"

"Stop nagging, Hermione, Harry's already out."

Ron, beaming with excitement, put his arm around Harry's shoulder and led him out of Honeydukes candy shop, showing him around the shops on the streets of Hogsmeade.

He was still furious that George and Fred had given the Marauder's Map to Harry instead of his own brother, but now he had completely forgotten about it.

Hermione was still nagging behind them, trying to make Harry realize how dangerous it was for him to sneak out like this, but the two in front of them were like rebellious teenagers, unwilling to listen to Hermione at all.

"I'm going to tell Lynn! Don't forget I'm a disciplinary committee member! I'm also going to tell your brother Percy; they should be able to make you understand the seriousness of this!"

Seeing that the two brats in front of her were ignoring her, Hermione finally lost her temper and used her trump card.

"No way, Hermione, it's almost Christmas, it's a time for us to be happy." Harry blinked at Hermione.

"Yeah, if you expose Harry, how will he explain how he got out? Then the professor will find out about that good stuff," Ron chimed in.

Hermione crossed her arms and glared at them.

"I don't think giving that map to the professor might be a bad thing."

"Are you crazy?" Ron said. "Why would you hand over such a treasure to the professor!"

"If I give it to the professor, Filch will definitely know that George and Fred stole it. How am I supposed to explain that to them?" Harry comforted Hermione, knowing how to soften her heart.

"But if you keep coming out like this every day, someone will find out sooner or later! They know you're not supposed to leave school but you're showing up at Hogsmeade. And what if Black shows up in front of us right now and catches you?"

Hermione also tried her best to persuade Harry to let him go back on his own, since she didn't want to go and tell on him.

"Then he'd have to know Harry's here too," Ron muttered under his breath.

Harry pleaded, "Just one day, Hermione. I'm only out here for one day. Seriously, you have no idea how bored I am all alone in the castle."

In the end, Hermione was persuaded by Harry and the others, and she stared at Harry.

"You said yourself, it's only for today."

Harry raised his hand.

"I promise!"

They first strolled around the streets of Hogsmeade.

This was Harry's first time here. Because it was close to Christmas, wreaths made of holly were hanging on every door, enchanted candles floated on the snow-laden trees, and the cottages and shops were covered with fluffy snow.

This made him feel like he had stepped into a Christmas card.

Harry's appearance this time was very rushed, unlike Hermione and Ron, who were both wearing cloaks and large scarves.

His nose turned bright red from the cold after a short while outside, and he shivered uncontrollably, hugging his arms.

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks and warm up with some butterbeer," Ron said, feeling rather passive.

Although he and Hermione were dressed warmly, it couldn't keep up with the unusually cold weather today.

Ron's suggestion was quickly and readily agreed to by the other two.

They walked into a small bar filled with male and female witches.

The room was crowded and noisy, filled with warm smoke. The three of them felt comfortable as soon as they entered.

Ron stared adoringly at a witch in the crowd, a woman with striking features and a graceful figure, wearing high heels and attending to guests.

"That's Ms. Rosmerta, the owner of this shop. May I go order a drink?"

He blushed slightly when he said the second half of his sentence.

They found an empty table at the back of the pub, and five minutes later, Ron returned with three large glasses of butterbeer.

"Merry Christmas!"

Just as Harry and his friends were happily enjoying their warm beer and drinks, the bar door was pushed open from the outside again.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick entered, followed by Hagrid and a well-dressed, short, stout wizard wearing a dark yellow-green top hat.

Harry immediately hid under the table. If the professors, especially Professor McGonagall, found out that he had sneaked out of the castle, he would be in real trouble.

Harry recognized the wizard as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic who had been brought to his home by Mr. Weasley before the start of the school year for a special conversation.

What followed was a conversation they had in the bar, which was a complete shock to Harry.

During their conversation, they revealed the close friendship between Sirius Black and Harry's father, James Potter, but Sirius ultimately betrayed the Potter family by revealing their hiding place to Voldemort, which led to the tragedy of the Potter family.

They also mentioned Peter Pettigrew, but by the end Harry wasn't listening at all.

His mind was completely blank, and he didn't come back to his senses until the professors and Minister of Magic Fudge left.

Harry didn't even know how he got back to his dorm. He lay on his four-poster bed in a daze, staring blankly at the ceiling. He didn't hear what Ron said while sitting in front of him.

He didn't turn over until Ron left the dorm.

He had photos of his parents' wedding, but he never knew that the best man standing next to his father was Sirius Black, who had escaped from Azkaban and was now hunting him down!

Did Black already side with Voldemort when they got married?

Did he already plan to kill his parents back then?

Harry was in utter turmoil. He was filled with a hatred he had never felt before, a hatred that spread through his body like poison in an instant.

He finally understood why Malfoy had told him back then that he would go find Black.

They all knew, but he alone had been keeping it from himself all along!

And so it went on until that evening, when Harry was half asleep, Neville, his roommate, suddenly burst into the dormitory, panting heavily.

"Ron, Ron has been attacked!"

(End of this chapter)