In the Apocalypse, I Can Enter Hogwarts

Chapter 101 Christmas Dinner

Ian and Hermione chose the standard school departure time, which was the morning of December 24th. However, considering that today was Christmas Eve, they didn't rest for long after returning home before starting to tidy up and decorate the house.

All the Christmas decorations that Mr. Granger had bought in advance were hung in various corners of the house, and of course, the highlight of Christmas—the Christmas tree—was also present.

Unlike the plastic imitation Christmas trees Ian had seen before, Mr. Granger bought a whole pine tree that had been cut down and pruned, about 2 meters tall, with a special base at the bottom for fixing it in place.

This task, which clearly required height and strength, was naturally accomplished by Ian and Mr. Granger together, while also hanging all sorts of colorful lights, small bells, and other trinkets on the tree.

Just then, Hermione appeared in the living room wearing her fluffy bunny slippers and said to Mr. Granger, "Dad, I think you should go help out in the kitchen right now. Mom was just complaining to me that the turkey you bought is too big, and she can't cook it all by herself."

Upon hearing this, Ian also planned to go to the kitchen with Mr. Granger, since it wouldn't be appropriate to do nothing while visiting someone else's home.

Just as he was about to stand up, a fair hand tugged at his sleeve.

Seeing Ian's surprised expression, Hermione suddenly turned her eyes to the side and said somewhat casually, "Let them do it. You don't have much experience, and it's very troublesome. Every year, my dad goes to the kitchen to help with the cooking. It's good to give them some private space."

He was persuaded by Hermione's last words. Indeed, with the couple busy in the kitchen, it wasn't appropriate for him, an outsider, to go and help.

"Okay, you're right."

Hermione nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Ian listened to her advice. Then, she said mysteriously, "Have you ever seen a dragon? You know, a living dragon, the kind that breathes fire and runs around biting people."

"A dragon?..." Ian was stunned. No wonder he hadn't run into her at the auditorium restaurant for a while. It turned out that the girl had quietly gone to Hagrid's place.

However, he couldn't really say anything about it, since Hermione was independent and free, and respect was the best way to get along with her.

Although he knew what Hermione was talking about, he didn't intend to point it out. Playing with the girl for a while wasn't bad either. Then, looking bewildered and somewhat surprised, he said:

"A dragon? I've never seen one before. Have you? That's so cool!"

"Haha, I'll take you to see it sometime." Hermione replied with a smile, feeling a sense of peace seeing Ian looking a little dazed.

Half a semester at Hogwarts had transformed her from the naive and ignorant girl she once was. Snape's favor, her unparalleled talent in potions, her unique physical Patronus, and even an interview with the Daily Prophet.

And then there's what Angelina mentioned in the common room a while back: Ian's outstanding performance in the Transfiguration Club, with Professor McGonagall even acknowledging his potential to win the Best Newcomer Award. Not to mention, on the train today, she learned that he's going to publish a novel.

All of this made her feel somewhat insecure, and for a moment, she felt that Ian was very far away from her.

The other person was like a fledgling eagle spreading its wings for the first time, slowly soaring into the sky, while she was still playing alone on the lawn. That sense of distance, which was clearly visible yet gradually increasing, made her feel powerless.

But looking at Ian in front of him now, the sense of distance gradually disappeared, as if they had returned to their first encounter on the train, that feeling of being within reach.

Thinking of this, Hermione just quietly looked at Ian, and as if possessed, reached out to grab him... She had no other thoughts; the girl's mind was simple, she was just afraid that Ian would distance himself from her again.

Seeing Hermione suddenly become quiet, and her slender, pale hand gradually approaching him, he was completely confused about what was going on. He just stared at the hand getting closer and closer...

Perhaps it was the silence between the two that made all the sounds around them clearly audible, for Mr. Granger’s heavy cough suddenly came from the kitchen, instantly pulling Hermione back to reality.

Then... the girl lowered her head, somewhat at a loss, completely unsure how to explain her actions just now.

"Ha, you noticed too? Just like yours, it's an alchemical prop made by Professor Dumbledore." He looked at Hermione's cheeks, which were slightly flushed with embarrassment, and could only come up with this far-fetched reason for her.

As he spoke, Ian took off the silver openwork ring hanging around his neck and placed it in the other person's fair palm. In both his past and present lives, he disliked wearing rings, so he always wore this item as a necklace by stringing it together.

Hermione instantly broke free of the spell and visibly returned to normal. The girl said with absolute certainty, "Yes, that's it. It's so beautiful."

Hermione seemed to suddenly realize something, then asked with some curiosity, "Why don't you wear it on your hand?"

"I'm not used to wearing rings; it always feels like they're binding my hand," Ian said honestly.

Hermione, upon hearing this reply, said somewhat seriously, "Your thinking is wrong. Rings should be worn on the hand. You need to get used to it; this is very important."

As she spoke, she took Ian's right hand and carefully compared it with the ring, saying, "You've always held your wand in your right hand, haven't you? Hmm... this size is just right."

Without a word, Hermione untied the ring's cord and slipped it onto Ian's right middle finger, then carefully put the cord away. After doing this, she said somewhat hesitantly, "I'll go check on their dinner preparations."

Ian watched the girl's retreating figure with a hint of speechlessness. In his mind, the idea of ​​men wearing rings on the left and women on the right was deeply ingrained, and a boy wearing a ring on his right hand didn't mean anything.

……

Before long, Mrs. Granger had prepared the Christmas dinner, and the four of them sat down at the table together.

Seeing Hermione's family praying at the dining table, Ian followed suit and started doing the same.

After the prayers were over, they began to eat dinner. Although it was not as extravagant as the Hogwarts dinner, it was still quite sumptuous. First was the traditional Christmas main course, roast turkey, served with roasted potatoes, brandy cream sauce, and cranberry sauce.

Next came the other side dishes, including grilled salmon, fried cod, and pies with various fillings, while dessert consisted of raisins and pudding. Of course, to celebrate the holiday, Mr. Granger also opened a bottle of Glogi wine.

Glogi is a type of red wine that originated in Finland and later became popular in Europe, becoming the best wine to pair with Christmas. It contains blackcurrant, apple juice and cinnamon sticks, and has a rather strange taste, perhaps due to Finland's geographical location. In any case, it is meant to be drunk hot.

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(P.S.: New book, please add to your favorites, recommend, invest in, and vote with monthly tickets.)

A heartfelt thank you to all the readers! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The seedlings need your help and support!

(P.S.: New book, please add to your favorites, recommend, invest in, and vote with monthly tickets.)

A heartfelt thank you to all the readers! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The seedlings need your help and support!

(End of this chapter)