In the Apocalypse, I Can Enter Hogwarts

Chapter 83 The First Appearance of the Phoenix

Seeing the girl's head bowed in silence, Ian, as if possessed, placed his hand on her head and gently stroked her hair like petting a cat.

Hermione's hair looked a bit fluffy and dry, but when he actually touched it, he found it to be exceptionally soft. He felt the wonderful sensation of his fingertips rubbing against the smooth hair, making him reluctant to put his hand down.

Hermione, somewhat sullen, glared at him and said defiantly, "You're just like me, you've only just started learning magic... Don't try to comfort me, I know my shortcomings. It's just a potion, don't worry..."

"Mmm, you're right..." Ian didn't care what she said at this point. Because he had discovered something even more stress-relieving than petting a cat, and that was petting...

"Hey! That's enough, I finally finished styling my hair... And were you even listening to what I just said?"

Okay... you're all flustered, no more petting. Hearing this, Ian lowered his hand and said somewhat relaxedly:

"Of course I heard that, but don't you think everyone is born different? They all have their own areas of expertise and talents, like the talent I've shown in potions, and you have your own talents too, so there's no need to waste your time on things you're not good at."

He regretted it as soon as he said it; he shouldn't have mentioned academic talent in front of Hermione at all, as she was too strong-willed.

"Who said I didn't? I just... haven't been serious lately." Sure enough, Hermione retorted somewhat unconvinced upon hearing Ian's explanation.

Walking side by side with the girl, we wandered aimlessly along the path at the edge of the forbidden forest.

Perhaps because Hagrid often takes care of it, this path, which is about two meters wide, is carefully paved with pebbles of various colors. In the winter, when the flowers and plants wither and the landscape turns yellow and monotonous, this colorful path provides a new hue to this land.

"Let's go rest over there for a while."

Ian pointed to a huge rock not far away, saying that he found the view from there to be excellent, offering a panoramic view of the brightly lit main building of the castle.

He drew his wand, used Transfiguration to transform the two stones into a low stool, and then pulled Hermione down to sit. He asked with some curiosity, "Aren't you afraid of getting caught and losing points for curfew?"

It's no wonder he asked that question; he knew the girl's personality well beforehand, and Hermione shouldn't be playing around like this.

"What? Are you scared? Then let's go back!"

Hermione suddenly got angry, stood up and turned to leave. She felt wronged because she had risked so much to be with him, but he didn't seem to appreciate it.

Seeing Hermione about to leave, Ian quickly grabbed her hand and said fearlessly, "I'm not afraid at all. I don't care if I have to stay here all night..."

He looked at Hermione, who had sat down again, and then said mysteriously, "Actually, no one can catch us?"

"Oh?" Now it was Hermione's turn to be curious.

"Why do you say that? Your Disillusionment Charm won't stop Filch's cat. It has a very keen sense of smell. I've heard them say that more than once in the common room."

"Come on, I'll show you something good." Ian said, pulling a wand from under the lining and raising it to the sky: "Palmtops of the Eye..."

The phoenix finally appeared in the world where it was meant to be.

"Chirp..." A long and clear chirp rang out. A phoenix with an elegant figure, silver body, and wings that spread out in a dazzling display of light appeared at Hogwarts for the first time. It soared freely in the sky above the Forbidden Forest, its clear chirps ringing out from time to time.

Hermione stared at the magnificent and noble phoenix before her, hardly believing her eyes: "Is this a phoenix? I read about phoenixes in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' It belongs to the XXXX magical creatures, it..."

"Alright, Hermione. This is my Patronus. It's not a real phoenix, but it's almost identical to one," Ian interrupted the girl's somewhat disorganized explanation.

"That's why I said no one can catch us breaking school rules, because Phoenix's Apparition isn't restricted by the castle. When you want to go back to your dorm later, I'll have Phoenix take you back to the common room."

Ian didn't care at all about others knowing that he possessed a physical phoenix guardian spirit, partly because he didn't intend to do anything evil.

Moreover, even if he were to do something, given his current resources and strength, unless a three-time bloodline awakener leads the charge—that is, a powerhouse like Voldemort—even a small team of Aurors wouldn't be able to touch him.

More importantly, there was what Hermione had inadvertently said earlier—"They're all laughing at me."

Hermione used "they," which makes it obvious that she was referring to her roommates, or even the Gryffindor girls from other years, who were being sarcastic.

So, Ian really wanted to use the phoenix's wings to do something, or rather, to get something out of it... which is why he chose to have the phoenix take Hermione back to the public rest area.

Given the speed at which information spreads at Hogwarts, these top-notch junior reporters will definitely be able to ensure that all teachers and students understand everything clearly by tomorrow morning.

Even knowing he would be the subject of discussion throughout the school, he didn't care at all, just as Hermione didn't care what the girls said. He stood up for Hermione and didn't care what others said.

"You can touch it." With a thought, Ian's phoenix, which was still soaring in mid-air, instantly appeared next to Hermione and gently touched Hermione's fair neck with its slender beak.

Even with its wings folded, the phoenix, which is a meter long, still looks huge, so much so that Hermione had to hug it with both arms to keep it from falling.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it? I remember the Patronus Charm is a very advanced white magic, and Patronus for magical creatures are very rare. But according to the books, the summoned Patronus shouldn't have a physical form..."

Hermione looked at Ian with some confusion.

"Who knows? Anyway, magic is about creating miracles. If you can explain magic in books, then magic is no longer magic..." Ian shrugged and said indifferently.

Actually, he was also completely clueless about the physical guardian spirit, since Rowling's original work contained very little information about it, almost glossing over it.

He couldn't find any records of this in the library, so he guessed that it was due to his own special characteristics. After all, the phoenix was successfully summoned in the apocalypse, which is different from the guardian deities recorded in the magic world, so it is normal.

Ian and Hermione sat by the Forbidden Forest chatting, sharing the interesting things that had happened during this time.

Time passed quietly, and all around was boundless silence. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow across the winter wilderness, and the crescent moon hung high in the sky like a silver ring.

"Hermione, are you cold?"

Ian then noticed that she was still wearing an autumn pleated skirt, and at the hem of the skirt were the silk stockings he had given her before. However, unlike the white ones last time, Hermione had chosen to wear the semi-transparent light black ones this time.

"I'm not cold," Hermione said, pulling her skirt up with her hand.

Perhaps it really is true that wizards are different from Muggles; he knew Hermione was telling the truth.

Unlike the girl in her previous life who still chose to wear thin clothes even in the cold winter, her skin, exposed to the air in the dead of winter, was covered with visible goosebumps, yet she still forced a smile.

At this moment, Ian only saw a pair of smooth, slender legs, encased in black silk stockings, as beautiful and exquisite as a work of art. He suddenly seemed lost in thought, remembering something:

"Shouldn't we buy Hermione some winter socks...?"

"Let's go, we should go back. You definitely don't want to be late for work tomorrow morning because you can't get out of bed," Ian said half-jokingly.

At this moment, he also had his own thoughts. The main reason was that if it was too late, there wouldn't be many people in the Gryffindor common room, and his plan to slap them in the face would lose some of its luster.

More importantly, he didn't want Hermione to stay here with him in the cold winter wind. Even if Hermione was willing, he couldn't bear to do it. After all, there would be plenty of time in the future.

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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)