Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 137 London

Ike's vacation was very simple and unpretentious.

It was unusual for Ike to only take the Ravenclaw manuscripts out of the school; he didn't spend much time on studying and research. He spent most of his time with Julianne, often followed by a few little ones.

Bibi Flavored Beans are very popular with these kids; these candies, each with a different flavor, bring a lot of joy to the children.

Normal flavors like milk and chocolate are looked down upon, but flavors like booger, chicken liver, or even rotten meat are considered heroes.

Anyway, Brother Ike said these were normal candies, and they never considered that they might be real boogers, chicken livers, or rotten meat.

"That's quite rare, little Ike." Julianne and Ike sat together on a bench in the garden, watching the group of little kids laughing and playing not far away, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"What's wrong, Julianne's mother?" Ike asked, puzzled.

“It’s been three years, and this is the first time I haven’t seen you lock yourself in your room since you went to that school,” Julianne said. “You always seem so busy, pushing yourself so hard.”

"But child, many problems can't be solved by rushing. Taking a break like this might actually be better."

Ike didn't speak, he just nodded. He didn't know how to bring it up with Julianne.

There's too much, too much that I can only keep inside...

"By the way, Julianne, I might be going to London in a few days," Ike said.

"Oh? So early this year? You've only been back for half a month."

"No, I just made a promise with my classmate that I'd visit her during the holidays..."

"Her?" Ike swore he'd actually seen Julianne's eyes light up for a second. "Your classmate? How old is she? What do her parents do? How did you two meet? And how did she invite you?"

Ike stared blankly at Julianne, and even though he was mentally prepared, he was still taken aback by Julianne's appearance.

"Stop, stop, Julian's mom." She quickly interrupted Julian's interrogation-like manner, "I'm only going for a few days, I'll be back."

"Come back? You're actually coming back?" Julianne suddenly raised her voice, attracting the attention of the group of playful toddlers nearby. "You think you can come back after just one holiday?"

"If I don't come back... then where am I supposed to go?" Ike never expected this reaction.

"The world is so big, you can travel together!" Julianne said. "Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, there are so many places in England, go and see more..."

"this……"

"You need to take the initiative, little Ike!" Julianne's expression suddenly turned serious. "Boys have to be more proactive!"

"But... fine, I'll listen to you." Ike gave up immediately; he didn't want to continue this topic.

"Mommy Julianne, did Brother Ike find a girlfriend?" a little kid suddenly asked.

"Of course, little Bert..."

Ekko fled immediately.

Back in his room, he wrote a letter and had Skye deliver it. That evening, he received Hermione's reply.

Without hesitation, he asked Julian for leave and boarded the train to London early the next morning with his suitcase.

As soon as Ike stepped out of the station, he saw Hermione.

And next to her was Mr. Granger, who looked very serious.

"Hello, Mr. Granger." Ike quickly extended his hand, which Mr. Granger shook with a scrutinizing look, nodded, said "Get in the car," and walked out first.

"I don't know what's wrong with Dad. He's been like this ever since I told him you were coming yesterday." Hermione was clearly distressed; she still couldn't understand her father's behavior.

Ike didn't care; he used to be the same way and had been complained about a lot for it. Although he didn't have that idea yet, in Mr. Granger's eyes, it made no difference.

"Come on, I've come to rely on you." Ike followed after him, carrying his suitcase. "Anyway, I'm not going back to Gloucester; Julianne kicked me out."

"It's okay, you can stay at my place for now." Hermione's voice softened. "I happen to have an empty room; it used to be used to store odds and ends."

"Mom started tidying up last night, and it was almost done when she came out this morning."

"This...isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Ike suddenly hesitated. After all, it's one thing to invite someone out to play, but it's quite another to have them stay at your house.

"It's okay, Mom's really happy," Hermione said. "Now we can study and read together, and I promise I won't lose to you next semester!"

Seeing the little witch's enthusiasm, Ike smiled and nodded.

"Okay, there's something I'd like to show you too."

"What is it?"

"You can't say that now, wait until your family..."

Once in the car, for some reason, Ike and Hermione suddenly became well-behaved, sitting upright in the back seat with their eyes fixed straight ahead.

They drove all the way to the outskirts of town, where Mr. Granger parked his car directly in his driveway.

"You must be Ike. I've heard Hermione mention you all the time." Mrs. Granger seemed very happy, carefully looking Ike over. Mr. Granger, who had previously looked unfriendly, also smiled for some reason.

"Come in, child, your room is ready." Mrs. Granger reached out to take Ike's suitcase, but Ike quickly stepped aside.

He didn't seem to mind and chuckled a few times.

"Oh, right, it's right across from Hermione's room." Suddenly, she even winked.

Hermione blushed slightly at those words and, taking advantage of Mrs. Granger turning around, kicked Ike in the leg.

It was a little heavy, but Ike could only bear it and follow behind Hermione into her house.

Pushing open the door to the room prepared for him, Ike felt a surge of surprise.

It's very clean and tidy, without too many fancy decorations, which makes it obvious at a glance that it's a boy's room.

As soon as Hermione put her suitcase on the ground, she brought a vase from her room. Inside was a small, lush tree of some unknown species. Jimmy was sitting on the branch and reached out his hand when he saw Ike.

Just as Ike was smiling and taking Jimmy from him, Crookshan jumped over and rubbed against Ike's legs.

"It has never been this close to me before." Hermione said with a hint of sadness, which made Mrs. Granger's smile even wider.

"You must have a lot to say, so we won't disturb you. But don't get too absorbed in it, we're going out for lunch."

"Thank you, Mrs. Granger."

"Alright, goodbye, Mom." Hermione waved her hand, pushed Mrs. Granger out of the room, and closed the door behind her.

"Quickly, take that thing out and let me see it!"

"This won't do." Ike shook his head with a smile, laid his suitcase flat and opened it, and stepped inside to Hermione's astonishment.

"Come in, I'll show you my secret!"

(End of this chapter)