Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 145 is pink.

"Cough cough..." Ike suddenly choked and coughed a few times.

Seeing this, Mr. Weasley asked, "What's wrong, Ike?"

"It's nothing, I just choked a little."

He then asked, "You just said Rita Starkey was hospitalized for several months? What happened?"

"Don't you read the Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked, somewhat surprised.

"I rarely watch it." Ike shook his head. His knowledge of major events in the magical world, apart from his precognition, was limited to Stuart's irregular broadcasts. In fact, even many things that happened at school were told to him by Stuart.

"Around June of last year, Rita Starkey was admitted to the Enchanted Injuries Department of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries for some reason, and she wasn't discharged until just before Christmas," Hermione explained.

"Nobody knows why she was hospitalized, but I have to say, the Daily Prophet was really... how should I put it? Very clean during that period," Bill chimed in.

"That woman has been even worse since she was discharged from the hospital!" Percy said angrily. "Last week she even said we should have focused all our efforts on eradicating vampires!"

"Alright, Percy," Mr. Weasley said, putting down his newspaper and interrupting Percy, "we're in trouble. We need to get back to the department."

"I'm unlikely to have any free time these next few days."

"Arthur, this has nothing to do with your office, does it?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "That's Scrimgeour's business. Besides, don't you guys eat lunch?"

"No one can escape responsibility; we were all there." Mr. Weasley casually threw on his coat and picked up his hat. "It's too late. I don't know when I'll be back tonight. Don't wait for me."

"I'll go with you, Dad." Percy followed, and they left with Mr. Weasley.

"By the way, Mrs. Weasley, did Hedway send me any messages?" Harry suddenly asked after the two left.

"Letters? No, my dear, not a single letter." Mrs. Weasley looked at the door that was slowly closing after Mr. Weasley and Percy left, still somewhat dazed.

Ron looked at Harry curiously, while Harry winked and said, "Ron, can I go to your room to tidy up my things?"

"Okay... I'll go too." Ron answered without hesitation. The two had only taken a few steps when he suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Hermione.

"Hermione, what about you?" Harry asked.

Hermione immediately agreed, but stopped after a few steps and looked back at Ike. Ike waved his hand and then went upstairs with Harry and Ron.

"So, you two are officially a couple?" Fred asked, plopping down next to Ike with his cup in hand.

"I think so. Didn't you see the way they were looking at each other just now?" George said, sitting down on the other side, with the two of them sandwiching Ike in between.

"Honestly, you two are fantastic, first and second in your age group, perfect!"

"That's right, and you even saved Hermione yesterday! Tsk tsk tsk, a hero saving a damsel in distress, just like in a novel!"

This topic clearly piqued everyone's interest. Bill and Charlie, who had originally planned to take a nap, both turned their heads to listen. Ginny, in particular, rested her chin on her hands, ready to hear the gossip. Even Mrs. Weasley seemed interested; although she appeared to be busy by the pool, her slightly turned body betrayed her.

"Actually... I don't know either, we didn't talk about this." Ike was taken aback by this situation and shrugged in response.

"What do you mean we didn't talk about this? You're living together!" Ginny suddenly became agitated, her face flushed red with laughter.

"No! We... each have our own rooms."

"Tsk tsk tsk"

"Tsk tsk tsk"

The twins clicked their tongues in unison; they didn't believe Ike's explanation at all.

"Ike, I think you need to be braver. Boys should take the initiative in these kinds of things," Mrs. Weasley said.

"But..." Ike was about to say something when Fred interrupted him.

"But what? When she comes down later, you can invite her for a stroll in the garden. You can throw goblins together. Trust me, it's a great activity!"

"That's right! It's perfect for confessing your feelings!" George chimed in.

Fred was about to say something when he was suddenly glared at by Ginny. Turning around, he saw Ron standing at the top of the stairs with an unfriendly expression, while Harry looked somewhat at a loss.

As for Hermione, she was fidgeting with the hem of her clothes with both hands, her head slightly lowered, making it impossible to see the expression on her face.

"Ahem, are you guys getting ready for Quidditch with those brooms?" George shouted, standing up and patting Fred on the shoulder. "I think you need us, along with Bill and Charlie, making it three against three!"

"No...that's right!" Harry glanced at Ron beside him, agreeing as he pulled Ron down. The twins, along with Bill and Charlie, surrounded Ron and rushed out of the house, shouting and yelling.

"Darling, we need to go check on things. I don't want those rascals to make a mess of my garden." Mrs. Weasley wiped her hands and pulled Ginny, who was ready to listen to more gossip, away as well.

Only Ike and Hermione remained in the house.

"Did you have a fight? With them?" Ike pulled Hermione to sit down at the table and asked softly.

"No." Hermione shook her head.

"You can't hide your feelings; they're written all over your face. I can tell," Ike said with absolute certainty. "You can tell me about them."

"Ike..." Hermione's hands began to twist the poor hem of her clothes again, and she remained silent for a long while.

Ike silently fiddled with his teacup until he finished the black tea inside, but Hermione still hadn't spoken.

"Actually... I can guess a little," Ike said slowly. "Harry and Ron, they're your best friends. But Ron has always..."

"So, he said something rather serious to you just now, didn't he?"

Seeing Hermione nod slightly, Ike continued, "I'm sorry to have put you in this difficult position..."

"No, Ron is a complete idiot!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, her eyes fixed on Ike.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Ike waved his hand. "He's not wrong, I'm not wrong, and you're not wrong either. Only time will tell."

"Besides, I think we have something more important to discuss..."

"What is it?" Hermione seemed to have a vague sense of what was going on, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

"You've probably heard some of what Fred and the others were saying earlier."

"Actually, I also want to know..." Ike suddenly didn't know what to say, scratched his head, and unconsciously blushed a little.

Hermione's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint in them, and she leaned forward, bringing her face close to Hermione's.

"What do you want to know, Ike Streid?"

"I... wanted to ask if... you would be willing..."

Suddenly, a cold touch came to his face. When he looked up again, Hermione had already run out the door, leaving Ike alone in the room.

She got up, went outside, and naturally leaned against the door, watching Hermione whispering to Ginny.

For some reason, a smile appeared on his lips.

(End of this chapter)