Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 146 The Sinful Little Hand

"I can't take it anymore! Percy wasn't like this back then!" Ron complained to Harry in the living room, looking at the two people leaning against each other outside the window.

"They're just reading together, Ron. It was the same thing in the library," Harry said.

"That's different!" Ron retorted.

"How is it different?" Harry asked. "Aren't we both reading books?"

"To be honest, I really don't understand why they're so fascinated. I don't even know what those books are about."

Ron looked at Harry with a disappointed expression, hugged him tightly, pointed to the two people outside the window, and said, "They're boyfriend and girlfriend now! So this is really not good."

"I know," Harry replied, "but what's wrong with it?"

"You! Me!" Ron was speechless for a moment, then sighed, "I feel like I've been deeply hurt..."

"Alright, alright," Harry reassured her. "Maybe we can go for a couple of laps on our broomsticks, or you can ride my Firebolt."

"Really?" Ron's attention was instantly drawn to it.

"certainly!"

The two of them excitedly called on the twins, grabbed brooms, and rushed out of the room.

Soon, excited shouts came from the sky. Hermione closed the book, propped her head up, and watched them fly around in the sky.

She turned to look at Ike, who was still reading, and sighed silently.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ike asked casually upon hearing the sigh.

"It's nothing, go read your book!" Hermione replied irritably. "I'm going to find Ginny."

Ike smiled as he watched Hermione run away. He knew perfectly well why Hermione had sighed, but there was nothing he could do; flying was his only weakness.

Three years have passed, and Ike is still only at level 1 in broom control. This makes it very clear that he really has no talent in this area.

.........

The day before school started, Mrs. Weasley took everyone to Diagon Alley to buy textbooks for the new semester. Ike and Hermione, who had already bought theirs, spent almost the entire morning at Florin's Ice Cream Shop.

After finishing three large boxes of ice cream, the two of them tacitly gave up the idea of ​​getting another one.

As it turns out, you can get tired of eating too much ice cream.

After leaving the ice cream parlor, the two strolled around Diagon Alley. As they passed the Transcendental Clothing Store, Ike suddenly remembered something and asked, "Hermione, do you have a dress?"

"A formal dress?" Hermione shook her head. "No, Hogwarts doesn't require formal dresses."

Ike naturally took Hermione's hand and led her inside.

The Outerwear Shop is a high-end clothing store in Diagon Alley, where Hogwarts robes and various formal wear are much more expensive than those from Madam Malkin's Robes Shop.

Of course, the styles and quality are also much better, and customization is accepted.

Having secretly made a small fortune at the World Cup without Hermione's knowledge, Ike naturally opted for a custom-made piece. At 300 Galleons, it received "special treatment" from the shop owner.

"Please wait a moment while I take your measurements and we can discuss the styles," the plump proprietress said with a smile. "Of course, after I've finished serving these new students."

After a flurry of activity, the two finally finished the complicated measurement and selection process. After paying, they left with two enchanted cards.

Looking at the card in her hand that had "35" written on it, Hermione asked in confusion, "Why do we have to buy a dress, and such an expensive one at that, and even make us wait half a month?"

"You didn't know?" Ike smiled mysteriously. "I thought you knew we'd be using this this year."

"This year?" Hermione became serious. "Ike, is there something you haven't told me?"

"Say it!"

"No, no, no, this is a surprise." Ike shook his head, dodging Hermione's grabbing hand. "And you'll find out by tomorrow night at the latest."

"Trust me, you'll be so glad we had your dresses made here."

"Alright, I'll let you off the hook for now." After thinking for a moment, Hermione decided not to investigate the matter further.

They strolled around for a while longer, and around noon, the two met up with Mrs. Weasley and the others at a junkyard, and together they returned to the Burrow. The next day, they went to King's Cross Station early in the morning.

After boarding the Hogwarts Express, Hermione and Ike didn't separate; they went into a box together, and Harry and Ron naturally followed. This arrangement surprised Stuart and Terry, who had searched several times before finally finding Ike.

"What are you doing...?"

"That's right, just like you think." Ike showed a smug look, which resulted in a small hand landing on his waist.

"If you don't mind, you can stay here too." The force applied to her hands didn't diminish Hermione's radiant smile.

"Is...is it okay?" Terry hesitated.

"Of course, we know each other," Hermione laughed, then turned to Harry and Ron across from her. "Right, Harry, Ron?"

"That's right, that's right." The two immediately agreed while taking the luggage from Stuart and Terry, and enthusiastically pulled them to sit down.

With Stewart around, there's no need to worry about awkwardness, and there's no shortage of topics to discuss. The recently concluded Quidditch World Cup and the riots on the night of the final are the best topics to talk about.

Ron loudly recounted what he had seen and heard that night, leaving Stuart, who hadn't been allowed to be there, completely bewildered. Terry, who had gone, knew Ron was exaggerating, but he listened with great interest.

As Ron recounted how the Ministry of Magic's subjugation of the Nigerian giant elephant had captured almost everyone's attention, Terry quietly asked Ike, "About this holiday?"

Ike didn't answer, he just nodded. Terry immediately gave him a somewhat perverted smile and secretly gave him a thumbs up.

Naturally, another wicked little hand landed on Ike's waist.

In the afternoon, Neville, Michael, and Seamus also came over, so Ron enthusiastically told the story of the Quidditch World Cup again.

Malfoy also arrived, but surprisingly, unlike in previous years, he didn't argue with Harry and the others. He just gave a haughty snort and left with Goyle and Clark, which surprised Harry and Ron, who were still planning to exchange blows with Malfoy again.

The final night wasn't a very enjoyable one.

Finally, the train slowly slowed down and stopped at the dark Hogsmeade Station. As the doors opened, the passengers, who had already changed into their robes, disembarked one by one.

It was pouring rain outside, and the wind was chilly. Ike naturally raised his wand to hold up a large umbrella for him and Hermione, while Hermione held the whimpering Crookshanks close to her side.

The two of them carried their suitcases lightly behind them, looking incredibly relaxed, completely unlike Harry, Stuart, and the others who were soaked in the rain.

"Hey, Ike! Can't you make the umbrella bigger?" Stuart's shout was still clear amidst the booming thunder.

"Guys, repeat after me..."

"Everything's sparkling clean! Hahaha..."

Watching Ike and Hermione walk away, Stewart suddenly said to Ron, "Honestly, I'm starting to understand why you hate him."

"What? Who? How did you know?" Ron asked in surprise, wiping the rain off his face.

"Ike, everyone knows that," Stuart said, lifting his heavy luggage and sighing. "Gentlemen, let's go. This is too much to bear!"

"Let's go, let's go..." Harry echoed, and quickly followed.

Ron was left behind, still wondering about what Stuart had just said.

"Really... does everyone know...?"

(End of this chapter)