Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 274 Trivial Matters (Part 3)

The twins and Ginny's rooms were on the third floor. As they came up the stairs, Crookshank ran to the innermost small platform and started scratching at the door.

A moment later, Ginny opened the door in her pajamas, and Crookshank left and slipped inside. Ginny looked unwell and was startled by Crookshank. She had just let out a disgruntled shout when she saw Harry and Hermione at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey... Harry, Hermione!"

"Good evening, Ginny." Harry waved and greeted her, while Hermione went straight to Ginny. The two hugged and went inside together.

Just then, Mrs. Weasley came up and helped Harry open the door to the twins' room. She knocked on the wall, and the light inside came on.

"Get a good night's sleep, Harry."

Mrs. Weasley kissed Harry on the forehead and left, making sure to close the door behind her.

The twins' room was very tidy, with Harry's things neatly arranged in the corner. Hedway was released and flew straight over to him, nuzzling him affectionately.

Harry chuckled, patted its head, and let it go. He then collapsed onto the soft bed. Without even taking off his clothes, he put his glasses aside and fell asleep almost immediately.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he faintly heard a sound like something had exploded. The next second, the curtains were pulled open, and blinding sunlight shone directly into his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"When did you get here!" Ron smacked him on the head and shouted excitedly.

"Ron, don't hit him!" Hermione's voice came through the phone, mixed with a snoring sound. Harry didn't need to look to know it was Crookshanks making the noise.

He fumbled around for a moment, put on his glasses, and looked at the excited Ron, a smile spreading across his face.

Good morning, Ron.

"Good morning!" Ron was very excited, sitting straight on the bed and asking loudly, "Tell me, how did it go?"

"What... how is it?" Harry was a little confused by the question.

"You went out with Dumbledore! Tell me, what happened!"

Harry looked at Hermione with a puzzled expression and said, "Didn't you tell him?"

"I haven't had a chance yet," Hermione replied with a smile. "He just heard from me that you were here, so he rushed over."

Hearing their conversation, Ron finally understood. He looked at them suspiciously, his tone full of uncertainty and hesitation.

"You...all went?"

“Yes, Ron, we all went.” Harry threw back the covers, put on his shoes, and said, “And there’s nothing exciting about it. Dumbledore just asked us to help persuade a retired teacher to come back to work at Hogwarts… By the way, his name is Horace Slughorn.”

"Oh... I thought..."

"What did you think?" Harry asked.

Ron paused upon hearing this, then immediately said, "It's nothing, I think so too. After all, Umbridge is gone, and we still need a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, don't we?"

"By the way, what does he look like?"

"Somewhat like a walrus? That doesn't seem very plausible... but it's still better than Umbridge."

"Yeah, nothing could be worse than Umbridge," Ron chimed in.

Just then, a voice came from outside the door, and then they saw Ginny walk in listlessly, looking sullen.

"I know someone even worse than Umbridge! She's driving me crazy!"

"Hello, Harry."

"Hello, Ginny," Harry greeted her, then looked at Hermione beside him, only to see her ask with pity, "What happened to her this time?"

The way she talked to me! It was like talking to a three-year-old!

Harry was completely bewildered. He had only taken a nap, but it felt like an eternity had passed. Hermione had arrived last night too, so how did she know?

Just as he was about to ask Ron, whose face looked rather pale, the door was pushed open again, and a stunning young woman appeared in the doorway. Her golden hair was dazzlingly bright, and under the sunlight, her whole body seemed to emit a faint silver light, just like a beautiful princess in a fairy tale.

However, the plate she was dragging made the scene look a little awkward.

"It's been a long time," she said, and then walked in, followed by an annoyed Mrs. Weasley.

"Long time no see, Fleur." Harry greeted her somewhat awkwardly. Before he could even put his hand down, Fleur placed the plate on the bedside table next to him, then hugged his head and kissed him on the left cheek, followed by a kiss on the right cheek.

"I've been looking forward to seeing you. Do you remember my sister Gabrielle? She's been talking about you all the time. I'll be so happy to see you again."

"Oh...she's here?" Harry looked around, trying to find Gabrielle, but noticed that everyone's expressions were somewhat unnatural.

"No, no, of course not." A bright smile spread across Hibiscus's face, making her look even more beautiful. "I meant next summer... Don't you know?"

"Know...what?" Harry was even more confused.

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "We haven't had a chance to tell him yet!"

"Oh!" Fleur tossed a strand of hair behind her ear, her long, smooth hair swaying gently in the breeze. "Bill and I are getting married!"

"Oh... congratulations then," Harry replied softly. Fleur was even happier to hear this and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead again.

"Bill is very busy, but I only work half-days at Gringotts, so he brought me here to stay for a few days so I could get to know his family better."

"I was so happy to hear you were coming! Alright, enjoy your breakfast!"

With that, she turned gracefully and drifted away like a gentle breeze, softly closing the door behind her. At that moment, Harry noticed that Mrs. Weasley's expression had darkened further.

"Mom hates her," Ginny whispered.

“I don’t hate her!” Mrs. Weasley retorted loudly. “I just think their engagement was too hasty!”

"But... I remember they've known each other for a year now." Harry was a little dazed. He vaguely remembered someone mentioning Bill and Fleur last year, but he couldn't remember if it was the twins or Ron who said it.

“That’s right, but it wasn’t long!” Mrs. Weasley said. “I can understand why. It’s all because of the Mystic. Everyone is in a state of panic, so many things that should have been carefully considered were decided hastily.”

"Bill and Fleur... never mind, let's eat breakfast while it's hot, Harry!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Mrs. Weasley hurriedly left the room, leaving a room full of bewildered people.

(End of this chapter)