Magical Studies at Hogwarts

"Stop whispering!" The appearance of Professor Sprout broke the tense atmosphere between Hermione, Harry, and Ron, but it did not ease it, but instead pushed the tension to another level.

She hurried over, with a very serious look on her face, and said sternly: "You are too far behind! Other students have already taken action!"

"Okay, Professor, let's do it now." Ron agreed quickly. Seeing Professor Sprout turn around, he whispered to the two of them, "We should use earplugs to listen to the spell."

"Forget it, let's get started..." Hermione wanted to say something else, but looking at the nervous expressions of the two of them, she decided to let it go for the time being and started to deal with the very lethal stump among them.

As soon as the hand touched the stump, it immediately came to life. Long thorns sprang out, swung around in the air, and attacked the three of them crazily. One fell on Hermione's hair, and Hermione

With just a movement of their fingers, they knocked it back. Harry and Ron struggled to grab the two vines, tied them into a knot, and then pulled them to the side, revealing a small hole.

Hermione didn't hesitate at all and directly stretched her arm into the hole. As soon as she put her arm in, the hole suddenly closed and bit her arm fiercely. Harry and Ron pulled the vines desperately, and then they let go

The hole reopened, and Hermione took the opportunity to retract her arm, holding a pod like the one Neville was holding just now.

"Give me the bowl," Hermione said, and Harry quickly handed over a clean, empty bowl and asked her to throw the pods in.

"Squeeze out the juice quickly! While it's fresh!" Professor Sprout's voice sounded again. Ron grabbed the pod with a bitter look on his face and squeezed it with all his strength, his whole face

All twisted.

"If I have a house in the future, I will definitely not plant this kind of thing in the garden..." Ron gritted his teeth and glanced at Hermione, who had a calm face. His mind turned around and he decisively chose to change the topic.

"By the way, Professor Slughorn is going to hold a Christmas party. Harry, you can't escape this time." Ron said, "He specifically asked me which day you were free so that he could arrange the party."

On a night when you're sure to be there."

Hearing this, Harry smiled bitterly. Professor Slughorn had invited him several times so far this semester, and it seemed that there was nothing he could do this time.

"Are they still those darlings who specialize in entertaining Slughorn?" he asked helplessly.

"Yes, it is held specifically for the Slug Club." Ron's tone suddenly turned sour, "No one else is eligible if they are not invited."

"Have I not taken you there a few times? If you don't want to, you can ask Harry to take you there as a 'guest' next time." Hermione's words made Ron speechless for a moment, but it was obvious that Hermione was just a habit.

It was just a retort, but I didn’t take it too seriously.

Having been classmates for so many years, she knew very well what kind of person Ron was.

During the rest of the time, they did not talk about Slughorn's party, but focused all their energy on fighting those dangerous knotweed vines. Even with strict protection, after the course, they

Still very embarrassed.

Of course, it was much better than Neville. He went directly to the school hospital after class.

There are too many wounds and they need good treatment.

"Wait a minute, there's something else I need to ask you." After class, Harry immediately pulled Ron out, but was chased by Hermione not far away, which made Harry a little worried.

He knew why Hermione stopped him, but because of this, he felt embarrassed. After all, he didn't know much, and he had already told Hermione.

"Hermione, I..." Before Harry could finish his words, he was interrupted by Hermione.

"What is the password to Dumbledore's office?" she asked calmly, but Harry only felt a chill running down his spine.

Faced with Hermione in this situation, he didn't dare to get into trouble again. After receiving the password, Hermione left directly and walked straight to the castle.

Harry and Ron knew very well that she must have gone to find Dumbledore.

"Is something going to happen, Harry?" Ron asked worriedly.

"Probably..." Harry sighed, he didn't know at all.

While the two of them were walking back slowly with worries, Hermione had already rushed back to the castle. She went up the stairs to the eighth floor and said the password to the stone monster in front of the principal's office. After the spiral staircase appeared,

He stepped forward directly.

He calmed down a little at the door before knocking on the door.

"Miss Granger, I've been wondering when you would come over, and it's pretty much what I expected." Dumbledore sat behind the table and said to Hermione, who looked calm, with a smile.

"Professor Dumbledore." Hermione bowed, still maintaining basic etiquette, "I want to confirm something with you..."

"It's about Ms. Julianne." Dumbledore motioned Hermione to sit on the chair in front of him, waved his wand, handed over a glass of honey water, and said, "Yes, that memory was indeed obtained from her.

of."

"You shouldn't do this, Professor." Hermione pursed her lips, with disappointment in her eyes, "Ike is not an enemy, you know it!"

"But in my position, I need to consider more, Miss Granger... I can't ignore any possibility, not to mention that according to the current signs, then..."

"That was impossible. I believe Ike!" Hermione's attitude was very firm, confronting Dumbledore and refusing to give in. "It was you who pushed him far away with your own hands, Professor!"

"I know him. If there is anyone in the world who can make him desperate and leave everything behind, it must be Ms. Julianne."

"Perhaps you haven't discovered that in fact, none of the evil-doing Death Eaters went to Gloucester. They all avoided it... But Professor, you personally broke the secret left by Ike to Julianne.

protection.”

Looking at the angry Hermione in front of him, Dumbledore fell silent. After a long time, he slowly said: "I just did what I should do... If there are any consequences, I will bear them full force..."

"But I don't regret it. This is what must be done."

As he spoke, he paused, pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, and said calmly: "Miss Granger, compared to me, I think you are the one who needs to worry most."

"Me?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"Yes." Dumbledore nodded, "Indeed, I don't know Mr. Stride as well as you do, but I know that he will not let any emotion become a burden to him before completing his unknown goal.

…”

"Otherwise, why do you think he would cast that spell on Ms. Julianne?"

"Compared to Ms. Julian, I don't think you are any heavier in his heart..."

"You're wrong, Professor." Hermione suddenly interrupted.

"What?" Dumbledore looked at the determination on Hermione's face and couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Hermione showed a sweet smile, her expression was full of confidence, and she said firmly:

"In his heart, I am the most important..."

"Always!"