Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

“Long time no see,” Hermione replied.

Actually, it wasn't for very long... just a day, no, half a day.

“Just call me Hermione.” Hermione followed the two. “George, is Hogsmeade Village dangerous tonight?”

George and his companion were taken aback for a moment.

“No, Hermione. Hogsmeade is a wizarding community where there is only freedom and life, and it’s close to Christmas, so many wizards stay up all night.”

Fred nodded in agreement: "Actually, many students at Hogwarts stay up tonight too; it's known as Hogwarts's Sleepless Night."

George: "Tomorrow night will be another sleepless night, you know, everyone's looking forward to the holiday."

Starting the day after tomorrow... no, it's already past midnight, so I should say starting tomorrow, it will be a long holiday of almost a month for Hogwarts.

"Come with me, Hermione. Don't lose us. Watch out for the Whomping Willow. If that thing finds out, the whole school will be in chaos. Even the professors will be looking for which troublemaker has left the school."

Hermione caught up with the two.

A secret passage led them away from Hogwarts and to a place Hermione feared.

—The Screaming Shack.

Here, Hermione encountered Mystic for the first time, in a truly meaningful way.

The exaggerated aura, the chilling presence, and the terrifying face were still imprinted in Hermione's mind.

Hermione will never forget the dark green light of the wand that Mystic swung and shouted "Avada Kedavra."

"This is the Screaming Shack," George continued explaining to Hermione.

“I know, I know, let’s go, I don’t like it here,” Hermione urged George and Fred.

On a normal day, the clothing and hat shops in Hogsmeade Village would be closed, but they are open today.

The hat and coat shops were just as bustling at night as during the day, with wizards of all ages buying Santa hats as if they were Santa Claus.

Even Fred and George pulled out comical Santa hats and put them on their heads.

"Hermione, do you need one?"

Hermione: "...No need."

She's just here looking for a suitable gift.

A belt... seems like one is needed.

In addition to the belt, there was also a new pair of glasses.

Winter has arrived, and Mom hasn't changed her gloves in a long time. Last time, Dad was complaining about the poor quality of her leather shoes.

Hermione carefully selected items, even though they were a bit pricey, she had at least a good amount of Galleons with her.

After making her selections, Hermione started to have a headache.

She counted on her fingers.

Two roommates, Malfoy and Harry, parents, and one more...

Hermione couldn't help but recall that person's face.

She has a pretty face, but she's disliked by everyone.

Tom Riddle.

What should I give him?

Tom is such a show-off, maybe we should give him a scepter so he can completely embody the image of an English gentleman.

Look at the price, wow... it's so expensive.

If you can't afford it, try another one.

A top hat? This top hat is not bad; the black surface and material feel very smooth to the touch.

33 Galleons?

Why don't you just rob someone!

“That top hat is a prop used by magicians. Hermione, you should probably look over there.”

"Magician? Isn't that magic?"

George shook his head: "Magic and magic are two different concepts. Hmm... Have you ever met a magician in the Muggle world?"

Hermione nodded. "I know magic. What I mean is, why would a wizard's clothing store—a wizard who uses magic—sell Muggle stuff?"

“Perhaps because…curiosity?” Fred shrugged. “People aren’t interested in what they already have, so Hermione, have you picked out anything suitable?”

Hermione shook her head.

The three exchanged a glance, and George and Fred smiled. "Don't be discouraged. The night is long, it's a long night. The whole village of Hogsmeade will keep you company. Let's keep looking together, we'll find it eventually."

Hermione thought they were right.

Perhaps she was too impatient.

After going around in circles, Hermione finally finished buying the gifts around noon and returned to Hogwarts with George and the others—through the secret passage from the Shrieking Shack.

The night was quiet, and the owls preened their fur with their sharp beaks.

In one of the rooms at the end of the corridor, the three-headed dog yawned.

Two or three small snowflakes fell from the sky. Gradually, the snowflakes became very large, so large that even the willow tree shook itself, scattering the snowflakes off.

Hermione slept soundly that night.

When Hermione woke up the next morning, she washed up and left the dormitory.

Someone had been waiting for her all along.

Malfoy and Harry acted like spies, nudging each other with their elbows, their eyes conveying unmistakable urgency.

In the end, it was the brave Harry who stepped forward first.

Gryffindor students are brave in every way.

"Hermione, Merry Christmas!" Harry handed Hermione the exquisite gift box.

"Oh my god, thank you Harry, this is your gift, please accept it."

Harry seemed to have received something precious. After nodding and bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude, he left with the small box that Hermione had given him.

The box wasn't fancy; it wasn't wrapped in layers or decorated with fancy fireworks, but in Harry's eyes, it was the perfect Christmas present.

Seeing this, Malfoy also stepped forward.

"Granger, Merry Christmas." He coughed twice, a little embarrassed, before handing the things to Hermione.

"the same as you."

Harry and Malfoy blushed to their necks and ran away as soon as they received the gifts.

"Hey, look what Hermione brought you." Harry leaned closer curiously. "A belt? I remember you said you liked belts?"

Malfoy's lips immediately curled upwards, his smile even wider than the Nike swoosh.

"Hermione really cares about me! Harry, look at you."

Harry pursed his lips and opened his own box as well.

A small pair of black-framed glasses lay quietly in the box.

“Hermione really understands me! She knew I needed a new pair of glasses!” Harry exclaimed excitedly. “Hermione must care about me a lot, otherwise why would she send me these!”

"Nonsense, it was clearly me."

"it's me!"

Neither of them would back down, and they started elbowing each other again.

On the other side, Hermione met two people.

Li Su, Tai Rui.

Terry was very anxious, and he ran over quickly after seeing Hermione.

"Hermione, Hermione!" Terry called out to Hermione from afar.

Terry, panting, braced himself on his knees: "Have you seen Tom? Tom disappeared when Li Su went to the bathroom last night."

Chapter 64 A Sleepless Night [Part 2]

Terry and Li Su looked more tense than ever before.

"Have you asked the professor?"

Terry shook his head: "You're the first person we thought of. You and Tom are the closest, Hermione. Don't you even know that?"

"Okay, I'll go ask."

Hermione didn't really take it to heart.

Tom is probably with Professor Snape.

Christmas is a very important day, and given Tom's usual personality, he's probably exchanging gifts with Professor Snape at this time.

If Professor Snape doesn't give him a gift... Tom might resort to force.

After saying goodbye to Terry and the other man, Hermione walked to the door of the Headmaster's office in Slytherin House.

She raised her hand and knocked on the door.

One second, two seconds.

At the third second, the office door was suddenly forced open.

"Soup..." Upon seeing that it was Hermione outside, Snape's face darkened immediately. "Miss Granger, what brings you here?"

"Professor, I'd like to ask if Tom is with you?"

Snape glared at her. "No! You should ask yourself if you took Tom with you."

not there?

This was unexpected for Hermione.