A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 586 I'm not giving it to you anymore.
With final exams fast approaching, a tense atmosphere pervades the entire Hogwarts.

The lights in the common room went out later and later each day, the bright lights illuminating the students' tired but determined faces, while various stimulants and memory supplements with unclear effects were frequently traded in the shadows.

The arcade machines that are usually crowded with people have been unusually quiet these past few days, as if they've become mere decorations.

No one had time to touch them. Even the most playful Fred and George were buried in thick stacks of textbooks. Their final exam results were related to how much Charles had invested in them. Seamus was also studying hard because Professor McGonagall had revealed that it was impossible to make a student who failed the exam a warrior. The common room was filled with the sounds of turning pages and quills scratching on parchment.

That night, the Gryffindor common room was so quiet that only Crookshanks' snoring could be heard. Hermione was still sitting in her usual chair, focused, with several thick books in front of her.

Her brows furrowed slightly as her gaze swept through the dense lines of text. She occasionally picked up a quill pen to take notes, and sometimes her lips moved slightly, as if she were silently reciting a spell.

The door to the common room suddenly opened, and a red-haired head cautiously peeked in. Ron warily scanned the entire room, and only after confirming several times that a certain dangerous person was not there did he tiptoe over to Hermione's side.

He walked as lightly as Crook Mountain, as if afraid of disturbing anyone, his face showing a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Hermione was engrossed in studying a book about alchemy, and when she encountered something she didn't quite understand, she frowned slightly.

Suddenly, a rich and enticing aroma of butter wafted over, carrying a hint of sweet caramel.

Hermione was studying an alchemical reaction when a fragrance wafted into her nostrils. Her delicate nose twitched, and she turned to ask, "What is it?"

His voice carried a hint of anticipation and curiosity.

Ron had already opened the box in his hand and said in a low voice, "It's butterfly cookies, bought from the cake shop recommended by Miss Delacour."

Several golden, butterfly-shaped shortbread cookies lay neatly in the cardboard box. The distinct layers of pastry glistened under the light, and the surface was sprinkled with glistening sugar granules, making the aroma even stronger, as if it had filled the dull air of the entire lounge with sweetness.

Charles's takeaway shop at Hogwarts only had branches in the UK and Ireland. After the Triwizard Tournament began, he launched a new international sourcing service for foreign guests, allowing the elves to travel abroad to purchase goods, with higher delivery fees.

Although the service is supposed to be only available to foreign students, given Harry and Dobby's relationship, Ron could easily buy foreign desserts.

Ron picked up a butterfly pastry and handed it to Hermione, glancing around before whispering, "Eat it quickly, before Charles finds out."

Things are different now. Charles is back. Although Professor McGonagall said he was away on business for the Ministry of Magic, she didn't know when he would finish his work, but she was sure he would be back before the final exams.

Hermione inserted the bookmark, closed the book, took the butterfly pastry, and her eyes shone with the light of rubies seeing salted egg yolk char siu.

"Thank you," she said softly, offering a brief smile that curved her eyes.

“I’ll keep watch for you,” Ron said nervously, glancing at the doorway and lowering his voice as if he were plotting to overthrow Dumbledore and become headmaster himself. “Eat quickly, it’ll be bad if he suddenly comes back.”

His eyes were filled with vigilance, and his ears were perked up.

Before she could finish speaking, Hermione had already taken a bite.

The crisp sound was particularly noticeable in the quiet lounge, echoing with a snap.

She ate while nervously glancing at the door, looking like a thief in the act, her cheeks slightly flushed and a few sugar granules on the corner of her mouth.

Ron nervously looked around, fearing that Ruby might suddenly appear with someone, as that was the only way in besides the main gate.

Just as Hermione was about to swallow the last bite, a familiar voice rang out behind her as if it had been timed perfectly: "What will happen if I find out?"

The voice was deep and calm, seemingly tinged with curiosity. Hermione was startled, choked, and quickly pounded her chest, her face turning bright red.

Ron jumped up in fright, almost knocking over the pile of books on the table, only to find that Charles had somehow appeared behind them, arms crossed, with a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Merlin’s beard!” Ron exclaimed, his voice rising an octave. “Where did you come from?”

He took a step back, as if he had seen a ghost.

Charles shook his head and sighed, "Ron, go get her a glass of pumpkin juice first."

He was speechless. Although he had made arrangements beforehand not to let Dobby buy her so many sweets, he had overlooked the fact that he could ask Ron and the others to help him buy them.

As a result, during the time she pretended to be captured by the goblins, Hermione ate sweets non-stop, and when she came back, it was obvious that she had gained three pounds.

Ron hurriedly ran to the corner drink table, frantically poured a glass of pumpkin juice and handed it over.

“Sigh,” Charles sighed. “I was thinking you haven’t had any sweets lately, so you bought a lot of chocolates in Moscow. Looks like you’ll have to give them all to Ginny.”

Hermione took the pumpkin juice Ron handed her and gulped it down in one go. Without hesitation, she reached out to Charles, her eyes widening even more than Dobby's, her chin slightly raised, as if demanding what she rightfully deserved, displaying an uncompromising attitude.

Charles raised an eyebrow, took a few bright red cherries from his bag, and placed them in her palm.

It's cherry harvest season in Germany, and he bought two tons on his way back. He just delivered some to Fleur and Erica, and after Ruby has had her fill, he'll send some to Gabrielle tomorrow. The rest he'll have Dobby and the others make into jam to send to employees at Falbaddon Castle, the air fryer factory, and the internet company. He'll also send a couple of bottles to various acquaintances.

There was no particular reason; I just did it because I thought of it.

Hermione stared at the few bright red cherries in her hand, then glanced at the bag of chocolates Charles had clearly hidden. After handing the cherries to Ron, she reluctantly stretched out her empty hand again, pouting.

Charles's lips curled into a slight smile. Crookshanks flew over, placed it in Hermione's hand, and then disappeared.

“This is quite sweet.” Ron ate one. “Do you want some?”

Hermione put the bewildered Crookshank down, stared at the boys' dormitory staircase where Charles had disappeared, and stomped her foot angrily.

"give me one."

Although the chocolate is gone, the cherries are nice too.

The next day at breakfast time, the auditorium was filled with the aroma of bacon and toast, and the students were chatting animatedly.

Hermione watched as Charles beckoned Ginny over and handed her two large, beautifully packaged bags of chocolates.

As Ginny happily unwrapped the chocolate and took out a piece of chocolate wrapped in purple paper, Hermione stepped on Charles's shoe without hesitation.

Charles gasped, surprised that the Ironclad Curse had actually broken through his defenses, and flinched back in pain.

Hermione snorted and turned to Harry to talk about the pre-class preparation for today's Transfiguration class, as if she hadn't done anything at all.

The students around them immediately realized that the two of them must be up to something again, and they couldn't help but chuckle, bringing a bit of joy to their tense exam preparation life.

(End of this chapter)