Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 379, Section 377: The Rain Never Stops

The night is long, and the stars are shining brightly.

Hogwarts Castle is an inky black with a serene blue hue.

There were hardly any people in the corridor.

Only a few members of the Castle Cat Club occasionally passed by.

They chattered excitedly, their words filled with envy for Harry and Ginny's dream experience.

Unfortunately, Christmas has passed for so long, and they still haven't made any progress whatsoever.

The black cat that held the key to good fortune no longer visited anyone's dreams.

It's as if the story of the past was just a beautiful dream.

The Wizard's Book and the Soul Relics hung on Sheen's chest, swaying gently in the breeze.

Justin and Hermione walked briskly beside him.

The crown was destroyed.

Their faces beamed with undisguised joy—even though Voldemort might return, seeing them like this...

Fight, fight, and fight some more, and Voldemort may never come back.

However, they also have many questions.

"Hordealts, Voldemort's means of resurrection, what...what's the underlying principle?"

Hermione asked cautiously.

Sheehan paused, shook his head slightly at Hermione, and did not answer.

As described in "The Poisonous Magic," this is a topic that should not be discussed.

Even Headmaster Dumbledore, when necessary, only told Harry and his two friends.

After all, it's the allure of immortality.

Such a secret is best left buried in the hearts of those who are hard to sway.

"Hermione, please, Sheehan isn't omnipotent. Perhaps we should ask Headmaster Dumbledore about this?"

Justin blinked.

Hermione remained silent. In truth, both she and Justin understood one thing: Sheehan most likely knew; he always knew more than anyone else.

Whether this was due to his exceptionally keen insight or his profound thinking ability, the result was that he knew a number of secrets comparable to those of Headmaster Dumbledore.

If the Hogwarts Cat Club were to put up a banner saying that the Lucky Black Cat knew everything about Hogwarts Castle and was the true embodiment of Hogwarts Castle, then they could no longer agree.

But this also means that he thinks more than they do.

If Sheen is unwilling to talk about it, aside from a little disappointment, Hermione and Justin are left with only their usual trust.

As curfew approaches, members of the Castle Cat Club are gradually and dejectedly returning to the corridors.

The three walked quietly, occasionally hearing Lady Lorris's meows and the rustling of castle armor.

"Guys, cheer up! We've stopped the Dark Lord from returning once again."

Justin glanced at Hermione, who was lost in thought, and Sheehan, who was quietly reading, and said something with a hint of excitement.

"Yes, once again."

Hermione was thinking about many things. If someone were to count them, they would know that in just over a year, they had already clashed with Voldemort three times.

Each time, there was an immense danger.

This undoubtedly made her wonder if Hogwarts was really the safest place.

If so, then why do they always look so disheveled every year?

From Voldemort's possession of Professor Quirrell to his infiltration, to Voldemort's diary, and finally to the tarnished crown by Voldemort...

She saw that horrible, smoking head.

She had no doubt that if Sheen hadn't been fully prepared, that thing would have caused enormous destruction.

"The result was that we won once again."

Justin said.

"But what if one day...we lose?"

Hermione remained silent for a while before asking, her gaze never leaving Sheehan.

The little wizard walked quietly, the moonlight stretching his shadow long.

"Then we'll lose together."

Justin smiled, finished speaking slowly, and strode after him.

Hermione stood still, her lips pressed tightly together, and then quickly followed.

At this moment, Hogwarts Castle no longer had a headmaster or professors, only the three of them.

This winter, accompanied by the fireplace and books, I reiterate my unwavering determination time and time again.

The night was growing increasingly dark.

A snowy rain began to fall outside the castle.

But the wizards here don't care about the rain.

Because their lives have been constantly filled with rain.

……

There will be a holiday of more than three weeks for Christmas.

During this holiday, the young wizards played happily, and the newly published Grimm's Notebooks allowed them to learn the homework without any effort.

Of course, it would be great if a Mr. Green could just write down the answer directly, so that they could even save the step of understanding.

Inside the Hope Hut.

Hermione looked curiously at the notes she had helped compile; the Daily Prophet said they were good enough for the Ministry of Magic to include, and the Ministry was reportedly actually considering it.

As she stepped into the house carrying the book, she noticed that Sheen, also carrying a book, and a surprised Justin were standing in front of her.

"Yes, this is what Hope House truly looks like..."

Sheen held the Book of Ghosts, which he often read, and while he had anticipated the changes that had occurred at Hope Hut, he was still slightly surprised.

Not to mention Hermione and Justin, who returned to school early.

"What a big kitchen."

Hermione sighed, somewhat bewildered.

Before her, the Hope Cottage had undergone a dramatic transformation, although the main structure, which they had decorated, remained unchanged. However, a small door had been added at the back, leading to a large kitchen.

It was warm and polished to a shine.

It was fully equipped with all sorts of facilities: an automatic stirring pot on the fireplace mantle, various ovens placed beside the swirling flames, and countless ingredients piled up on the gleaming rack adorned with ribbons and small lanterns...

On top of the refrigerator in front of the shelf was a breakfast pudding: a huge pile of whipped cream, with violets sprinkled with powdered sugar... A large piece of roast meat sizzled in the oven.

There was even a small garden where seasonal flowers bloomed profusely even in winter.

Sheen naturally knew this was a place for a meal, but he was more interested in the unexpectedly appearing ingredients than the small garden.

"Mr. Owl, is this from the Hogwarts kitchen?"

Sheen asked.

His voice rang out, and it was only then that Justin, beaming with happiness, and Hermione, stunned, noticed the owl painting that had entered the room.

"It's obvious that I took it from the portrait—"

"Mr. Owl said, tilting his head back."

"Oh, is that so?!"

Justin suddenly realized.

"...Hopelessly stupid."

The owl portrait should have known that this guy always trusted owls too much.

"But the kitchen staff won't..."

After the initial surprise, Hermione felt a little worried.

"Foolish little wizard—your requests are utterly insignificant..."

The owl image snorted and then curled its lip.

(End of this chapter)