The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 347 Black Lake in Winter

"Oh my god..."

Hermione covered her mouth and let out a soft sigh of surprise.

Inside the four-inch gift box was a set of jewelry that shone with a soft moonlight.

The first thing you see is a beautiful necklace with a chain made of fine silver threads, and a polished, teardrop-shaped moonstone pendant hanging below.

Although it was daytime, the moonstone still shone with a mysterious glow. The light was faint, like a gentle dream in the night sky, elegant and beautiful, easily evoking images of a romantic stroll under the moonlight.

Next to the necklace were a pair of rings made entirely of moonstone.

In contrast, the ring's craftsmanship is much simpler, consisting of a straw-like pattern embossed on a polished moonstone.

However, Hermione stared intently at the simple pair of rings, her eyes wide, while the more beautiful necklace was subconsciously ignored at that moment.

……

a long time.

"A straw ring..."

Coming to her senses, Hermione murmured softly, but quickly raised her head haughtily, pretending to be nonchalant as she said:

"I actually gave you one too, but you never wore it. I guess you've received a lot of them, and I don't know where you threw the one I gave you."

Although her tone and expression seemed nonchalant, Hermione's slightly red eyes and upturned lips seemed to silently convey that she was not at peace.

"I haven't even thrown away the straw ring!" Ino chimed in, sighing softly.

"No matter what, those things are other people's sentiments. However, they are ultimately just standard products, while what I give is unique."

"For example?" Hermione smiled slightly, her eyebrows curving upwards, as if expecting an explanation.

"You can put on your necklace before you answer!"

When Hermione asked the question, Ino didn't answer directly right away. Instead, he pointed to the necklace in the box.

"Don't underestimate it. I used almost all of my alchemical knowledge in its creation."

"Did you make all of this yourself?" Hermione's expression changed again.

If just now it was a slight smile, now it's a genuine, beaming joy.

"Yes, I did it all! Including the raw materials!"

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Hermione picked up the necklace without hesitation. The silver threads passed through her fair neck and were connected by the necklace's hidden clasp, giving rise to a sense of warmth and tranquility.

Even when you're standing on a lake in winter, even when snowflakes are falling from the sky, you can't feel the cold at all.

"What is this?" Hermione looked up in confusion.

"The alchemy techniques not only provide protection against cold and heat, but I've also added many other benefits..."

Ino introduced them one by one as if they were his own treasures.

Compared to the ring, the moonstone necklace is the piece he truly put a lot of effort into.

Not only were many ancient runes inscribed, but also, according to Nico's notes, a trigger magic—the Ironclad Charm—was added to the necklace.

……

moment.

"I prefer the straw ring!"

Although the necklace was more practical, Hermione still expressed her preference cleanly and decisively.

"Alright! I'm glad you like it." Ino smiled and spread her hands, then looked at the gift box in Hermione's hand.

"I sent you your Christmas present early, but shouldn't you give me a gift in return?"

Following Ino's gaze, Hermione looked down and saw a ring that was clearly a size too big in the box.

Hermione subconsciously pursed her lips, then smiled gently:

"Yes! I'll give it to you now, Mr. Swinburne!"

……

It seems that a pleasant conversation can always make people forget the passage of time.

Outside the castle, on the vast, calm lake, a small boat drifted gently, moving without any wind.

The snow from the sky was falling heavier and heavier.

On the small boat, Hermione leaned comfortably against the wooden beam at the bow where an oil lamp hung.

Although her movements and expressions were very casual, her gaze always unconsciously fell on her right hand, where a moonstone ring was prominently displayed on her slender, fair fingers.

Similarly, while admiring her own ring, Hermione also glanced at Ino's palm, where there was a ring of the same design.

Seemingly thinking of something interesting, Hermione chuckled softly and quietly extended her palm.

As the two rings slowly approached and touched each other, snowflake-like specks of light appeared around them.

The cold, sharp points of light resembled stars falling from the night sky.

Such a scene should have been beautiful, but Hermione seemed to be in a playful mood.

She would always abruptly pull away the moment the starlight appeared, causing the halo to flicker and vanish in an instant.

To be honest, it wasn't a very interesting game, but Hermione was having a blast.

On the small boat, Ino saw this scene and smiled silently.

Hermione's behavior reminded him of his past self.

He played the fire-starting spell in the bridge archway, a little game that resembled a lighter, for two hours with great enthusiasm.

……

A while later.

The brief period of playfulness came to an end.

Hermione raised her hand to smooth her hair, and said seriously:

"There are still three months left for FLU, I don't know if it will be enough for the second game."

"Felix Felicis?" Upon hearing the name, Ino was taken aback for a moment, but quickly remembered what Hermione had said; it must be the Felix Felicis being brewed in the Room of Requirement.

"Speaking of potions! Professor Snape always seems so rushed lately, is he still giving you extra lessons?"

Ino casually remarked that the unexpected turn of events in the first match seemed to have spurred Snape on.

Although Harry eventually proved to be fine and was not questioned by the Ministry of Magic, Snape was like a tightly wound alarm clock, rarely seen except during Potions class.

"Professor Snape? He hasn't paid any attention to me since school started." Hermione shook her head gently.

"According to him, once I can brew Felix Felicis on my own, there's nothing more he can teach me."

……

On the small boat, the two chatted casually about Snape.

Meanwhile, Snape, the protagonist of this story, is currently locked in his office cubicle.

As the secret chamber that once imprisoned Peter Pettigrew, its level of secrecy is self-evident.

The room is not very big, probably only about ten square meters.

The room was quiet and dimly lit, with only a burning candle providing faint illumination.

On one side of the room, against the wall, is a row of storage shelves filled with various herbs that are half-processed. Opposite these herbs is a round stone table.

The table wasn't very large, about two feet in diameter, and on it sat a boiling crucible.

Beyond the stone table where the crucibles were placed, at the far end of the room, there was an even more spacious long wooden table.

Snape sat at the table, seemingly facing some problem, his brow furrowed as he flipped through a large, old-fashioned book.

Beside the large, open tome lay a book with a black cover, exuding a somber atmosphere. The cover bore the words "Unveiling the Secrets of Cutting-Edge Black Magic" in bright red cursive script.

And this chapter will be around nine o'clock.

Because there was really no time to spare, Xiaodi could only delay a little.

Sorry everyone!

(End of this chapter)