The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 360 Shocking Change, Soul-Stealing Curse

It seems that nothing in the world is unchanging.

If we really want to find something that remains constant, then the only constant is that everything is in flux.

At Professor McGonagall's insistence, Ino has been staying at the school clinic for two days.

Although there were visits during this period, Madam Pomfrey turned away more than 90% of them, including Minister of Magic Fudge, for the simple reason that the patients needed rest.

Of course, Ino tacitly approved of this rejection.

He didn't care much about fame and fortune; all he wanted was to live a good life and make it more interesting.

This is why, after inventing the video mirror, they gave up a lot of profits; essentially, they were just too lazy to manage it.

With Mrs. Pomfrey now in his way, he is even more pleased to have some peace and quiet.

……

The second floor of the castle.

A quiet, private 10-square-meter ward.

Surrounded by pristine white walls, it resembles a tranquil world blanketed by the first snow of winter, pure and reassuring.

Sunlight streamed gently in through a carefully designed, sun-facing window, draping the small space in a golden veil and dispelling all the gloom and chill.

Beside the window, a carefully tended hydroponic hyacinth is blooming elegantly, with several blue or purple flowers clustered on its slender and upright stem.

The petals sway gently, releasing a faint fragrance in the harmony of the breeze and sunlight, bringing a sense of peace to the soul.

In the hospital room, Ino leaned against the bed alone, her gaze fixed on the hyacinths in the vase, a bouquet sent by Hermione.

As he quietly gazed at the bouquet, the image of Hermione with tears streaming down her face flashed through his mind; she was probably genuinely terrified.

Despite his repeated explanations, Hermione remained defiant.

As a result, Hermione was present in the ward for most of the day.

Ino simply let things take their course.

He understood Hermione's stubbornness. Just like now, even though she could have asked Blue Lantern to cook lunch, the girl chose to go to the Great Hall herself to get the food, because Blue Lantern only knew how to cook flower cakes.

In fact, as the lamp spirit in Grimm's Fairy Tales, the Blue Lantern's abilities are beyond doubt. In the story, the soldier even sent the Blue Lantern to the palace in the middle of the night to kidnap the princess...

As for the flower cakes, one can only say that Blue Lantern adhered to his regulations and basic principles. He didn't use anything from outside the Sanctuary Valley; otherwise, there really wouldn't be any dish you couldn't get in this world.

Thinking of the shelter, Ino suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for this world.

The battle at Hogsmeade made him clearly aware of his shortcomings: he had enough area-of-effect damage, but lacked high-end abilities.

If he's dealing with weaklings like orcs, even two Voldemors tied together wouldn't be a match for him. But if he encounters a powerful enemy, the result is quite the opposite.

He lacks the decisive power to deliver the final blow.

The annihilation of ice and snow is a trump card, but it is still essentially a group spell.

Ino also had his own plans regarding the Great Annihilation; he didn't intend to use it unless he reached the level of the White Witch.

Moreover, as a magic that indiscriminately destroys all living beings and is indiscriminately used, it would likely surpass Voldemort and make him a true dark villain.

To be honest, although Voldemort frightened many people, he didn't actually kill that many people; a few hundred at most.

……

In the quiet hospital room, Ino leaned against the bed, quietly pondering her future path.

He did get a little cocky for a while, and while he did surpass over 99% of wizards, Voldemort taught him a good lesson.

"Knock knock! Knock~"

As he pondered, the familiar knocking sounded again.

"Today we have sausage and mashed potatoes, and shepherd's pie," Hermione said, walking in with a smile as she carried lunch.

"Oh right! And there's the freshly printed Daily Prophet! It's the same old praise and denigration; it seems like they can't write anything else..."

After putting down her lunch, Hermione sat naturally on the edge of the bed and began rattling off the news from the newspaper.

"Or... let me see!" Upon hearing Hermione's words, Ino subconsciously frowned.

After taking the newspaper, the bold headline on the front page made him frown even more.

Yesterday's Flowers! The Fall of the Black Boss!

……

In the quiet hospital ward.

Hermione also noticed something different; Ino's silence after taking the newspaper left her somewhat puzzled.

She seemed to be making fun of the Daily Prophet, but she was also proud of what it said, as it was praising her boyfriend's excellence.

"What's wrong? Is something the problem?" Hermione asked softly.

moment.

Ino closed the newspaper in her hand and said easily:

"It's nothing, I just feel like Fudge thinks everyone's an idiot! And..."

As he spoke, he then turned to Hermione's neck.

On her fair and delicate skin, there was a silver thread, which was the chain of the moonstone necklace.

"You think someone is targeting me?" Hermione's eyes flashed with realization.

In fact, she understood the problem as soon as she noticed where Ino's gaze was directed.

After all, what couple would stare at someone's neck? The only explanation is the moonstone necklace with defensive capabilities.

Ino was slightly surprised by Hermione's keen insight, and after hesitating for a moment, he decided not to hide it.

"That's how it started! After all, the newspapers were a bit too harsh on Voldemort; you know, Death Eaters are all extreme. But after all, I had an agreement with him..."

That being said, his only concern was that the time frame was too short. After all, only two days had passed, and some hidden Death Eaters probably hadn't received the news yet.

However, since Hermione is currently at Hogwarts, there's no need to worry too much.

Everything will be fine by the end of this semester and during summer vacation.

Moreover, subconsciously, he always felt that Fudge had some ulterior motives, and that he was very skilled at playing the game of flattering the powerful and belittling the weak.

……

A few minutes later.

Ino finished explaining the contents of the agreement, without hiding anything.

To be honest, although this matter is somewhat shady, it's not exactly a secret, and those who are interested will eventually find out.

"Phew! Actually..." Hermione sighed, her tone somewhat conflicted.

But after thinking it over and over, she still didn't know what to say. Her first thought was of her parents in London. Putting herself in their shoes, it seemed that there was no better solution than compromise.

"Don't worry about it! His biggest mistake was giving me time!"

Ino said reassuringly, while gently patting Hermione's hand.

……

At the same time.

A burly figure walked towards them from afar in the corridor on the second floor of the castle.

The sight of such a conspicuous figure caused Mrs. Pomfrey to stop her planned rounds.

In the past two days, she has seen many students like this, who always try to sneak into the ward under the guise of seeing a doctor.

Today, however, she was somewhat surprised. The man was tall and burly, yet he couldn't even fake being sick.

Despite her inward disapproval, Mrs. Pomfrey dutifully asked:

"Child! Is there anything I can do to help you?"

But this time, her response was not the usual stammering.

"Out-of-body experience!"

A cold voice rang out, and Lady Pomfrey stood there, utterly dejected.

Xiao Di's sharing today: Hit Wizards (a battering technique)

Strikers are a group of wizards specially trained by the Magical Law Enforcement Team, responsible for arresting dangerous criminals. Although their function may seem to overlap with that of Aurors, Strikers are actually more inclined towards armed combat than criminal investigation.

To become a striker, you need to obtain at least five 0.WL certificates, one of which must be Defense Against the Dark Arts. A striker must also be calm and collected.

Batters receive a minimum monthly salary of 700 Galleons and are entitled to use a private bed at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries. In 1993, Fudge stated that perhaps only batters could catch Sirius Black, who had escaped from Azkaban.

(End of this chapter)