The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 386 The Tavern's First Customer: An Old Friend Returns

Unlike the Ministry of Magic, which had its own agenda.

After a quick wash, Ino was already on her way to Potions class.

Now that we're back at school, there are some rules we need to follow.

……

Potions class in sixth grade can already be considered an elective course.

Especially after the OWL exam, unless you're determined to get the ultimate certification, it doesn't matter whether you take the potions class or not.

A year and a half later, when Ino returned to the Potions classroom, she found that more than half of the students had disappeared.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Snape, dressed in a black robe, appeared precisely at the classroom door.

Although Snape's tone and demeanor seemed unchanged, there was still a slight inconsistency.

Ino had already guessed this before the start of the semester: to develop a potion that could counter Horcruxes, it would be essential to use Horcruxes as a reference.

Voldemort's Horcruxes had already been collected by Dumbledore, so in this situation, there was only one way to study them—to create a Horcrux.

This was originally just a personal choice, and he didn't intend to interfere too much, but Snape's condition today was somewhat off.

……

Time passed slowly, and the one-hour potions class was soon coming to an end.

After class, Ino did not get up, but sat in the same place and waited.

As the last student left, the classroom fell silent once more.

"Professor! Something's not right with you," Ino said calmly as she stepped forward.

"I know! But this isn't the place to chat." Snape didn't deny it as he walked out, but picked up his books and slowly left the classroom.

Seeing this, Ino didn't say anything more and followed after them.

……

The Potions Department office is located in the basement of the castle.

"I created Horcruxes, there's nothing to hide about that, Dumbledore knows it too, but he pretends not to..."

In the dim light, Snape's face was somewhat blurred.

"...Actually, you don't need to worry about me. I've already destroyed the Horcrux, so it's inevitable that I'll be weak for a while."

In the office, Snape spoke without any attempt to hide anything.

half an hour.

"Some things aren't about right or wrong, they're just choices."

Ino calmly expressed his opinion, while also feeling relieved. The weakness caused by the destruction of the Horcrux was nothing to worry about; what he feared was other unforeseen events.

"Alright, Professor! I respect your choice, but what I'm more interested in now is how much longer Harry needs to go."

At the same time, as Ino finished speaking, a strange light flashed in Snape's eyes.

"Three months is enough! Actually, he came to see me yesterday after you guys finished talking."

Snape didn't hesitate to point out Dumbledore's behavior.

"Okay!" After receiving the correct answer, Ino didn't say anything more.

His original purpose for coming here was to check on Snape's condition and, incidentally, confirm Harry's schedule. Having achieved both objectives, there was no reason for him to stay any longer.

Now, all we need to do is wait quietly for a few months.

With Ino gone, the Potions office fell silent once more.

In the candlelight on the wall, Snape's face became blurred again.

……

Time always slips away unnoticed.

A week has passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the castle, the excitement surrounding Hermione's resurrection cooled down over time.

Unlike adult wizards, the separation of life and death is still somewhat distant for students.

Saturday morning.

"Blue Lantern, make some more pumpkin juice and butterbeer!"

In the valley's tavern, Hermione stood behind the bar, meticulously wiping glasses while instructing Blue Lantern to make various items.

Compared to Hermione's busy schedule, Ino seemed quite relaxed, sitting quietly in the wine jar, savoring the freshly brewed herbal juice.

half an hour.

As two round wooden barrels appeared behind the bar, Hermione decisively spoke up:

"Ready to go! Ino, you're open for business!"

"Alright!" Ino stood up and closed the tavern door.

……

At the same time.

As the door closed, a mysterious atmosphere filled the tavern, as if time had stood still and everything had slowed down.

I don't know how much time passed, but strange sounds began to faintly drift through the tavern: the sound of wind, the sound of waves, and even a faint, ethereal, and beautiful song...

In this atmosphere, Hermione instinctively shrank her neck.

"Don't be afraid, we're just running a tavern!" Ino said with a light laugh, sitting in a chair.

"I'm not scared, I just find it amazing!" Hermione said defiantly, puffing out her chest.

At the same time, as Hermione finished speaking, a conversation broke out outside the tavern:

"I don't think a tavern in the forest is worth the risk, especially at night."

"But we have no choice but to keep going, and who knows how long it will take to get out of here."

Judging from the voices, it sounds like two young people are talking.

But for some reason, Ino always felt a sense of familiarity, as if she had vaguely heard it somewhere before.

……

"Jacob! We are taking an adventure, but not being reckless," one of the more composed voices rang out.

Upon hearing the familiar name again, Ino immediately stood up.

Jacob Green, William Green, and outside the door stood the Brothers Green, with whom he had once embarked on adventures.

"Do you know them?"

Inside the bar, Hermione asked curiously; she rarely saw Ino with such an excited expression.

"Yes, I know them!" Ino nodded without hesitation. "Those three oak trees in the valley were a gift from them."

After a long time, meeting an old friend again brings a sense of surprise and joy.

Listening to the conversation outside the door, Ino felt somewhat helpless. His tavern only offered passive service; it would only open when someone knocked on the door.

Otherwise, opening the door voluntarily would be tantamount to refusing hospitality.

But right now, the two brothers don't seem to have made up their minds yet, which makes him a little anxious.

……

A while later.

Outside the door, Jacob's voice rang out again: "Suit yourself, I'm not afraid!"

At the same time, a crisp knocking sounded on the door.

"Come in quickly! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you two to knock?"

Ino quickly opened the door and looked out with delight, only to see two familiar faces.

William, with his thick glasses and mature appearance, and Jacob, who is full of energy and liveliness, are standing in front of each other in a dark and mysterious forest.

at the same time.

After Ino finished speaking, the Brothers Grimm stopped talking.

Although Jacob was impulsive, he was not reckless.

He first carefully examined the somewhat unfamiliar young man before him, and after a moment of uncertainty, asked:

"Who are you? Ino?"

"Otherwise what?" Ino replied with a smile, "William wrote me into the story without my permission, and I didn't even charge him for it."

He understood Jacob's caution; after all, so much time had passed, and his appearance and height had changed considerably, so it was normal not to recognize him immediately.

Outside the door, although Ino was explaining, Jacob did not leave the tavern immediately; the previously brave man now seemed somewhat hesitant.

William, on the other hand, who was usually calm and collected, immediately stepped into the tavern.

"It's so good to see you, my friend!" William said, opening his arms wide.

"Me too!" Ino hugged her long-lost friend as well.

After confirming it was indeed an old acquaintance, Jacob immediately made his presence known: "I'm here too! Back in Merchant Town, I was the one who took care of you when you were injured!"

"Haha, I can't forget! So I'm treating you to drinks and candy! This time, there's plenty."

Releasing William, Ino looked at Jacob with equal enthusiasm.

But his gaze inadvertently drifted to the dark forest outside the door, and for a fleeting moment he felt being spied on and harboring malice.

I wrote it three times today: Captain Duncan on Lost Home, Simba in The Lion King... I edited and cut a lot, which took up a lot of time. Sorry!

(End of this chapter)