The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 415 Christmas 1996

On Christmas Day.

Even distant London was enveloped in the festive atmosphere.

Even the busiest people on weekdays, including the prime minister, will choose to stop working on this day and have dinner with their families.

As middle-class dentists, the Grangers would start preparing dinner as early as morning.

11:00 AM.

After washing up, Hermione walked downstairs with some trepidation.

Because of her recent busy schedule, she forgot to tell her parents about Ino's Christmas invitation after returning home last night.

In the living room on the first floor.

Mr. Granger sat on the sofa as usual, reading the day's newspaper, with a cup of black tea that had long since gone cold on the coffee table.

"This is really outrageous, another new virus?"

Mr. Granger folded the newspaper in his hand and threw it heavily on the coffee table, seemingly venting his dissatisfaction.

"What can we do? The environment is so badly damaged now." Seeing her father's anger, Hermione plopped down on the sofa next to her.

Although she was talking about environmental issues, she was thinking about something else entirely.

In the month or so that Ino was away, the initial experiments on the medicine targeting wolfsbane had already been completed.

The subject of the experiment was Professor Lupin, who volunteered to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

To this day, Hermione still remembers the scene.

Professor Lu Ping, who is usually kind and reliable, couldn't stop the tears from flowing when he looked directly at the full moon for the first time.

She had great respect for this werewolf professor, not only for his serious teaching, but also for his character.

Despite having gathered a certain number of wandering werewolves, he was the first to step forward when faced with an untested potion.

"They followed me out of trust. The werewolves are already pitiful enough; I can't betray that trust."

Whenever Hermione thinks of Lupin's words, she feels genuinely lucky.

Fortunately at Hogwarts, they finally found a truly reliable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

She was also fortunate about the potion she had created. That night, witnessed by Snape, Dumbledore, and others, Lupin stared at the full moon without transforming.

The medicine was successful, and the wolfsbane was completely eradicated.

But before they could celebrate, Dumbledore stopped them, even demanding that they keep the matter a secret, explaining that there were still many werewolves hidden among the Muggles who needed to be treated.

After some explanation, Hermione agreed with this approach.

As a wizard raised in a Muggle family, she knew very well that the power of werewolves combined with firearms was far greater than the sum of its parts.

Therefore, it can only be done quietly and unnoticed, as Professor Dumbledore suggested.

Today, upon seeing this news, Hermione instinctively thought of Dumbledore's scheme.

By contacting the Muggle Prime Minister in the name of the Ministry of Magic, they could create a new virus out of thin air to deceive the werewolves, paralyzing them and distracting them.

Wizards and Muggles will work together to arrest and try them one by one. Those with problems will be convicted directly, while those without problems will have their memories erased after drinking a potion.

The plan was finalized, but it required a massive supply of potions, which is why Hermione was so busy.

That's why she didn't have time to tell her parents about Ino's Christmas invitation last night.

Thinking of this, Hermione turned her head slightly, glanced apologetically at her mother busy in the kitchen, and then whispered:

"Dad, I need your help with something..."

……

After half an hour.

"You actually forgot something so important? Why didn't you forget yourself?"

"You went to school? Anyone who didn't know better would think you went to Africa to pan for gold. You came back from vacation and slept until eleven o'clock. How tired must you be..."

Hearing her mother's scolding, Hermione resolutely lowered her head and remained silent.

Beside him, Mr. Granger acted like a wooden puppet, sitting blankly on the sofa as if he were deaf.

After a while, Mrs. Granger seemed to have gotten tired of talking, and her voice noticeably decreased in volume.

Hermione seized the opportunity and carefully said, "Mom, I've already prepared the gifts! Besides, there's no need for this between me and Ino..."

However, her words caused the clouds that had dispersed to gather again.

"No need?" Mrs. Granger's voice rose again: "Do you even know what relationship management is...?"

Seeing that another storm was brewing, Mr. Granger decided not to stand still. He first coughed lightly, then gestured to Hermione to look at the clock on the wall.

"If you're not feeling well, go to the hospital or take some medicine! Why are you coughing here? She's just following your example..."

Seemingly noticing that there was another person nearby, Mrs. Granger immediately shifted her focus.

"Mom, although I really want to continue talking, there's just not enough time."

While her mother was distracted, Hermione finished reciting her prepared speech in one breath, while also pointing to the alarm clock on the wall.

Before I knew it, the alarm clock had already pointed to 1 p.m.

It seems that in middle age, the people who understand each other best are still husband and wife.

Following her father's instructions, Hermione steered the conversation toward time, and the dark clouds that had just gathered vanished without a trace.

"Then hurry up and get ready, what are you all waiting here for?"

Mrs. Granger personally concluded the conversation, then stood up and walked towards the bedroom on the second floor.

As Mrs. Granger disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Hermione looked wearily at her father, who gave her the same helpless look.

After exchanging a smile, the two began their respective preparations.

……

Compared to the scenery in the morning, Hogsmeade at dusk is breathtakingly beautiful.

The afterglow of the setting sun intertwined with the newly lit lights, casting a soft and mysterious glow over the entire village.

On the streets, all sorts of adorable snowmen are decorated, some dressed in wizard robes, others wearing Santa hats, and holding wands or candy, as if welcoming every visitor who steps into this magical land.

These magical snowmen not only add to the festive atmosphere but also bring a smile to people's faces, making them feel warm and joyful in winter.

Ribbons and various decorations danced in the wind, entwining themselves among the branches, on the eaves, and even in the hair of passersby, adding a touch of liveliness and vitality to Hogsmeade.

But the most eye-catching sights are the magic lamps scattered throughout the village. Some hang under the eaves, while others float in the air, emitting a soft yet dazzling light.

……

Ino stood alone at the entrance of the manor, quietly gazing at the scenery before her.

Bathed in the glow of the lights and the setting sun, the entire village seemed to transform into a dreamlike fairytale world, a place that people would never want to leave.

With a screeching sound, a double-decker bus stopped in front of him.

Merry Christmas, Ino.

Ticket seller Sampak skillfully opened the door and leaned against the door frame, speaking enthusiastically.

Ino couldn't remember the last time he rode the Knight Bus, but he was still familiar with Sampak; the other man's humorous sales techniques were always unforgettable.

Merry Christmas, Sampak!

Ino responded with the same enthusiasm, and at the same time, he could see what was inside through the open car door.

Mr. Granger looked pale, and Mrs. Granger and Hermione were still full of enthusiasm.

As expected, this book is now nearing its end.

However, Xiao Di will not leave out any of the necessary explanations, and many plot holes will be filled in. Although the story is not long, at least there will be no regrets.

(End of this chapter)