The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 69 The Returning Train

The train was traveling in the early morning when the first light of dawn was just breaking, and outside the window, fields and hills were rushing by.

Inside the cubicle, Ino quietly gazed at the scenery outside the window.

He boarded the train full of anticipation, heading towards the fairytale-like Hogwarts.

Now, a school year has passed in a flash, and we are leaving again on the same train.

Everything seemed the same, but Ino knew that many things had undergone tremendous changes.

Although, due to the inertia of fate, Quirrell, or rather the remnant soul of Voldemort, was ultimately defeated by the magic of love, Gryffindor also managed to turn the tide despite being far behind.

Slytherin's seven-peat was ultimately unsuccessful.

However, some minor details have also changed.

……

Turning to look at the train compartment, Malfoy was still Malfoy, but Goyle and Crabbe had been replaced by Pansy and Daphne.

Knock knock knock!

The door to the cubicle was pushed open.

"Children, would you like some candy?"

"Of course, madam! We'd like some," Ino said before anyone could refuse.

Although he had piled up too many candies and snacks in his box, buying them from a shopping cart and buying them from Honeydukes were two completely different experiences.

It's like the moon in your hometown, always rounder than the one outside.

After paying one gallon, Ino bought everything on the cart.

Looking at the pile of candy on the table, Malfoy hesitated before saying:

"Ino, you don't have to do this. I have everything at home. I can find whatever you want to eat."

"At your home?" Pansy instantly grasped the key point of the sentence. "Mr. Swinburne is coming to visit you this summer?"

Although she was asking Malfoy, Pansy's eyes were already fixed on Ino.

"Okay, yes! I'll be visiting Draco's house during the summer vacation," Ino replied helplessly.

He was increasingly realizing that Malfoy was very loose-lipped. They had agreed in the dormitory not to mention it, but Malfoy not only brought it up, but did so in front of Pansy and Daphne.

"you……"

Upon receiving the accurate answer, Pansy was momentarily speechless, and her expression shifted from confusion and shock to disbelief and disbelief.

"I'm just stopping by his house for two days, just two days! After that, I'll spend my vacation as planned," Ino quickly explained.

When he saw Pansy's expression change, he had a bad feeling. In addition, Daphne covered her mouth and chuckled, her ambiguous eyes constantly shifting between him and Malfoy, like a little fox who had stolen a hen.

All these scenes combined sent chills down Ino's spine. This was England, after all. If he didn't explain things clearly now, who knew what kind of rumors would circulate after school started?

"Ino is just coming to my house for a couple of days. It's my dad's invitation. What are you two thinking?!"

Malfoy only realized the problem belatedly, his face flushed with a sickly redness from anger.

He was now afraid of gossip; if it reached the castle after school started, Scarface would definitely use it to mock him…

Why are you shouting so loudly? Did I say anything?

Pansy launched into a tirade against Malfoy, then glanced at Daphne, who had been watching the whole thing unfold.

"And you, is it that funny? You haven't stopped laughing since just now."

Despite the strong rebuttal, Ino could sense that Pansy had inexplicably relaxed. Although she hadn't said much at first, she was like a dam that had been filled with water.

At this moment, Pansi seemed to be in a strong position, but he was actually releasing the floodwaters, and the potential energy of the water was gradually decreasing.

……

"When the opportunity arises, I'll invite you to my home, either next Christmas or during the summer holidays. In any case, I'm considering buying my own house in Hogsmeade."

Ino slowly revealed her plan, while also trying to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere in the cubicle.

"Buy a house?" Malfoy turned his head in surprise. "Leave that to me! Let my dad help you find one. If there isn't a suitable one, you can build one next to mine. Anyway, we've bought up all the land around here."

Upon hearing Malfoy's reply, Ino immediately began to think about how to politely refuse. After all, the previous suggestion was fine; asking Lucius for help would save a lot of unnecessary trouble.

As for the latter... building a house next to Malfoy Manor? This is to prevent the Death Eaters from having too much space to stay when they gather later, so they build another guesthouse.

However, before he could refuse, Pansy adjusted her tone and took over the conversation, saying:

"Mr. Svenburn, our family has vacant properties in Hogsmeade, which can easily accommodate both shops and residences. You don't need to contact Draco; apart from a few shops in Diagon Alley, the Malfoy family doesn't own many properties in Hogsmeade."

Meanwhile, as Pansy finished speaking, Malfoy, unusually, did not refute her, but instead turned his head to look out the window, which seemed to be a tacit acquiescence.

"Thank you so much, Miss Parkinson! My budget is not very large, only about 10,000 Galleons, so I won't consider a shop, just a small house to live in will do."

After some deliberation, Ino also stated his target price: 10,000 Galleons was the limit he could afford.

After all, one large gold coin in Gringotts is worth 145 Galleons. Although Old John gave him a whole bag full of them, it would only amount to about a hundred at most.

"And me! We have some spare house-elves. Although I can't give one to you, I can sell one to you," Daphne chimed in, seizing the opportunity.

"Thank you again, Miss Greengrass! However, I don't plan to buy it for now. Perhaps I'll contact you again when I need it later," Ino politely declined.

Although it was a resale, the favor was not diminished at all.

During his time living in Slytherin, he learned some things, such as how house-elves have always been controlled by pure-blooded creatures, with virtually no chance of them leaving the community. Even if there were trades, they were all handled within the circle.

As for black markets like Knockturn Alley, even if one or two house-elves occasionally appear, they are only bought by dark wizards for experiments.

After all, no one would dare to use a house-elf without a contract.

……

The train carrying students away from school during summer vacation travels safely on the tracks.

Another carriage not far from Ino.

Inside the cubicle, Hermione gently stroked the owl's soft, downy feathers, feeling the slight trembling and warmth emanating from her fingertips.

Similarly, the owl seemed to enjoy the interaction, squinting its eyes and rubbing its head against Hermione's palm to express its delight.

This scene was perfectly presented in Ron's eyes.

He glanced at Hermione's owl first, then turned to look at Hedwig the snowy owl on the shelf.

Immediately afterwards, Ron reached into his pocket and grabbed the sleeping Scabbers tightly.

New book release, a new journey begins. Thank you to all the big names for your support!

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(End of this chapter)