The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 8: Entering the Fantasy World Again

South Kensington, London.

Hermione was showing her family her new school uniform: a plain black robe and a black pointed wizard's hat.

"Is this frog alive?"

Unlike women's fascination with clothing, Mr. Granger was more interested in the bouncy chocolate frog.

So much so that he sat on the sofa and stared at the chocolate frog in front of him for almost fifteen minutes.

"Dad, it's just chocolate candy. Maybe it's magic that gave it temporary mobility, but it's meant to be eaten!"

Hermione pursed her lips, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at the only candy in the house—a chocolate frog.

Mr. Granger seemed to notice the look in his daughter's eyes and hesitated for a moment.

"I'm sorry! Honey, you know how damaging sweets are to your teeth, especially since you're currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, and once cavities form..."

Before Mr. Granger could finish speaking, Hermione habitually took over the conversation, continuing her rapid-fire remarks:

"Once tooth decay forms, it is inevitable until the tooth is completely broken. The only treatment is to kill the dental nerve through root canal treatment, deeply clean the dental pulp, and then fill it with a new type of light-cured composite resin."

Finally, Hermione said in a huff:

"I wasn't planning on eating, I was just looking!"

After speaking, she stopped looking at the chocolate frog. Perhaps she had initially wanted to try it, but upon hearing about the correction period, she decisively gave up the idea.

For some reason, lately, whenever the topic of teeth comes up, Hermione can't help but think of "Miss Bunny."

This annoyed her, but also made her feel ashamed and indignant.

"Even if you have a little bit of fortune-telling ability, it's not a reason to casually comment on a girl's appearance."

Perhaps they received a letter delivered by an owl, confirming the previous divination results; or perhaps they went to Diagon Alley and witnessed real magic.

In short, Hermione herself didn't realize that her mindset had subtly changed. Her way of addressing Ino also changed from calling him "Mr. Liar" to "He's got some skills."

……

No matter how long the night, dawn will always arrive as promised.

On the banks of the Thames, Ino was already awake when the morning sun shone through the narrow arches of the bridge.

"It's another beautiful sunny day."

He got up, pulled back the tattered linen curtain, stretched comfortably, and then walked out of his bridge archway.

Standing in the open space by the bridge, letting the golden sunlight shine on his face, he felt a warm and comforting sensation and couldn't help but close his eyes, enjoying the relaxation and tranquility of the moment.

After a quick wash.

Ino sat on the grass, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the Thames River, its surface shimmering in the morning light.

Watching the boats coming and going, and the few pedestrians on the riverbank, he is growing to love this slow-paced, leisurely life more and more.

After a while of quiet, Ino stood up, slowly walked back to the bridge arch, and began to pack her belongings.

After rummaging through the room, I first stuffed some dried cheese and hardened bread into my canvas bag, then put in a dark gray blanket with holes... and the book I'd been longing for, "Elementary Standard Spells".

All of this was because he had suddenly had a subtle premonition.

More than three months later, today is almost the day he will enter the fantasy world again.

Although he didn't know the exact time, he had a vague feeling about it, and this premonition had never disappointed him.

Time passed second by second.

Coincidentally, not long after Ino finished organizing all the items, she suddenly noticed that the surrounding light had abruptly dimmed.

……

A fleeting moment, or even less.

Just moments ago it was a warm, sunny morning, but in the blink of an eye it was a gloomy, dark evening. The stark contrast almost suffocated Ino.

"Achoo!"

Before he could react, the cold air around him suddenly rushed in.

"It's like this again, without giving any preparation time... and the weather is terrible."

I pulled out the old wool blanket from my backpack and draped it over myself before I felt a little better.

However, this disguise made him look more like a wizard on a journey from a distance.

The only thing missing is a pointed hat and a magic wand hidden in the lining.

……

In the desolate autumn, on a long, gloomy and silent day, heavy clouds hung low in the sky.

In the gloomy, exotic countryside, a solitary figure suddenly appeared.

Taking advantage of the last rays of the setting sun, Ino could now clearly see the desolate scenery around her.

The dilapidated houses, the desolate walls, and the decaying, dead white trees—the sparse scenery exudes an indescribable gloom.

Similarly, the surroundings were eerily quiet, with the cold wind rustling through the treetops.

However, he was already used to all of this, although he had wondered why some places in the wild were always so dilapidated.

However, after experiencing it many times, it gradually becomes a habit.

After all... although the surrounding area looks somewhat desolate, it's not dangerous, provided that you don't get greedy or cause trouble.

Half an hour later.

Ino finally found a place to stay before nightfall.

The smoke rising from nearby chimneys and the faint smell of toasted bread in the air gradually relaxed his tense body.

In a fantasy world, seeing houses or campfires in the wild is not enough to put people at ease, because they could be the homes of demons or old witches.

But only the rising smoke from the chimneys could truly make people feel safe, since old witches never baked bread; they only brewed nauseating potions.

at the same time.

Following the direction of the smoke, Ino walked for several dozen meters before finally emerging from the bizarre forest.

What comes into view is an endless expanse of golden wheat fields, crisscrossing paths between the fields, and waterwheels that are set up very high.

Walking a little further ahead, you'll see a peaceful village, or rather, a small town.

A dozen or so houses of various kinds, thatched, stone, and wooden... a bakery, a mill, a blacksmith shop, a tailor shop...

Perhaps because it was approaching night, the place was rather quiet, lacking the hustle and bustle of the daytime.

As Ino entered the town, her somewhat unusual attire attracted the attention of many people.

He didn't rush up to chat with the indigenous people, nor was he approached by them; it was as if they were silently competing.

A dozen minutes later.

"Another tiny town."

Once Ino determined the size of the area, he instantly filtered out stories that took place in large towns and wilderness.

Over the course of two years, he gradually came to understand the essence of the fantasy world.

The capital city where the king resides, prosperous commercial metropolises, medium-sized towns, small towns, villages, wilderness... different small pieces of the puzzle piece together a vast and boundless world.

Sometimes they are connected, and sometimes they are completely unrelated.

In short, every piece of the puzzle and every place has a corresponding story.

The difference is that in some places the story has ended, while in others it has not yet begun.

But no matter what, the people living in the "puzzle" continue to live their lives.

"Without taverns or inns, we'll have to find somewhere to stay."

After a brief tour of the town, Ino had to admit that it was like a secluded paradise.

All the facilities in the town seem tailor-made for the residents, with no consideration for outsiders.

A new book release marks a new journey. Thank you to all our readers, both new and old, for your support.

The new book has been signed, so big shots can add it to their collections with confidence.

(End of this chapter)