The Black Bloodline of Hogwarts

As time went on, Julien and Hermione grew closer. They would discuss difficult problems from class, share their favorite books, and occasionally take a walk together after school when the cherry blossoms were falling.

"Julien, you'll be applying to secondary school after the summer break, right? Which school are you planning to go to? Eton College or Merlow College? Or are you going straight to Oxford Foundation Year?"

After school that day, Hermione and Julien walked side by side on the sidewalk, and Hermione couldn't help but ask. This was the nth time she had asked this question. In her view, given Julien's grades and family background, he would inevitably choose one of the top private schools in England.

Julien paused, a mysterious smile playing on his lips: "It'll be a secret for now. You'll find out when the time is right."

Hermione frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "Why couldn't you tell me? Aren't we best friends?" Her tone held a hint of grievance and confusion. She was still hoping to attend the same high school as Julien.

"That's precisely why I don't want to tell you now, since we're such good friends." Julien turned to Hermione, his eyes serious. "Trust me, you'll have a surprise for you."

Hermione looked at Julien's determined eyes, and although she was filled with doubt, she also felt a strange sense of joy.

Days passed by, and the semester slipped away quietly amidst busy studies and occasional playful banter.

The cherry blossoms on campus bloomed and faded, and the leaves of the sycamore trees changed from tender green to dark green, and then gradually turned golden. In the blink of an eye, the final exams were over, and summer vacation was drawing ever closer.

Hermione's 11th birthday fell just before summer vacation. That day, she brought a beautifully crafted chocolate cake to school and shared it with her classmates. Julien also received a piece; the cake was sweet but not cloying, with a delicate texture, clearly carefully chosen.

"Happy birthday, Hermione," Yu said with a smile as she took the cake. "May you always maintain your love of knowledge, and may you receive a special gift."

Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly. She lowered her head and whispered, "Thank you, Julien."

However, after her birthday, Hermione seemed like a different person. She no longer questioned Julien about his choice of secondary school as frequently as before, and even when Julien brought up the topic, she would deliberately avoid it, her eyes darting away, and her tone becoming somewhat unnatural.

"Hermione, have you decided which high school you want to go to?" Julien asked deliberately during a break between classes.

Hermione paused in her tidying of books, her eyes darting around, and mumbled, "Not...not yet. I'll probably go to the nearby public high school." With that, she picked up her books and quickly walked out of the classroom, as if running away from something.

Julien watched Hermione's hurried departure, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He knew the owl had already flown past Hermione's house and would soon be over Privet Drive. No wonder she'd been acting so mysterious lately; she probably felt there was no chance of them going to the same high school.

Julien didn't reveal Hermione's secret. He knew that for a Muggle-born wizard about to step into the magical world, the mix of excitement and trepidation was indescribable.

He didn't want to disrupt this special time that belonged to Hermione, and he also wanted to give her a surprise later.

(Inner monologue: Congratulations, Hermione Granger, you've officially entered the 'Hogwarts pre-entry anxiety period'.)

And himself?

My grandfather once said that, as long as the Black children weren't Squibs, Hogwarts letters might be late—but they would never be absent.

Summer vacation is fast approaching. The students at St. George's Elementary School are overjoyed, finally able to escape the "boring" elementary school and planning how to spend a fun holiday.

Thomas invited Julien to go on a beach vacation, but Julien declined. He knew that there were more important things for him this summer. He was about to celebrate his 11th birthday and receive that destined acceptance letter.

"Shillem, your 11th birthday is coming soon." One evening, his father, Altair, came to Julien's room, sat on his bed, and said gently, "What do you want for your birthday? The latest game console, or the telescope you've always wanted?"

Julien looked up at his father's gentle eyes and said with a smile, "Dad, I don't want anything. Grandpa said I'll receive a special gift."

Altair paused, then asked in confusion, "A special gift? Is it something your grandparents are going to give you? How come I didn't know?"

Julien did not answer, but just smiled mysteriously.

"Anyway, Grandpa and Grandma will be back in a couple of days to celebrate your birthday," the father said with a smile. "Then I'll know that Grandpa and Grandma's gifts might not be as good as Mom's and mys."

Clara, Julien's mother, also sensed his anticipation. Although she didn't know what her son was expecting, she could feel that his heart was filled with a strong longing.

She didn't ask any more questions, but quietly prepared a birthday party for Julien, inviting some relatives and friends, hoping to give her son an unforgettable birthday.

Following his parents' advice, Julien also invited some of his close friends from school. These friends would mostly apply to prestigious private schools and would likely become Julien's classmates in the future.

Of course, as for Xiao Lian's own application to study, the old man said he would handle it personally.

However, Julien's best friend Hermione hesitantly declined his invitation, saying she had important business to attend to that day. Instead, she gave Julien a REM vinyl record of "Out of Time" as a birthday gift.

Julien's 11th birthday party on August 3, 1991.

The house on Charing Cross Road was brightly lit and filled with a festive atmosphere. Relatives, friends, and classmates arrived one after another, bringing carefully prepared gifts and best wishes.

The living room was filled with a variety of wines and beverages, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of cakes and the fragrance of flowers. The background music was "Out of Time".

Grandma Elodie has protested three times already: "This song sounds like owls arguing outside the window!"

"No," Julien insisted, "this is art!"

—Actually, he just felt that the lyrics "Time ticks away" were particularly fitting: the Hogwarts letter was about to arrive.

The birthday boy wore a dark green suit with a silver tie embroidered with delicate vine patterns—exactly the same as his grandfather Alphad's. This was the Black family's "heirloom," said to ward off low-level curses (although Julien suspected his grandfather was exaggerating).

Grandpa and Grandma flew in from Bordeaux this morning, their suitcases packed with gifts: an antique French pocket watch, a crystal wine glass that can sing, and a top-of-the-line Italian AGV motorcycle helmet—pure black matte finish, streamlined design, so cool that Dali would kneel down and call him "Big Brother" on the spot.

"Happy birthday, little wizard." Grandfather winked and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Your helmet has anti-fall runes inside, so don't ride your broom too fast—unless you want to crash into a Muggle airliner."

Julien almost burst out laughing. Sure enough! This was an indication that he could officially begin learning to fly!