Chapter 1822: Hogsmeade
Chapter 1822: Hogsmeade
"How can this place feel like just a regular little village!"
After braving the biting cold for over half an hour, Daphne finally arrived in Hogsmeade. Upon closely examining the quaint, old-fashioned village, she felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. The village didn't give her the same sense of wonder and novelty she had experienced when first entering Diagon Alley, and it paled in comparison to the more modern Avalon.
In Daphne's words, "Hogsmeade, despite being recently built, exudes a decaying air of the olden days."
Alice remained silent on the matter.
Unlike her younger brother Ian, who was enthusiastic about exploring, Alice had already visited Hogsmeade through other means. Having traveled to many places since childhood, she wasn't as filled with anticipation for Hogsmeade as Daphne was. She knew all too well what the magical world was really like.
Hogsmeade was, at its core, just a regular witch village. It had gained legendary status because it was the only witch village in Britain and was frequently visited by Hogwarts students.
"Let's go over there first. I remember you've always wanted to visit the Three Broomsticks Inn!"
Alice didn't want to shiver in the cold any longer, so she headed straight for the Three Broomsticks, the closest inn to the village entrance, intending to warm up with a hot Butterbeer.
"It's just a bit disappointing. I heard this place was completely destroyed during the Second Witch War. How could it still look like this?"
Daphne quickened her pace to follow Alice into the inn. As soon as they entered, they were enveloped by the buzzing noise of the crowd. The inn was filled with students playing cards. The current Three Broomsticks Inn seemed more like a game room than a bar.
The witch cards, after several revisions, had managed to maintain a foothold thanks to the annual "prize-rich" tournaments. However, "I Am an Auror" had become the most popular card game over the past decade, even featuring international tournaments like those of wizarding chess.
Neither Alice nor Daphne had any intention of playing cards, so they chose a corner seat, sipping their hot Butterbeers and chatting quietly.
"Look over there!"
Daphne seemed to have spotted something interesting and nudged her best friend, gesturing toward a certain direction.
Alice turned her head and saw James and his "rowdy friends" sneaking into Hogsmeade for a day out.
"I think James Potter might have a crush on you", Daphne said with a sly smile.
"That's unlikely. You know, James is my father's godson."
Alice wasn't particularly interested in the mischievous James. "If I were to look for a boyfriend, I'd definitely want someone who gets along with me."
"If you're looking for a boyfriend as excellent as Mr. Anderson, you might end up single forever."
Though Daphne said this, she secretly agreed with Alice's choice. Albert's presence had raised their standards for potential boyfriends. Even Daphne found Albert to be a very charming man, and he was still quite young.
After all, there was the example of Miss Granger.
"I would certainly hope to find a boyfriend as excellent as Mr. Anderson. But if I can't, I could settle for someone on Professor Digory's level."
Alice didn't bother to engage much with Daphne, casually glancing around the Three Broomsticks at the other patrons while half-heartedly agreeing.
Then, she heard Daphne say, "Actually, I think Ian is pretty good too. We're only two years apart, so maybe..."
"Cough, cough!"
Alice interrupted Daphne with a forceful cough.
"You think it's inappropriate?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"It's not inappropriate", Alice sighed helplessly. "You probably won't have a chance."
"Why?" Daphne looked at her best friend, puzzled, as if some unbelievable thought had crossed her mind.
"Could it be..."
"If Ian were really interested in you, he would have asked me about you when you visited my house last time."
As a child raised by Albert, their family had never been opposed to early relationships, embracing the progressive idea of seizing opportunities when they arose.
So, Ian already had a girlfriend, but to avoid hurting Daphne, Alice hadn't mentioned it.
However, as they were leaving the Three Broomsticks Inn, they ran into Ian and his girlfriend on the street.
Watching the young couple, hand in hand, emerge from Honeydukes Sweetshop, Daphne almost froze in place, staring in shock at their retreating figures. "Isn't Ian only eleven?"
"Yeah, he's eleven, what's so strange about that?" Alice gazed at the familiar figures ahead, speaking calmly. "They've known each other since they were very young, spending years together in Avalon. Ian must have felt they were a good match to ask her out."
"I think I understand why Ian ended up in Gryffindor. What's the girl's name, by the way?" Daphne suddenly understood why Alice had said she probably wouldn't have a chance.
"Victoire Weasley, a very pretty girl!" Alice glanced at her best friend and introduced her. "She's Bill and Fleur's daughter, with some Veela heritage. She's a year younger than me, so you definitely don't have a chance."
"I feel like I've been heartbroken!" Daphne complained, her face full of dejection. "You should have told me earlier."
"How was I supposed to know?" Alice suddenly said. "You could consider Edric Digory."
"He likes you too", Daphne admitted, though reluctantly. Alice was undoubtedly the most popular girl in Hogwarts, no one could deny that.
Even the Veela-blooded Victoire Weasley couldn't compare.
It was clear that the gentle big sister who had helped care for the younger kids had earned the admiration of many. As Albert Anderson's heir and a prodigy in her own right, Alice might not shine as brightly as Albert, but she radiated her own unique brilliance.
Alice ignored her, tugging at her cloak and heading toward Honeydukes Sweetshop, one of the most popular shops in Hogsmeade. Since they were in Hogsmeade, she didn't want to miss out.
"If I had been born a few decades earlier, it would have been better." Daphne looked dejected.
"That's not possible."
Alice understood Daphne's unspoken meaning.
"What do you mean?" Daphne put down the candy she had just picked up, looking at her friend with dissatisfaction, as if to say, "You can't even let me dream a little?"
"You're too ordinary", Alice's words cut like a knife.
"That means you won't have much in common, and you won't be able to help each other much."
Alice knew the kind of women her father surrounded himself with. Even the least accomplished among them, like Katrina, could easily outshine Daphne. Otherwise, they wouldn't be qualified to assist Albert.
"Will it kill you to say something comforting?" Daphne couldn't help but complain. "Or how about you don't date anyone, and we can just live together?"
(End of Chapter)
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