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Chapter 277: Making an Appearance
Chapter 277: Making an Appearance
Hogwarts doesn’t celebrate Valentine's Day, at least the professors don’t mention it much, and the homework assigned on Friday won’t be any less. But for young wizards, it’s quite an important holiday.
“Think about it, there’s only one day a year when girls dress up in pretty clothes, looking lovingly as they wait for invitations…”
Early in the morning, Harry trudged out of the dormitory, feeling listless. He saw the Weasley Twins trying to sell Love Mirrors to a tall boy with freckles.
“… We have two styles now. If you think the heart shape is too passionate for you, you can try the rectangular one. We can add some little Cupid decorations.”
“But… I don’t have anyone to give it to,” the freckled boy said hesitantly.
“Opportunities don’t wait! Buy our product, go change into formal wear, and send out your invitations before morning is over—” Fred said in a persuasive tone.
George demonstrated by placing his right hand over his heart and bowing deeply. “Madam, may I invite you for a stroll?”
The boy happily bought their product.
Harry gave the twins a thumbs up, and they returned a bright smile.
“Will anyone else buy?”
“Valentine's Day represents sweet romance, like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm. Even those who didn’t plan to buy will be tempted…”
Harry walked over to Hermione, glad to see that she seemed no different from usual. She was grading a thick stack of papers. He glanced at them and felt a twinge of guilt when he saw they were third-year Ancient Runes exams. The graded papers were particularly intriguing; the first one was Dean’s, with six mistakes circled. Harry secretly wondered how many red circles would be on his own paper.
He reached out to flip through them, but Hermione slapped his hand away. “Don’t mess them up, this is the result of my morning’s work.”
Soon, Ron emerged, one of his trouser legs tangled in his sock. When Harry pointed this out, he yawned and fiddled with his leg.
“Any plans?” he asked.
“We’re meeting Neville and the others by the Black Lake to read books. Remember, it’s one of the few things we can do,” Harry said. Professor Mcgonagall had initially wanted to confine him to the castle, but after he argued his case, some areas outside the castle were reluctantly opened to him.
For example, the Black Lake was a great spot. It was backed by the castle, and the surroundings were open, making it an unlikely place for trouble to arise.
“Perfect,” Ron perked up. “I can try out the new binding spell I learned. The Duel Club tournament is coming up, and I don’t want to be knocked out in the first round.”
Due to the large number of participants, the Duel Club tournament had been rescheduled to the following day, starting at ten in the morning and running all day.
Harry spoke honestly. “You’re pretty good in the Duel Club.” At least, Ron was the third person to master the spell after him and Hermione, though it came at a cost.
The small jar of bruise-healing ointment from Madam Pomfrey was almost empty.
Ron’s spirits clearly lifted, and he began to share his insights on the spell. “As Professor Hup said, you have to understand the spell. How do you understand it? I think you need to experience the magic’s effects firsthand…”
Ginny and Neville soon appeared. Hermione finished grading the last paper quickly and glanced at the time. “Let’s go.”
As they left the common room, they were surprised to find that the corridor was already filled with people. Couples were walking hand in hand, and every anxious-looking boy and girl had their eyes on someone they liked.
As they passed a group of second-year girls, the wind carried their conversation to them. “Do you think… the professor… will like my card?”
“What are they thinking?” Ron said, incredulous.
Hermione understood. “Maybe they just want to give a holiday greeting…”
They waited a few minutes at the castle entrance, and Luna bounced up, linking arms with Ginny. “Leaving the castle is a good idea. It helps avoid the parasite hooks in the mistletoe.”
“Parasite… what?” Ron asked.
“Parasite hooks. They make you flustered and scatterbrained…”
“That explains why witches like to kiss under mistletoe,” Ron teased. Harry wanted to laugh, but Ginny and Hermione glared at him.
On the grass by the Black Lake, young wizards were scattered under the shade of trees, enjoying a leisurely time. It wasn't until the third girl, encouraged by her friends, handed Harry a card that Ron said jealously, "Why don't you accept their invitations?"
Harry's face turned red, and he stammered, "I, uh... it's because..."
Luna chimed in cheerfully, "Do you have a crush on someone?"
As soon as she spoke, Ron and Ginny immediately fixed their gaze on Harry's face, as if trying to read his thoughts. Harry, flustered, shouted, "No—"
Luna stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"You scared her", Hermione said sternly. Ron defended Harry, "Luna is always like that, right?"
Luna, in a daze, said, "I think she's not talking about me." She pointed to a willow tree by the lake, and everyone followed her gaze.
Ron squinted, "It seems to be a boy." He looked at Harry with a meaningful expression.
Harry, embarrassed, said, "It might be because of my shout just now..."
However, after several minutes, the boy was still staring at them, and even Harry felt uncomfortable.
Hermione stood up, "Why don't we go ask him? Maybe he has something important to say." She walked over to the willow tree and had a silent conversation, occasionally pointing at Harry.
After a while, Hermione returned, looking puzzled, "He wouldn't say a word."
Ron laughed, "Only Harry can handle this."
Harry got up from the grass, shrugged, and said, "It's definitely not what you think. Wait here. I guess he might be asking about the Duel Club?"
He walked over and could almost see the boy's face. It was a first-year student, wearing a loose, old robe with frayed edges.
This reminded Harry of Ron, and he smiled, wondering how to be both gentle and firm if this boy was indeed a fan. One Colin Creevey was already enough to give him a headache.
At sixty feet, fifty feet, the boy looked at Harry with surprise, opening his mouth to say something.
"Buzz~ buzz~"
Harry's pocket started vibrating, and then a shrill alarm rang out, loud enough to be heard by half the Black Lake.
Harry's smile froze, time seemed to slow down, and he could see every change in the boy's expression, even wondering if his own face mirrored the same.
But the next moment, he realized one thing—Scrying Mirror! The Scrying Mirror was ringing!
"It's Sirius Black! Run!" Harry shouted, quickly dodging to one side and drawing his wand. A red light shot out in an instant.
But the spell missed, hitting the willow tree instead. The boy, no, Sirius Black, also drew his wand and deflected the thick rope flying at him, then turned and ran.
Without hesitation, Harry chased after him. The sharp alarm made it impossible to hear anything else, and his heart raced as he pursued Black.
"Harry, don't take the risk!"
Percy, in a panic, grabbed Harry, one hand still holding a peanut brittle candy. Harry struggled, "Let go—let me—catch—him—"
His eyes remained fixed on Black as he fled, and the other students watched in confusion. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny ran over, "Harry, oh—was that, was that?" Hermione panted, trying to be heard over the alarm.
"It's Sirius Black!" Harry shouted, not hearing her clearly.
Neville, bewildered, asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Whoosh!"
Professor Hup descended from the sky, his Firebolt disappearing in a flash. He pointed his wand at Harry, and the alarm stopped.
"Professor—Sirius Black, he's here!"
"He's disguised as a student, using Polyjuice Potion—"
"He has a wand!"
Felix calmly asked, "Which direction did he run?"
Harry quickly pointed, realizing that apparition was impossible near Hogwarts, as Hermione had told him. This meant there was still a chance!
(End of Chapter)
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