https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-634-You-Don-t-Need-a-Friend-Like-Me-/13453016/
Chapter 635: Your Words Are Too Harsh, Hals!
Chapter 635: Your Words Are Too Harsh, Hals!
After lunch, Ivan pulled out the Marauder's Map and headed in the direction where Hermione was located.
As he passed through a corridor, the two of them happened to meet.
Ivan quickened his pace, but Hermione seemed distracted, her head down as she walked straight ahead, seemingly not noticing him.
“Hermione!” Ivan called out, but she didn’t respond. He had no choice but to step in front of the young witch.
“Ah? Ivan, is something wrong?” Hermione finally looked up, as if just noticing him, her eyes slightly red.
Ivan could tell something was off with Hermione, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what. He steeled himself and asked, “Have you thought about the dance, Hermione?”
Hearing Ivan’s words, Hermione’s face turned cold, her brown eyes glaring angrily at him. After a moment, she huffed, “Haven’t you already asked someone else? Why are you asking me?”
Ivan was completely baffled. When had he asked someone else?
Before he could figure it out, Hermione pushed his shoulder hard, clutched her books, and stormed off.
Ivan turned to look at Hermione’s retreating figure, but she was already gone, replaced by the sound of wooden leg thuds—seconds later, Mad-Eye Moody appeared from the corridor.
“Hals, I finally found you. I don’t have time to explain, we need to go right now!” Mad-Eye Moody quickened his pace as soon as he saw Ivan, grabbing his arm and speaking sternly.
“Can’t you see I have something to deal with, Professor Moody? Can you wait a few minutes? We can act later if we have to,” Ivan rolled his eyes and sighed. He needed to figure out why Hermione thought he had asked someone else, and if there was any misunderstanding.
“No, we can’t wait, Hals. Opportunities like this don’t come often…” Mad-Eye Moody shook his head, his expression serious. His magical eye scanned the area, and seeing no one around, he leaned in and lowered his voice.
“Crouch is meeting with Ludo Bagman this afternoon to discuss the next match. He won’t be in his office! This is a rare chance… we have a maximum of half an hour of safe time!”
Ivan hesitated, not moving.
“Were you just inviting Hermione Granger to the dance?” Mad-Eye Moody asked, slightly irritated.
If he could, he wouldn’t waste time giving emotional advice to a boy at such a crucial moment, but it seemed he had no choice.
Ivan didn’t really want to answer.
But Mad-Eye Moody didn’t hesitate to expose the truth. “Obviously, you failed?”
“It’s not that simple!” Ivan shook his head firmly.
“Being rejected by a girl isn’t a big deal. Even if you’re the Hogwarts Champion with an incredible reputation, it’s impossible to make everyone like you!” Mad-Eye Moody cut to the chase. “You can try a different target; plenty of girls would be thrilled to receive your invitation!”
Ivan’s brow furrowed. Mad-Eye Moody noticed he didn’t like hearing this and changed his tone.
“But I don’t think it’s that bad. Anyone in the school can see how Hermione Granger feels about you…” Mad-Eye Moody, unusually using his normal eye to look at Ivan, didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he offered a suggestion.
"I think you should learn to be a bit tougher, Hals! Sometimes a hug can be more meaningful than any words. Witches always lack a sense of security and desperately need to know..."
"Are you planning to give me some emotional advice, Professor Mad-Eye Moody?" Ivan interrupted, looking at him with a peculiar expression. "But if I'm not mistaken, you've been single all your life, haven't you?"
It was bizarre to think of a lonely old bachelor giving emotional advice to a young man struggling with his feelings...
"Don't get it wrong. Just because I'm single doesn't mean I've never been liked, Hals! When I was an Auror at the Ministry of Magic, I had countless admirers. I just focused all my energy on catching Dark Wizards!" Mad-Eye Moody said irritably.
"Is that so? You're sure about that?" Ivan looked at Mad-Eye Moody's face, which seemed to have been carved by a knife, and doubted his claim.
Mad-Eye Moody saw through Ivan's thoughts, and his scarred face twitched.
"I suddenly understand why Hermione Granger rejected you... Hals!" he said.
"Hmm?" Ivan looked at him in surprise.
"It must be because you're too harsh with your words!" Mad-Eye Moody shot back.
Ivan was speechless. He remained silent for a moment before sighing. "Alright, let's follow your plan and search Crouch's office!"
"That's the spirit! There's still time! Deal with this, and you'll have plenty of time to comfort your little girlfriend." Mad-Eye Moody raised an eyebrow and impatiently pulled Ivan's wrist, leading him upstairs.
Ivan didn't resist, and he let Mad-Eye Moody guide him to Crouch's office.
He had figured out why Hermione had said what she did. Ivan hadn't forgotten the evening two days ago when he noticed someone following him.
Now, he realized that the person following him was most likely Hermione. She had seen him saying goodbye to Luna in the Ravenclaw Tower—perhaps more than that?
The exact details didn't matter. What mattered was that Hermione had likely misunderstood the situation.
Thinking about it, Ivan felt a deep sense of frustration. Even though he understood the reason and knew that a proper explanation would make Hermione feel better, this was the second time she had been angry with him this term. Ivan wasn't sure if there would be a third or fourth time after he explained.
He admitted that the first time was his fault, repeatedly breaking his promise to write to Hermione (though he didn't consider it a serious mistake).
This time, however, was different. Hermione was unwilling to practice Legilimency with him, and he understood her concerns and respected her decision to protect her memories. That's why he chose Luna as his practice partner...
Ivan hadn't expected Hermione to catch him, nor had he anticipated that her trust in him was so fragile. It would have been better if she had confronted him directly rather than jumping to conclusions.
The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became. This was why he agreed to search for clues with Mad-Eye Moody rather than immediately going to Hermione to explain himself.
He believed that everyone needed time to cool off and think, not just Hermione, but himself as well...
(End of Chapter)
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