https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-643-Zongxian-and-the-Zongxian-Tree/13453025/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-645-Do-You-Still-Want-to-Hear-the-Answer-Hermione-Third-Update-/13453029/
Chapter 644: Hermione: Are You Here to Show Off?
Chapter 644: Hermione: Are You Here to Show Off?
"What's the matter?" Ivan asked curiously.
"I read in a book that every Christmas, the Zongxian Tree blooms, and all the Zongxian fly out together at night. It must be a beautiful sight!" Luna said, lost in her thoughts, as if she were already imagining the scene.
"Oh, and if a Crumple-Horned Snorkack is nearby, it would definitely be attracted too..." Luna added.
"So, you plan to look for the Zongxian Tree during the holidays?" Ivan suddenly understood. He had seen similar scenes in Luna's memories before; young witches were always eager to find new and exciting things.
"Right! These trees usually grow in very dense forests. I think there might be one in the Forbidden Forest! I've never really looked for it before." Luna said excitedly.
Ivan opened his mouth but hesitated to speak.
He knew Luna would never find the Zongxian Tree or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack in the Forbidden Forest—because they were all imaginary creatures.
But Ivan also knew he had no right to shatter her beautiful illusions...
After a moment of silence, Ivan smiled and responded, "Yeah, I think you'll find it one day."
"Yes, I will find it one day..." Luna said earnestly.
Before they knew it, the two had reached the end of the corridor, facing a blank wall. Luna turned her head to gaze at the distant main tower.
The lights in the Great Hall were still flickering, and a few students could be seen leaving the entrance hall.
Dinner was clearly coming to an end...
"I think you should leave now, shouldn't you?" Luna looked at Ivan and asked.
Ivan nodded, apologized to Luna again, and then quickly walked towards the entrance hall.
On the way, Ivan organized his thoughts in his mind, feeling somewhat nervous. To be honest, it was his first time confessing to a girl.
"George, Fred!"
As he passed a corridor, Ivan happened to run into the Weasley Twins, who were finishing dinner and heading back to the dormitory. An idea popped into his head, and he called out to them.
"What's up, Ivan?" George and Fred turned around, just in time to see something flying towards them.
George instinctively caught it and found it was a golden Galleon.
"I have a favor to ask you two!" Ivan said, looking at them.
...
That evening, in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Hermione sat absent-mindedly at the Gryffindor table, her gaze frequently shifting to the entrance hall.
Harry, sitting beside her, couldn't help but ask, "Are you waiting for Ivan, Hermione? It's so late; he probably isn't planning to eat!"
"I'm not waiting for him..." The young witch shook her head, pouting, and absentmindedly cut the steak on her plate into pieces, though she didn't seem to notice.
Harry glanced at Hermione's untouched plate and shrugged helplessly. He could tell his two best friends were having a disagreement, but he couldn't figure out why.
Just a few days ago, Ivan had publicly invited Hermione to this year's Christmas Ball, and their relationship seemed quite good.
"Did you reject Ivan's invitation? Did you find someone else at the last minute?" Harry asked curiously.
However, he soon realized that if that were the case, Hermione wouldn't keep looking towards the entrance hall.
"What are you asking so many questions for?" Hermione glared at him angrily, then stopped eating, picked up the books on the table, and stood up, walking straight out of the Great Hall without even hearing Harry calling after her.
Leaving the entrance hall, Hermione's face was full of confusion.
She didn't return to the Girls' Dormitory, nor did she go to the Library as usual until evening. Instead, she wandered alone through Hogwarts Castle, thinking about the scene of her parting with Ivan not long ago, feeling a bit frustrated.
When Ivan asked that question, she realized she had misunderstood him. Ivan hadn't invited Luna from Ravenclaw to the Dance.
But when she thought about the scenes in her memory of Luna and Ivan together, it felt like swallowing a bitter fruit, leaving a sour taste in her heart. She couldn't help but provoke Ivan with a comment.
After saying that, Hermione regretted it and nervously waited for a while, hoping Ivan would follow. Unfortunately, he didn't.
Moreover, she didn't see Ivan at the banquet, which made Hermione worry.
She hadn't forgotten the earlier suspicion that the Dark Lord's followers might have infiltrated and put Harry's name into the Triwizard Cup.
Perhaps they might target Ivan, who was also a Champion.
Of course, there was another possibility: Ivan might have invited other girls during this time...
Thinking this, Hermione felt a bit angry. She stubbornly told herself that even if Ivan had invited someone else, it wasn't a big deal!
Various thoughts collided in Hermione's mind. After walking for a while, she suddenly stopped, as she had encountered the person she least wanted to see.
The blonde young witch across from her also seemed surprised to run into Hermione.
They stood there for a moment, then Hermione decisively turned to walk away, but Luna's voice stopped her.
"Hello, Hermione..." Luna greeted her.
Hermione's steps halted. She didn't want to appear weak in front of Luna, so she turned around and said irritably, "Hello... Miss Lovegood!"
Luna didn't seem to notice Hermione's coldness and hostility. She quickly approached, her hands rummaging through the pockets of her wizard robes.
Hermione remained on guard, her right hand tightly gripping her wand.
However, Luna only pulled out a thick notebook.
"Good thing I always carry it with me!" Luna said happily, then handed the notebook to Hermione.
Hermione didn't immediately take it, looking at Luna in confusion, unsure what it meant.
"Aren't you going to take a look?" Luna asked.
Hermione didn't hesitate, taking the notebook and flipping it open, eager to see what was written inside.
After a quick glance, Hermione realized the pages contained methods for practicing Occlumency and techniques for resisting Legilimency. Most importantly, the handwriting was familiar—it was Ivan's.
Are you here to show off?
Hermione looked at Luna with displeasure, but noticing the innocent expression on Luna's face, she realized she had misunderstood. After thinking for a moment, she understood Luna's intention and asked, confirming her suspicion.
"So, you were practicing Legilimency that day?"
(End of Chapter)
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