Translated Chapter
371. Hogsmeade Weekend
Michael thought that if he refused a girl’s proactive invitation, she’d feel deeply embarrassed, so he accepted. In truth, Michael had always maintained good relationships with many girls—Padma was well aware of this. But for some reason, this time, Padma was furious, stormed off in a rage, and even broke up with him.
Michael tried to play it cool, shrugging nonchalantly. “You know, fights happen when you’re in love. We just both need some time to calm down.”
Wade handed his book request to Filch, offering the caretaker a friendly nod. “Approved.”
As they stepped out through the great door, Wade turned to Michael. “So, when Padma said that silly ‘Charlie’ was adorable—how did that make you feel?”
Michael fell silent. His face darkened slightly, his lips drawn into a thin, straight line.
“Think about it, Michael,” Wade said. “I remember you telling me once—you saw Padma in the Mirror of Erised. Don’t forget what you truly want.”
Michael climbed into the carriage in silence, then noticed Wade staring ahead, reaching out to touch something in midair. He knew it was a Night Kneazle, but no matter how hard he strained his eyes, he saw nothing but empty air.
Soon, Neville hurriedly ran up the carriage steps, followed by Hermione.
“Phew, thank goodness there’s still room,” Neville sighed. “I forgot today was Hogsmeade Weekend. I only realized when Hermione called me just as I was leaving.”
“Hermione?” Michael asked, surprised. “You’re not with Harry and Ron?”
Though their initial interactions had been tense, after over two years, Hermione had settled into a stable trio with Harry and Ron—natural companions as fellow Gryffindors, their differences gradually smoothed by daily life together.
“Don’t even mention him!” Hermione snapped, clearly still angry. “I don’t want to hear Ron’s name today!”
Michael tilted his head upward, staring intently at the sky. The others, curious, followed suit.
“What are you looking at?” Wade asked, puzzled. The sky was clear and cloudless, not even a bird in sight.
“I’m checking the moon phase,” Michael said gravely. “Is today… some kind of special day? Everyone’s acting so irritable.”
Neville took it seriously and glanced up again. “But… there’s no moon out tonight!”
Hermione couldn’t help it—she let out a sudden, stifled giggle.
Then she explained.
This year, Hermione had bought a cat as a pet and named it Crookshanks. Though the cat was far from adorable in appearance, she adored it deeply. Ron, on the other hand, had grown wary of mice ever since Scabbers transformed into a bald man.
Last Christmas, Wade had gifted a Magic Puppet Pet to someone inside the school. Ron received a Teacup Dog—small like a mouse, but sweet, playful, and capable of rolling over and fetching things. It had instantly become Ron’s favorite.
Yesterday, after class, they’d returned to find Crookshanks holding the Teacup Dog in its mouth, as if about to bite it. Ron, forgetting it was magic, lunged forward, snatched the puppet from the cat’s mouth, and shouted for Crookshanks to get lost.
Hermione, without hesitation, chose to defend her cat. “You scared it, Ron! They were just playing! And magic puppets can’t get hurt!”
One thought the other was overreacting; the other thought the other hadn’t properly controlled their pet. The surrounding students watched the argument, amused, and laughed.
Everyone else found it funny—but not the participants.
Ron stayed silent all day, refusing to speak to Hermione. Today, when going to Hogsmeade, he dragged Harry and a few other boys away early.
Hermione didn’t get along well with most of the other Gryffindor girls, and she couldn’t be bothered to try. So in the morning, she deliberately lingered, waiting until everyone else had left before departing.
She passed through the common room and found only Neville—someone who still thought Hogsmeade Weekend was tomorrow.
Like most students, Michael thought their argument was a bit overblown. But as Hermione’s friend, he naturally sided with her and gave Ron a stern rebuke.
As they walked, Wade suddenly asked, “Kariel went to Hogsmeade too? Who signed his application?”
“Kariel?” Hermione frowned, thinking hard. “I didn’t notice… but he did submit one… Professor McGonagall should know.”
“Dumbledore,” Neville suddenly muttered, voice low. “I saw him pass by me.”
“Dumbledore?” Michael frowned. “Is the Headmaster his supervisor?”
“Don’t know,” Hermione said casually, still annoyed. “But there must be a reason.”
Wade furrowed his brow slightly, but said nothing.
—Of course, Dumbledore had his reasons.
Wade didn’t understand, but he knew it wasn’t wrong.
…
“Want to hear your teeth chattering? Then you’ve got to try our Ice Rats! And this Super Bubble Gum—I guarantee the bubbles will last at least five days!”
Frum, the Honeydukes owner, was enthusiastically hawking his wares, watching a student standing by the counter, staring without buying. He understood.
He pulled out a basket of fragrant, freshly made Milk Soft Candies and handed them around. “New batch—completely different from anything you’ve had before! Try one, kids!”
A handful of candy was shoved into Kariel’s hand. He held noticeably more than the others. When he looked up, the shopkeeper smiled warmly at him, then moved on to hand out samples to other children.
Kariel felt the small weight of his few Knuts in his pocket. With determination, he pulled out a coin. “I’ll take these lollipops.”
When they’d first arrived in Britain, the group had a substantial sum—both wizarding and Muggle money. But of course, the money couldn’t stay on Kariel. After the three deaths, the escapees’ escape, and Dumbledore capturing Kariel and bringing him back, he was left with only a few Knuts.
Dumbledore had given him a bag of money, following the school’s standard for supporting impoverished students. But since it was meant to last a whole term, Kariel was careful with every Knut.
“Bloody Lollipop?” Frum said, raising an eyebrow. “This flavor’s a bit unusual—only vampires usually like it. Are you sure?”
“I want to try,” Kariel insisted.
Minutes later, Kariel chewed on the candy, its blood-like taste filling his mouth. He restrained himself from staring at the necks of passersby, instead curiously observing the buildings around him.
The last time they’d been near Hogsmeade, they’d hidden at a distance, unable to enter—only catching glimpses through a streaming mirror. But today was different. The village was packed with Hogwarts students. Every shop had pulled out their finest displays to welcome the guests.
There were also many tourists—parents visiting their children, some even arriving especially for Halloween Eve.
Everywhere, the streets were decorated for Halloween. Giant pumpkins loomed in doorways. Pale skull decorations hung in windows. A ghost disguised as a sun-shaped doll dangled from a roof, swaying gently, occasionally letting out a sudden scream that startled nearby students.
Magic bats circled in flocks through the air. The students laughed and watched, occasionally ducking to avoid a stray bat. Some bats hung from eaves like silent wind chimes—sure to create a chilling atmosphere once night fell.
Seeing the bat decorations, Kariel sneered, biting down on his lollipop with a sharp crack.
Then, distracted, he collided head-on with a passerby.
“Sorry,” Kariel muttered, not bothering to look back, and stepped around the person to keep walking.
As they passed each other, the stranger suddenly said, “Just an apology? That’s it?”
The voice was hoarse, familiar—laced with quiet amusement.
Kariel froze, eyes snapping up. Before him stood a man with unnaturally pale skin, smiling faintly.
A large tattoo marked his face. Perhaps because of it, he wore a wide hood, concealing his features.
Kariel’s expression shifted to shock. He opened his mouth to speak—but the man raised a single finger, gently shaking his head.
Kariel closed his mouth, and followed silently as the man led him through winding paths to the edge of the village.
It was quiet here, secluded. Houses nestled among trees, far from the noise of the main street.
As they approached, the front door of a house swung open. A plump woman in a gray long dress, her hair neatly coiled, hurried out, her face lighting up with disbelief.
“Goodness… Kariel… you’re alive…” she whispered, hands flying to her mouth, tears welling.
Kariel couldn’t hold back any longer. He rushed forward and threw his arms around her. “Mom—”
The tattooed man glanced left and right, then gently pushed them inside. “Come in. This place is full of British Wizard spies.”
Inside, Kariel stared, stunned with joy. “Dad… Mom… how did you get here? Why are you in Hogsmeade?”
(End of Chapter)
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