Hogsmeade

Hermione pulled Loren away before he could say anything more outrageous, not because she was afraid Loren would be beaten up, but because she was worried that the others wouldn't be able to sleep tonight and would be staring at each other with their eyes wide open at three in the morning, questioning their existence.

Clutching his clothes, Hermione led him to the corner of the wall. She glanced back and saw that the young wizards were still standing there, stunned.

"After all that, what about you?" Hermione frowned, staring at the man. "You're not planning to wait until after the Christmas holidays to start the ceremony, are you?"

Although we had agreed to perform the Animagus Ritual together this month, what he just said made me very uneasy.

"Emmm..."

Loren feigned hesitation, pretending to ponder, "Well... I think... after all, Hogsmeade and Christmas are both rare occasions, don't you think?"

Hermione gritted her teeth, about to pull out the leaf to help him make up his mind, when Loren suddenly changed the subject. "However, if someone can keep their promise..."

"Promise?"

Hermione was taken aback, then remembered the absurd promise she had made at the beginning of the month, and her breathing became a little hurried.

"Perhaps there are gifts more precious than Christmas, right..."

Loren stared intently at Hermione, the bright moonlight flowing into his eyes like a gentle spring, shimmering with a hazy glow. His voice sounded distant, as if it came from the moon itself. "It's a promise, isn't it? You can exchange a kiss for every month you keep it up. You've already saved one. We'll continue the ritual, and this agreement will remain in effect..."

The latter part of the murmured words sounded somewhat muffled and distorted to Hermione, because the loud pounding of her heart filled both ears.

Thump thump thump...

After the series of small drumbeats subsided, Hermione saw that Loren's lips were still moving, moonlight swirling in his eyes, and something indescribable flowed out along with the radiance, gurgling into the girl's heart.

"Okay," Hermione said softly.

"What?"

Loren was somewhat taken aback; the girl had agreed so readily, before he could even finish his long and persistent pleading.

"I said I promise you." Hermione smiled faintly, vaguely realizing that her rationality seemed to be affected by her emotions, which might make her impulsive and do things she wouldn't normally dare to do.

But Hermione didn't want to suppress the influence. She relaxed her breathing, letting the surging emotions wash over her, and then she used her brain.

In this kind of weather, on this kind of night... no one wants to miss it.

Hermione leaned closer and asked in a slightly playful tone, "So, when do you want this kiss?"

The girl's face was so close that even the fine hairs on her face were clearly visible. Loren could feel her breath on his face, warm and even a little hot.

On a night in late October, Loren's breathing became short and tense, and he suddenly felt that the moon was a bit too hot.

As his thoughts raced, time seemed to slow down for both of them. He recalled a little-known fact he had once read on a marketing account: the positions of two people are relative; when one takes the initiative, the other becomes passive.

"Or, how about now?" Loren pursed his lips and asked tentatively.

The next moment, Loren's eyes widened suddenly as the girl's face lightly approached, carrying a delicate fragrance, and a cool, soft touch covered his lips.

The moonlight was like water, and the courtyard was crowded with chattering little wizards. Some laughed and discussed, while others had serious conversations. The noisy discussions were all blown away by the breeze to a small corner near the wall. Only the round moon could see that the coolness of the clear autumn night warmed with each touch, leaving only a delicate and soft texture, like that of pudding.

Loren couldn't quite describe his feelings. He had always been in control in the past, but this time, he had been caught off guard and found himself in a passive position.

This feeling isn't bad at all. When your feelings receive a tangible response, it's like taking a bite of a roasted sweet potato with a runny, juicy interior on a snowy winter's day—sweet, warm, and comforting. The warmth flows through your body, finally converging on the left side of your chest, making you feel incredibly tender.

Hermione released his lips, took two steps back, fanned her burning face with her hand, let out a long breath, and then looked at him triumphantly with a smile that wouldn't fade.

Loren felt that the light was dazzling, even surpassing the radiance of the Full Moon.

"Only in this kind of weather and at this kind of night..."

We'd rather be wrong

"I don't want to miss out..."

After lights out, he returned to the Common Room with Hermione. Watching her walk into the girls' dormitory, Loren's smile remained unchanged. He hummed a song with indistinct lyrics while savoring the Mandrake as he returned to his dormitory. When he entered, he saw that his roommates were still awake and were chatting around Neville's bed.

"Good evening, friends!" Loren greeted them as he walked to the wardrobe. "So, what decision did you make in the end? Did you suck on Mandrake Leaf?"

The group sitting around the bed turned around and saw Loren, whose face was beaming with joy. Ron replied, "Yes, Neville finally convinced us. He always had an excuse to skip things every month, and he didn't know how to choose, but starting now is definitely the right thing to do."

"Sounds very much like Lomberton," Loren said, loosening his tie and changing out of his magic robe.

Harry asked, "Loren, have you started sucking on Mandrake Leaf?"

"Ah—" Loren opened his mouth to indicate, "I'll take it."

"Um?"

The roommates were all surprised; in their opinion, Loren would never give up Hogsmeade for Animagus.

Seamus stared wide-eyed and asked, "Don't you want those magic candies anymore? And Zonko's Joke Shop, the Three Broomsticks..."

"Candy can be ordered by mail. I've already been to joke shops, bars, teahouses, and the like, so there's nothing new there."

Loren changed into his pajamas and went into the bathroom to wash up, leaving his shocked roommates behind.

"He... he said he'd been there..." Seamus opened his mouth, "But we're only in third grade, and tomorrow is only our first activity week, right?"

"He is Loren," Neville replied calmly.

Harry, Ron, and Seamus fell silent, sipped the Mandrake in their mouths, and found the leaves starting to taste bitter.

October 30th, Saturday.

Tomorrow Halloween Night, and this weekend is Hogsmeade's event week.

Even though they were too excited to sleep last night, the third-grade wizards still got up early with dark circles under their eyes.

Girls' dormitory.

Hermione sat in front of the large full-length mirror next to the wardrobe, combing her messy hair with a wooden comb, her face tense and her expression focused.

"Eek..."

Suddenly remembering something, Hermione's face flushed slightly. She hadn't felt it last night, but after waking up, she felt that she was repaying the shyness she had been owing.

Whenever she thinks about her impulsive and daring behavior, the girl's heart always races.

Lavender and Parvati were also combing their hair, and Lavender's mouth never stopped. "Let's go to Honeydukes first to eat magic candies, then we'll go to the Three Broomsticks for a stroll, but of course, what I want to go to most is Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop..."

"Hehe!" Lavender suddenly chuckled and looked at Hermione meaningfully. "Hermione, Hermione, do you remember when La Loren went to Lady Patiffe's Tea House? I heard it's a great place for couples to go on dates."

Parvati joined in with a teasing laugh. Seeing that Hermione didn't react to their banter, Parvati waved her hand in front of her face and asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Hermione?"

Hermione glanced at the wardrobe, her eyes darting around as if deep in thought, "I'm wondering if I should wear a dress to Hogsmeade."

"Are you crazy!" Parvati exclaimed. "It's the end of October, it's about to snow!"

Hermione eventually regained her senses. When Loren saw her in the dining hall, the girl was wearing a mid-length black velvet coat. The slightly fitted waist accentuated her slender figure, and the tapered legs of her gray-brown trousers made her calves appear long and straight.

The two tacitly avoided mentioning last night, silently finished their breakfast, and then followed Professor McGonagall's instructions to gather in the side hall on the first floor.

It wasn't raining, and the early autumn morning was foggy. The chilly temperature couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the young wizards, whose breaths added a touch of mist to the morning fog.

After Mr. Filch, the administrator, finished explaining the precautions, Professor McGonagall stepped forward to give a final word of advice. "Please remember, children, the guardian's signed permission is only the most basic requirement. Going to Hogsmeade is a privilege, and only outstanding students can enjoy the activity week. If you don't want to be deprived of this privilege, you'd better not cause trouble at Hogsmeade."

Professor McGonagall's stern words and serious expression intimidated the third-year wizards, who were attending Activity Week for the first time, causing them to slow their breathing.

"Hehe... don't worry." Fred, standing behind Loren and the others, chuckled softly. "Buying some Stink Eggs, Hiccup Powder, and Buzzing Flyers is still an option."

"Yes, yes!" George nodded repeatedly, adding with a grin, "Using these Sickle be a bit of a hassle, but as long as we avoid annoying Mr. Filch, we can teach that pesky Slytherin a lesson..."

"That's enough." Lee Jordan pushed the two aside expressionlessly. "Friendly reminder: it's best not to use this on Old Bat."

Loren blinked, sensing there was more to this than met the eye.

Led by Professor McGonagall and Mr. Filch, the group left the Castle and headed in the opposite direction from the Black Lake and the train station. It was a straight path leading directly to the main gate, with the Quidditch Pitch on the left, an open space on the right, and the Forbidden Forest further away.

At the end of the path, Mr. Filch used his key to open the front door. On the pillars on either side were strangely shaped statues, which looked like winged boars. The young wizards were very curious about everything outside the front door, constantly looking around.

Harry shuddered as soon as he stepped out the front door.

Several black cloaks floated in the sky not far away, and under their cold gazes, even the morning mist seemed to grow even colder.

"Don't worry, Professor McGonagall is here." Ron put his arm around his shoulder and shook him, then followed the crowd casually.

Loren and Hermione looked around. Last time, they had gone straight into the Honeydukes basement through Secret Passages in the Castle, missing the scenery along the way.

The morning mist shrouded the trees and grass, the white smoke like a veil, with lush greenery occasionally peeking out from within, giving passersby a pleasant surprise.

As the fog gradually thinned, low-rise houses slowly came into view, with colorful ribbons hanging from the eaves and pillars, conveying a festive and joyful atmosphere.

As the closest wizarding village to Hogwarts Hogsmeade, most of the village's shop revenue comes from its young wizards. The long, monotonous life at the secluded magic school also finds some relief in Hogsmeade.

Even younger wizards can find joy... or anger in the Stink Eggs and Hiccup Powder brought back by older students.

In previous years, there would be an event week every month, but this year it was postponed by two months due to the Dementor incident, and the merchants were already impatient. The entire street was covered with colorful ribbons, magical streetlights, and various colored magical smoke drifted from the shop signs, dyeing the morning mist into a colorful spectacle.

Upon entering the village, Professor McGonagall instructed the Prefect of each house to take attendance that evening, then waved her hand to dismiss the young wizards.

Cheers erupted, and the throng of people surged into the street, suddenly coming to life and becoming lively.

The most anticipated place was, of course, the candy store. Loren and Hermione followed the flow of people into Honeydukes.

Large chunks of creamy yellow Cream Almond Candy, sparkling pink Coconut Ice Cake, honey-colored toffee, and dark brown chocolate balls studded with nut pieces... all sorts of candies filled the shelves.

It was as if they had suddenly entered a candy world, with a sweet aroma filling the air. The third-grade wizards were stunned.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans..."

Hermione looked at the product description under the tasting sign.

She remembered that when she came a year ago, there were also Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans in the tasting area.

Breathing in the intoxicatingly sweet aroma of candy, memories from a year ago come vividly to life. Last time, it smelled of eye boogers, nasal boogers, and earwax... This time it's different; the flavor profile has become a simple blend of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty...

Hermione was a little confused. Was the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans's Every Flavor Bean really that ordinary?

Just then, a hand holding Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans suddenly fed it to Hermione. She turned around and saw it was indeed him, his face showing eager excitement.

Green represents sourness; just smelling it makes your teeth tremble with urgency.

He tried to play a trick on himself like that last time too...

Hermione pursed her lips, looked at Loren with gentle eyes, and opened her mouth to eat the sour Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

Loren, however, turned his wrist and put it down, looking at Hermione with disdain. "Are you stupid? You can tell it won't taste good just by smelling it."

"Yue——"

Sure enough, they heard Lee Jordan S.P.E.W. painfully nearby. The two turned to look and saw him frantically rinsing his mouth while hugging a trash can, his face flushed and his forehead slightly sweaty.

George and Fred patted his back gently to make him more comfortable.

"Oh dear, we thought it was just ordinary candy."

"How about you have another sweet one?"

Without looking up, Lee Jordan slowly and laboriously raised his right hand and gave the two men the middle finger.