A small change every day, a big change every week.
Two weeks later, Neville not only became more muscular, but also learned more fighting techniques.
His amnesia has improved, but he still occasionally forgets small things.
For example, he forgot to bring his textbook to the second Defense Against the Dark Arts, but luckily Moody's class didn't require a textbook at all.
His performance in class was equally impressive; he did not evade the legendary Auror's Imperius Curse, and was even one of the first to break free of its control.
His performance earned him Moody's first bonus for a student, though it was only 3 points, but this was not the end.
During the third Defense Against the Dark Arts, Neville broke free of control twice as fast as before.
Not only the students, but also the professors, except for Snape, all looked at him with new respect.
Everything is getting better, including the Blast-Ended Skrewt that Hagrid is raising.
Under the loving care of this Half-blood Giant, these grumpy little cuties have grown even taller.
Praise Merlin, but whatever you do, don't let Hagrid find out what they eat.
On the evening of the 18th, Vincent and Hermione disappeared after the afternoon.
The friends weren't in a hurry, because tomorrow is Hermione's birthday.
It was almost midnight when the two returned to the Room of Requirement's secret base.
"Happy birthday!"
The twins lit a large bunch of fireworks as the two entered.
Besides the six little ones, Astoria and Qiu were also there.
Daphne and her sister held a cake that clearly wasn't bought from outside. "One minute left, hurry up and make a wish."
Hermione clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, made a wish, and then gently blew out the candles.
George asked curiously, "What did you wish for?"
Hermione looked at everyone with a big smile, "It won't work if you say it out loud."
She took the cake knife that Qiu handed her and, together with Vincent, cut the cake into eight pieces.
Fred couldn't wait to take a bite. "Wow! It's such a shame Rolf isn't here."
The girls made the cake together during the day.
The two pampered young ladies did their best, although the presentation was just so-so, Qiu was in charge of the rest.
As soon as we started talking about Rolf, his video call came in.
Happy birthday, Hermione!
The qualification exam for Magizoologist is about to begin, and he has been studying for it recently.
"Keep going, you can definitely pass."
"Thanks."
Everyone sent him their blessings.
"After you finish your exams, we'll go out and celebrate with you."
The twins' suggestion made Rolf beam with joy.
Qiu looked at Cedric with a puzzled expression, while the latter chuckled and nodded, indicating that such activities were quite common.
Her expression showed a mixture of surprise and subtle excitement.
After the call ended, the girls sat on one side, and the boys sat on the other side.
Hermione seems different after just a few hours.
Daphne, her best friend, soon noticed that she was wearing a new pair of earrings.
The material is refined Adamantium, which is even rarer than Mithril, and each piece is inlaid with a small and exquisite ruby.
"Vincent's gift?"
Hermione smiled but remained silent.
Seeing her happy expression, Daphne couldn't help but tease, "You've been gone for so long, you couldn't have just been eating and chatting, could you?"
"Otherwise what?"
Daphne grinned mischievously and reached out to lift Hermione's chin. "You're all dressed up so beautifully today, did Vincent eat you up?"
Hermione blushed furiously, "We have a very platonic relationship!"
"Oh~" Daphne trailed off in a strange, drawn-out tone, "So pure that you've done everything you're supposed to do, except for... you know?"
Hermione was speechless and turned her face away with a muffled grumble.
"Well, not saying anything means you agree."
Cho blushed slightly, while Astoria buried her head in unwrapping Hermione's gifts, as if she was already used to it.
Shouldn't the eldest daughter of the Greengrass Family be very well-mannered and cultured?
Thinking of that foul-mouthed Blondie, Qiu realized that all the talk about being a rich young lady was fake; the current Daphne was the real her.
She appears dignified and elegant, but a little devil lives inside her.
The boys' side was just as lively.
The twins were talking animatedly about their "becoming Champion" plan, which they had been preparing for over half a month.
"With just one drop of Aging Potion, we'll perfectly meet the requirements."
Vincent glanced at Cedric and ruthlessly poured cold water on the two of them, "This is your carefully prepared plan?"
Have you ever considered that age is only one of the requirements? There are many other additional, stringent conditions for becoming Champion.
"Uh..." Fred blinked his big eyes, "For example?"
"For example, academic performance, or behavior at school, and personal abilities."
The twins stared at each other blankly for a moment, then looked at Cedric with a knowing look.
With Vincent absent, his biggest rival is now just him.
Cedric felt a chill run down his spine from their stares. "Ahem—are we competing fairly?"
"No!"
"This is not fair!"
"Where is it unfair?"
The twins were stumped by the question.
Without a doubt, the Champion in the Triwizard Tournament will choose the best students from each school.
If you choose a bad one, wouldn't that make you a laughing stock?
The twins, as if on cue, looked away and fixed their gaze on Vincent's face.
What are you doing here?
My good buddy~
The two sat on either side of Vincent.
"You've been sparring with Neville all this time, you must be so bored!"
"We can find you some new fun that you'll definitely enjoy."
Vincent roughly guessed what it was after hearing only half of it.
"You want me to train you individually?"
Fred grinned and put his arm around him, "You're a true buddy!"
George put his arm around the other side and said, "Our requirements aren't high. We just need to be able to beat that guy Cedric."
Cedric's face immediately darkened. "I'm still right here."
Fred glanced at him dismissively. "So you're still here. I thought you went to find Qiu."
George raised an eyebrow at him. "Just go find Qiu and relax. We'll take care of things for you when it comes to becoming Champion."
Vincent suddenly poured cold water on their enthusiasm again, saying, "I don't think I've agreed to your request yet?"
Cedric immediately raised his smug little face, "There's an old saying in the East, 'The mantis tries to catch something, but the oriole is waiting behind.'"
Vincent paused, then asked, "Cedric, are you trying to say 'extreme joy turns to sorrow'?"
"Right, right!" Cedric clicked his tongue at the twins. "I always tell you not to get too excited, now you've had your bad luck."
"Us--"
"Don't worry, you don't need to bother with the Champion's rough work."
"This--"
"What do you mean 'this'? Everyone said to leave it to me."
The situation has reversed, and now it's the twins' turn to suffer.