Even a National Day Outing Has to Be a Party of Three

Goodness, another important piece of information...

To be honest, Harry is really scared by this constant stream of important information, because every time someone jumps out to deliver this information to him, it absolutely means... he's in trouble again.

Moreover, it's likely the kind of problem that will persist from now into the future and remain unresolved for a very long time.

However, he couldn't ignore Nicolas Flamel's words, because the matter concerned Luna Lovegood after all.

Even if he had no intention of rekindling their past relationship, this elfin-like girl was definitely an important person to Harry, and he couldn't just stand by and watch her be surrounded by danger without doing anything.

"Doctor, what happened back then is never truly over. Your fate and the little Prophet's fate have always intersected with the past, just like it..."

Nicolas Flamel gently stroked the crystal ball in front of him, and the smoke inside began to change incessantly, following some mysterious guidance.

What Harry finally saw was a strange symbol that looked like an ∞ symbol standing upright.

But when Harry looked closely, he discovered that it was actually a strange snake with its head and tail joined together and its body twisted into the shape of an 8.

"This is... Ouroboros, the Ouroboros?"

Thanks to his recent extensive reading with Nicolas Flamel, Harry recognized the pattern of smoke inside the crystal ball as a crucial symbol in ancient alchemy.

The twisted Ouroboros, symbolizing 'infinity' or 'everything,' is the best representation of the first element, the foundation of ancient alchemy.

At the same time, the Ouroboros's behavior of simultaneously devouring its own tail and destroying itself, while also giving life to itself and nurturing itself, represents a concept of infinite cycles.

The transformation between substances in ancient alchemy was essentially the cycle of the first element.

"Yes, Doctor, it's Ouroboros ..." Nicolas Flamel sighed hoarsely. "Everything has a beginning and an end, just as a snake's tail should return to its mouth. The first day... determined the last day. Doctor, the little Prophet, she... is the tail you can't let go of."

Harry sensed a hint of despair in Nicolas Flamel's words.

He and Luna Lovegood represent the head and tail of the Ouroboros, respectively. Together, they are trapped in an endless loop formed by the snake's body.

So... he absolutely has to go through the whole process of 'going back to the past, Luna Lovegood's death, and reincarnation' again, no matter what?

Indeed, fate is a thing that always sounds incredibly unpleasant.

Looking at the strange snake formed by smoke in the crystal ball, Harry knew that the only way to break this cycle might be to bite off its tail completely.

When the Ouroboros gives up biting its own tail and painfully tears off the knot on its body, it can then freely choose the direction to go.

But in doing so, its tail also disappeared completely...

Therefore, if Harry chooses to accept his fate, he will inevitably fall into the Ouroboros cycle again; but if he chooses to ignore his fate, he will inevitably have to cut off his tail.

Another frustrating fact is... losing her tail definitely doesn't mean Luna Lovegood will be safe!

Otherwise, Nicolas Flamel wouldn't have risked using the Sorcerer's Stone to extend his life just to relay this message, and he and Perenelle would have been even less inclined to target Hermione.

They were extremely worried.

I'm worried that Harry doesn't value Luna Lovegood enough, that he'll eventually give up on her...

"So, why did I bring Luna Lovegood back to the past?"

Harry pressed on, puzzled. This question had been bothering him for a long time, even more so than the troubles Voldemort had caused him.

He saw his grown-up self and Luna Lovegood in the Mirror of Erised, which means that the time travel happened much further into the future, most likely after they graduated from Hogwarts.

Furthermore, Scamander was unaware that Harry could speak Parseltongue, which may indicate that before the time travel, he had completely defeated Voldemort, and the Voldemort soul fragments within him had also disappeared.

So here's the question: since Harry had already defeated the Dark Lord, become the Boy Who Lived, married a beautiful and wealthy woman, and reached the pinnacle of wizarding, why did he still have to recklessly travel back in time?

"I don't know... Your purpose in time travel, like your identities, is a secret that cannot be spoken." Nicolas Flamel sighed, looking at the crystal ball. "When Tina brought the little Prophet to Perenelle and me, we finally confirmed her identity. It was the same with you; Newt didn't find you until you were ten. If we had discovered it sooner, perhaps we wouldn't be in such a dilemma now..."

"Yes..." Harry sighed softly, unsure how to respond.

If Scamander had found him a few years earlier, he might not have been adopted by the Granger family, and consequently, he would likely have missed out on Hermione and willingly accepted the arranged marriage by Scamander, his 'elder'.

Well... Harry can honestly say that if Hermione weren't involved, he absolutely wouldn't object to Luna Lovegood being betrothed to him as a child.

But life doesn't offer "what ifs".

It's like Harry can't expect to have a script that can arrange all the troubles around him into episodes, and then systematically overcome each challenge and change the map.

Part 1: Defeat Voldemort and become the Boy Who Lived;

Part Two: Resolving the conflict between the Royal Family and the Ministry of Magic, and taking command of the entire Wizarding World;

Part Three: Traveling the world with beautiful women by my side, galloping freely on horseback and sharing in the splendor~

However, the reality is that fate won't let Harry be so lucky, so all the troubles that are bound to happen will eventually happen... and they'll all happen in quick succession right from the start.

All the clues and entanglements, as well as the expectations of countless people, were placed on Harry's shoulders from the very beginning. Not only were they overwhelming, but they were also creating a tangled mess around him, leaving him overwhelmed and unsure of which to deal with first!

But after everything that's happened, Harry is now indifferent to it all.

In Nicolas Flamel's eyes, Harry's fate was an Ouroboros, but Harry felt... fate was actually a dog.

When you are powerless, it barks and swaggers at you, using its fangs and claws to force you into submission, making you tremble in its shadow.

But don't be impatient. At times like these, you just need to quietly accumulate strength.

Because as long as a person is alive and refuses to give up, they will eventually gain the power to defy fate. At that time, they can break the back of this vicious dog, or even put it on a chain...

Take them out for a stroll!

"Teacher...I cannot agree to your expectations now!" Harry said firmly to Nicolas Flamel, "Because I have new ties now, I cannot let her go on adventures with me; and more importantly, for her sake, I absolutely cannot take any risks!"

If Harry were all alone, he would have agreed without hesitation, because it was his duty to do so.

But he still has Hermione; he can't sacrifice the most important person in his life just to save Luna Lovegood's fate.

"Besides... a new destiny has already been forged, and dwelling on the past will not solve anything!" With that, Harry, using his most resolute attitude, made Nicolas Flamel understand his determination. "I will do everything in my power to rewrite Luna Lovegood's fate! But no one, nothing, will make me give up on Hermione!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Harry turned and went back to his room, but a shocking crack suddenly appeared in the crystal ball in front of Nicolas Flamel.

"This..." Staring at the patterns that kept spreading across the sphere, the nearly 700-year-old man was speechless for a long time.

Back in his room, Harry lay on his simple bed on the floor, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, which gradually became vacant.

Although those nice words were spoken, achieving a perfect balance is easier said than done.

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt everything go black before his eyes, and then a hot, delicate body gently pounced on him.

"Hermione... you?" Harry was startled when he caught a familiar scent. Hermione was awake?

Could it be that she actually overheard my conversation with Nicolas Flamel...?

"Shh~" The girl raised her index finger to silence Harry's voice, and her pretty face moved closer and closer to him.

"Harry, kiss me..."

There was no need to say anything more. Hermione heard their words and fully understood how much Harry cherished her.

So, she used this method to reveal her feelings to Harry.

Faced with the girl's shy yet expectant gaze, all Harry could do was respond enthusiastically.

Their lips met, their bodies pressed tightly together, secretly yet unrestrainedly expressing their feelings for each other.

"Hmm..."

Meanwhile, on the small bed in the guest room, Luna Lovegood, who was fast asleep with her eyes closed, unconsciously frowned.

She slightly lifted the corner of the blanket to cover her face, and her breathing beneath the blanket subtly became a little more rapid...

(P. S. I always seem to be just one chapter short of catching up, it's so frustrating~)

Chapter 249 Even a National Day outing requires three people.

"Hmm... Good morning~"

The next morning, Luna Lovegood yawned incessantly and walked out of her room with a mess of hair that looked like a bird's nest.

She seemed to have not rested well, as her eyes looked quite glazed and her voice had a strong nasal tone when she greeted people.

"Oh, my poor little Prophet, did you not sleep well last night?" Perenelle asked with concern as he busied himself setting the table.

"Probably," Luna Lovegood nodded groggily, "It was indeed a bit noisy last night."

"Uh..." On the other side, Hermione, who had just finished washing up, came out of the bathroom. When she heard Luna Lovegood talking about the 'noise' last night, she quickly blushed and lowered her head.

Please, they were more than just 'noisy' last night!

When young men and women are lost in passion, they inevitably become inseparable, especially when they are in a semi-concealed environment with other people sleeping in the same bed. This creates a thrill similar to having an affair.

As a result, Harry and Hermione's actions were inevitably a bit more unrestrained while still being suppressed... Of course, nothing particularly special happened in the end; it was just all bark and no bite.

"Oh, my dear Hermione, you've finished washing up too? Come on over and have breakfast!" Perenelle greeted Hermione warmly. "Breakfast is very delicious today!"

"Uh... thank you for the treat."

Hermione sat down at the table, somewhat bewildered, and looking at the various delicacies appearing before her, she suddenly began to wonder if the sun had been born on the wrong side today.

Her confusion wasn't about the food, since the Nicolas Flamel family's meals were similar to Hogwarts', prepared by House-elf. However, House-elf weren't allowed in the living room and workshop, so the food was conjured using Summoning Charm.

Today's breakfast was just a bit more substantial than the previous few days, which is not surprising.

Hermione was truly puzzled by was Perenelle's attitude.

She had been at the Nicolas Flamel house with Harry for several days, and had never seen Perenelle smile at her once.

Although Harry had a frank conversation with Nicolas Flamel last night, Hermione didn't expect them to change their opinion of her immediately.

However, she underestimated Harry's importance in the eyes of the Flamel couple.

"Hermione, we were wrong before, please don't take it too seriously." Seemingly noticing Hermione's confusion, Nicolas Flamel stepped forward and apologized. "You're a very good girl, and Perenelle and I both like you very much. After talking with the doctor last night, we reflected on our actions these past few days and feel truly sorry..."

"No! Please don't say that! I... Anyway, you don't need to apologize to me."

Seeing that Nicolas Flamel was even about to bow to her, Hermione was so startled that she hurriedly stood up, completely flustered and at a loss for words.

Like the Scamander, the Flamel couple were Harry's teachers, mentors, and relatives. Hermione had been influenced by Harry's values of respecting teachers and elders for years, so she dared not make the two elderly people bow and scrape before her.

Honestly... that brat Harry, when we needed him most, he was out running around first thing in the morning!

Come on, you're unfamiliar with Paris, what are you doing doing morning exercises these past few days?

"What day is it today? Why is there so much delicious food?"

Just as Hermione was feeling awkward and unsure of what to do, Luna Lovegood's voice suddenly came, instantly drawing the attention of the two elders.

"Ha, yeah, I was just wondering too..." Hermione, relieved to see this, quickly changed the subject and echoed Luna Lovegood, "Today's breakfast was really delicious!"

Finally, the page was turned. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but cast a grateful glance at Luna Lovegood.

This crazy girl can actually be relied on sometimes.

"Today is France's National Day, and people are already celebrating in the streets this morning."

At this moment, Harry, who had gone out for his morning exercise, had returned to the Nicolas Flamel house and happened to overhear Hermione's question.

He went to the bathroom to wash his face briefly, and casually stuck the small national flag he had just received into the corner of the living room.

Today is July 14th, the summer vacation day, which happens to be the day when the France people celebrate their national day. Harry encountered quite a few people celebrating while he was exercising outside in the morning, and that's when he got the small national flag he was holding.

Of course, a few passionate and romantic France girls wanted to give Harry hugs or even kisses, but Harry politely declined them all.

Just kidding, he's a man with a fiancée!

"National Day? That should be really lively, right?" Harry asked, Hermione face lighting up with longing.

"Yes, during the day there's a military parade on the Champs-Élysées; at night there are fireworks and concerts, and the Eiffel Tower has a light show—it's beautiful," Harry described in detail, then suddenly smiled and asked Hermione, "How about we go out for a walk together?"

"OK!"

Hermione nodded excitedly upon hearing this. She had been cooped up at Nicolas Flamel's house for a few days and was actually feeling a bit stifled, especially since it was a holiday today.

"Then let's go out this morning after we finish eating." Seeing that his little fiancée was also interested in going out, Harry immediately made the decision, "We'll do two endorsement trips in Paris during the day, and keep having fun until we're too tired to go anymore before coming back~"

"Um, Doctor... there's something I'd like to tell you." At this moment, Perenelle spoke up to remind Harry, then quietly pointed to another girl.

"This..."

Harry was momentarily conflicted, after all, this was a rare opportunity to have a date with Hermione alone on the streets of a foreign country!