A Romantic Journey

February 14th arrived, Valentine's Day, and also the second Hogsmeade tour of the current school year at Hogwarts.

Skylar took a deep breath and pushed open the doors of the Great Hall. He immediately felt a barrage of gazes upon him. Yesterday, he had received five Valentine's Day invitations, and his response was—all accepted.

Good morning, Skylar.

The first to appear was Astoria Greengrass. She wore a light blue cashmere coat and a white scarf around her neck, looking more gentle than usual. She smiled and took Skylar's arm, her emerald eyes carrying a hint of teasing. "I heard you're very busy today?"

Skylar smiled slightly, but before he could respond, another calm voice interjected. "Indeed, very busy."

He turned his head and saw Daphne Greengrass leaning gracefully against a pillar, arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips. She usually disliked these extravagant holidays, but today she was unusually dressed in a black turtleneck sweater and a fitted coat, her long blonde hair held back with a silver hair clip, exuding a sophisticated beauty.

"Since we're all here, let's set off together?" Skylar said calmly, seemingly oblivious to the shocked looks from the students around him. His tone was matter-of-fact, as if this was the most normal arrangement imaginable.

"I don't want you to fall behind me."

Morrie MacDougal entered through a side door, a smile on her face. The hem of her plaid coat swayed in the breeze, and her light blue eyes gleamed with an intellectual light behind her black-rimmed glasses. She nodded to Daphne and Astoria, then gently patted Skylar the shoulder. "How's your schedule coming along? Want me to help you plan it out?"

Skylar smiled and said, "No need, I know what I'm doing."

Just then, a clear voice rang out from behind him. "Ah, I've arrived just in time."

Cho Chang, carrying a book, walked over with a smile. Today she was wearing a red cloak, her long black hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and her face had a faint pink hue, giving her a festive look. She didn't seem to mind that she wasn't the only one accompanying her; instead, she looked at the other three with great interest.

Finally, Luna Lovegood entered, humming a soft tune, carrying a bunch of strange, pale purple flowers. Her silver eyes swept over the group before she handed the flowers to Skylar: "These are flowers that bloom automatically on Valentine's Day; they only open for those they like."

Skylar took the flower, and the petals immediately unfolded gently, releasing a soft fragrance.

Five girls, five completely different styles, but at this moment, they all stood quietly beside Skylar, waiting for him to make a decision.

Skylar glanced at them, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Let's go together then."

Walking down the streets of Hogsmeade, Skylar attracted countless eyes. Five girls surrounded him, each with a distinct aura, yet none of them seemed out of place.

They first went to Honeydukes and bought some chocolates and sweets.

Next, they went to the Three Broomsticks, which was even more crowded than usual, but Skylar had already arranged a private room.

Daphne leaned back in her chair, looking at Skylar: "You didn't book this in advance, did you?"

Skylar shrugged. "Of course, since we're going to spend Valentine's Day together, we can't just stand on the street, can we?"

Luna held a glass of Butterbeer and swirled it gently. "If you were standing on the street, you might even see flying love Goblin."

"What is that?" Astoria asked curiously.

"Dad said they're creatures that only appear on Valentine's Day, and they'll matchmake for destined couples," Luna replied earnestly.

Daphne sighed helplessly, "Hopefully, it won't lead Mr. Malfoy into any more complicated relationships."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

As the sun set, Skylar led the five to a small hill outside Hogsmeade Village, from which they could overlook the entire town. The snow reflected the afterglow of the sunset, and the sky was tinged with a pale pinkish-orange hue, making the scene as beautiful as a painting.

The five girls stood in different spots, quietly admiring the scenery.

"I had a very happy day," Astoria said softly.

"Indeed, it's more enjoyable than I imagined." Cho Chang nodded with a smile.

"Skylar, you'll always remember this day, won't you?" Morrie asked, half-jokingly.

"Of course." Skylar looked at them, his tone calm yet full of confidence, "This isn't just your Valentine's Day, it's mine too."

All five of them were stunned for a moment, and then they all burst into laughter at the same time.

Standing atop the hill, Skylar looked back at the five girls beside him and smiled gently, "Let's go, we should head back."

The five girls exchanged glances, seemingly waiting for someone to make the first move. Finally, the youngest, Astoria Greengrass, stepped forward first, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed Skylar's cheek. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but she still retained her unique innocence and liveliness.

"I'm very happy today," she whispered, her voice like falling snowflakes.

Morrie MacDougal stood beside him, smiling as she watched Skylar, then without hesitation stretched out her arms and gave him a firm hug. Her hug wasn't shy like other girls', but rather carried a sense of generosity and naturalness.

"If there are similar arrangements in the future, don't forget to call me again." She raised her eyebrows, her tone slightly teasing.

Before Skylar could respond, Cho Chang stepped forward gently, with the reserved tenderness of an Eastern girl. She did not kiss Skylar directly, but slowly extended her fingers and gently brushed his cheek, then smiled and leaned closer to touch his forehead.

"Thank you," she said softly, her eyes holding a hint of unspoken meaning.

Standing to the side, Luna Lovegood tilted her head, glanced at the others, and a mysterious smile appeared on her lips. She stepped forward and, without warning, placed a light kiss on Skylar's lips, the movement as nimble as a nightingale skimming across a lake.

"The stars are so bright tonight." She smiled slightly, pointed to the night sky, and her silver eyes were filled with the reflection of the stars.

Finally, Daphne Greengrass slowly walked up to Skylar. She didn't speak, but simply gazed at him silently, as if trying to etch everything from this night into her memory. After a moment, she sighed softly, reached out and grabbed Skylar's collar, pulled him close, and kissed his lips without hesitation.

This kiss was more direct than anyone else's, carrying the unique pride and possessiveness of the Greengrass Family, and also revealing a firm determination not to show weakness.

After a long while, she slowly released her grip, a smile playing on her lips, and said softly, "Don't forget, you owe us a next time."

Skylar's lips curled up slightly as his gaze swept over the five people. He felt no panic, but rather a sense of lingering satisfaction.

"Of course," he said calmly. "Then, let's go back."

After their trip to Hogsmeade Village, Skylar's relationships with several girls rapidly deepened.

Since the summer holidays, the womanizing Skylar had first gotten engaged to Eleanor in Germany, then publicly confirmed his relationship with Phoebe in France, and after returning to Britain, he had been busy with various matters of the Sleeping Dragon Society. He hadn't even been able to spend Christmas with them. He couldn't deny that he had indeed neglected his girlfriends.

Now that the ownership of the three major commercial districts— Knockturn Alley, Hogsmeade Village, and Diagon Alley— has been settled, Skylar can finally spend more time with his girlfriends.

Another fortunate thing was that Cho Chang seemed to have integrated into this dangerous and chaotic situation and had been accepted by the other girls. This truly relieved Skylar.

His biggest fear was that his harem would fall into chaos; if things went wrong, it could be even more difficult to deal with than Voldemort.

Nothing noteworthy happened after that. In Potions, Skylar and Daphne continued to mix Potions together; in Herbology, Skylar helped Morrie deal with the snarling and screaming Biting Vine.

In the Charms Club, Skylar patiently guided Cho Chang on the essentials of casting spells; when he didn't have classes, Skylar would tutor Astoria and Luna in the library.

Skylar noticed that his state of mind seemed to be subtly changing again. A warm and gentle power filled his heart, making him feel as if he were being pulled between two forces: "Love" on one side and "desire" on the other.

As the power of "love" slowly grows, one's own desires seem to gradually fade away imperceptibly.

What this really means, Skylar didn't really understand either.

Time fast-forwarded to Saturday, February 21st.

This was the second Quidditch match of the school year, between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Unlike in the original story, Cedric was still alive, so Summerby didn't get a chance to play.

A biting wind swept across the Gryffindor Quidditch Pitch as the Hogwarts vs. Hufflepuff match began amidst a tense and expectant atmosphere. However, the cheers from the Gryffindor audience were quickly replaced by sighs, complaints, and face-covering gestures.

"Oh, Ron--!" Hermione couldn't help but scream, covering her face with her hands as if that would lessen the disaster she was about to witness.

Ron Weasley had just attempted to catch the Quaffle in a bizarre "doggy paddle" motion, but instead flailed wildly like a vulture that had lost its balance, before watching helplessly as the Quaffle slipped through his fingers—his fourteenth missed shot!

A few suppressed laughs came from the stands, and the Slytherin side erupted in uproar. Draco laughed so hard he was doubled over, yelling at the top of his lungs towards the pitch, "Hey, Ron, you're here to be the goalkeeper, not to swim!"

At the same time, Sloper seemed too focused on the trajectory of the Bludger, and instead of hitting Bludger, he struck Angelina Jensen squarely in the mouth. Angelina cried out in pain, hovering in mid-air, one hand on the broom, mumbling, "Sloper, are you trying to make me swallow my own teeth?!"

An even more embarrassing scene unfolded for Gryffindor Beater Kirke. Just as Zacharias Smith was hurtling towards him with his Quaffle, Kirke suddenly screamed and fell backward off his broom like a frightened cat. Fortunately, the spell on the ground protected him from serious injury, but the scene still caused an uproar among the audience.

Just when everyone thought the competition would continue in a breathtakingly comical way, the Golden Snitch appeared!

Hufflepuff's Seeker Cedric Diggory, had already locked onto the Golden Snitch's location and was preparing to dive, but just as he was about to sprint—

Achoo!

A sudden sneeze disrupted his rhythm; the broom in his hand wobbled, and he missed the best opportunity to swoop down.

At the same moment, Ginny Weasley had already swooped down at full speed. With astonishing reaction speed and precise control, her fingers snapped shut just an inch from the Golden Snitch's grasp.

"She caught her! Ginny Weasley, she caught the Golden Snitch!"

Lee Jordan's voice pierced the sky, and the Gryffindor stands erupted in deafening cheers. Everyone jumped up, waving flags and screaming.

Ginny held the Golden Snitch high, a victorious smile on her face, while Cedric covered his nose, looking at her helplessly.

In the end, Gryffindor narrowly defeated Hufflepuff by a margin of 180 to 170.