On a Saturday at the end of October, amidst much anticipation, the Third Year students finally celebrated their first Hogsmeade Day.
Headmaster Dumbledore also received his first letter of the day.
As an elderly man, Dumbledore's mornings began with a cup of frosted chocolate coffee.
The dark brown liquid in the glass exuded a sweet aroma, making it impossible to guess the ratio of frosting chocolate to coffee.
The only saving grace was that the liquid in the cup hadn't solidified and was still drinkable.
As a light drink in the morning, it's acceptable.
Dumbledore took off his nightcap and opened the letter that had arrived long ago. Inside was a Permission Form and a short note.
"I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, grant him permission to visit Hogsmeade this weekend." The Permission Form bore a simple and neat signature.
Another short message briefly explained the situation to Dumbledore.
"The Dursley won't sign Harry's Permission Form, Silan sent me a letter. As Harry's godfather, I believe I have the right to allow him to go to Hogsmeade. Respected Headmaster Dumbledore, please convey my message..."
Dumbledore downed his cup of frosted chocolate coffee in one gulp, smacked his lips, and muttered, "It seems a bit weak..."
He placed the cup back on the table, and Dumbledore vanished without a trace.
For the Third Year students, the first Hogsmeade Day was just as anticipated as Christmas.
In a boarding school like Hogwarts where students can't leave freely, having a day off from classes to go out shopping with friends is something most students find enjoyable.
Even more remarkably, because Sirius Black was frequently seen outside, Minister Fudge managed to relocate most of the Dementors around Hogwarts.
This relieved everyone.
Professor McGonagall stood at the school gate, her stern gaze scrutinizing each student as they walked out.
Seeing Harry and Ron approach, Professor McGonagall frowned and sternly reminded them, "Mr. Potter? I think I've already told you, you can't go to Hogsmeade without a guardian's signed Permission Form."
"I'm sorry, child, but these are the rules." Professor McGonagall sighed helplessly, her tone softening, but she still didn't back down.
Ron answered loudly for Harry, "We're not trying to sneak out, Professor McGonagall, we're waiting for Silan."
Mr. Prewett?
"Even if he comes to plead for me, it won't work," Professor McGonagall thought.
Students gradually walked out of the school gates. Ron and Harry craned their necks, looking around anxiously for Silan.
Silan and Hermione arrived late, almost after everyone had left.
"We've finally waited for you! I thought you weren't coming!" Ron ran over to Silan with great joy, waving his hands in greeting.
"Sorry, I rested a little longer today," Silan said.
He slept well last night and completely replenished his depleted energy.
"No need to apologize, Silan," Harry greeted him, then asked impatiently, "Where's the Permission Form? Is it signed?"
It was already quite cold in the Scottish Highlands at the end of October, but Harry's forehead was covered in sweat.
It was clear that he was very anxious.
But now, Silan has arrived.
With Silan's arrival, there is hope!
With Silan here, everything will be fine!
Seeing Harry's anxious expression, Silan shrugged. "The signed Permission Form isn't with me."
Harry's hope froze instantly, and in his utter despair, his once rosy complexion turned deathly pale.
"Looks like I won't be able to go this time..." Harry said in a low, disappointed voice.
Anyone could hear the bitterness in Harry's voice; disappointment was stuck in his throat like a hard stone, grating on his throat.
Ron opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but in the end he just patted Harry on the shoulder.
Just as Harry's disappointment was about to overflow, Silan looked behind him and said, "Don't worry, Harry, your Permission Form is here."
Upon hearing this, Harry turned around abruptly.
Dumbledore's tall figure suddenly appeared in mid-air, glancing at Harry with a smile, "Hopefully I'm not too late."
Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses and asked in surprise, "Headmaster Dumbledore, what brings you here?"
Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall and said cheerfully, "Harry and his friends can go to Hogsmeade together. I grant permission."
"Yay!"
Harry and Ron jumped up and high-fived, their faces turning red with excitement.
Looking at the excited Harry-Ron Bicycle, Professor McGonagall felt a headache coming on. She glared at Dumbledore and said in a stern voice:
"Mr. Potter's Permission Form is unsigned, and according to regulations, we should not allow him to proceed."
"Minerva, I, in the Headmaster's name, grant Harry permission to go to Hogsmeade," Dumbledore said, hands on his hips.
Professor McGonagall: "..."
"Aside from that headmaster's capriciousness, I did indeed receive Harry's guardianship consent Permission Form, I can assure you of that," Dumbledore said to Professor McGonagall with a smile, hands on his hips.
"Then why don't you give me the Permission Form?" Professor McGonagall asked warily.
After a moment of contemplation, during which he had conducted a century-long, profound study of Hogwarts' Entrance Hall, Dumbledore gave a benevolent smile:
"I forgot."
Professor McGonagall, clearly having experienced Dumbledore's selective amnesia before, rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Harry and Ron approached Professor McGonagall, their eyes wide, looking at her pitifully.
This forced Professor McGonagall to avoid eye contact.
But Harry and Ron moved on, staring at her with wide eyes again, looking at her pitifully, like abandoned kittens.
"Alright," Professor McGonagall sighed helplessly, "Since Headmaster Dumbledore has spoken, let's do as he says. After all, he's the headmaster."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall!"
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore!"
Harry and Ron jumped up excitedly, bowing repeatedly to Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore in thanks, their faces flushed with excitement.
The two of them, arm in arm, skipped and hopped their way out of the school.
As they passed Silan, Harry rushed up and gave him a big hug.
"Thank you so much, Silan!" Harry felt warm and content, as if he had drunk Butterbeer.
Hermione, standing next to her, stared wide-eyed.
No, who gave you permission to hug me?!
Ron skipped over and, mimicking Harry, stretched out his arms to Silan: "Me too!"
After giving his brother, who couldn't bring himself to kiss his butt with his boots, a bear hug, Ron and Harry skipped away contentedly.
Hermione was left standing there, stunned.
"What's wrong with Hermione's eyes?" Feeling a strange itch on his back, Ron turned around and saw Hermione staring at them with wide eyes. He turned to Harry and asked.
"Maybe she wants to hug Silan too," Harry said.
Hermione was so envious of Harry and Ron who hugged Silan and ran away right in front of her that she felt an itch all over.
Those two despicable guys!
How rude! Miss Granger gritted her teeth inwardly.
"Let's go, Hermione." Silan helped Hermione tighten her scarf.
"Okay."
Regaining her senses Hermione quickly started walking to catch up with Silan, but deliberately slowed down, keeping a distance from Harry and Ron.
Harry and Ron skipped and jumped excitedly, walking much faster than them, and soon left them behind.
Hermione, however, wasn't in a hurry at all.
The two of them lingered at a distance from the crowd, chatting idly as they strolled along the path.
"Silan, how did you manage to get Headmaster Dumbledore to help you?" Hermione turned to Silan and asked curiously.
Silan stated frankly, "It was simply a matter of sending the Permission Form to Harry's guardian, having him sign it, and then sending it to Dumbledore."
"But not as the official guardian," Silan thought to herself.
Although it was a little strange not to just hand the signed Permission Form to Professor McGonagall, Hermione didn't ask any further questions.
After all, Dumbledore has intervened, so there shouldn't be any problems.
Hermione quickly put those questions out of her mind and enjoyed her Hogsmeade Day to the fullest.
Professor McGonagall watched the children run out of the school, their serious expressions fading, replaced by a gentle and kind smile.
Dumbledore was standing nearby, quietly retreated, preparing to slip away, otherwise he would definitely be nagged again.
Unfortunately, Dumbledore turned around, a stern voice called out to him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!"
"Ah... what is it, Minerva?" Dumbledore turned stiffly, adding quickly, "I have an important meeting later."
Professor McGonagall looked at him and said sternly, "As the principal, you shouldn't be helping students break school rules."
Dumbledore opened his mouth, but Professor McGonagall didn't give him a chance to speak, continuing, "As the headmaster of this school, you should set an example, not act arbitrarily. How can a headmaster lead the way in violating school rules?!"
"After all, I am Gryffindor too," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Professor McGonagall was stunned by his words.
What nonsense!
Are all the students in Gryffindor bound to break the rules...?
In the end, even Professor McGonagall herself began to feel insecure, and so did Dumbledore, the headmaster; what about the other students...?
Seizing the opportunity, Dumbledore made his escape.
Professor McGonagall's chest heaved rapidly as she watched Silan's retreating figure with a look of regret.
It's all that Sorting Hat's fault, that crazy old hat!
If Silan were sorted into Gryffindor, wouldn't we have a model student who never breaks the rules?
"That Sorting Hat must be out of his mind!" Professor McGonagall thought angrily.
Among the students heading to Hogsmeade, Malfoy, leading Goyle and Crabbe, swaggered along the road.
They have something important to do today.
We're just waiting for Prewett to arrive!