Christmas in Hogsmeade (Special Thanks to the Boss Who Never Expected to Rank for the Bubble Tea)

The next day, the snow stopped, the sky was still overcast, and the wind wasn't as strong.

When Su Yu came out of the Slytherin Common Room, Kurama Fox was perched on his shoulder, with Fa-jie walking to his left, wearing a dark gray coat and the scarf he had given her, her hair loose, and Ka-jie walking to his right, wearing a dark green robe and carrying a small bag.

"Hermione is waiting for us at the door," Ka-jie.

"Is she alone?" Su Yu asked.

"Yes," Ka-jie. "Ginny came home this year."

Su Yu knew that Hermione and Ron's cold war wasn't over yet, Harry was caught in the middle, finding himself in a difficult position. Adding to that what must have happened yesterday, Hermione was probably in an even more difficult situation now...

At the castle gate, Hermione stood on the steps, wearing a light blue robe and a red scarf, holding Crookshanks in her arms.

"Good morning," Hermione said. Her voice was a little hoarse, and there were dark circles under her eyes, probably from not sleeping well last night.

"Good morning," Su Yu said. "Have you eaten?"

"We've eaten." Hermione lifted Crookshanks up a bit. "Let's go."

The four of them walked along the path leading to Hogsmeade. The snow was thick, making a crunching sound under their feet. The pine trees on both sides of the path were covered with snow, their branches drooping low. Occasionally, a clump of snow would slide off a branch and fall to the ground with a soft thud.

Kurama jumped off Su Yu's shoulder, ran a few steps in the snow, and then jumped back into his arms. Her paws were covered in snow and felt cool as they touched Su Yu's wrist, causing him to flinch.

"Can't you walk by yourself?" Su Yu said.

"No." Kurama buried her face in his arms.

Hermione looked at Kurama and smiled. "She's getting lazier and lazier."

"She's always been lazy," Su Yu said.

Fa-jie walked ahead, her steps quick, her boots leaving a trail of deep footprints in the snow. Su Yu and Hermione walked at the very back.

"Where are Harry and Ron?" Su Yu asked.

Hermione's expression changed slightly. "They... I don't know either..."

"Have you made up after your argument?"

Hermione was silent for a moment. "How did you know? Ron and the others are still angry. He said I shouldn't have gone directly to Professor McGonagall; I should have discussed it with them first."

"Why care so much about them?" Su Yu said. "Just do what you think is right. When have they ever considered your feelings? Why do you have to consider their feelings Tenten?"

Ron kicked Crookshanks into a box, his foot aching from the effort, yelling and screaming, and then said Hermione didn't cherish her pet and that he was a complete waste.

Hermione glanced at him. "Don't you think I did something wrong?"

"What did they do wrong?" Su Yu said patiently. "In second grade, they didn't listen, picked up a notebook, and got tricked. In third grade, they haven't improved at all. Their combined IQ is almost as high as Goyle and Crabbe's. People learn from their mistakes, but what about them? They haven't improved at all, have they?"

Hermione lowered her head, then chuckled, kicking her boot in the snow and sending up a small clump of snow. "But I... didn't think that much about it at the time."

"I know. But it's a miracle they've lived this long."

After walking for a while, Hermione spoke again. "Do you think Harry will forgive me?"

"He's not angry with you, he's angry with Ron."

"Why?"

"Harry thinks Ron went too far because he said those things to your face. But he can't directly help you scold Ron — Ron is his best friend. He's caught in the middle, not wanting to be either way. So, Ron is the dumbest one here. You should stay away from him in the future. I'm afraid it might affect your thinking..."

Hermione thought for a moment and chuckled softly. "You're right."

Su Yu didn't say anything more. Kurama peeked out from his arms and glanced at Hermione.

Hogsmeade Village was covered in a thick blanket of snow, with icicles hanging from the rooftops of the houses, glittering in the sunlight. There were more people on the streets than yesterday, some browsing shops, some having snowball fights by the roadside, and some queuing in front of the Honeydukes. Su Yu carried Kurama across the cobblestone street.

"Where to go first?" Fa-jie asked.

"Honeydukes," Hermione said.

The Fa-jie glanced at her. "You're buying candy?"

"Hmm," Hermione said, "Take some for Harry, since he can't come."

Fa-jie didn't ask any more questions. Perhaps this time, Ron and Hermione's friendship was truly over. She turned and walked towards Honeydukes.

The window of Honeydukes was filled with Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frog, Fizzing Whizzbees, Exploding Bonbons Gummy Candies, Blood-flavored Lollipops, and a huge jar of cream gummies piled up like a small mountain. Kurama peeked out from Su Yu, staring at the jar of cream gummies.

"What is that?" Kurama asked.

"Fat fudge," Hermione said. "Honeydukes specialty."

"Is it tasty?"

"Tasty."

"Then I'll buy one can."

Su Yu glanced at Kurama, Kurama expression was very serious, then tapped Kurama on the head, causing Kurama to yelp in pain.

"Is this how you trick little girls out of their candy? You don't know what it is?"

Kurama grinned at Su Yu, only to be exposed again...

Su Yu pushed open the shop door and walked in with the group of girls. The shop was crowded with Hogwarts students. Some were picking out candies, some were queuing to pay, and some had already opened the packaging and were stuffing them into their mouths. The air was filled with a sweet smell, mixed with the aroma of chocolate and mint.

Fa-jie and Ka-jie were picking out candy, while Hermione was checking the expiration date of a bag of Fizzing Whizzbees.

Su Yu walked to the candy jar, took a jar of fudge, a box of Chocolate Frog, and a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Kurama stared at the jar of fudge and patted the jar with its paw.

"We'll eat when we get back," Su Yu said.

Kurama withdrew his claws.

Hermione picked out a bag of Fizzing Whizzbees, a box of Chocolate Frog, a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and a black and gold quill pen hanging in the stationery section. Su Yu glanced at the quill pen, and Hermione's face flushed slightly.

"This is for you," Hermione said. "Didn't you say your quill pen was broken last time?"

Su Yu didn't say anything, took the quill pen, and put it in his shopping basket. Hermione was stunned for a moment.

"I'll pay for both," Su Yu said.

"No need—why should I make you pay for something I gave you?"

"It's fine, just pay for it through Kurama, anyway, she's Galleon."

Hermione lowered her head, a slight smile playing on her lips.

They lined up to pay and walked out of the Honeydukes. Kurama perched on Su Yu's shoulder, constantly pawing at the jar of cream candy with its paws, while Su Yu held the jar down.

"We'll eat when we get back."

Kurama snorted and stopped trying to pry it open.

They walked along the street, passing Zonko's Joke Shop, whose window was filled with prank props— Dungbomb, Hiccough Sweets, Nose-Biting Teacups, and Frog Spawn Soap. Several younger students stood in front of the window, pointing at the props Haha. Fred and George came out of the shop, carrying two large bags, and waved to Su Yu when they saw him.

"Look who it is! Su Yu! Merry Christmas!" Fred shouted.

"Merry Christmas."

George took something out of the bag and tossed it to Su Yu Su Yu caught it; it was a box of Hiccough Sweets.

"It's a new product, not yet on the market. Try it first." George winked.

Su Yu carefully put away the Hiccough Sweets. Kurama glanced at it, feeling a little tempted. What kind of candy was this? Was it tasty?

They continued walking, passing the Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, where Hermione stopped and looked at a golden quill pen in the window.

"This one looks good," Hermione said.

"Didn't you just buy it?" Fa-jie asked.

"That was for Su Yu," Hermione said, "But he used it too quickly... This one looks nice too..."

"Then let's buy it. Su Yu isn't short of money anyway," Ka-jie.

Hermione hesitated for a moment. "It's too expensive. We can't let Su Yu spend any more money."

Ka-jie glanced at Su Yu, Su Yu pushed open the door and went inside. Hermione followed behind. Kurama jumped off Su Yu's shoulder, squatted on the counter, and pawed at a peacock feather pen. The shop assistant glanced at her but said nothing.

Hermione picked out the golden quill and then a bottle of ink. After a final argument, she paid for it herself. Hermione carefully put away the quill and ink and handed them to Su Yu, her expression much better than before.

"Thank you, Su Yu. I'm so lucky to know you. From the very beginning, you've been the only one who's been understanding and supportive of me. Even now, you're still standing behind me."

"You're welcome, Miss Granger. It's an honor to meet you. However, you're still young. From now on, I'll take care of you. Anyway, our family is never short of money. Even if you wanted to buy the entire Ministry of Magic, we have enough money. And if all else fails, we still have Kurama." Su Yu said, patting Hermione's head. Kurama nodded and patted the Philosopher's Stone on his chest, looking like he was saying, "Don't worry, I'll protect you from now on." His expression made Hermione and the other girls Haha.