Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

Just before the Christmas holidays, in the basement corridor of the castle.

Many Slytherin students witnessed a miraculous scene.

The usually stern head of their house and the severe Potions Master, Severus Snape, actually wore a gentle expression on his face.

"Professor Snape!" Hermione greeted him proactively.

"Mm." Snape nodded slightly, then looked around.

Without any further words, all the Slytherin students began to disperse.

Similarly, Daphne, pulled by a few other girls, returned to the common room.

After the crowd had completely dispersed, Snape's gaze locked onto Ron.

Typically, Harry would be the first target in this kind of situation, but after the Sirius Black incident, Harry knew everything that had happened, which gave him complicated feelings towards Snape.

On one hand, he hated Snape for revealing the prophecy, but on the other hand, he felt guilty for his father. If there hadn't been conflicts during their school years and if there had been no previous humiliations, perhaps everything would have turned out differently...

But from Snape's perspective, he could always see a pair of emerald green eyes, showing a complicated expression, filled with hatred and regret...

Because of this, starting this year, Potions class had a new scapegoat — Ron Weasley.

Ignoring Ron's anxious expression, Snape stared at him closely. As their eyes met, he slowly spoke:

"Ron Weasley, for intending to cause trouble in the castle, you are sentenced to detention for two days every weekend for two months after the Christmas holidays. The detention will be held in the Potions classroom."

Hearing this punishment, both Hermione and Harry felt it was too much. Although no points were deducted, two months of detention was overly harsh.

"Professor..." Hermione couldn't help but speak. After all, Ron had come to help her.

However, before Hermione could finish, Snape interrupted, "If I were you, I'd think carefully about where those rumors came from!"

Hearing this, Ron's face turned slightly pale. He turned and whispered, "It's okay, Hermione! I'm fine."

Hermione first looked at Ron's expression and then thought about what Snape had said, squinting her eyes thoughtfully.

"You two should go back and avoid coming here if you have no business," Snape said in a tone that didn't allow for argument, then turned his gaze back to Ron.

"As for you, come to my office!"

...

The now-empty corridor seemed overly quiet.

As Ron and Snape left, Harry hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow them.

Hermione also followed. Despite Snape's hint, she still had questions she needed to ask directly.

Outside the Potions classroom.

Harry looked at Hermione, conflicted. He didn't know if he should say something, but before he could decide, Hermione had already made the decision for him.

"You don't need to say anything. I'll ask him myself!"

Hermione leaned against the corridor wall, arms crossed, one leg casually bent, her eyes half-closed as she stared at the door to the Potions classroom.

However, in this seemingly relaxed posture, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of danger from Hermione for the first time.

After about fifteen minutes.

The door to the Potions classroom opened.

Ron came out, looking dejected, holding an old wooden box.

"Mr. Weasley!" Hermione slowly stood straight and walked towards Ron step by step.

"I was wrong! I confess," Ron said, regretting his loose tongue during their idle chat.

Hermione didn't respond, only signaling with her eyes for him to continue.

"I made up three versions, the rest weren't my fault," Ron said, his tone filled with innocence.

"So which three? You'd better be honest," Hermione's expression remained indifferent as she looked at Ron, unable to believe that the rumors that had troubled her for so long came from a friend.

"The Secret in the Garden, The Kiss in the Rain, The Compartment Confession..." Ron quickly listed the rumors he had fabricated.

Hearing these familiar names, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. She was just worried about hearing something shameless like love potions; otherwise, their friendship would be over.

Although they were rumors, the ones Ron mentioned were not too excessive, even carrying a touch of romanticism.

Seeing Hermione silent, Ron finally lowered his head, "Sorry, I won't spread any more rumors about you. I really won't..."

Yet, he was met with continued silence from Hermione.

Harry, worried about their tense situation, looked between them, not knowing what to do.

Just as Ron thought he couldn't be forgiven, Hermione's voice reached his ears.

"I accept your apology! But in the future, if there are any rumors about me, you have to run them by me first before spreading them."

Although she accepted the apology, Hermione did so out of necessity. As long as she stayed close to Ino, such rumors would be inevitable. It was better to have Ron around to at least craft some romantic stories, using rumors to counter rumors.

Hearing Hermione's acceptance, both Harry and Ron breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Hermione! Snape asked me to give this to you..." Ron handed over the box he was holding.

"What is this?" Hermione took the old-looking box and opened it, revealing two three-inch round mirrors inside.

"A set of Two-Way Mirrors!" Unlike Harry's silence, Ron immediately recognized them.

"This is a lost alchemical item that allows for long-distance communication and lets you see each other in the mirrors..."

Listening to Ron's enthusiastic explanation, Hermione understood its use. It was essentially a magical version of a mobile phone, but more advanced, allowing for visual communication. This was likely why Snape didn't want her coming to the corridor anymore.

...

While Hermione was happy with the Two-Way Mirrors, Ino headed towards the Forbidden Forest, with a faint black mist floating inside his sleeve.

After a period of control, the Boggart had visibly shrunk. Now, he needed to feed it, seeking new sources of fear.

Of course, the most legitimate way would be at a London amusement park or cinema. Whether it's a haunted house or a midnight horror movie, fear is plentiful.

But all this would have to wait until the day after tomorrow's Christmas holiday. For now, he could only try his luck in the Forbidden Forest.

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