A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Hermione stepped out of her dormitory, opening the door to the common room.

"What are you all up to?" she asked cheerfully.

She had changed out of her thick clothes and was now wearing a sleek, lightweight robe that made her look sharp and extremely capable. A warming badge hung around her collar.

"Eating chocolate—these are all William's. Want some?" Harry asked, looking up.

"No, thanks!" Hermione sniffed dismissively.

"You're not heading to the library, are you?" William asked, noticing the book in her hand.

The others turned to her, surprised.

"Of course! The library's empty right now. William, are you coming?"

"I'll pass," William said with a shrug. "Haven't I been studying with Nicolas every day recently? I'm taking the day off."

"But we only have one term left before finals," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"I need to draft a revision plan now, or I'll be overwhelmed later."

She turned to Harry and Ron.

"Are you two coming?"

"Nope!" Harry shook his head quickly.

He preferred the warmth of the common room and the comfort of chocolate to the library's chill. As he spoke, he picked up a beautifully wrapped chocolate cauldron.

"You're not going either, are you?" he asked Ron, who had remained unusually quiet.

Ron didn't reply, with an odd blank look on his face.

"Harry!" Ron suddenly shouted, startling everyone.

"What's wrong, Ron?" Harry asked, confused.

"I can't stand it—it's too hot!"

"You're wearing a warming badge and a thick sweater, of course, you're hot," Harry said, puzzled. "Why not go to the dorm and take them off?"

"It's not that!" Ron shook his head vehemently, grabbing Harry's hand as he panted, "There's this energy building below my stomach—it won't go away. Help me!"

"Uh…" Harry scratched his head, utterly baffled. "How am I supposed to help? Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Ron's flushed face looked feverish, as though he were unwell.

"It's not the bathroom!" Ron shouted. "I feel so warm, so… restless. My heart is also racing like a wild horse!"

"Ron, are you alright?" George asked, his brow furrowed.

"I'm fine, but I can't stop thinking about her!" Ron said sorrowfully.

Fred whistled. "Little Ron's fallen for someone, has he?"

"Yeah!" Ron grinned dreamily. "She's so beautiful. I want to hold her and fly to the ends of the earth with her."

"Wait—who are you talking about?" George asked, puzzled.

"Margaret Selwyn!" Ron said, springing to his feet.

Everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

George thought for a moment. "Selwyn… I remember her. She's one of our shop's regular customers.

"Very pretty, very wealthy—but she's a Slytherin, Ron. Aren't they your least favorite house? Are you sure you like her?"

Ron shifted uncomfortably. "That's why I feel so excited, so scared, so thrilled, and so happy… I like her so much, I feel like I'm going to explode!"

"Ron, do you even know what you're saying?" Harry said angrily. "You don't even know her! I've never seen you talk to her. Have you gone mad?"

"I'm not mad… Harry, listen to me—I love her!" Ron declared breathlessly.

"This is ridiculous. Stop joking, okay?" Harry said, rolling his eyes.

Before he could finish, a fist collided with the side of his head.

Harry stumbled back, stunned. Turning, he saw Ron pulling his fist back for another swing, his face twisted with anger.

"What's the matter, Harry Potter? Are you trying to steal her from me? I'll fight you!"

"Stupefy!" William's wand flicked, sending a spell that knocked Ron unconscious, collapsing him onto the couch.

"Ron's been dosed with a love potion," William explained.

"From where?" Fred frowned. "The chocolates, maybe?"

Hermione picked up an open box of chocolates from the table. The name "Margaret Selwyn" was written on it.

She looked smugly at William. "See? I told you not to brew them for her! Now look what's happened!"

William spread his hands helplessly. "Alright, alright. I won't brew them for her anymore. Let's toss these chocolates."

Not that he needed to say it as no one dared eat them anymore.

Love potions from girls were one thing, but the idea of a boy slipping a love potion into the chocolates was enough to make their chrysanthemum tight.

"What about Ron?" Harry asked, rubbing his still-sore ear.

"I've got an antidote." William pulled a small blue bottle from his pocket, using a dropper to draw a few drops.

Harry took the dropper and poured it into Ron's mouth, while Fred used magic to rouse him.

When Ron awoke, his face showed nothing but terror.

"Feeling better?" Harry asked with a grin.

"What just happened?" Ron asked, looking around in confusion.

"You accidentally ate a love potion," William explained. He handed Ron a purple bottle. "Here's some cheering potion. Drink a couple of drops—it'll help lift your spirits."

Though wary, Ron took the bottle and gulped the entire contents down in one go.

"…"

Ron's terrified expression melted into a goofy grin. "I took a love potion? That was amazing! What a wild experience, hahaha.

"Oh, Harry—I punched you, didn't I? Go ahead and hit me back, really hard, right in the face. I won't mind!"

"…" Harry was dumbfounded. It was the first time he'd heard such a ridiculous request.

…

As night fell, the returning students arrived at Hogwarts via the train.

The welcome feast was as lavish as ever.

On the first night back, Professor Quirrell made his reappearance.

He had vanished before Christmas, leading many students to assume he wouldn't be returning for the spring term.

Though his injuries had mostly healed, he looked frail and malnourished, with a pale complexion.

Quirrell still wore his ever-present turban, though now it was accompanied by a red helmet that made him resemble Magneto.

At the Headmaster's cue, the students applauded warmly to welcome him back.

Their excitement was genuine, fueled by a tantalizing rumor:

The bounty still stood—200 Galleons to anyone who could reveal what lay beneath Quirrell's turban.

That was Two Hundred Galleons!

Quirrell shivered under the weight of their smiles, trembling as though he had forgotten to wear long underwear in the cold.

Meanwhile, Snape's gaze never left William, his lips curling into a sinister sneer.

The entire meal, William couldn't shake the feeling that Snape was plotting to poison him, and he didn't eat a thing.

Thankfully, nothing happened in the end.

After the feast, William and Cedric finalized their plans for a nighttime excursion into the Forbidden Forest.

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