Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

In 1993, many people also dubbed it the Year of the Black.

Because in this year, there were extreme reversals for the two male members of the Black family.

Sirius Black and Regulus Black.

With the reports from the Daily Prophet and statements from Dumbledore and Fudge, among others, the tragic experiences of the Black brothers fundamentally changed many people's views on this ancient pure-blood family.

There were even a few voices suggesting a reinvestigation into Bellatrix, thinking she might also be a wronged person.

Of course, this voice disappeared quickly, like a stone thrown into the sea, without causing any ripples.

The influence capable of forming such an energy within the Ministry of Magic clearly also came from pure-blood families. Considering Bellatrix's actions, the answer was already evident.

— The Sacred Twenty-Eight's Longbottom family.

Similarly an ancient pure-blood family, the Longbottoms' influence was no less than the Blacks'. In fact, because they had served as Aurors and other enforcement roles for generations, their strength even vaguely surpassed many pure-blood families.

...

However, no matter how noisy the outside world was, it only affected those who paid attention to it.

It was the fifth day of the Christmas holiday.

Hogsmeade unusually did not have snow, but the roads in the early morning were still covered with a layer of glistening frost.

Madam Puddifoot had gotten up early to start her preparations. During the Christmas holidays, her tea shop was always a favorite spot for third-year and older students.

Imagine, on a cold Christmas day, sitting in a warm tea shop with someone you fancy, sipping sweet hot drinks, and watching the snow outside in Hogsmeade through the window.

Of course, these were all hard conditions; what Madam Puddifoot excelled at was her caramel-making skills.

Even if no one ordered drinks, there was always a pot of pink caramel syrup simmering slowly on the shop's stove. This ensured that every couple who walked into the tea shop was immersed in a sweet aroma.

Every couple! Because those who came here rarely came alone. Even if someone started alone, they would become a pair halfway through.

Madam Puddifoot was quietly stirring the caramel syrup while smilingly looking at the third booth by the window, where a brunette girl had been sitting alone for quite some time.

But past experience told her that this situation wouldn't last long.

In her view, the brunette girl was quite pretty. Although her hair was a bit frizzy, with some smoothing potion and a bit of Magical Witch lipstick and eyeshadow, she would definitely attract many boys.

Just as Madam Puddifoot was curious about what kind of boy would make such a girl wait, the bell on the shop door gave her the answer.

"Happy Christmas! Madam Puddifoot!" Ino greeted with a smile.

Hogsmeade wasn't very big, and having lived there for more than a year, he was familiar with many shop owners. After all, there were only so many shops, and one had to interact when buying things.

"Happy Christmas! But you should hurry inside, she's been waiting for quite a while." Madam Puddifoot nodded towards the booth, indicating the main event was over there.

Upon seeing Ino, Madam Puddifoot had a guess about the relationship and she wholeheartedly supported the brunette girl's approach.

If you like someone, you should go for it; happiness never knocks on the door by itself.

...

At the same time, Ino pushed open the wooden door decorated with a Christmas wreath and walked into the small booth.

It was really small, only about ten square feet. The steamy room had red leather-backed seats on both sides, a small pink cartoon round table in the middle, and the tablecloth was adorned with pretty bows.

To be honest, in such a cramped environment, two people sitting face to face would inevitably bump legs.

It seemed Madam Puddifoot really understood business, maximizing the use of space in her shop and adding several extra booths to the small tea shop.

Although he criticized it inwardly, Ino still warmly greeted upon opening the door.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione."

"Happy Christmas!" Hermione responded cheerfully, then explained in a small voice, "I heard from many people that the caramel coffee here is very good, so I arranged to meet here."

Perhaps because the fireplace was burning too warmly, Hermione's cheeks were always rosy when she spoke.

"Is it good? Although I know Madam Puddifoot, this is my first visit to her tea shop."

Ino said as he sat down opposite Hermione.

Of course, there was some bumping during the process; the place was really too cramped.

"Then you should try it. I ordered a cup for you too," Hermione said happily, pushing the other cup of coffee on the table towards him.

Hearing Ino's response made Hermione genuinely happy.

But the next sentence wiped her happiness away.

"Why don't we go to the Three Broomsticks? It's not comfortable here." Ino took a sip of the coffee; though he didn't mind sweet things, it was a bit too much.

Madam Puddifoot's caramel coffee was too sweet, lacking the bitterness of coffee and tasting more like concentrated syrup.

"Is that so?" Hermione's voice rose slightly, "But I can move inwards, so you have more space."

Hermione naturally moved inwards. Heaven knew that in just fifteen minutes, her mood had changed three times.

From initial anticipation to shyness at the meeting to now realizing Ino was more uncomfortable than she was, there was nothing to be afraid of.

Now it was her stage as Hermione Granger.

...

The Three Broomsticks Pub.

"You should be at Puddifoot's Tea Shop, not here." Madam Rosmerta glanced at the two figures who had just entered.

"In fact, we just came from there! But comparatively, I prefer the atmosphere here."

Ino responded with a smile while leading Hermione to a spacious table in the corner.

He couldn't possibly not know about Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.

Not to mention the original story, just living in Hogsmeade for more than a year was enough to understand everything there.

In fact, whether it was complaining about the sweetness of the coffee or the cramped space, it was essentially an excuse.

He wasn't pretending to be ignorant but had a clear understanding of certain things.

Just as he once explained to a curious Draco, the affections and crushes during school years were just part of adolescence.

These feelings were like summer rain, coming quickly and going just as fast.

Feelings always needed time to be polished.

Moreover, it was only the second half of the third year; even if there was to be a romance, it should wait until after the O.W.L.s in the fifth year.

Seeing Hermione, who had been sulking since they entered the Three Broomsticks, Ino decided to find a time to have a good talk with her.

After all, occasionally pretending to be ignorant was fine, but doing it all the time could hurt someone.

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