Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

The dormitory at the end of the holidays is always bustling.

Almost everyone wants to share their joy and recount the interesting events of their holiday.

This is particularly evident in Gryffindor.

The atmosphere in the common room resembles a small banquet.

But everything is relative; with relative liveliness, there is also relative quiet.

In a corner of the common room, Ginny sat on the sofa with a slight frown. As a fellow girl, she very much understood that feeling of unrequited love.

"Hermione, I don't think it's a big deal. The future is long, and some people are just slow to catch on!"

Ginny whispered comfortingly while her eyes inadvertently glanced at Harry, who was happily chatting with everyone.

"It would be better if he didn't catch on! That way, I can teach him slowly," Hermione lowered her voice as well.

Hearing this, Ginny smiled faintly. Although the Weasley girls were never short on courage, matters of the heart couldn't be solved with a wave of a wand.

Ginny's gaze lingered on Harry for several seconds before she turned back to Hermione.

"So, what are you going to do? If you let go, someone else will snatch him away."

"I don't know!" Hermione shook her head bitterly.

She truly didn't know what to do anymore. She had done everything she could, and continuing might even risk their friendship.

"You're hesitating? That proves you're unwilling to give up!" Ginny pointed out the core issue bluntly.

Unwilling to give up? Hermione subconsciously nodded slightly.

Of course, she was unwilling to give up. They had known each other for three years, even before entering Hogwarts. How could she just watch the swan fly away?

"Then you should make your presence felt! Many people use this method. You don't need to do much—just 'accidentally' meet in the corridors, classrooms, the Great Hall. At least don't let him forget you."

Ginny analyzed seriously. She didn't mention that these tricks were secretly taught by her mother during the holidays.

"Accidental meetings? Will that work?" Hermione hesitated, feeling like it was scheming and plotting.

"It is scheming!" Seeing Hermione's hesitation, Ginny was straightforward. She had felt the same when her mother first told her about it.

"Hermione, that's how Hogwarts is. If you don't use some tricks, someone else will."

Ginny repeated Mrs. Weasley's teaching.

After a brief thought, Hermione nodded firmly.

...

Time always drifts by.

After the start of the new semester, everything proceeded methodically, whether it was classes, studying, or Quidditch practice.

Overall, without the Dementors, the skies were rarely gloomy.

The fairy tale seemed to continue.

In the fairytale-like atmosphere of the castle, Ino got up early on the weekend and headed straight to the headmaster's office.

It had been almost a week since school started, and he planned to ask Dumbledore about the whereabouts of the Mirror of Erised.

However, as he turned a corner in the corridor, he saw a familiar figure again.

This familiar scene had happened almost every day in the past week, sometimes more than once a day.

Hermione always held her head high, drawing an elegant arc as she quietly passed through the corridor.

Because the distance was a bit far, he could only nod in greeting from afar.

Although some things had been clarified, friends were still friends.

"With that demeanor, she doesn't even need Animagus to become a swan..."

As Hermione's figure disappeared, he couldn't help but sigh.

That proud, elegant demeanor was all too familiar.

...

After the brief interlude.

Ino arrived at the headmaster's office on the eighth floor.

But before he could speak the password, the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance moved aside obediently.

The office that Umbridge had tried so hard to enter was, at this moment, seemingly unguarded.

After passing through a revolving staircase, Dumbledore came into view.

"Good morning, Professor." Ino greeted with a smile.

"Sorry for the unannounced visit, but I had no choice because there's something you hid that I want to see again."

"Good morning! It's rare for you to seek me out." Dumbledore stood up.

"But there are many things I've hidden in the castle. Which one are you looking for? Some I can tell you about, some you'll have to wait for."

Dumbledore's words held a touch of mystery, but Ino wasn't in the mood for riddles. The headmaster could play those games with Harry.

"I'm looking for the Mirror of Erised," Ino stated his purpose.

"The Mirror of Erised?" Dumbledore was slightly surprised to hear the name but quickly regained his composure.

"The mirror is hidden in the Trophy Room. If you need it, you can have Filch bring it to your dormitory, but be mindful of its properties..."

Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence, but Ino understood the implied meaning.

Being mindful of its properties essentially meant avoiding exposure to other young wizards. A mirror that reflects desires could easily lead to obsession among immature minds.

"Don't worry, Professor! I know what to do," Ino promised with a nod.

Including Draco, he didn't intend to let anyone else come into contact with the mirror. The ability to fulfill one's desires was essentially an amplifier of ambition.

In a way, the Mirror of Erised was more dangerous to Slytherin students than any dark magic artifact.

A wizard's power source may not be clearly defined, but the factors influencing it are well-known.

The mind or faith is always a crucial topic.

At the same time.

After hearing the promise, Dumbledore nodded slightly and turned to a cupboard by the wall.

Seeing the familiar scene, Ino knew the old headmaster was about to offer some candy as a treat.

A glimpse into the cupboard revealed its contents.

Besides the precious Pensieve, there were many transparent glass jars filled with Honeydukes' latest candies.

...

While a small candy party was being held in the headmaster's office.

On the fourth floor of the castle, a figure was wandering.

With exactly three elective courses, Pansy had a lot of free time in her daily schedule.

The time saved allowed her to read leisurely and take strolls around the castle.

During the Christmas holidays, the Muggle Studies course content led her to take a rare solo trip to London.

In the past, this would have been unimaginable.

But this time, she not only experienced the Muggle world firsthand but also bought many Muggle books.

"Rigid and old-fashioned..."

In the corridor, Pansy sighed softly.

As she walked, a rarely visited room came into view.