Chapter 137: A small gathering in Hogsmeade (second update)
Hogsmeade.
Looking down from the sky, the whole village looks full of light.
Especially during Christmas, not only are beautiful lights hung in every store, but even magic candles are lit on both sides of the road.
Soaring in the air.
After finding the coordinates of his cottage, Ino swooped down and flew directly into the open window on the second floor.
The moment he landed, he lifted the magic, waved his wand and lit the candlestick on the table, and then half-lying on the bed.
To be honest, after experiencing the modern life of Hermione's family, he returned to Hogsmeade and felt like he was traveling through the Middle Ages.
This is not to say that magic is bad, but the gap between wizards and Muggles. The gap between these two groups is really big.
In all aspects, whether it is lifestyle or ideology, it feels like two completely different worlds.
Two unconnected and irrelevant worlds.
…
The first ray of light at dawn quietly weaves like a thread, tearing the darkness of the sky bit by bit.
The ancient village of Hogsmeade also wakes up under the rising sun in the east.
The Three Broomsticks.
After ordering a lamb kidney pie, Ino sat in the corner of the hall, intending to eat breakfast while waiting for friends who would be teleported over via the Floo Network.
Ten minutes later.
Ms. Rosmerta gently placed a plate of tempting food on the table.
However, she did not return to the bar as usual, but chose to sit opposite and teased:
"I always thought this dish was exclusive to middle-aged men, but I didn't expect you to like such 'flavorful' food."
Ino did not respond to the teasing immediately, but tasted the delicious food in front of him first.
This is a traditional British culinary delicacy. Lamb kidneys, fresh vegetables, and unique spices are intertwined in the pie crust and carefully baked in the oven.
After a moment, Ino put down the tableware with satisfaction and raised his head: "To evaluate a dish, we can't just look at its audience. However, your cooking skills can really be said to be perfect."
After hearing this, Ms. Rosmerta couldn't help but chuckle: "Tsk! Don't come! Save your sweet words to coax the girls! Maybe you don't need to coax them, I know them too well."
Although Ms. Rosmerta said irrelevant words, there was a flash of pride in her eyes. She knew that although her bar was not prosperous, the quality of the food had never been questioned.
After a while of kindness, Ms. Rosmerta seemed to remember something, glanced at the fireplace in the bar, and asked curiously:
"Why don't you try to connect to the Floo network? I remember that all the properties in Hogsmeade are connected. And the family Floo network can be opened in one direction, just like you opened a door that can only go out but not in. Without your permission, others cannot easily enter your room."
Considering the background of the boy in front of her, she used a metaphor that is closer to life to explain the working principle of the Floo network.
Listening to the tone of the words, Ino heard the concern from the other party, which made him feel a little warm, and he explained helplessly:
"It's not that I don't open it! It's that I don't know how to open it. I haven't lived in a house with a floo network before."
"Why didn't you say it earlier! I'll open it for you later. I always thought you were afraid of others breaking into your room."
Ms. Rosmerta said this and got up and walked to the bar.
Although it was morning, during the Christmas holiday, guests had already come in one after another.
After a short chat, Ino also began to concentrate on the food in front of him. The lamb kidneys were roasted soft and delicious, and there was no smell of mutton.
...
The Three Broomsticks Hall.
A table in the corner, surrounded by several little wizards.
"Ino, otherwise we won't wait for Daphne. She might be delayed again because of something."
Draco held a can of butter beer and sat on the stool bored. This was the third time he tried to persuade.
Opposite Draco sat Pansy and Neville. Although they did not express their opinions, they seemed to be a little impatient.
Quietly glanced at the clock on the wall, the appointment was 9 o'clock in the morning, and it was already 9:45.
"Okay, then we..."
Ino stopped talking halfway because green flames were steaming in the fireplace.
"Sorry, sorry! I'm late because I have to bring a troublemaker."
After walking out of the fireplace, Daphne apologized to everyone at the first time.
"Come on! I'm not a troublemaker. If it weren't for my mother's request, how much do you think I would want to follow you!"
The fireplace lit up green flames again, and this time a girl who looked 70% similar to Daphne came out.
Daphne pretended not to hear the objections, and pulled the girl behind her to introduce to everyone:
"This is my sister Astoria. I'm sorry I brought her here without permission. She will probably come to Hogwarts next year."
After Daphne finished speaking, the girl behind her also walked up to the crowd and said generously:
"Hello! I'm sorry for coming uninvited! I'm Daphne's sister, Astoria Greengrass!"
Fate is really strange, and some things seem to be destined. After the girl introduced herself, Draco was the first to stand up:
"Welcome! I'm Draco Malfoy, a second-year Slytherin!"
If you look closely, Draco's move was a bit risky, after all, he was not the one who initiated the invitation.
As the real initiator of the invitation, after seeing the interaction between the future couple, Ino also stood up and expressed his stance:
"Welcome! Miss Greengrass! Besides, there's nothing to apologize for. It's not a formal banquet in the first place, it's just a get-together among friends."
…
Hogsmeade.
Deep in the alley, a quiet two-story house finally ushered in its own fun.
In the living room on the first floor, three girls were sitting around, talking to each other about various topics of interest, and from time to time they heard one or two chuckles.
On the other side, Draco chatted with Neville for the first time.
The two seemed to be very harmonious, and there was a sense of letting go of grudges with a smile.
Ino sat aside and quietly watched the harmonious scene in front of him, especially the reconciliation between Draco and Neville, which made him very happy.
Seriously speaking, Draco's nature is really not bad, he is just a little pampered by his parents.
Not only were there several contradictory descriptions of Draco in the original story, but just one and a half years of contact, he already had a certain judgment.
…
In the laughter and chatting, time always passes by unconsciously.
It's approaching 12 noon.
With the joint efforts of the three house elves, a table of delicious food appeared in the restaurant easily.
Three house elves! Not only Draco, but Pansy and Daphne also brought house elves with them.
After lunch, it’s afternoon tea time, which is also a time for exchanging gifts.
The gift that Ino prepared was still a crystal ball, which was customized in batches from Devis. Even after the discount, the price of each ball was still as high as 9 galleons.
But unlike the castle given to Hermione, inside Neville's crystal ball is a beautiful small garden, and inside Draco's crystal ball is a fire-breathing Hungarian tree dragon. In short, everyone's gift is different.
But the only one who was a little embarrassed was Astoria. He didn't expect that there would be one more person temporarily, so he didn't prepare an extra gift.
But fortunately, there are still enough candies in the suitcase. I can find an excuse to pack some during the trip, so I can still save my face.
It is worth mentioning that Astoria seemed to be very smart and did not open the gift from beginning to end, which was considered as preserving dignity for both of them.
