Hogwarts Homecoming

"In fact—"

Dumbledore, whose old face reflected the blush of twilight, chuckled.

"Severus went through much the same thing as you in those early years.

Charlie Weasley, the second son of the Weasley family, is a Quidditch genius almost like James. "

"Hmph--"

Professor Slughorn looked sideways at Dumbledore and sneered twice.

"After that Charlie graduated, Gryffindor got Harry Potter. You probably want to say that Gryffindor House is a lucky one and has always had God's protection?"

"You know I'm not so narrow-minded, Horace--"

Dumbledore's gentle smile,

"What I would rather see is the players of the four teams fighting bravely on the Quidditch field, striving for honor for their respective colleges and themselves, and presenting a wonderful game for all of us."

"You're always so spotless, Albus-"

Professor Slughorn hummed twice more, smiled at Hermione, and walked towards the lake.

Hermione was not upset by Professor Slughorn's insinuations about Professor Dumbledore.

In fact, she quite liked Professor Slughorn.

Although this fat old man who was the same generation as Dumbledore had some problems of one kind or another, he was not the same as Professor Snape in class.

Basically, he can treat students equally, and he is not just a arrogant student who loves Slytherin.

Dumbledore also walked towards the lake. It seemed that the two of them planned to chat or talk about something.

Hermione's eyes had been following the two professors who came to the lake, and she didn't even notice Harry, Ron and the sky descending.

"You must join the Gryffindor team, Loya!"

In the end, Luo Ya couldn't get rid of Harry, but judging from the dense drops of water on Harry's forehead, he also showed great seriousness in the contest just now.

After getting off the broomstick, an excited Harry immediately extended an invitation to Loya.

"I swear on my Firebolt that as long as you join the Gryffindor team, no one will be our opponent."

The little druid girl's smiling cheeks were also red and sweaty.

Just like Harry, she looks full of energy when she gets the broomstick, but at ordinary times, her lively nature is somewhat mixed with shyness!

"I'm not sure I'm old enough, Harry -"

Luo Ya pursed her lips and said, her eyes shining with pure and flawless light.

"Oh, don't say anything stupid!"

Ron looked like a senior and patted Luo Ya's shoulder in an old-fashioned way.

"Harry joined the Gryffindor team in his first year, when he was only eleven years old like you!"

"If you agree, I will tell Angelina after dinner later that I will go with her to find Professor McGonagall. I dare say Professor McGonagall will not refuse. She desires Gryffindor more than anyone else. The team wins!”

Harry said cheerfully.

"Oh, but-"

Harry thought Luo Ya would definitely nod, but he saw Luo Ya biting her lip with a look of embarrassment on her face.

"What's wrong, Luo Ya?"

Harry blinked in confusion, and Ron suddenly showed an expression of realization,

"Are you worried that Professor Rahanson won't agree?"

Everyone knew that Loya and her companions came from the same place as Professor Lahanson.

"Actually—"

Luo Ya looked at Hermione carefully and hesitated,

"I don't know if it's possible, but I want to form my own team."

What does it mean to form your own team?

Harry and Ron looked at each other in confusion as they looked at Luo Ya, who was in front of them and was tall enough to be a first-year wizard.

But in the end, Harry was quicker to respond.

"You mean, exchange group"

Harry frowned and looked at Hermione,

"Do you think this is possible, Hermione Hermione?"

Hermione called out twice in succession and looked at the lakeside before she came back to her senses.

"Oh, you're done?"

Brushing away the hair flying in front of her eyes, Hermione looked at Luo Ya with some surprise.

"How about it, Luo Ya, have you defeated them?"

"What are you looking at?"

Ron squinted his eyes and looked in the direction of the setting sun.

"It's Dumbledore and Slughorn. Are they taking a walk?"

Hermione shrugged, no longer guessing what the two professors would talk about in private.

Looking at Luo Ya intently and tenderly, Hermione could easily detect the anxiety on the little girl's face.

"What do you want to do, Loya?"

After being interrupted just now, Luo Ya seemed even more hesitant. After all, Fromid had solemnly told them to learn to be cautious in their words and deeds in the castle.

They are still new to wizards as a group and need to learn to get along with them.

"Luoya plans to form a Quidditch team within the exchange group, but she is not sure whether it can be done?"

Harry gasped slightly and spoke up for Loya.

"oh--"

Slightly surprised, Hermione bit her lower lip and hesitated.

"Sorry, Luo Ya, I'm afraid I can't make the decision on this matter. But when Professor Blaine comes back, I am willing to help you consult with him."

"You have a very good tongue, Hermione."

Ron, who was standing aside, suddenly said.

"What!"

Looking at the thin figure walking from the school gate with long strides, Hermione screamed in surprise.

"How does it feel to be back at Hogwarts, Horace?"

"Is this why you called me out for a walk, Albus?"

Professor Slughorn rolled his eyes, looking like I knew you had ulterior motives.

However, his smile immediately faded.

Turning around, his back faced the black lake that was dyed into a lake of blood by the sunset, and he looked in the direction of the lawn. His usually alert eyes were now a little confused.

The sadness of late autumn did not affect this group of energetic young people.

On the lawn, there are little wizards laughing and chasing each other, senior couples clinging to each other, and OWLS students sitting on the ground quietly reading books to prepare for exams. Every child exudes the vigorous rhythm of life!

Slughorn was in a daze. This scene was so harmonious and peaceful that he almost forgot that the world outside this school was in dire straits.

"Hogwarts is wonderful—"

Dumbledore's silver beard was swaying, and his blue eyes reflected these young men full of fire.

"Yeah, it's always been like this here, it doesn't seem to have changed -"

Horace turned away his face and looked at Dumbledore a little distantly, his tone was also a little harsh.

"Don't beat around the bush, Albus, I know you didn't come to me just to ask me how I was doing back at Hogwarts -"

Dumbledore's smile was mixed with helplessness.

"I don't doubt your intelligence, Horace. You know what I want to know from you.

You also know very well how many innocent sacrifices can be avoided with the information you have. That crucial information can decide everything. If we don't have that information, all our efforts today will be blind - "

"I naively thought you gave up--"

Horace muttered impatiently and interrupted Dumbledore.

"But how many times do I have to say it before you believe it. I don't know. Everything I know has been told to you. Albus, the memories I gave you are everything -"

"Horace——"

Dumbledore sighed deeply, looking really helpless.

Seeing his appearance, Professor Slughorn also showed a slight hesitation. But what could he do?

Although Riddle had not really made any effort to find him until now, Horace knew that it was ridiculous to think that Riddle had forgotten the night when he asked him about the Horcrux.

It was his lifelong shame that he had unintentionally shaped Riddle into the most evil dark wizard in history! (End of chapter)