Study Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 1723 A War Without Winners (One Hundred and Seventy-three)

After calling her family in Australia, Hermione went straight back to the study to pick up the parchment that was thrown casually on the desk. Since her last conversation with Albert, she decided to devote more energy to the great cause of liberating the house elves.

Although she had a lot of inspiration, Hermione still couldn't confirm whether her method would work. She had to try it herself to know the result.

After carefully packing her luggage, Hermione began to pick out the clothes she would wear later from the suitcase. She had to make herself look "dusty" and look like she had just used Apparition to return to the UK from Australia, so as to hide it from the acquaintances around her.

Alas!

If she were Albert's wife, she wouldn't have to worry about these things, let alone worry about others knowing their private relationship.

After a slight sigh, Hermione took out the windbreaker she often used when going out from the suitcase and put it on herself, then cleaned up the traces of her former residence and packed up the garbage and threw it away.

After all, the suitcase was lent to her by Albert, and they would probably take it with them when they travel around the world next summer.

If Isobel saw that the suitcase was full of traces of her life, she would probably be unhappy. Maybe she would not say anything, but Hermione did not want to cause unnecessary trouble to Albert.

After spending some time with Albert, Hermione also realized that she was a lover. In the end, she got what she wanted.

After finishing the work at hand, Hermione sat down and simply ate some bread slices left over from last night. After all, she had to pretend in front of others that she had spent Christmas with her family in Australia.

If you tell everyone that you are full, but your stomach is still growling with hunger, it would be too embarrassing.

Just thinking about it makes me feel miserable!

I am going to attend the Christmas party later, but I have to eat cold bread slices to fill my stomach.

Fortunately, she could still have a meal in the manor house tonight, which comforted her a little. It was not that Hermione was greedy, but she felt that she should have a good meal on Christmas Day.

Just as Hermione was having cold bread and hot tea for breakfast, the door of the living room was pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in from outside.

"Why are you here!"

"Are you going to Avalon now?" Hermione couldn't help asking.

"No, I just came to see how you were preparing, and brought you some food by the way." Looking at Hermione who was chewing hard bread, Albert felt a little distressed and a little funny. He took out the magic wand from his pocket and waved it lightly on the table, and conjured a sumptuous Christmas dinner for Hermione out of thin air.

"Today is Christmas, no matter what, you have to treat yourself to a good meal."

"It's really sumptuous!"

Hermione looked at the bread in her hand, and then looked at the large meal for one person on the table. She couldn't help but look up and asked, "Aren't you going to sit down and eat with us?"

"No, I just had breakfast, and I have to go to Avalon to attend the banquet later." Albert sat down and watched Hermione eat, chatting with her while eating, and told her some things to pay attention to before leaving.

Maybe it's a bit disappointing, but if you don't want to be noticed by acquaintances around you, you have to pay attention to the details.

When Albert came again, it was almost afternoon.

Just when Hermione picked up the suitcase and prepared to rush to Avalon with Albert, a small box was put in her hand.

"What is this?" Hermione took the package in confusion.

"The kangaroo keychain and kangaroo leather bag I bought in Australia last time." Albert reminded with a smile, "You have to bring some small gifts for everyone when you go abroad!"

After Hermione took out a kangaroo keychain from the box, the expression on her face became more and more weird. I don't know what everyone's expression will be when they receive this special gift.

This is definitely Albert's bad taste.

After rolling her eyes at Albert, Hermione put away the small box, stretched out her hand to hold Albert's arm, and left with him through Apparition.

In order to make Hermione look dusty, Albert also used Apparition to take Hermione around the UK, and finally let her arrive in Avalon alone.

When Hermione arrived in Avalon dragging her suitcase, she was soon stunned by the earth-shaking changes here.

The original bar has been completely completed. A large Christmas tree is placed on the open space next to the bar, and the Christmas tree is hung with ribbons and various decorations.

"Welcome back."

Sanna, who directed everyone to pile up Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree, smiled and gave Hermione a warm hug after looking back at Hermione.

"Just now Weasley was still talking about when you would come back!"

"Is Ron here too?"

Hermione was a little surprised, because Ron didn't seem to plan to settle down in Avalon.

"Yes, Ron came with Harry."

As soon as the voice fell, Hermione saw a familiar figure walking out of the bar. It was Albert who was with him just now.

"Hermione, you're back. We were just worried that you would miss today's Christmas dinner." Harry and Ron walked out of the bar behind Albert.

"I will definitely not miss it easily. Kingsley is finally willing to give you a holiday!" Hermione put down the suitcase and raised her hand to greet Harry and Ron, two good friends.

"Today is Christmas after all." Harry showed a helpless smile: "However, many people still have to stay in the Ministry of Magic to work overtime."

"How is Australia?" Ron wanted to help Hermione with her luggage, but was declined by Hermione.

"There is no winter there, and it is not as cold as here. I am a little uncomfortable when I just came back." Hermione pulled the windbreaker she put on temporarily, and seemed to think of something. She took out her traceless stretch bag from her pocket and took out the box that Albert gave her.

"I brought small gifts for everyone."

After that, she took out a kangaroo keychain from the small box and handed it to Harry.

"Because time is a bit tight, I haven't had time to wrap it."

"This..."

Harry looked at the souvenirs handed by Hermione in astonishment, and for some reason he suddenly felt a kind of sadness.

"This is bought from the souvenir market of Muggles in Australia." Hermione did not lie, because this thing was indeed a souvenir purchased by Albert when he accompanied her to Australia last time.

There are still many keychains in that small box, enough to give a Christmas gift to all the residents of Avalon.

"There... I mean the Muggles in Australia are so cruel!" Ron looked at the kangaroo keychain in his hand and couldn't help complaining, "They even cut it off and made it into souvenir keychains."