The Bard at Hogwarts

"Oh my god..."

Hermione covered her mouth and let out a soft sigh of surprise.

In the four-inch gift box, there was a set of jewelry that exuded the moonlight.

The first thing I saw was a beautiful necklace. The chain was made of fine silver silk thread, and underneath hung a polished and round moonstone pendant that looked like a drop of water.

Although it was daytime at the moment, the moonstone still glowed with a mysterious glow. This light is very faint, like a gentle dream in the night sky, elegant and beautiful, and it is easy to think of the romantic scene of walking under the moonlight.

Next to the necklace is a pair of rings made purely of moonstone.

But in comparison, the craftsmanship of the ring is much simpler. It's just that the smooth moonstone is embossed with straw-like textures.

However, Hermione stared at such a pair of simple rings with wide eyes. As for the more beautiful necklace, she had subconsciously ignored it at this moment.

…

a long time.

"Straw ring..."

After coming back to her senses, Hermione murmured softly, but quickly raised her head arrogantly and said indifferently:

"I actually gave them to you, but you never wore them. I think you received a lot of them, but you didn't know where you threw the ones I gave."

Although her tone and demeanor seemed unconcerned, Hermione's slightly red eyes and raised corners of her mouth seemed to silently express that she was not calm.

"I didn't even throw away the straw ring!" Ino took over and sighed softly:

"No matter what, those things are other people's thoughts. However, after all, they are just standard products, and what I gave is unique."

"For example?" Hermione arched her eyebrows and smiled, as if she was expecting an explanation.

"Before answering, you can put on the necklace first!"

Hearing Hermione's question, Ino did not answer directly immediately. Instead, he pointed at the necklace in the box.

"Don't underestimate it. When making it, I basically used all my alchemy knowledge."

"Did you do all this yourself?" The expression on Hermione's face changed again.

If it was just a smile with a crooked eyebrow just now, now it is definitely a happy brow.

"Yes, I made them all! Including the raw materials!"

After getting the answer she wanted, Hermione picked up the necklace without saying a word. The silver thread passed through the white neck, and as the necklace was connected with the hidden buckle, a kind of warmth and tranquility emerged spontaneously.

Even if you are on the lake in winter, even if the sky is still filled with snowflakes, you can't feel a trace of cold.

"What is this?" Hermione raised her head in confusion.

"The skills of alchemy can not only prevent cold and heatstroke, but I also added many other effects..."

Ino introduced all the treasures one by one.

Compared to rings, the moonstone necklace is the work he really put his effort into.

Not only were many ancient runes burned into it, but according to Nico's notes, a triggering magic - the Iron Armor Curse - was added to the necklace.

…

moment.

"I prefer straw rings!"

Although the necklace was more practical, Hermione still expressed her preference neatly.

"Okay! As long as you like it." Ino smiled and spread his hands, then looked at the gift box in Hermione's hand.

"I gave you a Christmas gift in advance, but isn't it time you gave me a gift in return?"

Following Ino's gaze, Hermione looked down and saw the obviously larger ring in the box.

Hermione pursed her lips subconsciously, smiled and said:

"Well! I'll send it to you now! Mr. Swinburne!"

…

It seems that chatting in a harmonious atmosphere can always make people forget the passage of time.

Outside the castle, on the vast and calm lake, a small boat floated gently in the windless water.

The snow in the sky is getting heavier and heavier.

On the boat, Hermione rested comfortably on the wooden beam hanging the oil lamp on the bow.

Although her movements were casual, her eyes always fell on her right hand unconsciously. There was a moonstone ring on her slender white finger.

Similarly, when Hermione admired her ring, she did not forget to look at Ino's palm, where there was a ring of the same style.

As if she thought of something interesting, Hermione chuckled and quietly stretched out her palm.

When the two rings slowly came closer and touched together, spots of light like snowflakes appeared around them.

The cold light spots were like stars falling in the night sky.

This scene should have been beautiful, but Hermione seemed to be having fun.

She always pulls away suddenly at the moment when the starlight appears, which also makes the halo always alternate between bright and dim, and flicker away.

To be honest, this was not a very interesting game, but Hermione enjoyed it.

On the boat, Ino smiled silently when he saw this scene.

Hermione's behavior reminded him of his former self.

The fire-making spell in the bridge hole was like a lighter game, and he played it happily for two hours.

…

A good while.

The short fun came to an end.

Hermione raised her hand to lick her hair and said in a serious tone:

"There are still three months left for the Fortune Elixir, and I don't know if I can keep up with the second game."

"Elixir of Fortune?" When he suddenly heard the name, Ino was stunned for a moment, but he soon remembered that Hermione had said that it should be the Elixir of Fortune being brewed in the Room of Requirement.

"Speaking of potions! Professor Snape is always in a hurry lately. Does he still give you extra lessons?"

Ino sighed casually that the incident in the first game seemed to have stimulated Snape.

Although Harry finally proved that nothing happened and was not questioned by the Ministry of Magic, Snape was like a wound-up alarm clock. Except for the daily potion class, he was not seen all day.

"Professor Snape? He ignored me after the start of the school." Hermione shook her head gently.

"According to him, if I can brew the Felicia Felix independently, there will be nothing to teach me in the future."

...

On the boat, the two chatted about Snape.

As the protagonist of the topic, Snape was locking himself in the office cubicle at this moment.

As the dark room where Peter Pettigrew was once imprisoned, the secrecy here can be imagined.

The room is not big as a whole, and it is estimated to be only about ten square meters.

In the quiet and dim room, only a burning candlestick provided weak lighting.

On one side of the room, against the wall, there is a row of storage shelves filled with various half-processed medicinal materials, and opposite these medicinal materials, there is another round stone square table.

The table is not large, about two feet in diameter, and a boiling crucible is placed on it.

Beyond the stone table where the crucible is placed, at the innermost part of the room, there is a more spacious wooden long table.

Snape sat at the table, and seemed to have encountered some difficulties. He was frowning and flipping through a large book full of the atmosphere of years on the table.

Next to the open large book, there is a black cover, exuding a gloomy atmosphere. The cover is written in bright red cursive characters - "The Secret of Cutting-edge Black Magic"

There is also this chapter, which is about nine o'clock.

Because time is really too late, Xiaodi can only delay a little.

Sorry! Everyone!