In the common room, Hermione cornered a Harry who was clearly trying to make a quick escape.
"Harry, when exactly are you going to teach me Legilimency?" Hermione asked, clearly annoyed.
"Hermione, Wood's practically breathing down my neck, you know how he gets about Quidditch—" Harry stammered, trying to squirm away.
Hermione's eyebrows immediately furrowed when she heard Harry trying to fob her off again. She placed her hands on her hips. "Harry James Potter! You promised me you'd teach me! What in Merlin's beard is making you so hesitant?"
She then narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Unless... does this spell have some sort of unknown side effect?"
"Hermione, I told you, once the... ahem... after-effects from the last time I, uh, 'visited' your mind completely clear up, I'll teach you."
"Madam Pomfrey said I've been perfectly fine for ages!"
Harry was utterly speechless. Facing a stubborn Hermione, he knew he had to come up with a real reason today.
The main reason Harry was so reluctant to teach Hermione Legilimency right now was that Snape's teaching method was just too abstract. And honestly, after returning to the dormitory that day, Harry had a creeping suspicion that Snape had been pulling a fast one on him. Snape had probably just invaded Harry's mind as payback for stealing his Potions ingredients. It was pure luck that Harry had, in a rather bizarre way, managed to control the urge that came with casting the spell through that experience.
But clearly, this method wouldn't work for Hermione, and Harry certainly didn't want to invade Hermione's mind again. So, the whole teaching thing had been put on hold. Harry had also tried to find Dumbledore for a more 'normal' way to learn Legilimency, but Dumbledore seemed to be either avoiding Harry or had left Hogwarts altogether. Harry hadn't been able to find him anywhere.
As for why he hadn't told Hermione the truth... Harry would bet his last Chocolate Frog that Hermione would make a huge fuss if she knew.
"Oh no, Harry, are you saying Snape invaded your mind? How dare he! We're going straight to Madam Pomfrey, she needs to check you over..."
Remember our 101kanshu.com
Anyway, that's why the whole thing had dragged on until now.
"Harry? What are you thinking about?"
Hearing Hermione prompt him again, Harry, in a stroke of sudden inspiration, thought of a brilliant excuse. He decided to slightly twist something Dumbledore had said. After all, he believed Dumbledore would understand, given the circumstances.
"Well, it's like this, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore said my Legilimency is only just beginning, and I need a lot more practice to truly master the spell." Harry then inwardly prayed that Hermione would actually believe him.
"Really? Then why did it take you this long to tell me?"
"Uh, Hermione, you know how it is... usually, I pick up any spell instantly, but this time... I just didn't want you to think I wasn't up to snuff."
"Firstly, I'm not friends with you because of your fame, so I wouldn't think you're 'not up to snuff.' Secondly, I'm not a blithering idiot, and that excuse is worse than a Polish joke!"
Harry awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.
Hermione, however, suddenly sighed. "Harry, do you remember what I told you before? Friends should have their own private space." When Harry nodded, Hermione continued, "I wasn't going to pry, but I was really worried about you. I was scared this spell had some unforeseen side effects, which is why you were so reluctant to teach me."
"Now it seems I was just being overly concerned." Hermione lowered her head, looking disheartened.
Seeing Hermione looking so dejected, Harry, in a sudden rush of impulse, blurted out the real reason.
"...The reason is..."
"That's it? Harry, Harry, don't you think that if Professor Dumbledore thought that method was fine, why would I make things more complicated?"
Harry looked at Hermione's sly smile and instantly realized he'd been completely played.
"Alright, alright, don't look so glum!" Hermione said with a laugh, reaching out to gently pull up the corners of Harry's mouth.
"Pfft!"
Harry couldn't help but chuckle, gently batting Hermione's hand away. "Where on earth did you learn all these tricks?" he asked, curious.
"Lavender got hold of some Muggle storybooks, and I was bored, so I flipped through them," Hermione said calmly.
Actually, Lavender and Parvati had been discussing romance novels in their dormitory, and the conversation somehow turned to Hermione.
"Hermione, now that I think about it, you're just like the protagonist in Jane Eyre!" Parvati exclaimed enviously.
"She really is! A pure-blood wizard and a Muggle-born witch overcoming societal prejudice and enduring all sorts of hardships to finally be together. That's the power of love!" Lavender said, clearly lost in a daydream.
Hermione swore she didn't care at all about what Lavender was saying; she had only read the book because she was bored. After finishing it, Hermione was quite speechless. The main character in Jane Eyre was nothing like her; she had no idea how Lavender and Parvati had made that connection. However, Hermione had picked up a few tricks from the book and immediately put them to use on Harry.
And look at that! She'd quickly managed to loosen Harry's tongue!
Hermione thought proudly, a small smile unconsciously forming on her lips.
"What are you smiling about?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Nothing! Aren't you supposed to be at Quidditch practice? Hurry up, Professor McGonagall hardly ever has time to supervise your training!" Hermione said, flustered.
Harry left, still looking utterly bewildered.
Time Flies, Doesn't It?
It was the last Defence Against the Dark Arts class before Halloween. Gilderoy Lockhart was, once again, performing his favourite scene from Break with a Banshee.
"...My wand was blunted by the pouring rain, and my beloved flying broomstick rusted, but my charge was a Quixotic charge! A mere banshee couldn't possibly defeat me! I battled her for three hundred rounds—"
Lockhart gestured wildly, then made a sudden thrust, and Ron dramatically clutched his chest, collapsing onto the floor in agony.
"Weasley, your expression is simply splendidly realistic!" Lockhart gave Ron a thumbs-up.
"Hahahaha!"
Everyone's laughter made Ron's ears burn crimson. He furiously ripped off the banshee's white robe and stormed off the podium without a word. As he passed Lavender, she suddenly giggled dreamily, "Weasley... you were so good!"
"Oh, thank you. Actually, I thought so too..." Ron was clearly a bit flustered but still tried to act cool.
Lockhart, thinking his performance had delighted everyone, proudly announced, "It's nothing, really, dealing with him is a piece of cake. I mean the banshee, not Mr. Weasley, of course. Though, dealing with Mr. Weasley is also quite simple, I assure you..."
Seeing this ridiculous scene, Harry was already laughing uncontrollably, and even Hermione's lips were twitching.
"I never would have guessed Professor Lockhart had such an interest in Muggle literature," Hermione remarked.
Lockhart, who seemed to have at least half his attention fixed on Harry's corner, actually heard what Hermione said. "Precisely, Miss Granger, precisely! As a great adventurer and author, understanding different cultures is a fundamental requirement. Harry, I hear you grew up in the Muggle world; I'm sure you'll give a far better performance than Mr. Weasley!"
Now Harry couldn't laugh. Lockhart asking him to perform on stage wasn't something he could easily refuse, especially since he was about to invite Lockhart to Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party. Thankfully, the bell for class rang just then, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah, what a pity! It seems my performance with Harry will have to wait until next class," Lockhart said regretfully.
After class, everyone gradually started leaving the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Harry, however, uncharacteristically stayed behind, and Hermione gave him a peculiar look.
"What are you up to?" Hermione asked.
But Harry ignored Hermione and rushed over to stop Lockhart, who was tidying up the stage props. "Professor, do you have any plans for Halloween?"
"Hmm, let me see..." Lockhart pulled out his day planner and started flipping through it.
"Professor, I'd like to invite you to Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party," Harry said, cutting straight to the chase.
"I'm terribly sorry, Harry, but that evening, Headmaster Dumbledore has invited me to the Hogwarts feast," Lockhart said, closing his planner and flashing an eight-toothed smile.
Heh heh. Harry honestly wanted to punch Lockhart's teeth right out at that moment. The Halloween feast was basically attended by the entire school, faculty and students alike. Lockhart was shamelessly trying to flatter himself. Anyone who didn't know better would think Dumbledore held Lockhart in high regard.
But Harry still had to find a way to get Lockhart to the Deathday Party, so he had to suppress his disgust and continue. "Nearly Headless Nick has invited many distinguished ghosts, and the Headless Hunt will also be there that night. He sincerely hopes that Professor Lockhart, so renowned throughout the wizarding world, will also attend."
"Oh, really? I never would have thought even ghosts had heard of me!" Lockhart's face lit up with a huge grin when he heard the words "distinguished."
"Yes, Professor Lockhart. Nearly Headless Nick also hopes you might perform something at the Deathday Party, perhaps a scene from Break with a Banshee." Harry said, lying through his teeth.
Lockhart pretended to consider it for a moment, then said, "While it pains me to disappoint Headmaster Dumbledore, since it's you, Harry, who has personally invited me, I simply must attend."
After they left the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Hermione couldn't wait any longer. "Harry, what in Merlin's name are you planning?"
"Just what I've been meaning to do for a while now."
Seeing Hermione was about to press him further, Harry simply said, "If you're so curious, why don't you come along too?"
Harry had successfully piqued Hermione's curiosity, and she agreed to attend the Deathday Party.
Halloween soon arrived. In the common room, students were excitedly discussing the evening's feast. George, however, sat on the sofa with a worried expression.
"Fred, I can't believe you're only telling me about this massive plan now."
Fred gave a guilty chuckle. Because students hadn't been allowed to go to Hogsmeade recently, the Weasley twins had been making a fortune thanks to the passage behind the statue of the one-eyed witch. That's why Fred had completely forgotten about this.
"It's not too late now, is it? Just help a brother out," Fred pleaded.
"Alright, but you're in charge of all the prank product experiments this summer," George said, seizing the opportunity.
"Deal!" Fred agreed through gritted teeth.
Only then did George take the Polyjuice Potion from Fred's hand; it had already turned green.
"Remember, you're going to be Madam Louise later," Fred instructed.
"I know. It's a shame time is so short, or I'd really love to study this," George said, a hint of regret in his voice.
Fred then pulled out an even smaller bottle from his pocket; the Polyjuice Potion inside hadn't changed colour yet. "Don't worry, as long as you're quick, we can save a bit of Polyjuice Potion. Harry's already promised that if there's any left over, he'll let us use it for our research."
What Fred didn't notice was Ginny lurking nearby, having heard every single word.
Meanwhile, Hermione, completely unaware of any of this, was fretting. "Harry, is wearing just our school robes enough? It is Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party. Wouldn't it seem disrespectful?"
"It's fine, Hermione, look, I'm just wearing a plain black cloak too, aren't I?" Tonight, Lockhart and George were the main attractions at the Deathday Party, and Harry certainly didn't want to dress too elaborately and risk being noticed by Lockhart.
Thinking this, Harry subtly glanced at Fred. Fred gave Harry an 'okay' signal, then hurried off to find Angelina.
Vote this story or I'll release filler episodes 😤"
Patr**n: ilham20 | 2ch/day if you behave