Chapter 38: A Girl’s Thoughts【please Keep Reading】
Hermione pursed her lips, looking at the professor comforting her, and said softly: “Professor, I’ve seen your photo in the display of awards. I know you were Quidditch team captain and led Godric Gryffindor to multiple championships.”
“Heh…”
Melvin closed his mouth tightly, but a slight chuckle still escaped from his nostrils. Facing the gazes of the two Godric Gryffindor witches, he casually looked away: “Cough… I saw a first-year student crash into a tree.”
Professor McGonagall felt a bit embarrassed. She had wanted to use a kind lie to encourage the student, but it was directly exposed.
She touched the little witch’s hair: “Everyone has subjects they’re good at. Don’t feel down, Granger.”
“I know, Professor.”
“Also, happy birthday.”
Granger was stunned: “Professor, how did you know…”
“I sign and send all your admission letters. The Book of Admissions has your birth dates.”
“…”
Hermione took a deep breath, sniffed, and her nostrils felt sour.
Far from familiar London to a strange school in the Scottish Highlands five hundred miles away, unable to return to her parents even on weekends, with distant roommates and no friends—these she could endure. But in the face of the professor’s birthday blessing, her eyes actually felt a bit hot and wet.
“Thank you, Professor McGonagall.”
She couldn’t help hugging Professor McGonagall, resting her head on her shoulder.
“So today is your birthday…” Melvin thought for a moment, reached into his pocket, grabbed a big handful of candy and handed it to her, “Happy birthday, little witch.”
Hermione was dazed for a moment, staring at his pocket—a small decorative pouch, how could it hold so much candy?
“What are you spacing out for? Take it.”
Hermione instinctively held out both hands, catching a full handful of candy. The wrappers were all novel, with Honeydukes written on them.
Melvin ruffled her hair: “Honeydukes’ hot-selling products. Go find your little partner. They’ll definitely be envious. Give two to those you like, and let the ones you dislike crawl.”
“…”
Professor McGonagall and Hermione were both a bit silent. Professor Levent was as unpredictable as ever.
Professor McGonagall helped her straighten her messy hair: “Don’t listen to him. Go share the candy with your friends, and tell them it’s your birthday today.”
“Thank you, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Levent.”
Saying goodbye to the professors and going to her classmates, Hermione was still a bit dazed.
“Look, Berty Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and Berty Bott’s Weird Flavor Beans.”
“And Chocolate Frogs.”
“Zizz Honey Candy!”
The nearby classmates’ chatter drifted into her ears. Hermione slowly came back to her senses. She’d heard Honeydukes was a candy store in Hogsmeade, and only third years and above could go to Hogsmeade…
Just as Professor Levent said, these candies were very attractive to first-year students.
Her roommates Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were right nearby, their gazes lingering on the candy in her hands, but they turned away when Hermione looked over.
Hermione pursed her lips: “Lavender, Parvati, can you taste some for me?”
Lavender and Parvati exchanged a glance.
“We… can we?”
“Yes, today is… my birthday. Consider it my treat.”
“Hermione, you’re the best! Happy birthday!” Lavender immediately cheered, reaching to grab a big handful, but Parvati tugged her sleeve, so she giggled twice and politely picked a few.
Parvati came from a high-caste family in India with good re-education. After taking the candy, she politely thanked her, then pulled Lavender aside to whisper, discussing making up a birthday gift that evening.
Hermione shared the candy with Harry, Neville, and others. The boys immediately whooped and hollered, cheering and thanking nonstop for a moment, as if Miss Granger had become the most popular witch.
“Thanks, Hermione!”
“Happy birthday, Hermione!”
“Happy birthday!”
“…”
Hermione tried hard to appear calm and composed, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help curving into a faint arc.
Watching the children fooling around together, Professor McGonagall’s eyes also held a faint smile. She asked the young professor beside her: “What if other children want candy on their birthdays?”
“What to do about what?” Melvin showed a very puzzled expression. “I’m neither the house dean nor the deputy headmaster. What does their wanting candy have to do with me, an elective professor?”
“…”
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, not scolding the young professor: “I’ll apply to the headmaster tonight. Some candy won’t cost many Galleons.”
“Dumbledore will definitely agree.”
“I hope the candy helps the children get along well.”
“…”
Melvin watched the students from afar, not thinking a small incident could make Miss Granger popular. The candy would only ease the distance between them a bit. If the way they got along didn’t fundamentally change, it wouldn’t be long before they returned to how things were.
Some people are just not sociable by nature and don’t need too many friends.
……
September 20, Friday.
Charms classroom.
“Today we’re covering the Repairing Charm. This spell can repair most damaged objects, but there are several cases it can’t fix: first, objects destroyed by powerful magic; second, items naturally aged and decayed.
“The Repairing Charm can only be used on inanimate objects. The Ministry of Magic prohibits its use on people or animals, with very serious consequences.
“In the 17th century, a witch from Merseyside used the Repairing Charm on her son who had broken his knee. The magic removed his kneecap, fusing his two leg bones into one solid piece. From then on, his left leg could no longer bend…”
Professor Flitwick stood on two stacked short wooden stools, deliberately telling the story in a chilling tone. Seeing Lumbardons scared pale, a satisfied smile appeared on his face: “Now let’s learn the spell and casting gesture. Reparo, the root comes from Latin…”
After explaining the theory, Professor Flitwick let the students practice freely, trying the Repairing Charm on scraps of paper.
The Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff first-year students began waving their wands, aiming at the scraps of paper and chanting in various tones:
“Reparo!”
“Re—paro!”
“…”
“Harry, you should swing your wand in a bigger arc. Seamus, don’t poke the target with your wand tip; keep some distance to give the magic power enough space.” Hermione looked around at the practicing classmates, eagerly offering guidance. “Neville, you’re making the same mistake I did during summer vacation practice. Don’t worry about messing up. The scraps of paper aren’t your knee. Cast the spell freely; there won’t be any problems.”
“Thanks.” Neville mumbled.
Harry and Seamus exchanged a glance, shrugged, looking helpless.
Ron, whose spell had failed, waited a moment but didn’t get the pointer he expected. He wanted to ask but couldn’t open his mouth.
Looking at his wand, broken enough to reveal the wand core beast hair, he felt irritated and cast the spell on the scraps of paper again and again.
