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After hearing the news, Ryan's eyes turned red with envy.
He had previously competed for the goalkeeper position, but ultimately lost to a fifth-grader due to his reaction speed.
Mikel was very happy, and waved his hand to say... he would treat everyone to lunch in the auditorium.
After the first team training session, Kyle quickly returned to the Hufflepuff common room and sat down in an armchair near the fireplace.
It started raining after noon.
It was raining in October and I still felt cold even with a warming badge, so it was more comfortable to be near a warm fireplace.
There were a lot of people in the common room, and it was very lively and chattering.
"What's going on?" he asked Connor, who was sitting in an armchair nearby, finishing two star charts for her astronomy class.
"First weekend in Hogsmeade." Connor pointed to a notice on the notice board. "End of October, right before Halloween."
"Great," Cedric said, squeezing in from behind. "I'm going to go to Davis-Bans and buy a set of tools for trimming broom branches. I feel like it's not turning as smoothly as it used to."
Kyle was also very happy. Going to Hogsmeade to shop was one of the few recreational activities for students.
Although he knew the secret passage leading to Hogsmeade and had been there many times before, ever since he and Fred and George were caught by Professor McGonagall with the Three Broomsticks last time, they had restrained themselves a lot and no longer sneaked there.
And this year with the Dementors here, it's even more impossible to go.
Because of Dumbledore's presence, the Dementors were relatively polite when they were in school, just guarding the entrance, but it was different in Hogsmeade.
Especially after someone discovered traces of Sirius Black nearby...
Those shop owners have complained in the Daily Prophet more than once, calling on the Ministry of Magic to strengthen the management of Dementors, or at least prevent them from breaking into their shops at will.
But with little success.
The people at the Ministry don't care, and the Dementors... they don't read newspapers.
If you happen to encounter Dementors when you sneak away to Hogsmeade, it will be much more troublesome than encountering a professor.
The next day, everyone was very excited about the Hogsmeade Visiting Day. In the Herbology class, many people were discussing where to go on that day.
Professor Sprout had to deduct points from two people to get them to give up their enthusiasm.
"I know you're all looking forward to going to Honeydukes, but the content of our lesson is just as important."
Professor Sprout said loudly: "I must remind you that the nightshade flower is a poisonous and dangerous plant. You must pay full attention when collecting pollen... unless you want to spend Halloween in the school hospital.
"Now, put on your protective gloves..."
Professor Sprout's words were still very useful. When everyone heard that it was poisonous, they immediately became nervous and rushed to pick up the gloves that had been placed on the table in advance.
After seeing everyone tense up, Professor Sprout nodded with satisfaction.
She hadn't finished her sentence yet.
As long as the students come into contact with plants in the greenhouse, there will not be much danger.
Just like last year's mandrakes, they are all in their juvenile stage, and when their cries become deadly enough, they will be moved to another greenhouse by Professor Sprout.
It is not open to students.
The same is true for the belladonna flowers this time.
Their flowers are yellow, so even if you accidentally get pollen on them, it will only irritate you for a few days at most, and there is no need to go to the school hospital.
It will be really dangerous once they turn purple. If they are then covered with pollen, it will not be a problem to celebrate Halloween in the school hospital... We will be lucky to be discharged from the hospital on Christmas.
However, this part of the content is not needed for the time being. It will not be too late to teach them after they return from Hogsmeade.
After the herbal medicine class, there are no classes in the morning.
Kyle returned to the castle and met a depressed Harry near the entrance hall. He walked forward with his head down and said nothing, and almost knocked over a suit of armor in the corridor.
"Hey, kid, watch where you walk!"
A portrait on it shouted: "This is my favorite armor!"
Harry said nothing, turned around and continued walking towards the Great Hall.
"What's wrong with him?" Kyle asked.
"No one signed his application."
Hermione, who came with him, explained: "Professor McGonagall doesn't agree with him going to Hogsmeade?"
"That's because she's too conventional!" Ron couldn't help but say, "Professor McGonagall clearly knows that Harry's uncle and aunt are both Muggles, and they hate everything related to magic, so they would never sign Harry's application form.
But with just one word from her, the matter can be resolved..."
"Professor McGonagall is right!" Hermione was a little annoyed, "Don't forget Black, someone has already seen him nearby once."
"Black is not a fool. He would not go to Hogsmeade and do anything rash," said Ron.
"Only you would think so!" Hermione said angrily: If you don't believe me, ask Kyle and see what he says.
The two of them looked over at the same time... no, it should be three people, including Harry, who also raised his head and looked at Kyle.
Uh... weren't they talking about Harry? How come the topic suddenly turned to me?
Kyle thought for a moment and said, "I think what Hermione said makes sense. On the visiting day, all the Dementors in Hogsmeade will be moved away. If Black wants to do something, that will be the best opportunity."
"Look." Hermione said, looking up.
Ron grumbled a few words, still feeling that the two were making a big deal out of nothing.
Harry's expression didn't change.
After all, Professor McGonagall had clearly rejected his request. Unless Uncle Vernon rushed to Hogwarts to help him sign the application form, it would be useless to say anything.
This is obviously impossible.
Kyle's words barely gave him an excuse not to go.
Sirius Black is looking for him, so it would be safer to stay in Hogwarts...
Now this is the only way Harry can convince himself.
"Cheer up, there's still a party." Ron wanted to cheer Harry up, and said, "The party on Halloween Eve will be held in the evening."
"Yeah, that's nice," said Harry, but still not very enthusiastically.
……
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 376: Teasing Cats and Dogs
On the morning before Halloween, almost all students above the third grade came to the field outside the gate, ready to go to Hogsmeade.
Harry was left standing alone in the hall, with Filch watching him like a thief.
Among all the third-year students, he was the only one who had not submitted the application form, so he naturally became Filch's focus.
Soon, Professor McGonagall came, and the team started to set off.
Harry tried hard to look normal as he said goodbye to Ron and Hermione in a nonchalant tone.
"Don't worry about me. See you at the party later. Have fun."
"Stay here, Potter?"
Malford turned a corner and ran up to him, shouting, "Afraid to go past those Dementors?"
Harry ignored him and turned towards the marble stairs.
"He can't go to Hogsmeade. He'll miss a lot of good things..."
Fred, who was walking at the end of the team, looked back at his back and whispered, "He can't always stay in the castle for these seven years. It's too boring."
"That's right." George nodded in agreement, "We have to help him..."
"How can we help..." Kyle asked, "Give him the Marauder's Map?"
"That's a good idea," said Fred. "We've already memorized the locations of all the secret passages, so it might be a good idea to give it to Harry.
"But this won't be very convenient when traveling at night..." George thought for a moment, "Actually, the map we made last year is not bad. We just need to add the location of the secret passage."
"However, we should keep it a little more concealed, so as not to be discovered by Filch or the professor."
"Just like the Marauder's Map... you need a password to reveal the location."
"That's what I mean..."
They discussed along the way and soon arrived at Hogsmeade village.
When Fred and George saw the pointed roofs, they immediately forgot about Harry and headed straight for Zonko's Joke Shop.
In front of Stinky Eggs, Burp Powder, and Screechbugs... Harry? Really unfamiliar.
Cedric was going to Davis-Bans to buy tools for trimming broomsticks, and Kyle decided to join him.
The shop owners there are a pair of brothers who have a wide range of connections and they can always get some new and interesting gadgets.
As for Connor and Cho, they were more interested in Mrs. Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
The few of them agreed to meet at Three Broomsticks in an hour, and then they went their separate ways.
Davis-Bans is at the innermost part of Hogsmeade, right next to the Hog's Head Inn. Compared to other shops, it looks much smaller.
Kyle and Cedric opened the door and walked in.
Inside the shop, various magical items were piled high up, teetering on the edge of a rut, and looked like they might collapse at any moment.
Kyle had only seen this kind of design in the hidden room of the Room of Requirement.
"welcome……"
A blond wizard poked his head out from behind the counter and said, "I want to buy something..."
"Have you got any tools for trimming broomsticks?" asked Cedric.
"Of course." The shopkeeper leaned forward and pulled out a square box from among the piles of magical items.
Because of his movement, the whole wall suddenly shook, and Cedric was so scared that he quickly took two steps back.
But the shop owner was not surprised and put the box on the counter and opened it without any concern.
“Nine Sickles for pruning pliers.