Chapter 134: Unfulfilled Promises
The great ship of Durmstrang Institute floated on the surface of the Black Lake, casting a dark shadow across the water.
Not far from the shore, at Hagrid’s hut, two figures stood whispering together.
“The First Task begins on November 24th, right?” Astoria asked softly.
“I think… yes!” Jon nodded thoughtfully. Yesterday, in that little room, Ludo Bagman had mentioned something about it.
“If I’m not mistaken, the Saturday before the First Task is our first trip to Hogsmeade,” Astoria said, blinking lightly. Her voice lowered, and a faint blush spread across her face. “Since you promised me one favor… there’s a tea shop on Hogsmeade’s main street—Madam Puddifoot’s. Would you take me there for tea?”
Jon’s expression turned a little awkward...
“Could we change the day, Astoria?” he asked carefully. “That Saturday… I might not be free...”
“Really?” Astoria’s smile froze, her voice dropping. “You can’t go to Hogsmeade that day… Is Professor Snape giving you detention?”
Her tone made it clear how disappointed she was.
“No, I will be going to Hogsmeade…” Jon said honestly. “I just really have something to take care of that day.”
Astoria lowered her head.
“Sorry…”
“If you’re busy, it’s fine… don’t worry about it!” Astoria turned away, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry, Jon… I need to head back to the castle!”
With that, she lifted her skirt slightly and ran toward the castle.
“Astoria…” Jon tried to chase after her.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!” But the familiar barking came from behind.
Fang, the big black boarhound, bounded over—blocking Jon’s path affectionately, licking at his hands and legs.
Jon had to fight off the sudden urge to turn him into dog stew right then and there...
“Hart!” Hagrid’s booming voice soon followed.
“Hello, Professor Hagrid!” Jon turned back to greet him.
“Who’d have thought—it’s you, Hogwarts’ champion! You and Harry, both entering the Tournament!” Hagrid said cheerfully, slapping Jon’s shoulder so hard that his feet sank into the mud.
“It was just an accident…” Jon explained quickly, eager to get away.
“I know, Professor Dumbledore told me himself!” Hagrid said carelessly, grabbing Jon’s hand and lowering his voice. “Come on, let’s go inside my hut…”
“Wait… Professor Hagrid…”
But before he could finish, Hagrid had already dragged him toward the hut.
...
Rubeus Hagrid’s strength was far more than any third-year could hope to resist. Jon was pulled into the hut, watching helplessly as Astoria’s figure vanished from sight.
Hagrid’s cabin had only one room. Hams, pheasants, and salted fish hung from the ceiling. A copper kettle boiled on the brazier. Against the wall stood a massive bed, piled high with quilts stitched together from multiple covers.
Hagrid poured hot water into a teapot and set a rock cake on the plate before Jon.
“Here, try some. They’re really good!” he said cheerfully.
“Do you need something, Professor Hagrid?” Jon asked, pretending to nibble the rock cake. (He knew how hard they were and didn’t dare actually bite, for fear of breaking his teeth.)
“As the Care of Magical Creatures professor, I know a thing or two about the First Task!” Hagrid said, puffing his chest before glancing toward the window.
Lowering his voice, he whispered, “It’s a huge, extremely dangerous magical creature… very hard to deal with. Though personally, I think they’re rather cute…”
He leaned closer, reminding Jon, “So be extra careful during the competition. Professor Dumbledore will put protective enchantments around the arena. If things go wrong or you’re in danger, call for help immediately!”
But that was the only hint Hagrid was willing to give.
At least he didn’t take Jon to actually see the dragons the way he had with Harry Potter and Madame Maxime… After all, he and Jon were no more than teacher and student.
Jon didn’t feel he had much room to complain. After a few minutes of small talk, he found an excuse to leave...
Before he could go, Hagrid stuffed a bag of rock cakes into his hands.
...
Back in the Hufflepuff common room, Jon borrowed an owl from Susan Bones and wrote a letter to Astoria, explaining the unexpected interruption and asking her to change her request...
But he wasn’t sure if such a flimsy explanation would work.
Either way, he couldn’t go with her on that first Saturday trip to Hogsmeade—he already had his own plans set for that day.
“Jon, look at this!” Zacharias Smith hurried over with Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and the others just as Jon finished writing.
Zacharias was holding a handful of badges.
They looked very similar to the S.P.E.W. badges Hermione had shown the day before…
Jon picked one up and saw fiery red letters engraved on it:
“Support Jon Hart
Hogwarts Forever”
“What do you think?” Zacharias asked excitedly.
“Not bad…” Jon said casually.
“That’s not all!” Zacharias pressed the badge firmly to his chest. The letters vanished, replaced by a yellow-and-black badger, which let out a fierce roar before turning back into letters.
“Nice magic!” Jon praised.
“Cedric helped us make them,” Zacharias admitted honestly. “Without him, none of us could manage such advanced Transfiguration.”
“I see…” Jon sighed inwardly. Cedric Diggory really did live up to his reputation…
“Do your best, Jon!” Zacharias patted his shoulder. “Hufflepuff hasn’t had a shot at glory like this in years. I believe in you!”
“I’ll do what I can,” Jon said with a helpless smile. Winning the Triwizard Tournament? Unless he was an idiot, there was no chance…
“Jon!” Eloise Midgen, a third-year Hufflepuff, burst into the common room and called out:
“There’s a first-year Gryffindor girl looking for you in the corridor!”
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