Chapter 139: Hogsmeade
November 21st was the last Saturday before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.
It was also the first time the third-years would be visiting Hogsmeade.
Early that morning, the Hufflepuff common room buzzed with excitement as groups of third-years eagerly discussed their plans.
They were debating what to do first once they arrived.
"I'm heading straight to Honeydukes!" Eloise Meadgen said dreamily. "They’ve got everything—Peppermint Puffs that make smoke billow from your mouth; greasy chocolate balls filled with strawberry cream; and sugar quills you can suck on in class so it looks like you’re deep in thought..."
"I'm going to Zonkos Joke Shop!" Zacharias Smith said with a mischievous grin. "They’ve got all kinds of fun stuff... Stink Pellets, Belch Powder, even Fanged Frisbees!"
"Or we could go to the Three Broomsticks first for a drink. Their Butterbeer is supposed to be amazing!" suggested Steven Lucas.
Almost every third-year was brimming with excitement.
"What about you, Jon?" Zacharias asked, patting him on the shoulder.
"Sorry, I’ve got something to take care of in Hogsmeade..." Jon coughed lightly as he spoke.
"Oh, well then, we won’t get in your way..." Zacharias let out a strange chuckle.
...
After breakfast, they all gathered in the Entrance Hall.
Argus Filch, the castle caretaker, stood inside the gate with a long list in hand, checking off names one by one. He scrutinized each face suspiciously, making sure no one slipped out who wasn’t supposed to.
"Jon Hart... all right!" Filch muttered carefully before letting him through the gate.
They followed a gravel path for over ten minutes before reaching Hogsmeade.
Once in the village, Jon made up a quick excuse to part ways with the others... Alone, he slipped into a small, secluded grove nearby, pulled out a vial of Polyjuice Potion, and drank it.
A few minutes later, a tall man with thick golden curls walked out of the woods.
He strolled casually into Hogsmeade, as though nothing were out of the ordinary.
Hogsmeade was the only village in Britain inhabited solely by wizards, with no Muggles in sight. Witches and wizards of all kinds filled the streets.
That unfamiliar face drew no attention.
As Jon walked down the main street, he glanced casually at the shops around him.
"Gladrags Wizardwear..."
"Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop..."
"And Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Room..."
Jon peeked inside. The cramped little tearoom was drenched in gaudy pink lace, covering everything—even the small round tables.
At a window seat, he spotted Astoria Greengrass’ familiar face.
Opposite her sat a dignified-looking middle-aged woman.
It looked like they had just sat down.
...
"Mother..."
"What would you like to drink, dear?" Lady Diana Greengrass asked warmly, holding her daughter’s hand.
"Anything’s fine," Astoria replied softly.
"Two Ceylon black teas, please!" Mrs. Greengrass called to the proprietress, Madam Puddifoot.
"Right away, Director..." Madam Puddifoot smiled and went off to prepare the order.
"Didn’t you say you were bringing a friend? Why are you alone?" Mrs. Greengrass asked casually.
"He... something came up!" Astoria lowered her head, her cheeks burning red. She quickly changed the subject. "Mum, how long will you be staying in Hogsmeade?"
"At least until the first task ends—next Tuesday," Lady Diana Greengrass replied. "I must see the four dragons safely returned to their Ministries. If anything goes wrong, the consequences could be disastrous."
"Dragons?" Astoria exclaimed in shock.
"Yes, dragons. They’re the first task of the Triwizard Tournament," Mrs. Greengrass nodded.
Astoria looked unsettled.
By then, Madam Puddifoot had brought over the two cups of Ceylon tea.
As she sipped hers, Mrs. Greengrass went on, "This Tournament has already gone off-script. Three champions became four, so we had to scramble for another dragon. Weasley suggested catching a Welsh Green from the sanctuary, but Professor Dumbledore insisted he could bring one over from France. Merlin’s beard—it was a nightmare getting that beast across the Channel..."
Astoria sat listening silently, her brow furrowed.
"Oh, that’s right!" Mrs. Greengrass added. "Didn’t you say you wanted to see them? They’re in the Forbidden Forest right now, being looked after by the Care of Magical Creatures professor. Shall I take you this afternoon?"
"No... no need," Astoria said quietly, her tone heavy.
...
Jon, of course, couldn’t hear what was being said inside Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Room.
After a few more glances around the street, he headed into the Three Broomsticks.
The pub was crowded and noisy, the pub was crammed with Hogwarts students, the air thick with chatter and haze.
Madam Rosmerta, though in her forties, was still striking—no wonder she had once been Ron Weasley’s dream girl.
"What can I get you, sir?" she asked pleasantly.
"A Butterbeer, ma’am," Jon said calmly, taking a seat at the bar.
"Coming right up!" Rosmerta flicked her wand, sending a mug flying beneath a barrel of Butterbeer. It filled to the brim before floating neatly back to her.
"Here you are, three Sickles," she said, handing him the mug.
"Thanks." Jon accepted it, dropping a few silver coins on the counter.
After sipping a little, he asked, "By the way, ma’am, if I may, could I borrow your fireplace?"
"Of course!" Rosmerta smiled. "It’s in the back room. You’ll find Floo powder on the tray above the hearth."
"Thank you for your generosity." Jon bowed politely, then finished his Butterbeer at a leisurely pace.
Only then did he head into the back room and approach the fireplace.
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