Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

[Exclusive report by Rita Skeeter for the Prophet Daily:

Recently, two tourists discovered a corpse with a mysterious death at the edge of Glennaf Forest. The deceased’s face was gaunt, body wilted, teeth fallen out, appearance like a hundred-year-old Muggle.

Identification reveals the corpse belongs to a villager living near the forest — Erin Castle, thirty-two years old. It is understood that forty-eight hours prior to the discovery of the body, Ms. Castle was still seen strolling near the village, after which no one saw her again.

The wizard renowned for decursing, Matilda Horn, pointed out — the state of the corpse shows that this poor Muggle lady likely died due to some Dark Magic experiment, not ruling out the possibility of being related to the Dark Wizards who attacked the World Cup camp earlier.

The Ministry of Magic has dispatched Aurors for investigation, Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour refused to disclose any clues. Of course, it can’t be ruled out that they haven’t obtained any clues at all.]

Vid: ”...”

The front seemed like a serious news report, but towards the end, it couldn’t help but ridicule the Ministry of Magic; such a writing style is indeed Rita Skeeter.

He flipped through the newspaper, finding no more detailed reports at the back, only some cryptic accusations from the Ministry of Magic spokesperson against the Irish Ministry of Magic Minister’s inability to even calculate double-digit addition and subtraction, new products recently launched in Diagon Alley, and a scholar recommending a book on magic, and so forth.

Vid put down the newspaper and sent a message to Rita Skeeter via the Friendship Book, asking for specific details — because Rita often needs to ”infiltrate for investigation,” the Communication Pea is tough to reach her, whereas the Friendship Book is more efficient.

For similar reasons, even after the emergence of the Communication Pea, while the sales of the Friendship Book declined a bit, the impact wasn’t as significant as they had initially expected.

Instead, items like the Anti-Curse Vest, due to their high price, are purchased by few, with the largest clients mainly coming from the Aurors of various ministries of magic, a few from the Witch Pure Party, and some sneaky wizards who prefer not to reveal their identity.

In times where there is no threat to life from Dark Wizards, most people are more inclined to spend their limited funds on products like Poppet, Soft Light Badge, Daydream Quill that bring joy and comfort.

”Hi, Vid, why are you still reading the newspaper?”

Hermione pulled the Prophet Daily from Vid’s hand, propped her hands on the table and asked: ”Didn’t you forget today’s plan?”

”Plan?” Vid’s mind was still pondering various data, taking a moment to react.

”Forgot? We…” Hermione suddenly noticed some Beauxbatons students at the other end of the long table, quickly lowered her voice and said: ”The plan to help Hagrid makeover his image!”

...

The massive gamekeeper sat like a trapped beast on his low stool, clutching his large water cup as if it was a life-saving straw.

In the scrutinizing gaze of the blonde girl, he mumbled with a flushed face, ”I don’t need flashy things... I mean, I think I’m quite fine the way I am...”

”Really?” Michael fiddled with an artichoke from the flower vase (which was actually another thick, dented iron cup of Hagrid’s) and asked, ”I thought you were going to pin this flower on your clothes!”

Indeed intending to do so, Hagrid: ”...”

”Seriously, Hagrid.” Harry said earnestly, ”If you want to pursue Madam Maxime, you need to make a little change to your appearance.”

Hagrid’s face reddened further: ”I... Who said I was pursuing Olim...”

”Olim?” Ron raised his voice, ”You’re even on first-name terms now?”

Hagrid: ”...”

”Enough!” Astoria, brought by Daphne, said with her arms crossed: ”Liking someone and wanting to make yourself better for them is nothing to be ashamed of! Hagrid, be honest!”

She was a rare Slytherin who won Hagrid’s favor, currently sitting on a stool by the fireplace, holding a rock cake with both hands, trying to gnaw off a piece with her teeth.

The group, well aware that the cakes made by Hagrid were as hard as rocks, admired Astoria’s efforts in astonishment.

As for Daphne, watching her sister acting in a manner devoid of any elegance, she showed a few expressions of restraint before taking a deep breath, turned her gaze, choosing to disregard what she was seeing.

Then she saw Hagrid — his thick hair and beard were like a natural spectacle, emitting an unusual odor that was hard to endure.

Daphne: ”...”

Seeing Hagrid still arguing with Harry and the others about whether he should change the image he painstakingly sorted, Daphne silently took out a pair of silver scissors from her small handbag.

”Alright, end of this debate.”

Daphne raised her chin and asked Hagrid: ”Professor Hagrid, do you want Madam Maxime to smile at you? Want her gaze to linger on you? Want to go on a date with her?”

”I won’t listen to excuses, only accept two answers — yes, or no!”

Vid and others were surprised as they looked at her; in everyone’s impression, Daphne had always been Pansy’s lackey, silent and reticent, unexpected to show such an assertive side.

Hagrid: ”...I...I indeed have a thought.”

”Then that’s good.” Daphne said: ”Leave this person to me! You...” Her gaze turned to the others, commanding: ”Throw out the trash in this room, clean it up.”

”Ah? Still have to clean?” Hagrid said blankly, ”I’ve cleaned it quite well!”

Daphne waved her hand: ”Don’t trust your eyes too much!”

She looked at Hermione and Astoria, asking, ”Do you enjoy visiting in such an environment?”

Hermione struggled to maintain Hagrid’s dignity, ”Actually… Hagrid has tried his best…”

Astoria, grinding her teeth over the cake, muttered, ”If it’s Professor Hagrid, of course, no problem, the important thing is being with friends. But if it’s for romance, certainly not!”

”Astoria...” Hagrid looked at his little friend in shock, even his eye corners drooped.

”Just being honest, Hagrid.” Astoria swung her legs, saying, ”I don’t want to tell pretty lies to deceive you.”

”Then... thank you for your honesty?” Hagrid hesitated to say.

”No need to thank me.” Astoria put down the rock cake and jumped off the stool, saying: ”I’ll help tidy the clothes... Who brought Madam Reil’s Cleaning Agent?”

Vid took out a large bottle from his pocket, asking: ”I have DIY Cleaning Agent, suitable for all situations, do you need it?”

”Wow!” Astoria widened her eyes at the large bottle, asking: ”Did you... cast The Undetectable Extension Charm on your clothes pocket?”