Chapter 110: A New Journey
Dormitory Classroom
After hearing Bulstrode's question, Ino felt a headache coming on.
It's hard to imagine that these second-year students, only thirteen or fourteen years old, already possess such analytical abilities. If they continue to develop like this as they grow up...
Perhaps there is some justification for the pure-bloods controlling the Ministry of Magic.
But obviously, now is not the time to ponder this question. He needs to answer Bulstrode's question.
Because this question had already resonated with everyone, as he looked at the curious faces before him.
"Ahem... before answering that question, let me tell you something else."
Ino cleared his throat. This question was too sharp, but during the brief moment of thought, he had already come up with a strategy.
"Did you know? Among common animals, the only bird that dares to attack an eagle is the crow. They will perch on the eagle's back and peck at its neck."
To divert attention and avoid the sharp topic, he conjured an eagle and a crow using ice and snow as he spoke.
"However, the eagle does not pay attention to the crow. It doesn't waste time and energy fighting it. Instead, it spreads its wings and flies high. The higher the eagle flies, the harder it becomes for the crow to breathe, eventually causing the crow to fall to its death because it can't breathe."
Pausing for a moment, Ino gave everyone some time to think.
"In light of this, I have a suggestion. Why should we waste our energy pondering over the goblins or the Ministry of Magic? We are here at Hogwarts to learn, so let's focus on improving our grades and learning more knowledge, just like the eagle flying higher and higher."
"When we reach a certain height, many doubts will no longer be doubts because they will fall away like the crow."
Using a tactic similar to Professor McGonagall's, he stalled for time, hoping they might forget about it in a few months.
Although it was obvious that the Ministry of Magic was incompetent and there was a high probability that some people had secretly made deals with the goblins and received blood-stained Galleons, he couldn't openly say that. Even if he had solid evidence, he wouldn't dare say it.
This matter involved too much. Even after one or two hundred years, it was still a landmine that could explode, enough to sink the British Isles.
This was far more dangerous than Voldemort's chaos, potentially leading to another goblin rebellion. If the conflict dragged on and couldn't be stopped in time, it could affect goblins worldwide. After all, Gringotts wasn't exclusive to Britain.
...
On the other side, as Ino finished explaining, Bosde wanted to ask another question but was stopped by a soft voice beside her.
"Millicent, that's enough! Your question is like a wagtail wondering why a dragon breathes fire. It's meaningless!" Daphne said softly.
Sometimes, some interesting phenomena can't be explained but do indeed happen.
At this moment, Daphne's gentle demeanor and soft voice surprisingly made the burly Bulstrode immediately close her mouth.
Ino even saw a trace of fear in Bulstrode's eyes.
But as the host here, seeing the awkward atmosphere in the dormitory, he could only hurriedly make peace.
"Alright, alright! That's all for today's review. Remember to do your History of Magic homework, as Professor Binns assigned!"
...
An hour ago, the dormitory was filled with nine little wizards. An hour later, eight little wizards left.
After everyone had gone, Draco couldn't help but complain:
"She just keeps asking! Next time, tell Daphne not to bring her."
"Let it be!" Ino stopped Draco's gossiping and explained, "Actually, it's a good thing. Her questions show that she listened carefully, which is the purpose of the review, isn't it?"
"Maybe. But I don't like her," Draco clearly expressed his opinion but stopped gossiping and instead asked:
"Ino, I'm going to the Quidditch pitch later. Are you coming?"
"Sorry, Draco. I'm very tired. I need to take a nap now."
Speaking, Ino quickly went to his bed, drew the thick curtains around it, and the whole process was done in one go.
"Are you that tired?" Draco muttered, looking at the thick curtains, but then he picked up his broom and left the dormitory.
...
The Sanctuary
A Snow-Covered Path
The reason for his haste in lying down was that he felt a long-lost sense of unease after five months.
Ino picked up his suitcase and slung his accordion over his back. He glanced at the thriving ice flowers, then walked straight to the end of the path.
As for the ever-growing, seemingly more agile frost serpent, he ignored it. He didn't have the time to deal with it now.
The path paved with red maple leaves leading to the wood elves was still shrouded in thick fog.
On the other side, the previously foggy fork in the road was now less misty, revealing a faint country path.
...
Passing through the thin mist.
Ino found himself on a country road. The road wasn't very wide, about three or four meters, with various unknown weeds growing on either side.
At the end of the road, a quaint little town loomed in the distance.
Perhaps it had just rained; the road was very muddy.
Clear tracks left by carriages could be seen, mixed with various animal droppings on the ground.
He glanced down at his new boots, then looked at the town not far away, reluctantly stepping into the dark, soft, and ambiguous mud.
Walking slowly along the path for about fifteen minutes.
What came into view was a typical medieval Western town.
The houses were scattered and orderly, mostly made of wood and stone, with thick thatched roofs and handmade curtains on the windows, gently swaying in the breeze.
At the town's center stood an old church, not very large, only about a few dozen square meters.
The church's outer walls were built of rough stones, with gaps eroded by time and wind, making them mottled. The walls had no elaborate carvings, only a few narrow windows with some pieces of colored glass.
However, just seeing this small church made Ino grateful for his caution. He didn't rashly use magic to avoid dirtying his boots.
In such typical medieval Western stories, magic and wizards were never considered bright existences.
As he walked, the whole town gradually unfolded before him. Although small, it was bustling with activity.
Various shops and busy people of all sorts.
The bakery assistant in a brown apron kneading dough; the shirtless blacksmith hammering away; the lively tavern at the roadside...
Of course, there were also the loaded carriages and resting caravans in the open area next to the town.
Seeing the lively scene before him, Ino understood why, upon entering the village, people paid no attention to him as an outsider.
Clearly, this was a typical rest stop town.
It also explained the numerous cart tracks and animal droppings on the muddy road outside the village.
A rest stop town is a village located on important trade routes. Perhaps it initially had just a well and a small tavern.
But over time, with the frequent passage of caravans.
More and more people joined in, gradually adding tailor shops, blacksmith shops, bakeries, churches, monasteries, and so on, forming a small village.
The people living here didn't survive by farming crops but by serving passing caravans to earn money, which they then used to buy living supplies from the caravans.
In short, it was a balanced cycle.
---