Chapter 11: 2 Months Time Skip and Halloween

Time flies like an arrow, and it has been almost two months since Draco came to Hogwarts.

Today, Draco is very excited and can be described in one word - his form, his mouth raised slightly even at dinner.

"I'm so happy I got a permit," Pansy said beside him as she used a knife and fork to eat the smoked fish on her plate.

"This is just a permit, it represents knowledge, wisdom, and power!" Draco said loudly, unlike his usual calm demeanor.

"I think you should take your plate over to Ravenclaw's table," Pansy said, pointing in that direction.

Due to his outstanding performance in many subjects, Draco finally obtained the right to freely borrow most of the books in the library today, without having to ask Mrs. Pings for permission.

Some books contain powerful black magic that has never been taught at Hogwarts. These books can only be used by students who choose advanced black magic defense. To access these books, students need permission and a signature from a teacher.

For Draco, the range of books he can borrow has been expanded, with the exception of some solitary treasures or dangerous black magic books that require special consultation. All other books are now available to him.

"I don't think you'll be able to concentrate in class today," Pansy commented, seeing Draco's excited expression. She was obviously frustrated by his behavior.

"I wasn't so happy to see you when I was with you," Pansy added, feeling a little unbalanced in her heart.

"You're right, you'll have to wait for class next time," Draco tried to calm himself down, apparently not noticing Pansy's sour tone.

But it was clear that Draco was a little distracted today.

The last class in the afternoon was herbal medicine, and Draco rushed to the library as soon as he was done with class. Professor Sprout, who was so irritating, wondered if the effect of his lecture today was bad.

"I really don't know if there's a problem with the branch cap," a group of Ravenclaw students whispered. "If he was our college cup this year, it should be ours." Obviously, this news had spread to several colleges.

Ron in Gryffindor's lounge was upset and said, "What's so good about apologizing? Don't you just get better grades?"

Harry changed the subject and said, "I think we should think about how to apologize to Hermione. This is the most important thing."

Ron suddenly shouted, "Apology? Leviosah! Did you see how she looked at us? It's like we're mentally handicapped in her eyes."

Harry interrupted Ron and said, "Ron, enough. You know she doesn't mean that. I think you must have seen her crying just now."

Ron's face was uneasy and he said, "So what? It's not a proud thing to make a girl cry in any situation."

Harry said, "Let's go apologize to her at the Halloween party. I know you're just talking tough."

Ron impatiently replied, "Fine, I'll apologize."

Dracowas walking through a bookshelf filled with old, worn books.

Some of the shelves were beginning to rot and the books were covered in a thick layer of dust. He was searching for a particular book with secret knowledge.

As he walked, his eyes scanned the shelves until he stopped in front of one of the oldest ones. He pulled out a book with a fuzzy cover that was covered in a layer of gray dust, making it difficult to see the title.

He used magic to clean it up, but the words were still blurred due to the passage of time.

Frustrated, Draco decided it was enough and put the book back.

"By the way, it looks like we're going back early today. Seems like it's a special day." Draco wasn't usually interested in these sorts of events, but everyone seemed excited today. Both teachers and students were talking about it heatedly. Pansy had even hinted at it a few times in the morning. Something about candy pumpkins?

"Halloween!" Draco suddenly remembered. "This must be a key point in the plot. Yeah, monsters!"

As Draco was thinking, he suddenly felt a hard impact on his back.

"I'm sorry," a familiar female voice came from behind him.

Draco turned and looked at Hermione, noticing that her eyes were red as if she had been crying.

He asked her, "Is everything okay? It seems like you're in a bad mood today. Did you have an argument with someone?"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she replied, "Everyone says that I just want to please the teacher, and Ron even said in our curse class that I'm like a nightmare. I was just trying to remind him of the spell. It's not fair. Why do they say these things to me?"

"And what kind of mud are the people in your school calling me now? This nickname is annoying!"

"Do you want to hear my jokes now? The only thing I have left to be proud of in front of you is gone!"

Draco was surprised because he didn't think they were acquaintances. Hermione's weak performance now made him feel like he should be a psychologist, responsible for enlightening her.

"Cough," Draco coughed. "Then as the best student in Slytherin this year, I think I can apologize on behalf of those students from our school who have been unsuccessful in their treatment of you." Draco bowed slightly.

"I want to express my apologies. How about we enjoy some honey candies from the Duke's candy shop? It's Halloween today."

Hermione was surprised by Draco's apology. She had only spoken those words to vent her emotions and try to push him away, but she didn't expect him to apologize for getting angry.

"Don't you feel angry?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

"I think that if a Gryffindor has the courage to apologize to a Slytherin, then I can't be too stingy. Right?" Draco added the last part with a hint of sarcasm.

Hermione was quiet for a moment, then whispered, "Hogsmeade's can only be visited on Saturdays, with the permission of a third-year student and a teacher."

"There are only a few places in this world that I'd rather not go, but no places that I can't go," Draco replied.

"The courage of Gryffindor should also include breaking the rules," Hermione countered.

"Maybe if you break some rules, you can fit in with them, right?" Draco suggested.

"Come with me," Draco said as he stood up.

It seemed like Hermione had made a decision, as she stomped her foot and followed Draco.

Gryffindor students are born with a risk-taking nature, right?