Chapter 575: Ron's state of mind

When Ivan breathed fresh air out of the carriage, he sobered up again.

Ivan remembered the expression on Fleur's face a moment ago, only to realize that he might have been fooled.

Fleur, that wicked girl, was definitely pulling his leg.

Her target would be a handsome wizard of the right age like Cedric, and there was no way she would notice Ivan.

As for what was said, it was even more impossible.

In her eyes, Ivan was probably a little brother, almost the same as Gabrielle....

But speaking of that, Fleur was really bold. Ivan didn't know any other girl like her.

"Well, wasn't my sister in a bad mood? I told you better not come up at this hour," Gabrielle said with a smile.

"It was really terrible!" Ivan nodded, with Fleur in her nightgown on his mind.

He'd seen Hermione in her pajamas before, but it wasn't at all the same.

"You told her everything?!" asked Hermione, looking at Ivan doubtfully.

"It's already done. Let's hurry to Hogsmeade."

Today is Hogsmeade Day, and the small town was full of excited young Hogwarts wizards.

Ivan and Hermione escorted Gabrielle around all the Hogsmeade stores. Gabrielle bought many things to take as gifts. These things were special Hogsmeade products and could not be seen in France.

"Where are we going now?" asked Gabrielle.

They had just left Honeydukes candy store, eating big, creamy pieces of nougat.

"We're going to the Three Broomsticks, where Harry and Ron are waiting for us," said Hermione.

They walked down another street, and most of the students they encountered were wearing badges in support of Cedric.

"What's that store doing?" asked Gabrielle, pointing to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop on one side of the street.

As before, the interior was steamy, and everything seemed to have been decorated with ruffles or bows.

"How pretty it looks..." whispered Gabrielle, looking at the pink bows.

"Don't go there, it's not a good place!" said Hermione quickly.

"Not a good place?!" asked Gabrielle. "What's in that tea store?".

"It's... where lovers go on dates, and they do that kind of... things inside. It's too soon for you to know!" Hermione glared at Ivan, who was laughing and watching. Her face turned red and she said, "Let's go now. Don't let Harry and Ron wait."

Ivan and Hermione's relationship grew by leaps and bounds, with substantial progress in that little tea store.

Unfortunately, the two didn't go all the way at the time.

Hermione didn't know it at the time. She thought it was an ordinary tea store, but now she didn't have the courage to go in there with Ivan.

According to Angelina and other girls at school, they could go on a date at this age!

Thinking about this, Hermione glanced at Ivan and couldn't help but wonder if he would still ask her to go to the tea store with him.

Although the two of them used to spend most of their time together, the feeling of going there would be totally different.

Hearing Hermione say that the Tea Shop was a place to go out, Gabrielle thought so too.

What her sister had said to herself came naturally to her mind....

In this way, the three people arrived at the Three Broomsticks, lost in thought.

When they entered the inn, it was crowded with people. Mainly Hogwarts students, all were enjoying the freedom of this afternoon.

However, there were also many wizards rarely seen elsewhere.

Hogsmeade was the only pure wizarding village in Britain.

It was a safe haven for people like the Banshee, because they were not as good as witches at disguising themselves.

"Where are Harry and Ron?" asked Hermione.

Her voice dropped and she saw Harry and Ron hiding in a corner beckoning to them.

"We just saw Rita Skeeter, but luckily she hasn't seen us," whispered Ron, placing his book Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit on the table, "She's still in town. He must be looking for a new rumor to spread."

"I'm sure he'll come to see the first task!" continued Harry.

"Yes, to see how the fire dragon smashes me; that would make a good headline!"

Ivan took Gabrielle to the bar to buy drinks, while Hermione sat down at the table.

"How are you progressing?" asked Hermione. "Is there anything useful in these two books...?"

"Nothing, the two books sent by Charlie can't help at all," said Ron in frustration.

"Take a look at the contents of Breeding Dragons for Pleasure and Profit, The Treatment of Magical Cutting Claws and Scaly Ulceration..." Harry read the catalog. "This is for people like Hagrid who want dragons to be strong!"

"Maybe we can try the Switching Spell!" said Hermione, taking the book Ron threw on the table, "Professor McGonagall said in class that if you can change his fangs into rubber bands or something, that would make him less dangerous."

"Change the fangs into rubber bands, are you sure I could pull that off?" Ron asked.

"Ivan should be able to do it!" whispered Hermione, staring at Ron for a long moment.

"Yes, he has the help of the Philosopher's Stone, naturally!". complained Ron, "If I had a Philosopher's Stone..."

He stopped abruptly, and Harry and Hermione looked at each other as if they hadn't heard Ron's complaint.

Obviously, Ivan wasn't made strong by the Philosopher's Stone, and he couldn't give it to Ron.

Knowing Ron, Hermione could be sure that even if he got the Philosopher's Stone, he would not use it properly. On the contrary, it would be a threat to his life.

The enormous magic of the Philosopher's Stone could not be absorbed by any human body. Ivan had nearly had a serious accident with it last time.

"We can change the way we think about it. It's definitely not possible to use the Switching Spell on the fire dragon, but you can cast it on yourself!" Hermione continued, "For example, to increase your strength, speed, defense, and so on. Of course, they're not simple spells, you have to pass the ordinary wizard level test before you can find it in our studies, but you have to learn it beforehand..."

"I can't, Hermione!" said Ron sadly, leaning back on the table, "I can't do it. These spells are too difficult for me. I can only pray that the task isn't a fire dragon. Maybe a prank by Charlie."

Thinking of Ivan, who told her not to push Ron too hard, Hermione didn't keep talking.

In her opinion, Ron's efforts were far from enough, but it really wasn't the time to say so.

She would let him keep a relaxed and cheerful mood, if only for this afternoon.

"It doesn't hurt to read more books. I'm sure Charlie feels the same way." Hermione pulled a bunch of stuff out of her backpack and looked around the pub. She said thoughtfully, "It's a long way before we meet Sirius. We can't just sit here. Maybe we can take this opportunity to recruit some villagers to join the S.P.E.W."