Chapter 3: Miss Bunny

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.

"I've already sent Hagrid to fetch the child."

Dumbledore took off his half-moon glasses and pulled out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, carefully wiping the nonexistent dust from the lenses.

Looking at the silent Snape before him, Dumbledore could more or less guess what was on his mind, but some matters... just couldn't be resolved through wishful thinking.

With this thought, his gaze inadvertently swept over Snape, more precisely, towards the arm hidden under Snape's voluminous robe.

The Dark Mark.

Dumbledore knew this magic better than anyone. This mark, which should have disappeared after Tom's death, had inexplicably persisted for eleven years. Though now it had become faint...

But existence is existence, an undeniable fact. Perhaps this indirectly proved one thing: Tom... had never truly died, or at least not completely.

This year marked the time for Harry's admission, which also meant that the Boy Who Lived was about to enter the public eye.

All the past events, one by one, resurfaced in Dumbledore's mind.

"Severus, once Harry is admitted, I hope you can give him more attention, help him grow up quickly."

On the other side, Snape's brows softened involuntarily at the mention of Harry's name.

However, this momentary softness was fleeting. Quickly, Snape's gaze turned empty and indifferent again.

But Dumbledore noticed it all. His century-long life experience told him there was no need to say more at this moment.

After a brief silence.

Snape rarely took the initiative to speak, "I'm the Head of Slytherin House. Unless he's sorted into Slytherin, I will only fulfill my duties as the Potions Master."

"Of course, that's enough!" Dumbledore replied with a hearty laugh.

Some things really don't need to be spelled out completely; mutual understanding is best.

"So, is this the only reason you called me here?" Snape's tone was as calm as ever.

"These are the names of young witches and wizards who need guidance. There are quite a few new students this year, and Minerva has complained more than once about the shortage of staff."

As he spoke, Dumbledore opened a drawer beside him and took out a thick stack of bound parchment.

"You need to complete these tasks before the start of the term. Filius and Pomona received their lists yesterday."

"Ha!" Snape snorted as he took the list but still accepted it.

Snape knew better than anyone why there was suddenly such an influx of new students at Hogwarts—everyone wanted their child to form a strong bond with the savior.

It was just those who had fled at the slightest breeze back then, now shifting with the wind and returning.

...

London, Foyles Bookshop.

A historically significant bookshop, crucially noted for its vast collection. This was arguably the largest repository of books in all of London.

There had once been a survey suggesting that if all the books in the shop were arranged in sequence, they would extend a staggering 48 kilometers.

Located at 84-119-125 Charing Cross Road, its expansive grounds earned it the title of the world's largest bookshop.

Even the address numbering gives a hint of the shop's enormity, with a daily staff of more than 400.

Second floor, folklore section.

Ino was buried in a five-inch-thick "One Thousand and One Nights."

For the past two years, he had developed a habit of consistent reading.

In that magical world, allegories, fairy tales, and folklore were constantly unfolding. Reading more, accumulating more knowledge, was always beneficial.

Sometimes, merely vague foresight and insight could create true miracles.

As for why he chose a bookshop over a library...

Ha! No reputable library would issue a borrowing card to an unidentified orphan, let alone the fact that obtaining such a card required a considerable deposit.

After much thought, freeloading in the bookshop became Ino's best option.

Especially in a massive bookshop like Foyles, no one would pay attention to a boy, let alone how long he lingered in front of the shelves.

...

'... In the end, the princess came back to life, then married the prince, and they lived happily ever after.'

With the end of the story, Ino rubbed his slightly sore neck.

This was one of the bookshop's biggest drawbacks—no comfortable desks or sofas.

Thus, standing for one or two hours was quite normal when reading in the bookshop.

"One Thousand and One Nights? A book I gave up on at six! I didn't expect you to have such a unique taste, Mr. Fraud."

A clear voice sounded from behind, making Ino frown. He didn't like being disturbed while reading.

But the voice's owner seemed to be a peer, and for the sake of his reputation and future earnings from fortune-telling, he couldn't ignore it.

Suppressing his inner displeasure, Ino turned and politely said, "I don't think so. No book should be judged by the reader's age to determine its value, and..."

Halfway through his sentence, Ino suddenly stopped and scrutinized the girl in front of him.

Two years might be a long time, but not enough to forget those students he had foretold.

As for this brown-haired girl, he was sure they were meeting for the first time. If nothing else, her two large, white front teeth were unforgettable.

Since she wasn't a client, there was no need to be courteous. With that thought, Ino changed his tone to a mocking one:

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! If I remember correctly, you've never consulted me for a reading. Isn't it too hasty to draw conclusions without verification? Miss... Bunny!"

"You..." The girl seemed both embarrassed and angry, her fair face flushing red, "Does mocking someone's appearance make you that proud? That's not gentlemanly at all..."

However, before she could finish, Ino seized on her words, retorting, "Is giving people nicknames very ladylike?"

"Huff..." Hermione took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

She was furious now; it was the first time she had suffered such a defeat in a debate with her peers, and the other party's logic was strong, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"Fine, I apologize for the nickname." Hermione's mind raced, quickly deciding there was no need to dwell on the setback. After a swift apology, she continued:

"Here's a pound. I'll pay for a reading. Will I go to Winchester College or Wycombe Abbey?"

"Alright! Let's find a quiet place, and I'll do the reading for you right now." Ino agreed without hesitation.

Only a fool would refuse money handed to them.

After all, entering Hogwarts in the future, besides the daily expenses at school, just buying storybooks would be a significant cost.

After all, Hogwarts' library wouldn't have Muggle books.