Chapter 65: Hermione's Advice

Professor Sprout's explanation was like a stone thrown into a still lake, causing ripples in Ino's mind.

After a brief contemplation, he quickly recalled the ice-blue rose he had seen before, but the pot contained the berries he had collected back then. One was a wild plant growing in a valley, the other a flower blooming in a castle; the two seemed unlikely to be related.

Unable to make sense of it for the moment, Ino was still pleased to have learned the correct planting method.

"Thank you for your help, Professor Sprout!"

Professor Sprout smiled and waved her hand:

"It's nothing. If you have any questions about planting in the future, feel free to come to me. Don't hesitate; I welcome any student at Hogwarts who loves Herbology."

The inclusiveness of Hufflepuff was perfectly embodied in that moment.

…

Having gotten his answer, Ino picked up the pot on the table and walked out of the greenhouse with a light step, as Professor Sprout was already preparing for the next Herbology class.

He followed the castle wall.

However, just as he was about to turn a corner, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

Hermione was standing alone not far away, her head bowed, intently kicking small stones on the ground with the tip of her shoe.

It seemed she was waiting for someone, looking somewhat absent-minded as each stone she kicked traced an arc in the air and then landed on the nearby lawn with a slight sound.

Seeing this, Ino walked over.

"What's wrong, Miss Granger? Spending your time wandering here instead of studying? There's less than five weeks left until the final exams."

Hearing the familiar voice, Hermione instantly looked up, her face breaking into a joyful smile.

"I've been waiting for you! And I've already finished my review. But you—lately, I rarely see you. If we didn't attend classes together, I'd think that… he had hurt you."

Though she was joking, her words carried a deep concern.

Though she didn't mention a name, Ino knew who she was referring to.

"Sometimes, what you see is not the whole truth. What you know is just the tip of the iceberg..."

Before Ino could finish, Hermione cut him off, seemingly triggering a switch, and began to recite:

"You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it; seeing things from his perspective. But when you walk his path, you feel breathless…"

"From 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' I've read it."

Hermione proudly raised her head, as if waiting for praise.

After a moment, as if remembering something, she continued with some annoyance: "But this time, you really need to be careful of Snape. I have solid evidence."

"Okay, okay! I'll stay away from Snape." Ino sighed, shaking his head slightly in exasperation.

At this stage, Hermione could be very stubborn and set in her ways.

So he decided not to say more. Quirrell would give Hermione a good lesson on this.

"Ino, believe me! I'm serious. And even if everyone deceives you, I never will."

Hermione lifted her head slowly, her eyes shining with sincerity and a hint of undisguised shyness.

"Let me tell you about a certain voice." Faced with the insistent Hermione, Ino decided to help Quirrell reinforce the lesson.

"That voice comes from within us. It's not Shakespeare, it doesn't speak unforgettable lines. But it always tells us, frankly, what's right and what's wrong, when to leave and when to stay..."

"So, Hermione! Trust your inner voice, not just what you see."

Ino looked up at the castle. Seeing it from near the greenhouses was very different from seeing it from the Black Lake. The difference was immense.

"Yes! I trust you. I'll think with my heart and listen to my inner voice."

Hermione spoke softly, but her tone was serious and solemn.

"That's great to hear!" Ino brought his gaze back from the distance.

Throughout the seven stories, he had always admired Hermione for her wisdom, her unwavering courage, and her loyalty to friends.

Sure, Hermione had many flaws, but who doesn't?

…

The two stood in silence for a while.

Suddenly, Hermione remembered something and asked:

"Do you have any plans for the summer vacation? My dad mentioned during Christmas that he plans to travel to France, but I don't really want to go."

Summer plans?

Suddenly hearing this, Ino was a bit taken aback. He had initially planned to go abroad to buy a flying carpet, but after talking with Malfoy, he realized that it was unlikely to be sold in Europe.

If he really wanted to buy a flying carpet, he might have to go to Egypt or Turkey.

Though many ideas came to his mind, the truth was that he had no real plans for the summer.

Thinking this, Ino decided to be honest.

"I don't have any plans at the moment. Probably like the Christmas break, I'll stay in Hogsmeade, and maybe go to Diagon Alley since I plan to buy a broomstick."

"I won't go to France then. I'll accompany you to pick out a broomstick, okay? And… I've never been to Hogsmeade. They say it's beautiful, and I want to see it."

Hermione quickly expressed her true thoughts.

But she soon realized how unreserved she seemed. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she lowered her head again and fell silent.

With her thick brown hair covering her face, no one could see her expression.

On the other hand, Ino noticed Hermione's change and could guess the reason—most likely, the traditional English girl's modesty and shyness.

But he didn't plan to tease Hermione about it, to avoid making her angry.

"We'll see during the summer. I'll write to you. If you don't go to France, we can visit Hogsmeade together."

Hearing this, Hermione quickly recovered her energy, full of life again.

"Great! It's a deal then! And I also plan to buy an owl. I can exchange 30 Galleons at Gringotts again this year. If I save, I should have enough by next year."

Hearing Hermione's words, Ino nearly laughed out loud. Thinking of saving money in the second year? That would be a luxury, especially with the required set of bestsellers from a popular author.

And it was clear that Lockhart had done his research. Besides other essential items, his books would pretty much use up a Muggle-born student's annual 30 Galleon allowance.

With this in mind, Ino said:

"I'll exchange it for you. It won't be much, but I can give you 50 Galleons."

As for whether Hermione had money, he wasn't worried at all.

With a dentist father running a private practice, Hermione wasn't short of pounds; what she lacked was the allowance to exchange for Galleons.

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