Chapter 16

Well, the task was still some time away, so as an expert procrastinator, I left it to future Harry to worry about.

On a Saturday before the first task, all students from the third year and above were allowed to visit the village of Hogsmeade.

Hermione suggested that it would do both of us good to get away from the castle for a bit, and I didn't need much persuasion.

We went to our dormitories to grab our warm cloaks before heading to Hogsmeade together.

The chilly November air nipped at our noses as Hermione and I stepped onto the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade.

The village was alive with the chatter of students, the warm glow of shop windows inviting them inside, and the occasional burst of snow drifting down from above the roofs.

"Where should we go first?" Hermione asked, tugging her scarf tighter around her neck.

"Honeydukes," I said immediately, grinning.

"Of course," she said with an amused sigh, though her eyes betrayed her excitement. "You're going to buy every snack in there, aren't you?"

"Maybe," I replied. "But only if you promise not to lecture me about eating too much sugar."

She laughed, and we made our way toward the sweet shop. The moment we stepped inside, a wave of warm, sugary air hit us. It smelled like chocolate, caramel, and peppermint, with the constant buzz of excited voices filling the small space.

Every shelf was stacked high with brightly wrapped candies: Chocolate Frogs, Sugar Quills, and rows of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Their gleaming packaging seemed to dare anyone brave enough to taste them.

Hermione wandered over to a section of neatly organized sugar-free options while I loaded up on Fizzing Whizzbees, Licorice Wands, and a few questionable-looking Cockroach Clusters for Fred and George.

"Do you think these are actually made of cockroaches?" I asked, holding up the bag.

"I don't want to know," Hermione said, wrinkling her nose but smiling. "I'm more curious why you're buying them."

"For Fred and George. They'd appreciate the, uh... novelty."

After paying, we stepped back out into the crisp air, our pockets significantly heavier.

"Where to next?" I asked.

"The Three Broomsticks," Hermione suggested. "I could do with a Butterbeer to warm up."

The pub was packed, as expected, but we managed to find a cozy spot near the fireplace. The warmth from the flames was a welcome relief as I went to the bar and returned with two mugs of Butterbeer.

"Cheers," I said, raising my mug.

"To surviving mysterious tournaments and overly dramatic newspaper articles," Hermione replied with a grin, clinking her mug against mine.

The pub was noisy, with snippets of chatter drifting over from nearby tables. A group of fifth years was arguing about whether Zonko's new trick wands were worth the hype, while a few older students were loudly discussing Quidditch.

"Look, it's Hagrid and Professor Moody," Hermione said suddenly, pointing toward the bar.

Hagrid's large figure was unmistakable, and Moody's magical eye was swiveling around the room even as he spoke to Hagrid.

The pair noticed us and made their way over.

"All right, Harry, Hermione?" Hagrid said loudly, his booming voice cutting through the pub's din.

"Hello, Hagrid," we replied in unison.

Hagrid suddenly bent down on the pretext of examining Hermione's notebook on the table. In a low whisper meant only for me, he said, "Harry, meet me tonight at midnight at me cabin. Wear yer cloak."

Straightening up, he said loudly, "Nice ter see yeh both" winked, and left. Moody trailed behind him, his wooden leg clunking against the floorboards.

"Hagrid asked me to meet him tonight," I told Hermione once they were out of earshot.

"I wonder what he's up to? Are you sure it's a good idea, Harry?" she whispered, glancing around nervously. "That might clash with Sirius's meeting."

Coincidentally, today was the day I was supposed to talk with Sirius in the common room.

Though I already knew what Hagrid wanted to show me—dragons, the creature that we had to face in the first task.

"I'll meet Hagrid quickly and make it back in time for Sirius," I said after some thought. "Hagrid wouldn't ask unless it was important."

Hermione gave me a worried look but nodded. "Just... be careful, Harry."

Afterward, we wandered through the village, stopping by Dervish and Banges to look at enchanted gadgets, and Zonko's, where Hermione made a valiant effort to keep me from buying a pack of Screaming Yo-Yos.

"You're already on Filch's bad side," she pointed out as I reluctantly put them back.

"That's not true. Filch doesn't have a bad side. Its just his normal side and its always bad," I countered, making her laugh again.

By mid-afternoon, the sky began to darken, and we found ourselves outside an unfamiliar little shop with a sign reading Wicked Whimsies.

"What's this?" I asked.

"No idea," Hermione admitted, her curiosity piqued.

Inside, the shop was full of whimsical magical items—enchanted snow globes, quills that wrote poems when tapped, and even a set of self-heating mittens that Hermione insisted I try on.

"These are brilliant," I said, wiggling my fingers in the cozy warmth.

"Practical too," she said, already buying herself a pair.

As the day wound down, we found ourselves back near the carriages, our bags full of purchases and our spirits lighter.

"Today was nice," Hermione said, glancing at me as the castle loomed in the distance.

"Yeah, it was," I agreed. "We should do it more often."

"Just maybe without you buying so many sweets next time."

"Hey, you had your fair share of Chocolate Frogs," I pointed out, grinning.

She laughed, bumping me lightly with her shoulder. "Fair enough."

We headed back to Hogwarts, the warmth of the day still lingering despite the chill in the air.

I stored my purchases in my dormitory and settled in the common room, watching as the evening deepened, waiting for the night.

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