Chapter 123: Hogsmeade, Cameras, and Musical Instruments

Hogwarts

Time in this ancient castle, which has stood for a thousand years, seems to stretch gently by magic and be quietly scattered by the wind.

Two days, for the young wizards here, feel both long and short, like a peaceful dream.

In the morning, when the first ray of sunlight filters through the crevices of the spires, shining on the stone-paved corridors of the castle, it heralds the arrival of a new day.

It's another ordinary weekend. After waking up, Draco instinctively glanced to the other side. Although there was a new exquisite alarm clock in the dormitory since the start of this school year, meaning he no longer had to wake up early to call others, the habit of last year still made him turn his head after getting up.

After all, it's not easy to change habits formed over a year or two.

Seeing the empty bed opposite, Draco thought for a moment and then seemed to understand. He had seen Ino and Flint whispering together again last night.

…

Hogsmeade.

At nine in the morning, after passing through a winding alley, Ino returned to his small house.

At the end of the alley stood a two-story building, as if forgotten by time.

Although the outer walls of the house were a bit mottled, it felt endearing, like how one feels about their own family.

This was his house.

He opened the door, and the spacious and bright living room on the first floor, with its sofa and quaint coffee table, had already gathered some dust.

This was normal, considering he hadn't cleaned the house in the two months since school started.

"Scourgify!"

Ino waved his wand and cast a cleaning spell, making the entire room spotless again.

Then he slowly walked upstairs, where there was a combined bedroom and study.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass window, bringing warmth and brightness to the entire second-floor space. It felt like a quiet harbor, a place of peace amidst a busy life.

Walking to the windowsill, Ino removed the bluebells from the vase, which he had placed there during the summer holidays. Now, the bluebells had withered.

Looking at the cozy scene before him, he gently pushed open the stained glass window, letting more sunlight into the room.

In the sunlight, Ino slowly leaned back, and an ice-crystal rocking chair appeared instantly on the previously empty floor.

Sitting on the ice chair and basking in the autumn sunshine…

…

The reason for coming to Hogsmeade today started from yesterday.

Yesterday morning, Ino received a letter from Mr. Davis saying that the custom-made musical instruments were ready.

Considering the next day was a weekend, he found Flint that evening and bought a permit to visit Hogsmeade.

As a result, he came a bit early today. At eight in the morning, he picked up all the instruments at Dervish & Banges' store.

Ino then returned to his little house on the way back.

There were ten instruments in total, including a sharp single-handed sword and a large box camera.

All these items were now quietly placed in the sanctuary.

It's worth mentioning that the camera was a late 19th-century wooden folding dry plate camera.

It had a nice name, "Junior Sanderson Camera," with a film size of 6x4.5 inches, made of teak or mahogany.

Though it was an antique, as a free gift, he couldn't be too picky. After all, his initial condition was just that it should work.

Under Davis's teasing expression, he had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

…

Basking in the sunlight, Ino thought about the past.

If he had thought of buying a camera earlier, perhaps many people and events could have been commemorated—Old John, the White Witch, the Skin-changer Beorn, the Brothers Grimm…

As he thought, his mind gradually emptied, and he slowly closed his eyes, enjoying the peace of the moment.

Time quietly passed.

It was unclear how much time had passed when the outside gradually became lively.

It seemed the upper-year students had woken up and, after eating their fill, came to Hogsmeade in groups to play and relax.

The faint noise from outside made Ino open his eyes.

He looked at the sky; the sun had quietly moved to the southwest, indicating it was about three or four in the afternoon.

"Sigh, time to go back! Next year will be better…"

With a light sigh, Ino stood up and walked downstairs.

Although he had paid and Flint had guaranteed the permit's validity until curfew, there was no point wasting more time since he had done everything he needed to do.

Before leaving, he forced himself to drink a mouthful of the nauseating Polyjuice Potion and then walked back to Hogwarts.

…

Slytherin dormitory.

Ino took a big gulp of honey lemon water and then looked at Draco beside him.

"I'll tell Potter to behave himself for now. But is it confirmed on your father's side?"

"It's confirmed. There are two victims left, but they are far away, so it will take some time." Draco's lips curled up; he was already impatient.

Just thinking about the scarhead's expression when he found out the truth made him happy.

It also served as a reminder to the scarhead that being friends with the Weasley was useless.

But when he thought of the contents of the letter from home, Draco's mood deflated like a punctured balloon.

The letter instructed him not to mention this matter at all, not even a word, to act as if he knew nothing.

Meanwhile…

Ino didn't pay attention to Draco's changing expressions; he was marveling at Lucius's efficiency.

From receiving the letter to collecting solid evidence, it had only taken three days. Although not all the evidence was gathered, it still proved the other's capability.

Similarly, Lucius handled this matter quite delicately.

He collected evidence, then passed it to Harry through a third party, leaving the rest alone.

And Ino was the third party designated by Lucius. Selling one favor to three parties, Lucius's maneuvering was impressively smooth.

Ino also understood that Lucius wanted him to owe a favor.

After all, it was Ino who proposed the matter, and Lucius executed it. But instead of leveraging it for personal gain, Lucius handed everything back to Ino to handle.

However, what puzzled him was that Lucius's roundabout way, while making Ino owe a favor, would also lose Harry's goodwill, which seemed counterproductive.

…

After pondering for a while.

Ino sighed lightly, gradually understanding Lucius's intention.

He turned to look at his clueless roommate.

"Draco, you really have a great father!"

"My father is always great!" Draco replied, puzzled but proud.

He genuinely thought his father was wonderful, fulfilling all his reasonable demands from childhood.

Even some absurd requests would be seriously considered before providing a reasoned refusal.