Chapter 303: Luncheon Invitation

Soon, the day of the start of school arrived.

During this time, nothing special happened anymore.

The only thing worth mentioning was Fenrir, that werewolf.

I heard he was brain-dead outright.

The reason was probably the trap Voldemort planted in his mind.

Once activated, to prevent information leakage, it would directly burn that person's brain.

So it can be said that Fenrir was indirectly killed by John.

Of course, John would not admit this.

It's clearly Voldemort's fault; how could anyone blame me?

And even if they were killed, it's fine; these Death Eaters are not worth mourning at all.

So John will have no internal conflict.

What he cares more about is the other soul inside his body, but he's never gotten a response.

Today.

It is the day of the start of school.

The Ministry of Magic, as usual, arranged Aurors to escort them to the station, and accompanied them to Hogwarts.

Along the way, little Hermione seemed very happy.

Because she had already learned from John about this year's Dark Defense professor, as well as the Potions professor.

They were Snape and Slughorn respectively.

Both are professors with real ability; there won't be another waste of space like Umbridge to waste her classes.

At King's Cross Station.

John, Hermione, and their party arrived at Platform 9¾.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, John noticed Draco and Naxisha not far away.

Both of their complexions were not good.

Draco's demeanor had somehow changed slightly.

Gone was the former superficial arrogance and domineering extravagance.

Instead, he became very quiet, even somewhat melancholic.

He lowered his eyes, out of place among the noisy crowd.

"What's wrong?"

Hermione noticed John's gaze and confusion, and asked strangely,

"Nothing, just look, that Draco guy, isn't he a bit different?"

Hearing John's words, Hermione, Harry, and a few others followed his gaze over.

They, having known Draco since first year,

naturally also noticed Draco's change right away.

"I guess his dad got caught, and he can't get by with Voldemort anymore."

Ron beside them said, gloating.

Several people looked at Ron in surprise.

Because they thought what Ron said actually made sense.

"If you ask me, just go up and ask him."

John rolled up his sleeves and said, looking like he intended to go up and talk to Draco about life.

Last time I let him run away, I've been wanting to catch him back for interrogation.

But he was immediately grabbed by Hermione.

"You're doing this again!"

Hermione, dissatisfied, said to John, blaming him for always acting alone.

"Um... Hermione, I just wanted to chat with him, don't be nervous."

John scratched his head and said.

However, Hermione had no intention of letting him go, so John had no choice but to give up.

He still wanted to put some pressure on him.

Things like kicking someone when they're down were his favorite.

Soon they all boarded the train.

John and Hermione together found an empty compartment, not sitting with Harry and the others.

In the compartment, Hermione took out 《Advanced Magic Potion Making》 from her bag and read it, occasionally chatting a few sentences with John.

John, meanwhile, stood beside her, pointing out some ways to improve the book's stiff content.

These are practical little tricks I learned from Professor Snape.

For John, Hermione naturally trusts him completely, and she will seriously note each point in the book.

The train slowly started, and the light and shadow of the platform flowed past the window.

The two then quietly read and chatted.

Suddenly, three clicking sounds came from outside the compartment.

Hearing the sound, they looked and saw Titus, Ryan, and Ethan three.

Their three faces were pressed against the small observation window, looking at John with contempt.

John let out a light laugh, then returned a friendly middle finger to them.

The three of them also, in perfect unison, returned a middle finger to John.

Then, laughing, he gave Hermione a salute and left.

Hermione watched their interaction, feeling both speechless and amused.

"Your way of greeting is way too crude."

"There's nothing I can do; they're three uncouth oafs, and I can't be refined with them."

John simply tossed the pot at the three of them, laughing as he spoke.

"Making it seem like you're the refined one."

Hermione chuckled lightly, then immediately asked with some concern.

"By the way, how's Ryan's family doing now? Have the Death Eaters been giving them trouble?"

Speaking of which, the reason John sits with Hermione instead of Titus and his group is

It's because Ryan's family has always been worried that Ryan and John getting too close would draw the Death Eaters' attention to their household.

So they put on a show of keeping their distance.

But it's really just self-deception.

Because once they're at school, they play however they want.

There's no intention of hiding from anyone.

So anyone who ought to know they're close already does.

But perhaps it's because Ryan's family isn't considered important, or maybe Voldemort previously didn't place much importance on John.

So Ryan's family hasn't yet been targeted by the Death Eaters.

"For now it's fine; I've given Titus and his group portable Door Keys so their families can evacuate at any time."

"At least it can keep them safe for a while."

"Voldemort can't stay rampant forever, so don't worry."

Hermione nodded; John's thoughts were indeed thorough, always able to nip danger in the bud.

Actually, the more John learns about the dangers Voldemort poses, the more worried he becomes.

He fears that his friends and loved ones, as well as their families, might die a wrongful death in this war against Voldemort.

He doesn't want, after Voldemort is defeated and everyone celebrates, for one of his friends to be alone grieving the loss of a family member.

That feeling is really fucked up.

So he absolutely will not allow that to happen.

Before he lacked the ability; now he naturally won't let anyone suffer pointless sacrifice.

Although manufacturing Door Keys on such a large illegal scale might land him in prison...

But John couldn't care less about that.

Go ahead and have the Ministry of Magic try to catch me if you can!

Just then, someone else came knocking on the door.

This time it was Harry.

He slowly opened the partition and poked his head in.

Apparently afraid of disturbing their privacy, he could only weakly say to John:

"John, Professor Slughorn has invited us to have lunch together in his carriage..."

"Ah?"

John froze.

But he immediately realized what was going on.

Professor Slughorn had just boarded the carriage and was already planning to start recruiting talent.

This really matches Dumbledore's description of him.

"Hermione, let's go together."

John turned his head and said to Hermione.

She blinked, uncertainly asking: "Can I?"

"Professor Slughorn didn't invite me..."

John immediately said.

"Of course you can—you're a straight-O super student, the brightest witch at Hogwarts; the professor hasn't invited you only because he doesn't know you yet."

"I'm actually providing him with talent; he should be thanking me, not the other way around."

John's words made Hermione feel a bit embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Harry surprisingly agreed with John's words for a moment.

"Indeed, Hermione, come along too; it's still early, let's go straight over—I think there's enough lunch to prepare an extra serving."

"We need your help."

Hermione then nodded; she also didn't want to stand there dazed in the compartment alone.

Being able to go along with John is naturally the best possible thing.