Chapter 411: The Protagonists

The new home is in a suburban community near London, a two‑story Small villa with a garden.

The garden is still empty for now, waiting for its owners to fill it.

John pushes open the white gate, leading Hermione onto the stone‑paved path.

The key turns in the lock with a crisp click, as if the door to their new life has opened.

Inside, the décor is warm‑toned, with off‑white walls and light oak flooring.

But it is equally empty; there is no furniture at all.

"This is the house our parents chose, the community was just built recently, and it's not far from the city center."

"The transport is convenient, the amenities are complete, it's a nice place to settle."

"Although for us Wizards these conditions are optional."

"But living in the Muggle World, we still need a decent home."

John says this while pulling Hermione through the living room, opening the back door; the backyard also has a lawn, modest in size but cozy enough.

A few small trees line the lawn's edge, rustling softly as the breeze passes.

Although the house is still empty, Hermione can't hide the delight in her eyes.

She walks around the empty room, imagining it filled with bookshelves, a sofa and a fireplace.

They can set up their own little nest, choosing each piece of furniture, each book, each lamp themselves.

John leans against the doorframe, watching her excited silhouette, a smile tugging at his mouth.

Hermione begins to mutter to herself, tallying a shopping list.

John feels his head spin and quickly interrupts her.

"Hold on, Miss Know‑Everything, the house isn't going anywhere; we have plenty of time to arrange it slowly."

"You don't have to list everything all at once."

"That's like doing a quest, way too boring."

Hermione, irritated by the interruption, shoots him a glare but still stops her endless chatter.

But thinking about it, she admits she has no experience renovating a new home.

So she decides to wait until she's free, ask the parents, flip through home‑decor magazines, and plan slowly.

Yet the anticipation and excitement in her heart sprout like fresh buds, impossible to suppress.

The two later stroll around the community again, getting to know the new environment they'll soon move into.

During that time Hermione asks how the house came about.

John answers honestly: both sets of parents contributed money, treating it as a betrothal gift.

And John also has a Small Treasury.

He explains that years ago, when John was hanging out with Hagrid, he sold a good amount of magical creature droppings he picked up behind Hagrid.

He also earned money selling Magic Potions.

These years he studied under Professor Snape, and using the knowledge he brewed many Magic Potions to sell; leveraging Snape's name, he became a familiar face in the Potion Circle.

He also tapped into Professor Slughorn's contacts.

Of course, it could be the other way around, since he's also a well‑known figure.

In any case, money isn't an issue, nor is the future.

At this point Hermione truly realizes that the seemingly frivolous boy before her has already been quietly paving the way for their future.

Hermione finally, beyond John's sweet talk, for the first time feels so clearly the steadiness and reliability hidden beneath his carefree façade.

It turns out he really has been seriously planning their future.

In the past John was also reliable, but that reliability showed up when facing danger and challenges.

They have never worried about everyday mundane matters.

So she did worry, thinking John was still young, perhaps not ready to consider such trivialities, maybe wanting to play a few more years.

But now she knows John started preparing for their life earlier than she imagined.

He truly wants a home with her, and to live seriously together.

John doesn't know how many scenarios Hermione has been mentally scripting.

He actually just has the experience of being a workhorse in a past life; this life he doesn't want to worry about money, so he saved up some capital in advance.

But this is indeed his concrete action to give Hermione a stable future.

In short, John inexplicably feels Hermione has become clingier, holding his arm even while walking, almost hanging onto him.

But he gladly enjoys this sweet burden.

Time flies, and finally the semester‑end arrives—the protagonists' graduation.

John has just finished the OWLS Exam.

At the same time, Jor also says she wants to transfer schools.

During this rare year, Jor's best friend naturally becomes Astoria.

Her relationship with Draco is also good.

As for Titus and his group, they're like older‑brother friends; they occasionally take her out, but most of the time they're each busy with their own things.

Titus does often look for her, after all he's the brother of a good friend, so he naturally gives her extra care.

The news of Jor's transfer wasn't announced; she simply said goodbye to Astoria in advance.

Astoria is also reluctant to let her go, holding her hand and talking for a long while.

Jor even whispered that she is actually John's sister.

Of course, John consented, though they didn't mention that they share one body.

In the future, if Astoria needs to find or contact her, she can just go through John.

Astoria stared in surprise with widened eyes, then smiled with relief: "I saw early on that you and Hermione's group weren't just ordinary friends."

"Hehe, after all Hermione‑senpai is my sister‑in‑law."

As for the seventh‑year students, they only truly felt the taste of parting when the Hogwarts Express left the platform.

Some embraced, some shed tears, and some laughed, promising to keep in touch.

Actually there's nothing particularly sad about it.

As long as it isn't going abroad.

The Britain Wizarding World is that big; it's hard not to meet.

Hermione, having learned about the future of cohabiting with John, was immersed in a sweet anticipation and didn't feel much sorrow at parting.

As for Harry, I heard he and Ron plan to apply to the Auror Office together after graduation.

Both of them are considered heroes who fought Voldemort, so the Auror Office is practically an open door for them.

It's like getting what they wish for; the future looks bright.

Oh, right, there's one more thing.

Professor Lupin and Tonks got married.

I heard they had been involved for a long time and even already had a child.

But because of Voldemort's affairs, they hadn't made it public.

Later, when things settled, the two quietly obtained their marriage certificate without holding any ceremony.

When the news reached us, they had been married for several days, and it was Sirius who told Harry they only just found out.

They also sent their blessings and gifts.

Days passed at an unhurried pace, and by August, John was finally about to turn sixteen.