Chapter 412: Setting Up the New Home

Wizards come of age at 17.

However, in the Muggle World, 16 is the age when one can start a family.

A few decades ago, getting married at this age was not uncommon, but nowadays it's somewhat rare.

However, the two of them don't care what others think.

They have experienced more together than some elderly couples.

Having gone through the baptism of war, their minds are far more mature than their peers, so there's no talk of impulsiveness or immaturity.

However, it's still before August now, and even when it arrives we need to pick a good date.

So there's no rush.

Right now, the first thing they want to do after their vacation is to set up their new home.

Both sets of parents also helped, giving them some advice and then letting them decide for themselves.

The final direction they agreed on is to keep it simple and cozy; they don't plan to add any wizard elements, and the overall style leans toward Muggle modern home décor—clean and bright.

"Well, I want to turn the basement into a potion workshop, where I can occasionally brew some potions."

John said, looking at the empty basement, and Hermione had no objection.

"Alright, then I'll remodel the attic~"

"The attic is quite spacious and has a large skylight; I want to turn it into a study."

"Put in some comfortable cushions and a few shelves, and I can curl up there to read; when the weather's nice I can even watch the stars."

Hermione also shared her idea, and John nodded with a smile: "Then the attic is yours to decorate, though it sounds like it might be a hassle to maintain?"

"Idiot, a simple cleaning spell can solve that—what's there to worry about?"

Hermione poked John, amused.

"... Oh right, I'd forgotten."

I almost thought about it like a Muggle.

Next came the living room setup; to make the space feel more homely, Hermione insisted on placing a fireplace.

"Putting in a TV would be boring—we can put a TV in the bedroom and watch it lying in bed."

"If we're going to put something in, it might as well be a fireplace!"

"Just think—when winter comes, the family can gather in the living room, a fire crackling in the fireplace, warm and cozy—how lovely." Hermione said, her eyes sparkling, as if she could already see that scene.

John looked at her wistful expression and could only smile and acquiesce.

However, they weren't planning to use the Floo Network, so it's just an ordinary decorative fireplace—one can light a fire in winter for warmth, adding a touch of coziness.

"We'll place three rows of sofas here, with a low coffee table in the middle, and lay a thick carpet on the floor."

"Then we'll hang a vintage wall clock on the wall and put a few potted plants in the corner."

"By the way, we can also put our photo or some small ornaments on the fireplace mantel."

Listening to Hermione's description, to be honest, the girl's taste is still not bad—the image immediately came to mind.

After finishing the living room discussion, they moved on to the kitchen.

"I want an open-plan kitchen with an island counter, so we can chat while cooking."

"Same old line—for wizards, a cleaning spell can take care of the fumes, so John just said: 'step.'"

"However comfortable, however we like."

The master bedroom is on the second floor, with a small balcony facing the backyard.

Hermione, who had been enthusiastic just moments ago, suddenly hit a snag when it came to arranging the master bedroom.

She stood in the middle of the empty bedroom, looking around, and remained silent for a while.

John leaned against the doorframe, watching her with interest: "What's up, chief designer?"

Hermione's face flushed for some unknown reason, and she stammered as she spoke.

"Master, master bedroom, let you handle the decor..."

Seeing Hermione like that, one could tell she was definitely imagining some inappropriate scenes, and John couldn't help but laugh.

"You were just so articulate a moment ago—why are you lost for words now that we're in the master bedroom?"

"What are you thinking about?" John teased her on purpose.

Hermione glared at him, her cheeks reddening further: "None of your business what I'm thinking! Anyway... the master bedroom is your responsibility."

Whenever she imagined the future—both of them sleeping entwined in this bedroom every night, doing the things only a married couple can do—

her little head couldn't help but wander, making it impossible for her to calm down and plan the room's layout.

John chuckled lightly; since Hermione was too embarrassed to speak, he would take the lead.

He straightforwardly decorated the master bedroom in the style he liked.

"Let's put a big bed in the corner against the wall, and on the other side place a row of half-height cabinets, surrounding the bed on three sides."

"That way, when someone sleeps inside, it creates a private and cozy sleep zone, so they won't... uh... fall out?"

Hermione immediately retorted upon hearing that: "I definitely won't roll out of bed!"

"Fine, fine, fine—that's just to give someone a sense of security, alright?"

"That's about right," Hermione muttered under her breath.

However, John immediately added in a cheeky tone: "That way, if you want to do something to me at night, you can go ahead boldly~"

Upon hearing that, Hermione's face instantly flushed up to her ears.

"Stupid John! Shut up!" Hermione, both embarrassed and angry, threw two punches straight at him.

With ten layers of force, she nearly gave John internal injuries.

After they fooled around for a while, they then continued planning the bedroom.

Naturally, opposite the bed is what we just mentioned—place a TV or a projector, so they can lie in bed and watch movies.

Soft padding was installed on three sides, so even if accidentally bumped, it wouldn't hurt.

The wardrobe has a dedicated cloakroom, so there's no need to put too many cabinets in the master bedroom.

Just place a desk and a vanity table, lay down a carpet and a few soft cushions, and it's done.

On the balcony, set a small round table and two wicker chairs, and place a potted green plant beside them.

In the end, they also handed in a satisfactory answer that pleased Hermione.

As for the guest room, as long as it can accommodate people, it's fine.

Simply unify it in Syrian style: one bed, one cabinet, one table and chairs.

Simple and practical; Hermione listened and shook her head, but didn't say much more.

All the other miscellaneous decorations were left entirely to Hermione's responsibility.

In short, they only spent one day to roughly plan out their new home.

Over the next half month, it was just purchasing furniture, arranging delivery and installation, and gradually adding soft furnishings.

Although the process was tedious, they worked together hands-on, gradually filling the empty house to make it feel like a home.

Finally, Hermione also added a luxury cat climbing frame for Kruk Mountain in the living room, complete with a few soft cushions and toy balls.

This added a touch of liveliness to the living room.

On the day when the new home was fully furnished, the two slumped onto the new sofa, watching the sunset outside dye the entire living room warm gold, feeling an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

"Finally done." Hermione buried her face in John's chest and let out a long sigh.

"Yeah... well, why don't we pretend the work isn't finished yet and enjoy a few days of just the two of us?"

Hermione lifted her head, gave him a white-eye look: "Is there anything else in your mind besides these?"

However, after thinking it over, it seems we could indeed invite Dad and Mom and friends to visit a few days later.

They could rest a few days, meanwhile enjoying the fruits of their hard work over the past half month.

Blissful.

So, for the next few days, the two completely emptied their minds.

During the day they slept until waking naturally, lounged in bed watching movies; in the evening they went to the balcony to catch the breeze, and occasionally, on a whim, they'd go to the kitchen to experiment with new dishes.

The garden was planted with some flowers and grasses, and the backyard also had a swing chair specially placed.

The days passed lazily and contentedly, as if time had slowed down.

In the evening, the two squeezed onto the swing chair, Hermione leaning on John's shoulder, holding a cup of hot tea, watching the sunset sink bit by bit.

"If only we could stay like this forever." She whispered.

John turned his head, placed a kiss on her forehead: "Then let's stay like this."

Hermione smiled, said nothing more, just snuggled a little closer into his arms.

The evening breeze brushed past the trees not far away, leaves swaying lightly, as if echoing their tranquility.

——————

(I have something today, so I might just post one chapter.)