Chapter 416: Please Guide Me for the Rest of My Life

Early the next morning.

Puffed‑up Yueer came with his mother to make a scene and demand justice.

His mother now dotes on Yueer; as soon as she entered, she put her hands on her hips, intending to give John a harsh scolding.

But when she saw Hermione, she swallowed back all her words.

Faint red marks were still visible on her neck, and her gait was a bit unnatural.

Although still a bit naive, as a fellow veteran, the hint of newly‑wed womanhood in Hermione's brows and eyes could not be concealed.

His mother instantly understood something; the anger on her face faded by half, replaced by a meaning‑laden smile.

She cleared her throat lightly.

"Um… Hermione, did you sleep well last night?" Her tone turned very gentle, but her eyes held a mischievous smile.

"Ma—" Hermione's face flushed to her ears instantly, wishing she could crawl into a crack in the floor.

"Alright, alright, I won't ask any more." She laughed, waved her hand, but when she turned to look at John she put on a scolding expression, stabbing his forehead with a finger.

She wanted to say something but couldn't, finally managing only, "You… you take it easy!"

"And also… you guys… um, even though you're adults now, you're still young, don't be too hasty…"

Listening to her mother's pointed yet incoherent words, Hermione understood perfectly, blushing so hard she almost evaporated on the spot, her neck turning a deep crimson.

After finishing her speech, her mother finally coaxed Yueer to go home first; today she would personally take her to buy clothes.

She once again left the world of two to them.

Hermione, face flushed, gently pounded John's chest: "It's all your fault… now even Mom knows…"

"No, it won't be long before the four elders above us find out."

Hearing that, Hermione could no longer hold back, burying her face in John's arms and letting out a muffled wail.

Usually calm and rational, she now felt like an ostrich, wishing she could hide herself away.

She didn't regret giving herself to John, but this sudden "public" exposure left her momentarily at a loss.

The crux is, John is still a few days shy of turning sixteen.

It makes her seem like a bad woman who lured a minor.

The more she thought, the more embarrassed she became, so she buried her face even deeper, muttering quietly, "It's all your fault."

John smiled lightly, wrapping his arms around the warm, soft body.

"The banquet is set, the dresses are chosen, and relatives and friends have all been invited."

"In a few days, you'll be my legitimate fiancée."

"What's there to be shy about?"

Even so, Hermione couldn't help twisting her body in his arms, like a sulking kitten.

What to do with a sulking kitten? Of course, give it a good lesson.

So John hoisted Hermione in one arm, and amid her startled cries, strode toward the bedroom.

A few days later.

John finally officially turned sixteen.

Under Muggle law, he can now legally marry.

But he's still young, unsuitable for a grand, flamboyant wedding.

Thus, two years ago, after the parents of both sides discussed, they decided to hold a small engagement banquet first, inviting only the closest relatives and friends as witnesses.

The engagement banquet was set for the third day after his birthday.

They didn't choose an overly grand venue.

It was held beside a church surrounded by greenery in the suburbs.

A white tent was pitched on the lawn outside the church, adorned with fresh flowers and pale gold ribbons.

Because it was in the Muggle world, the wizard friends who came mostly wore ill‑fitting Muggle formal wear, trying hard to look like ordinary people.

Titus came with his parents, while Ryan and Ethan arrived alone.

The Wesley family also came.

Also present were Harry, Draco, Luna, Neville, and a few close professors from Hogwarts.

Sirius, Professor Lupin, Professor Moody, and Dumbledore himself even brought Grindelwald along for the fun.

Professor Lupin's wife Tonks was supposed to come, but since she was about to give birth, she couldn't attend and sent her blessings and gifts through someone else.

Today Hermione wore an ivory‑white knee‑length dress, her long hair neatly coiled, a few stray strands hanging by her ears, making her look gentle and radiant.

John stood beside her, wearing a fitted dark suit, his tie a silver‑gray hue Hermione had picked herself.

The two stood side by side under the arbor, receiving blessings and teasing from relatives and friends.

An engagement doesn't require the elaborate ceremony of a wedding; a officiant simply gives a short speech, then the couple exchanges tokens.

In fact, John didn't understand; it was all arranged by the parents.

Their intention was to keep it simple, not make it too complicated; the kids are still young, and there will be plenty of chances for a proper big ceremony later.

Whether you say it or not, the elders' words always have some sense.

Both of them were experiencing this scene for the first time; standing under the arbor under everyone's gaze, they couldn't help feeling nervous.

If they were forced to perform those tedious rites, they'd probably embarrass themselves on the spot.

Fortunately, the process was simple; after the officiant finished the blessings, the couple began exchanging rings.

"Now, please exchange the engagement tokens," the officiant said with a gentle smile.

John took a petite velvet box from his suit pocket and handed it to the officiant.

The officiant gently opened the silk‑velvet box, revealing two plain silver rings, the inner band etched with a fine line of text matching each other's names and a simple vow.

He lifted one of them, his fingertips trembling slightly, inhaled deeply, guided it over Hermione's left hand, and carefully slipped the ring onto her ring finger.

Hermione's fingertips also trembled lightly; she lowered her head to watch the silver ring slowly slide onto the base of her finger, her heartbeat pounding like a drum.

It's her turn.

Hermione took another ring from the box, and with her fingertips also slightly trembling, helped John put it on.

After the two rings were on, the whole venue erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

They also let out a long breath, looked at each other and smiled, their eyes holding a post‑catastrophe‑relief ease and an uncontainable joy.

Their ring‑wearing hands gently clasped together, ten fingers interlocked.

At this moment, they both clearly realized that from now on, their lives were no longer just their own stories, but chapters intertwined with each other.

Suddenly, good brother Titus excitedly stood up and began cheering.

"Kiss one! Kiss one!"

The nearby Ryan and Ethan also instantly joined the group, cheering along.

Harry and the young children of the Weasley family also joined in the cheers.

Hermione's face instantly flushed bright red; John glared at Titus in irritation, but the corner of his mouth couldn't help a slight upward curl.

He turned his head, looking at Hermione beside him; her cheeks were as red as ripe apples, yet she showed no sign of retreat.

Seeing her like that, John couldn't help but laugh.

Finally, amid the crowd's cheers, John tucked Hermione behind his own figure, lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth.

Applause and whistling burst instantly; Hermione's face reddened so much it seemed it might bleed, yet she still couldn't help curving her mouth.

She looked at John before her, full of affection, this man who from now on would spend his life with her.

John also looked at her, the smile in his eyes gentle and resolute.

He squeezed her hand tightly and said softly, "Please teach me many things in the future, Hermione."

"Hmm, may the rest of my life be full of your guidance, John."

Hermione replied softly, her voice trembling slightly, yet especially firm.

The engagement ceremony concluded under a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.