Chapter 437: Goodbye, Secret Base

This trip ended perfectly with John's successful proposal.

After returning to London.

Hermione now has a ring on her finger; she occasionally looks down, and a smile unconsciously lifts the corner of her mouth.

John also shared the good news with both sets of parents and their friends.

Upon hearing of John's successful proposal, everyone felt happy for them.

His good friends even rushed over to congratulate them.

But what they called congratulations was really a 'interrogation' of the details of John's proposal.

The parents on both sides arranged a dinner to celebrate the two youngsters becoming a couple.

Jor spent the whole time waving his little hands, going "yaya yaya", and was delighted by his brother and sister‑in‑law's happiness.

Other friends also sent their blessings.

Thus, John also reached his graduation day.

Early in the morning.

Screaming Shack.

The Secret Base, which John and the others have meticulously tended over the past few years.

Now a large portion of its furniture has been taken away.

But some items they added here are still retained.

Two photographs hang on the wall.

The first is a group photo from first year of the four of them, with Big Orange included.

The second is a pre‑graduation group photo of the same four, same positions, same poses; even Big Orange was brought over from afar by John.

Unlike the youthful faces in the first photo, the second shows a few more signs of maturity and resolve.

But the same is that bright smiles still adorn their faces.

"Time really flies,"

"In the blink of an eye, we've all graduated,"

The four sat on the carpet, looking at the two framed pictures on the wall and sighing.

Inscribed beneath the frames is — "To our never‑fading friendship."

"Hmm, I wonder who will be the next to discover this Secret Base?"

"Does this count as a legacy we seniors leave behind?"

Titus asked with a smile from beside them.

"I think it'll be Jor, that girl knows this place,"

"She definitely has magical talent; in about ten years she'll be able to enroll at Hogwarts again."

John, standing nearby, smiled and directly predicted who the next future visitor would be.

"Hard to say, hey; maybe in two years someone else will discover this again,"

Ryan smiled and suggested another possibility.

John shook his head helplessly, his gaze falling on the photos on the wall.

"No matter who it is, at least these photos, I think, can be kept forever,"

The two frames on the wall were specially sealed by John with a permanent adhesion spell and a permanent protection spell.

When later visitors arrive here, they will see the two photos on the wall, as if silently telling a youthful story belonging to them.

Perhaps they will bring friends and treat this as a Secret Base, leaving their own memories here.

And hang their own photos, generation after generation.

Until the whole wall is covered, like an endless youth album.

"But we agreed, no one may reveal this secret; the juniors must discover it themselves,"

Ethan added from beside them.

"Of course,"

The few laughed and responded.

The graduation exams have just passed.

Their results haven't been released yet.

But Ryan has already received a tryout invitation from a Quidditch professional team.

Like the Quidditch professional team Ginny joined before, it is one of England's top teams.

Titus has already identified a so‑called idle position in the Ministry of Magic.

Because his Magical Creatures Protection Class grades are good and he is interested in the field, he plans to go to the Department of Magical Creatures Management and Control.

But does that place really have an idle position?

That department is the Ministry of Magic's second‑largest, famously busy.

Ethan plans to become a herb cultivator; he has already arranged a herb‑cultivation post at St Mungo's Magical Injuries Hospital, specifically to grow various magical plants for the hospital.

Although it isn't the glamorous healer role, Ethan feels satisfied that he can do work he loves and help others.

As for John.

"Not John, you're not really planning to leech off Hermione, are you?"

Titus, seeing John still couldn't give a reason, teasingly joked.

"What are you talking about, what are you talking about!"

"I also have a way to make money, okay?"

John immediately retorted dissatisfiedly.

Ah, right, right, right.

The three of them laughed in unison.

"So when do you plan to hold the wedding?"

John successfully proposed during the previous Christmas.

In name, he and Hermione are already what people call a married couple.

They even went to get a marriage certificate.

But they never held an official wedding.

One reason is that John hasn't graduated yet, and the other is that Hermione is still fighting for her beloved Magic career.

But now John has graduated, and Hermione's job has entered a stable development phase.

Holding a wedding is something they could do at any time.

Hermione herself doesn't seem particularly eager; she thinks the wedding is just a formality, and what's important is the two of them being together.

But John feels they should give Hermione a decent wedding.

To announce their happy news to the world.

Then they'll go on a honeymoon together and have a little John.

"Soon, soon—I'll definitely let you know then."

John smiled and waved his hand.

"Then I'll have you be the groomsmen."

"Of course!" the three replied in unison.

Before they could enjoy the happiness for a moment, John's next words made them laugh in exasperation.

"Remember, each person gets two gifts then."

"That's not fair!"

Hearing John's words, the three stopped.

John then calmly began to explain.

"Don't be impatient; listen as I explain slowly. One gift that comes with my marriage to Hermione is fine, right?"

"Fine, then what's the second gift for?"

"Of course it's the gift that comes with Hermione and my marriage."

"???"

Hearing John's self‑righteous words, the three were momentarily speechless; once they figured it out, they immediately laughed and, while scolding him, threw a few cushions at him.

"Crazy!"

"To hell with you!"

The group laughed and made a ruckus together.

At that moment, from the direction of the distant Castle, a bell rang.

Only then did they stop their antics and look up at the familiar Castle.

"Alright, let's go; it's time to catch the train."

Titus was the first to get up, smoothing his robe.

"Let's go."

The others also rose one after another; their luggage had already been packed.

They had come to the Screaming Shack specifically to say their final farewell.

"Goodbye, Secret Base."

Before leaving the Screaming Shack, they took one last look at the memory‑filled room and gently closed the door.

As the door closed softly, the laughter that had echoed in the old house for seven years seemed to be sealed away as well.

This place will revert to the once‑silent, ominous Screaming Shack.

Waiting for the next child who discovers it, to write a new story.

As for John, Titus, Ryan, Ethan.

Their youth, at this moment, comes to a perfect full stop.