When did you become so artsy, what the heck?
"What are you guys talking about?" Ron turned his head to look at Neville and Seamus.
"Talking about Neville's love life," Seamus betrayed Neville without hesitation.
"Oh?" Ron immediately showed interest, "Who does Neville like? Tell me—maybe I can help you come up with some ideas?"
Neville shook his hand, his face turning pale, and repeatedly refused, "No, no, Ron, I don't need your ideas, or anyone else's ideas. I think I can handle my own affairs."
"Really don't need it?" Ron felt a bit regretful, "Seriously, someone like me, the top love expert of Hogwarts, who's thoroughly knowledgeable about relationship issues—I could definitely help you win over your crush."
Just after saying this, Harry suddenly spat out a mouthful of water several meters away.
You're a love expert?
I've never met someone so shameless!
After they returned to the common room, Seamus and Neville sat together and started planning their tactics for Luna.
Meanwhile, Ron and Harry began playing wizard chess.
A little later, Hermione came over.
She glared fiercely at Ron as if he had provoked her—in fact, he had indeed provoked her.
"What's the matter with you?" Ron asked, utterly puzzled, "Did I annoy you?"
"Heh." Hermione replied with a "heh," then turned to Harry and said, "You'd better be careful, Harry."
"Huh?" Harry was a bit confused, "What about me?"
"I'm saying, just now, before coming here, I went to the restroom. There was a group of girls, including Romilda Vane, all discussing how they could get you to drink a love potion. They all hope to be taken to Slughorn's party by you, and it seems like they all bought the love potion from Fred and George. I'm saying this stuff could probably—"
"Why didn't you confiscate those things?" Harry asked, seemingly incredulous that Hermione would relax her habit of upholding rules at such a critical moment.
"They didn't bring the potion into the restroom," Hermione said with disdain, "it was just a plan, not yet implemented. Even Muggle laws don't convict people in advance."
"But unfortunately, I've already decided to take Annie," Harry shrugged and said, "They should know about my relationship with Annie, right?"
"They know, but it doesn't matter, Harry," Hermione shook her head helplessly, "You should know, although Annie is from Slytherin, she has a gentle personality and rarely clashes with others, unlike Cassandra and Vivi. Cassandra is a distant high-class lady, and Vivi..."
"What about Vivi?" Harry asked with interest.
"Vivi is the type who'd toss you out at the slightest disagreement," Hermione gave an exceedingly fair assessment.
"Indeed." Harry nodded, acknowledging Hermione's words, "So they don't know that I've already planned to bring Annie to the party, right?"
"They really don't know, but even if they did, I think they still believe they have a chance," Hermione said and added, "I suggest you be more careful when drinking recently, to avoid falling into their trap—I think they're serious, especially Romilda Vane."
"Wait a minute," Harry suddenly looked puzzled, "Didn't Fitch ban everything bought from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?"
"Who ever cared what Fitch banned?" Hermione laughed derisively and casually said, "After so many years, don't you know that Fitch's rules are just like..."
She moved her lips but didn't say the unladylike word.
"Aren't all the owls supposed to be checked? How could those girls bring the love potion into the school?" Harry asked again.
"Fred and George send them as perfume and cough potion as part of the owl order service," Hermione replied.
"You sure know a lot." Ron said dryly from the side.
He waited for a long time, finally finding an opportunity to interject.
Hermione glared fiercely at him, like glaring at a goblin.
Ron was greatly hurt.
"It's all written on the back of those bottles they showed Ginny and me during the summer," she said coldly, "I wouldn't drug someone else's drink... or pretend to do so, as it's equally despicable..."
Don't even say it, really, don't.
"Hermione," Harry suddenly stood up and said to her, "come with me for a minute."
Hermione, not knowing why, followed, and Ron wanted to follow, only to be sent back by a glare from Hermione.
Standing in the corner, Harry asked, "So, you really don't plan on using that kind of stuff? I think Ron, with his thick head, unless he's drugged, he won't come around for his entire life."
He had originally planned not to interfere, but with a sense of responsibility towards his buddy, Harry felt he should help Ron out. After all, you can't really let him stay single forever, can you?
That would be just... too sad.
"Let him stay single forever, then." Hermione huffed.
Harry shrugged.
"Unfortunately, Fitch can't tell the difference between a cough potion and a love potion," he said, "I think we need Mr. Leme to create something that can identify love potions, what do you think?"
"Instead of that, you'd better hurry and announce Annie as your date," Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
Just then, Romilda walked over.
"Hi, Harry," she flirted with Harry and didn't care that Hermione was present.
Everyone knew that Hermione and Harry's buddy Ron had something going on, so Romilda wasn't worried that Hermione would be a hindrance.
Hermione shot Harry a look, as if to say, "See what I mean?"
"Thanks, but no thanks," Harry said politely, "I'm not much of a drinker."
"Then, take this," Romilda handed him a box, "Chocolate Cauldron, with Flaming Whiskey inside—my grandmother sent it to me, but I don't like it..."
"Sorry, Romilda," Harry had to be direct, "I've already invited Annie... Annie Saru from Slytherin."
Romilda suddenly looked deflated.
"Alright, Slytherin, again with a Slytherin," she shook her head and sighed, "I originally thought after Miss Grindelwald and Miss Malfoy graduated, I'd have a better chance to go to the party with you, but now it seems hopeless—"
It was clear she wasn't after Harry's affections, just simply wanted to attend a party with him once.
"You better keep the Chocolate Cauldron yourself," Romilda gave a small smile to Harry, "Rest assured, I have no other intentions, it's just a Christmas gift from an admirer to an idol wizard, that's all."
"Thank you, Romilda," Harry smiled and nodded at her.
Romilda left, while Hermione scrutinized Harry from head to toe.
"I can't believe you dared to accept this gift," Hermione said, barely suppressing a laugh, "Aren't you worried your jealous partner would cause a scene at Hogwarts if she found out?"
"Not really," Harry shrugged, "Vivi also knows I'm not someone who falls in love at every turn. As Romilda said, it's just a gift from an admirer to an idol wizard, and I've received similar gifts before. Actually, Vivi is a very reasonable witch."
"Mhm." Hermione glanced not far away.
"So who are you planning to invite?" Harry asked Hermione, "Thinking of inviting Ron to the party?"