Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

Chapter 1033: Visit

The Knight Bus swayed alarmingly, overtaking a line of cars on the inside.

Sirius waved his hand and drove away the chattering Stan.

He wanted to have a few words alone with Harry to communicate his feelings.

Speaking of which, he was really incompetent as a godfather. Even if he had been imprisoned in Azkaban before, now that he was back, he had been following Evan all over the world or going on missions for the Order of the Phoenix. He had not spent much time with Harry.

He and Harry talked quietly, and the Knight Bus continued forward.

BANG.

Chairs slid backward again as the Knight Bus jumped from the Birmingham motorway to a quiet country lane full of hairpin bends.

Hedgerows on either side of the road were leaping out of their way as they mounted the verges.

From here they moved to a main street in the middle of a busy town, then to a viaduct surrounded by tall hills, then to a windswept road between high-rise flats, each time with a loud BANG.

“Listen, it’s ’Ogwarts stop after this,” said Stan brightly, swaying toward them. “That bossy woman at the back ’oo got on with you, she’s given us a little tip to move you up the queue. We’re just gonna let Madam Marsh off first, though —” There was more retching from downstairs, followed by a horrible spattering sound. “She’s not feeling ’er best.”

A few minutes later, the Knight Bus screeched to a halt outside a small pub, which squeezed itself out of the way to avoid a collision.

They could hear Stan ushering the unfortunate Madam Marsh out of the bus and the relieved murmurings of her fellow passengers on the second deck.

The bus moved on again, gathering speed, until —

BANG.

They were rolling through a snowy Hogsmeade.

Evan gave Elaine a brief introduction to Hogsmeade, and they saw the Three Broomsticks Inn and a shop selling potions ingredients.

There was also the Hog’s Head down its side street, its severed boar’s head sign creaking in the wintry wind.

Flecks of snow hit the large window at the front of the bus, blurring the sight.

But Elaine still looked at Honeydukes persistently, and Evan felt that she only remembered that place.

At last they rolled to a halt outside the gates to Hogwarts.

Sirius, Lupin and Tonks helped them off the bus with their luggage and then got off to say good-bye.

On the three decks of the Knight Bus, all the passengers were staring down at them, noses flat against the windows.

“You’ll be safe once you’re in the grounds,” said Tonks, casting a careful eye around at the deserted road. “Have a good term, okay?”

“Remember to keep in touch,” said Sirius, shaking hands with Evan, and then walked to Harry’s side. “Don’t forget what I just told you, Harry. Listen to Evan and Hermione in your studies, don’t be impulsive, and don’t act alone. If Snape bullies you, remember to tell me!”

“I know!” Harry nodded and looked at Sirius.

He had a lot to say but didn’t know where to start; he really wanted to stay at Grimmauld Place with Sirius.

“Harry, I know you don’t like Snape, but he is a superb Occlumens …” Lupin came over and said, “and we all — Sirius included — want you to learn to protect yourself, so work hard, all right?

Sirius remained silent, turning his head, clearly unwilling to hear these words.

But whether he wanted to admit it or not, he did hope that Harry would learn Occlumency from Snape.

Therefore, this warning could only come from Lupin; Sirius couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Yeah, all right,” said Harry heavily, looking up into Lupin’s prematurely lined face, and then at Sirius who walked up to Fred and George, and waved vigorously, “See you, then …”

The six of them struggled up the slippery drive toward the castle dragging their trunks. Elaine remained in awe the whole time.

Her little mouth could hardly close, and she felt like her eyes were not big enough. This was Hogwarts.

She had only heard of this place in stories, and had imagined Hogwarts countless times. Now that she was here, the castle looked so enchanting.

This was once the castle of the Slytherin family, in other words, it was Elaine’s family’s castle. …

“Professor McGonagall said she wants you to report to her office,” said Hermione. “Evan and I can accompany you.”

Under Dumbledore’s arrangement, Elaine was in the same year as Evan and could be with him during the day.

As for returning to the girls’ dormitory at night, Hermione and Ginny would take care of her.

After Professor McGonagall met Elaine, she offered some encouraging words and reminders. She then arranged a separate bedroom for Elaine. Considering Elaine’s special situation, Hermione also moved in to live with her, making things convenient.

After settling their luggage, Evan and Hermione began guiding Elaine around the castle.

They introduced her to everyone they met, and everyone was surprised by Elaine’s identity as a Beauxbatons exchange student.

It was true that Hogwarts hadn’t had exchange students for many years, especially not such a beautiful girl. After simply walking around the castle, Elaine gained a lot of popularity.

All Hogwarts students’ impressions of Beauxbatons were from the previous year, knowing that Beauxbatons had many beautiful girls in blue silk uniforms. The senior boys liked Fleur, and younger ones generally favored Gabrielle. No one expected there to be a girl like Elaine.

Elaine and the Delacour sisters had different styles, but they were equally cute.

With a delicately exquisite face resembling that of a porcelain doll, paired with rare wine-red eyes, she had a unique and enticing allure.

Everyone was interested in Elaine, especially during dinner. Many students eagerly glanced toward the Gryffindor long table, excitedly discussing things about Elaine, speculating about her background. Daily life at Hogwarts was often monotonous, and this was the best welcome diversion.

The news about Elaine seemed to have wings and spread throughout the castle as quickly as possible.

Everyone knew there was an exchange student at the school who always accompanied Evan and Hermione.

Among them, the Slytherins were probably the most impressed. Because Elaine was very curious about the Slytherin common room, Evan and Hermione took her to see it. Originally they just wanted to observe from a distance, but they coincidentally met a second-year student on his way back, and naturally followed him inside.

One could easily imagine the scene; within seconds, the Slytherins had rushed out and surrounded them.

Everyone’s faces showed a mix of shock, disbelief, doubt, curiosity, anger, etc. They raised their wands and pointed them at Evan, Hermione and Elaine.

The scene was like three adventurers being surrounded by a cannibal tribe.

The Slytherins had no idea what the three of them were doing, wondering if they had gone mad. How could Gryffindors just waltz into the Slytherin common room like this?

If looks could kill, Evan would have died many times!

In this situation, there was naturally no way to continue the visit. Elaine, who had always wanted to come here, was also surprised by the unfriendliness of the Slytherins.

Seeing Elaine showing her two pointed teeth again, Evan hurriedly pulled her away. He was afraid that if he continued to stay, this girl would not be able to help but attack them.

The result of this incident was that the Slytherins became the first to know that there was a new addition to the school.

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