Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Loose Lips Harry Potter

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"Huh?"

Neville didn't expect Hermione to make this request. Froze before reacting. Nodded repeatedly: "Ah, okay, sure."

Hermione stood. Walked directly to Neville's previous seat and sat down.

Then two Levitation Charms swapped the meal plates' positions.

Harry, Ron, and others didn't understand. But this wasn't the first time Hermione did something odd. They were used to it.

Don't ask. Just accept she has her reasons.

"Hare's eyes, harp's song, turn this water into wine strong!"

Seamus Finnigan didn't notice the change beside him. Still single-mindedly tapping away.

Across from him, Harry observed a while. Looked at Ron beside him. Asked quietly: "What exactly is Seamus trying to do to that water?"

He'd been at it all lunch. Harry watched for ages without understanding. Getting confused himself.

Did I pick the wrong house? Why is Gryffindor full of weirdos… Harry muttered internally.

Ron covered his mouth. Chuckled quietly: "He's trying to turn that water into wine. Yesterday he managed tea. Then…"

BOOM!

Before he finished, a massive explosion.

Instantly, the entire Great Hall fell silent.

Everyone jolted. All looked toward the sound's source.

Seamus's expression was dazed. His entire face blackened by the blast. The cup before him still billowing smoke.

Everyone: "…"

Next second, the Hall erupted in laughter.

Hermione couldn't quite hold it in either. Lightly covered her mouth. Slight smile in her brows.

Though in her past life she'd known—Seamus was one of Gryffindor's oddballs. Whatever spell he cast came out with explosive effects. But seeing it firsthand was still shocking.

Truly a natural-born Explosion Saint.

Definitely had talent to use blasting magic beyond his own level.

Good thing Hermione had sensed danger early. Escaped in advance.

Poor Neville though. Sitting closest to Seamus. Directly caught in the blast. Half his face equally blackened. Even his hair burned away in patches.

Seeing Neville's resentful gaze, Hermione looked away. Pretended nothing happened.

Harry and the nearby young wizards who'd noticed the seat swap couldn't hold it in. Burst out laughing.

Classic you, Hermione.

Amid the laughter, suddenly the doors opened automatically. Many owls flew in from outside.

Countless owls found their targets. Flew over various young wizards' heads. Dropped packages clutched in their claws. The scene instantly descended into chaos mixed with some cheers.

The biweekly mass package delivery time again.

Every time, parents sent many things to their children studying at Hogwarts.

Small items like clothing and daily necessities. Large items like magical tools. Everything imaginable.

Especially Hermione and Harry—of everyone, these two received the largest packages. Clearly good stuff.

Everyone's gazes were simultaneously drawn over.

Scrambling to help unwrap the deliveries, everyone wanted to know what they'd received.

Soon, two brand-new brooms appeared before everyone.

"This, this is…" Harry stood frozen.

Hermione was also somewhat surprised. Wasn't this the new flying broom Professor McGonagall sent Harry? Why did she get one too?

Oh, just remembered—she'd also joined the Quidditch team.

Never mind then.

"Wow…" Ron exclaimed. "That's no ordinary broom. That's the latest Nimbus 2000!"

At the broom's top, "Nimbus 2000" was engraved.

"Wow!!" Exclamations from the watching young wizards. All cast envious looks.

This thing was extremely expensive. Its status in wizarding society was no less than supercars in her past life.

Ron bent down. Carefully stroked the broomstick. Couldn't let go. Face intoxicated.

Hermione knew—one of Ron's dreams was becoming a Quidditch team member and winning the Cup. Even in the Mirror of Erised, he'd seen himself as captain holding the trophy on the podium.

Unfortunately, he really had no Quidditch talent. Could only watch Hermione and Harry play.

Though Harry was also shocked by this huge surprise, he wasn't overwhelmed. Instead frowned: "Who…"

At the head table, Professor McGonagall was stroking an owl. Cast them a "you know" look.

Only then did Harry react. Couldn't help but smile. Nodded in acknowledgment. Heart infinitely warm.

Hermione stood. Slowly performed a wizard's bow toward the head table. Elegant posture drew many sidelong glances.

"Such elegant bearing!"

"Perfect wizard's bow. Can't find any fault. Is she really Muggle-born?"

"Perhaps this is the gap between ordinary people and geniuses!"

Surrounding discussions.

The commotion from the two Nimbus 2000s gradually subsided. Everyone began unwrapping their own packages.

Ron was still stroking Harry's broom. Couldn't let go. Harry, helpless, could only help him unwrap his.

Turned out Ron received a roll of the latest newspaper.

Wizarding newspapers were generally the same as ordinary ones. Except the photos were dynamic videos, allowing people to better understand on-site situations.

Harry directly opened the newspaper and started reading.

Moments later, he made a soft sound of surprise.

Patted Ron. Harry pointed to a section: "Someone illegally broke into Gringotts!"

Ron's attention was immediately drawn back. Nervously looked at Harry.

Gringotts—the only wizarding bank. Managed by goblins. Specifically stored wizards' wealth.

The Weasley family didn't have much money to begin with. Chronically living beyond their means. Hearing this news naturally made him nervous. Afraid their remaining bit of wealth would be stolen.

"Don't worry, not your family." Harry quickly said: "The incident was Vault 713. But that vault had already been emptied that same day. So nothing was lost."

"Huh?" He finally reacted. "Isn't that talking about me and Hagrid?"

Harry murmured: "Just before coming to Hogwarts, Hagrid took me to withdraw money my parents left. And Hagrid went to Vault 713 to retrieve something. Told me not to tell anyone about it… Oh no!"

Finally realizing he'd let it slip, Harry hastily covered his mouth. Looked left and right. Found no one noticed him. Only then relaxed.

Hermione: "…"

Loose lips, huh.

However… after two months of school life, the main plot was finally starting.

Hermione naturally knew what Hagrid retrieved.

The Philosopher's Stone.

An alchemical product created centuries ago by alchemist Nicolas Flamel. Only one in the world. Its greatest use: could brew a potion that broke lifespan limits. Made people immortal!

Usually kept by Flamel's friend Dumbledore in a Gringotts vault. The latter somehow received word someone would steal the Stone. That's why he had Hagrid retrieve it early.

As for where the Stone was now…

Besides the "safest school in the world"—Hogwarts—what other options existed!

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