While Harry happily told his story, Allen shot a knowing glance at a few of his dorm mates. Once they understood, they silently followed the seemingly relieved Lovid, who was already wiping the sweat from his brow.
His roommates surrounded him with mischievous grins.
"Haha, Lovid, seems like you left something unsaid this morning. Of course, you could stay silent… but this book…" Allen whispered to Marshall, shaking a beautifully packaged book in his hands, The Greatest Spells You Want to Know.
Huh? What the hell is this? Allen froze. Had he missed some exciting drama while spending so much time with Harry and the others?
As the book swayed in Allen's hands, Lovid's head involuntarily swayed too, and then a shriek escaped his mouth.
"I-I-I'll tell everything! Marshall, you can't treat this treasure like that!"
Slightly chubby Marshall grinned triumphantly. A gust of wind swept by, and the book changed hands effortlessly.
"Hey, Allen, boss, be careful! This isn't mine! I got this from the Association, it's precious!" Marshall panicked like an ant on a hot pan, but didn't dare snatch it back. After all, if your dorm mate nonchAllently took down a group of Slytherins while walking to school, you'd lose your courage to fight him too.
Allen casually flipped through the book. It wasn't a printed text, but a handwritten manuscript.
The content was… unusual. Not ordinary spells, not dark magic, not even strange potion formulas. If you had to categorize it, it was essentially the wizarding world's ultimate guide to picking up girls…
Allen's eyes widened. His roommates were only thirteen!
What have they done to me, the old empty-nester?!
His mind reeled, he was busy plotting against Voldemort, training the Chosen One, scheming against Dumbledore, and yet his roommates were secretly doing this… mmp, so many things he wanted to curse.
But an even bigger revelation shattered his urge to complain.
In extreme embarrassment, Lovid stammered out that he had gone on a date last night.
That was why he chose that location, near the Forbidden Forest, where normally no one dared wander.
Dumbledore hadn't noticed because of Lovid's date, the magical artifact she carried, and, of course, the spiders Allen had slaughtered the night before. Voldemort got blamed for that mess, diverting Dumbledore's attention.
Even so, it was a remarkable feat. Staying unnoticed by Dumbledore was no ordinary task, even for a graduating wizard.
Yes, Lovid was only a third-year student, and his date, a seventh-year Hufflepuff witch.
The world is so strange… no, utterly unfair!
Allen couldn't bear to look at Lovid's face. Should he tell him the truth about the "experience"? He couldn't, it would be too crushing.
Ginny, after all, had dated multiple boys before officially being with Harry. Unfortunately, they were all "practice."
So based on Lovid's story of quickly gaining acquaintance, he had indeed been "picked up" using the book's methods. Allen estimated the success probability was about as high as Voldemort's decision to self-destruct after years of boredom…
Allen quickly returned the book, the sacred treasure in the eyes of the hormone-driven little wizard, and decisively walked away.
Even knowing Lovid had been tricked by the "reverse strategy," Allen refused to partake in such puppy-love antics, he was a lone wolf, roaming Hogwarts with pride.
Just as Allen turned to leave, Lovid suddenly called out:
"Hey, Allen, Carlianna said she knows a few witches who really admire you… and if you're willing, she'd love to introduce you!"
Allen didn't even glance back, acting as if he hadn't heard. He only quickened his pace.
••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••
Two months later, in the Hufflepuff common room, the same group gathered.
The once-boastful Lovid now had red-rimmed eyes.
He was surrounded by piles of discarded paper.
"Alright, Lovid, don't cry. It's not a big deal. Everything will pass… everything will get better."
But the comforting words backfired, Lovid cried even harder.
"Don't tell me 'it's okay', Carlianna's last words were, 'You're a good person, but we're not compatible!'"
Even Allen, listening quietly, wanted to scold the witch Carlianna, can't you evolve past the 'nice guy' trope? It's outdated!
Seventh-year N.E.W.T exams were scheduled earlier than other grades. After the exams, Carlianna said goodbye to her young boyfriend, poor Lovid.
Even worse, he barely had time to grieve. The weather was warming, and Allen's group's own exams were approaching. Faced with the stress of finals, no one dared waste time being sad.
Exams were trivial for Allen, though his focus wasn't on them.
While professors marveled, Allen completed nearly all exams perfectly, except for History of Magic.
By the Hogwarts lake, Allen lounged in the sun, casually reading a book. If one looked closely, a piece of parchment was tucked inside.
As three small dots on a map raced toward Hagrid's hut at inhuman speed, Allen closed the book, looks like Voldemort is about to make a move.
••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••
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