Time flies by quickly, and it seemed like in the blink of an eye, we arrived on the eve of the second challenge.
Since the soul-level connection with Harry, Cassandra seemed to shed her usual arrogant demeanor. Not only did she mock Harry less, but she also became a bit gentler.
Draco saw his great-aunt's change as if he had seen a ghost.
At the same time, he felt a genuine admiration for Harry.
Amazing, Harry.
To manage such a woman so effortlessly...
Harry didn't feel any pride about it; just like when he mentioned Cassandra's changes to Vivi some time ago, Vivi quoted a famous saying by a lady named "Eileen Chang."
It really made a lot of sense.
At least, after validating it, Harry felt there was nothing wrong with what she said.
"So, have you thought about it?" Hermione asked absentmindedly while flipping through a spellbook in the Great Hall: "What is your most precious thing? I think it would help you with the second challenge, Harry..."
"Is there really any need to think about it?" Harry scratched his head and said, "The second task is just to retrieve my most precious thing from the merfolk... I believe the merfolk are very understanding. Once I communicate with them, they'll definitely return it to me."
"Why?" Hermione asked, frowning. "Not to mention that the merfolk are the examiners of the second task, but they don't seem like they would be favorable toward humans trespassing on their territory."
"Oh." Harry said, "Don't worry, Hermione — I've dealt with them before, and their personalities are actually quite nice and agreeable... If by any chance they disagree, I'll give them a reason they can't refuse."
"Really?" Hermione shrugged, not taking it seriously.
After all, since Harry was confident, she also felt that believing in Harry's abilities was enough.
"Or you could ask my two brothers for some mischief tools," Ron suddenly interjected, "to trade for your things from the merfolk. I think an equivalent exchange would be better... The mischief tools invented by them would definitely be welcomed by the merfolk."
"Oh, Little Ronnie." The twins' voices suddenly appeared from behind them, "We're really happy to be praised by you—honestly, we thought you didn't like our stuff at all."
The three turned their heads, seeing the twins with their arms around each other's shoulders, smiling mischievously at them.
"What are you two doing here?" Ron asked, "Aren't you guys experimenting with something new?"
"Looking for you," George said, "Professor McGonagall wants you to come, Ron. And you too, Hermione."
"What for?" Hermione asked, looking surprised, not expecting Professor McGonagall to want to see her.
"We're supposed to take you to her office," Fred said.
Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, who shrugged, indicating he had no idea why Professor McGonagall would want them.
Hogwarts doesn't prohibit romance, so the two of them... hmm...
"We'll meet you in the common room, Harry," Hermione said as she stood up to leave with Ron—both looking rather anxious, "Don't worry, I doubt it's anything bad, after all, Professor McGonagall is our Head of House."
Harry thought precisely because she's our Head of House you two need to be careful...
That old-fashioned old lady, if anyone from Gryffindor dares to be a pioneer, they'd definitely face the harshest punishment from that impartial old lady.
Ron and Hermione had barely left when Vivi appeared in the Great Hall.
She sat silently beside Harry, propping up an elbow on the table, watching Harry take notes with gentle eyes.
It was quite a while before Harry noticed Vivi's presence.
"Hey, Vivi?" Harry closed his notebook and asked with a smile, "When did you get here?"
"Just when you turned to the spell 'Sectumsempra,'" Vivi said gently, "It should be a very powerful Dark Magic... Where did you find this notebook?"
"Professor Snape's Christmas gift," Harry said, "Apparently, it's his notes from when he was in school... Look, I never imagined the old professor would have such interests, and this book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince? Wow, he's really resourceful, isn't he?"
Vivi covered her lips and laughed gracefully.
"Indeed, everyone goes through that phase at a young age... So, what kind of thoughts did you have at that age?"
As she spoke, Vivi suddenly leaned closer.
Their distance was so close that Harry could even feel Vivi's breath.
Those lovely violet eyes sparkled like the most perfect amethyst in the world.
"Well, I..." Harry thought for a bit, "I guess back then the things I thought about have been perfectly resolved, you see... the Fire Ash Snake Faction, and Luke Wood, and that fairy... what was it called? The one we defeated in the end... the one that could turn into a Fire Dragon."
"Lanlock." Vivi gently reminded him.
"Oh right." Harry nodded, "Lanlock, we accomplished feats many people couldn't in their lifetime, I honestly think our youth wasn't just adolescent awkwardness, and we have no regrets."
"Listening to you, it sounds like you're already seventy or eighty years old." Vivi brushed a white feather off Harry's clothes, "What about Cassandra? And Pabi?"