Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

The last class before the evening feast.

After the professor announced the end of class, Hermione covered her mouth and yawned.

She had taken the Head Boy Weasley's advice and used the Time-Turner reasonably. However, the recent exhaustion hadn't yet been fully remedied.

In her daily life, she would often nod off unintentionally.

Normally, after the last class of the day, she would go to the library to read and rest, but today was different.

Despite the torrential rain outside and the sky as dark as ink, the castle was bright and cheerful, with the festive atmosphere quietly approaching.

Moreover, since the afternoon, the entire castle had been filled with the sweet smell of pumpkins.

Walking out of the classroom door, Hermione quickly ran to the Great Hall.

Inside the Great Hall, Hagrid was moving those huge pumpkins into the castle.

Although the decoration had just started, quite a few people were already standing around, quietly lining up.

Seeing this, Hermione was secretly glad she came early; otherwise, these dozen or so pumpkins wouldn't be enough for everyone.

Once the pumpkins were in place, Professor Flitwick helped carve them into hollowed-out pumpkin carriages. Those waiting in line began to choose their preferred pumpkins one by one.

…

Sitting in the small pumpkin carriage, the quiet space contrasted sharply with the hustle and bustle of the Great Hall.

Feeling the warm and lively atmosphere around her, Hermione gradually closed her eyes.

She didn't know how much time had passed.

"Hermione! Wake up, don't sleep! Hermione…"

A familiar voice reached her ears, and Hermione opened her eyes to find Harry and Ron standing there. She asked,

"How long has it been? I mean, what time is it now?"

"Quarter past seven," Harry answered truthfully. Guessing Hermione's concern, he added, "Don't worry, there's still almost an hour before the feast starts."

"Phew! That's good," Hermione sighed in relief, then looked at the two outside:

"Help me save my spot. As agreed, you can refer to my homework for the next month. Remember, just refer."

With that, Hermione climbed out of the pumpkin carriage.

"Don't worry! We'll just reference it," Ron nodded quickly, fearing Hermione would change her mind.

Harry also showed a look of agreement, as if silently promising.

"You guys… oh well!" Hermione sighed. She knew the two wouldn't just reference it.

But there was no choice. To get this big pumpkin, she had to use this method.

Asking her dorm mates for help was out of the question; they'd be more likely to laugh at her, let alone help.

After a brief delay, Hermione ran back to the dorm.

Attending the feast required washing up and putting on makeup.

…

In the pumpkin carriage.

Ron asked quietly, "Do you think she really fell in love? Otherwise, I'd never believe she'd let us borrow her homework, and for a whole month."

Hearing Ron's words, Harry was also a bit puzzled, but he cared more about how to divide the homework.

Submitting two identical copies of an assignment wouldn't go unnoticed. The professors weren't fools; even one identical assignment might already be pushing their tolerance.

"That's easy!" After understanding Harry's concern, Ron patted his chest and said:

"I'll take care of Potions, you handle Transfiguration, and we'll split Charms fifty-fifty. If we get through these three classes, the other professors won't care if we copy as long as we do the work."

While the two were discussing the division of homework, Hermione had already returned to the dorm.

After checking the time again, she grabbed the conditioner from her trunk and rushed into the bathroom.

…

At the same time.

In the Slytherin dormitory.

Ino closed the book in his hand, stood up, and headed to the Great Hall.

Although he wasn't too keen on attending the feast, he still remembered Hermione's invitation.

Besides, Hermione mentioned the Time-Turner. As a top-tier alchemical item, it intrigued him greatly.

In some ways, the Time-Turner was likely more complex than the Philosopher's Stone. Simply put, the Time-Turner had a higher rank than the Philosopher's Stone.

But for now, the only Time-Turner he could legally access was the one Hermione had.

With this in mind, Ino took off his standard school uniform and put on his previous azure robe.

Then he picked up a two-meter-tall pearwood staff, with an ancient bronze oil lamp hanging from the top, looking like a medieval lamplighter as he left the dormitory.

To examine the Time-Turner, the oil lamp was essential. To avoid appearing too conspicuous, he chose this outfit.

According to the tradition of the Halloween feast, the castle allowed students to dress up.

As long as the outfits weren't too extreme, no professor would stop them.

…

In the antechamber of the Great Hall.

As the only entrance to the hall, it was also where new students first entered the castle and waited for sorting.

Therefore, every little wizard here could feel a relaxed and familiar atmosphere.

Ino had just arrived at the antechamber when he saw a lonely girl in the corner.

Interestingly, Hermione had also taken off her standard robe, opting for a casual home outfit.

She wore a khaki knitted wool sweater and light blue jeans with the cuffs slightly rolled up, revealing her slender ankles.

On her feet were white sneakers, giving her a clean and neat look.

At the same time, Hermione also saw Ino. His vintage, mysterious attire made her eyes light up.

"Come with me! I got a pumpkin carriage today!"

Before Ino could get closer, Hermione quickly walked over, gently tugged his sleeve, and led him towards the Great Hall.

In a corner of the Great Hall, Draco watched the two leave, bewildered. He had also come to invite Ino, but on behalf of Pansy.

Seeing that Ino already had plans, Draco thought for a moment, then turned and walked out of the hall.

Since he didn't complete the task, he decided not to attend the feast, especially not wanting to face an angry Pansy.

…

At the same time.

Hermione knocked on the pumpkin carriage's window. Without saying a word, just a look made Harry and Ron obediently get out.

Watching the two run off, Ino was curious. It seemed the witches in the castle were truly the dominant ones.

But this curiosity didn't last long because as soon as he sat in the pumpkin carriage, another object caught his attention.

Hermione reached behind her neck, took out a delicate pendant from her collar.

"Here, I know you're interested in it. Don't try to hide it from me," Hermione said with a smile.

Though her expression was smiling, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.

She knew from their last conversation that Ino was interested in the Time-Turner, not her.

Faced with this sudden honesty, after a few seconds of silence, Ino apologized:

"Honestly! I'm quite interested, but the promise remains. You can come see that invisibility book anytime during the summer."

With that, Ino took the still-warm Time-Turner from her.

At the same time, he picked up the oil lamp and began to observe it closely.