Chapter 109: Hogsmeade
Two weeks after Halloween.
The news that Lynn had killed the troll had completely spread throughout Hogwarts.
If you were hoping Harry and Ron could keep a secret, you might as well expect Snape to voluntarily wash his hair.
Slytherin's reaction was naturally enthusiastic.
Lynn had already earned 100 points for Slytherin last semester, laying a huge foundation for their House Cup victory.
Now, after defeating a troll, he had not only earned Slytherin plenty of pride but also solidified his reputation. His popularity in Slytherin had skyrocketed.
Even Draco Malfoy tried to approach him at one point—but Lynn ignored him completely.
Strangely, Gryffindor didn't seem too affected.
Although they had lost five points, they weren't particularly depressed.
After all, Lynn had friends in Gryffindor too—unlike Malfoy, who was universally disliked.
---
That day at noon, in the Great Hall.
The owl that Lynn had "tricked" earlier flew in unsteadily, as if suffering from motion sickness. It even landed at the wrong table before finally reaching him.
It stumbled onto the Ravenclaw table and fell over before stabilizing itself.
"How is it so fast?" Lynn said in surprise.
Cedric and Ian looked at him.
"What's fast?"
Lynn took the letter from the owl and fed it some bread crumbs.
"It's a reply from Professor Fox. He should be in Asia right now. It's only been a month since I sent the letter—this reply shouldn't have arrived so quickly."
He opened the envelope.
Inside was only a single sheet of parchment with one line:
> Tonight, 9 PM. Meet me at the Hogsmeade Hog's Head Inn. I believe you'll find a way to get out.
—Your loyal, Adrien Fox
Lynn raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected Professor Fox to return in person.
Looking at the owl, still dizzy and disoriented, Lynn guessed that Fox must have used Apparition while bringing it along, which explained its condition.
He gave it some water and sent it back to the owlery. It would need days to recover.
---
That afternoon only had one class—Herbology.
After class, Professor Sprout even asked Lynn to stay and help tend to the Devil's Snare.
"I wasn't planning to use such dangerous plants for first-years," Sprout said kindly while chatting. "But Professor Dumbledore said students will eventually need to face them. Better sooner than later."
Sprout was one of the most approachable professors at Hogwarts.
While Lynn worked, she chatted with him about school matters.
"Honestly, I still think it's too dangerous," she added. "If it weren't for Diggory recommending you, I would've asked a sixth-year student instead. Thank you, Bellock."
Lynn waved it off.
"It's fine, Professor. The dittany you gave me last time still hasn't run out anyway."
"Then I wish you a good night's sleep, child."
Unfortunately, that wish wouldn't come true.
---
Back in his dorm, Lynn prepared for his trip to Hogsmeade.
Although second-years weren't allowed to visit Hogsmeade, he and Cedric had previously used hidden routes—especially the one beneath the Whomping Willow leading to the Shrieking Shack.
At 8 PM, just after dinner, Lynn arrived at the Whomping Willow.
He pressed the knot on its trunk to calm it, then slipped into the tunnel beneath it.
He crawled all the way through to the Shrieking Shack.
It had already become a secret base for him and his friends—no longer as dirty or abandoned as before.
Without lingering, he stepped out into Hogsmeade's main street.
Even outside official Hogsmeade weekends, the village was lively.
As the largest wizarding village in Britain, it was practically a famous magical tourist site.
Lynn first went to Honeydukes, the most talked-about shop at Hogwarts.
It was still bustling even at night.
Before entering, Lynn cautiously checked inside—worried he might run into Dumbledore.
After confirming he wasn't there, he went on a shopping spree and left his purchases to be stored in the shop.
The owner, Mrs. Flume, reminded him to pick them up before 11 PM.
Next, he visited the Three Broomsticks Inn, briefly glancing at Madam Rosmerta, the beautiful owner often mentioned by students.
Then he stopped by Zonko's Joke Shop, full of prank items like dungbombs, howler candies, frog-spawn soap, and biting teacups.
He wasn't interested and left quickly.
After wandering around a bit more, he finally arrived at the shabby little pub—
The Hog's Head Inn.
A blood-stained head hung above the door.
Inside stood a scruffy, dirty-bearded bartender in a stained apron.
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(End of Chapter)