"Harry… are you okay?"
Seeing Harry standing there with his face flushed and his fists clenched, Hermione hurried over in concern.
Truthfully, after hearing everything just now, even she was furious on Harry's behalf.
Betraying his best friend…
Destroying Harry's family…
Someone like Sirius Black was simply unforgivable.
And Fudge and the professors weren't much better.
Why had they kept something this important from Harry?
Perhaps because she had spent so much time around Lewis, Hermione had gradually stopped treating professors as infallible authorities. Even her trust in the Ministry had begun to waver.
After all, she had witnessed Lewis overturn countless so-called "common truths" of the wizarding world with her own eyes.
His original spells had surpassed magical principles that had remained unchanged for centuries.
If even the laws written in textbooks could be broken…
Then surely the people regarded as authorities could be wrong as well.
Rules carved into books were one thing.
Living people were far more likely to make mistakes.
After a long silence, Harry finally squeezed out a single sentence.
"Sirius Black…"
"I'm going to kill him."
Lewis immediately poured a bucket of cold water over his resolve.
"Harry."
"I understand your anger."
"I understand wanting revenge for your parents."
"But calm down first."
"Don't rush off looking for Sirius."
"Even if he really did betray your parents…"
"…with your current strength, if you find him first, you'll be the one who dies."
Lewis didn't reveal the truth.
After all…
He had no evidence.
Anything he said now would sound like nothing more than speculation.
Compared to the "truth" jointly confirmed by the Minister for Magic and several professors, his words simply wouldn't be convincing enough.
Harry opened his mouth.
But nothing came out.
Deep down, he knew Lewis was right.
He simply couldn't accept it emotionally.
Ron, however, couldn't stay silent.
"I'm sorry, Lewis."
"I misunderstood you this morning."
"I had no idea you were the one who helped Harry get into Hogsmeade."
He apologized first before continuing indignantly.
"But this time…"
"Can't you help Harry?"
"With your abilities, even a Basilisk wasn't your opponent."
"Catching Sirius Black shouldn't be difficult."
"And if nothing else…"
"You could at least let Harry join your study group."
"So he'd have some way to protect himself."
"Ron!"
Before Lewis could answer, Hermione snapped.
"How can you say something like that?"
"Lewis already explained it."
"The study group belongs to all of Ravenclaw."
"He can't make that decision alone."
"Stop putting him in such an awkward position!"
There was another sentence she didn't say aloud.
Even I haven't asked to join the study group…
Lewis gently patted Hermione's hand before turning back to Ron.
"There are some things I already told Hermione."
"I'll tell you as well."
"In my personal opinion…"
"There's definitely something suspicious about the story that Sirius betrayed Harry's parents and escaped solely to kill Harry."
"At the very least…"
"I don't think Harry is his real objective."
"As for learning to protect himself…"
"I already gave Harry my advice."
"Whether it's the Patronus Charm or anything else…"
"Professor Lupin would be more than willing to teach him."
He sighed.
"Since we've already come this far…"
"I might as well give you another hint."
"Whether it's Sirius…"
"…or Professor Lupin…"
"If you're truly interested in what happened to Harry's parents…"
"…then learn more about the past before reaching a conclusion."
His tone became noticeably firmer.
"And one more thing, Ron."
"We're friends."
"But that doesn't mean I'll solve every problem for you unconditionally."
"I think it's time you started learning how to deal with some difficulties yourselves."
With that, Lewis turned and walked away.
Hermione hurried after him, grabbing his hand.
"I'm sorry, Lewis."
"Ron said something stupid."
"He really crossed the line."
"That's not how a friend should act."
Lewis waved dismissively.
"That wasn't your fault."
"So why are you apologizing?"
He smiled faintly.
"Maybe that's just Gryffindor friendship."
"When they're on your side, they'll charge into danger for you without hesitation."
"But the moment they start doubting you…"
"They'll also be the quickest to turn against you."
"Their recklessness makes them change sides even faster than Slytherins."
He couldn't help recalling Harry and Ron's behavior during their first year after losing house points…
And their suspicion of him during the Chamber of Secrets incident.
Hermione answered without the slightest hesitation.
"I would never doubt you, Lewis."
"Of course."
"I've never doubted that."
Lewis smiled, gently stroking her hair.
"If you're worried about Harry…"
"You should go after him."
"I'm only angry with Ron."
"I won't take it out on anyone else."
"You're too kind."
His understanding moved Hermione deeply.
Unable to stop herself, she hugged him, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
Only afterward did she realize what she'd done.
Blushing furiously, she hurried back toward the pub.
Watching her disappear, Lewis found himself alone once more.
He had no intention of looking for Ciri and Penelope just yet.
Instead…
He remembered another girl waiting for him somewhere in Hogsmeade.
It didn't take long before Lewis found Cho Chang inside Spintwitches Sporting Needs.
She was standing beside her friend Marietta, admiring the magnificent broom displayed in the center showcase.
The moment Cho turned around…
Her previously bored expression instantly transformed into one of delighted surprise.
Lewis walked over and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"It's you."
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"Since I promised you…"
"How could I not?"
Lewis smiled casually, wisely choosing not to mention that he only had time now because Hermione had temporarily left.
"So…"
"What are you looking at?"
"The Firebolt!"
Cho's eyes immediately lit up.
"It's the fastest broom in the world!"
"It was designed by the famous broom designer Randolph Burrow."
"Produced by Ellerby & Spudmore."
"The Irish National Team ordered seven of them all at once!"
She looked dreamily at the display.
"If I could ride one during the Quidditch Cup…"
"I'd leave every Seeker in the dust."
Seeing Lewis and Cho enthusiastically discussing Quidditch…
Marietta yawned.
"Cho."
"Now that the person you were waiting for has finally arrived…"
"I'm heading home."
"I wandered around Hogsmeade with you for two whole hours while you waited."
"I'm exhausted."
With that, she left the shop.
Suddenly…
Only Lewis and Cho remained.
Thanks to Marietta's parting words, the atmosphere became rather awkward.
"I'm sorry, Cho."
"I didn't realize you'd been waiting so long."
"You know…"
"Something came up earlier."
Lewis apologized sincerely.
Looking back…
He really had nearly stood her up.
Cho still smiled warmly.
"It's okay."
"I understand."
"After choosing you…"
"…I already prepared myself for things like this."
Although she claimed to understand…
The faint resentment hidden in her soft voice still made Lewis feel guilty.
Then again…
Since he had chosen to pursue multiple relationships at once…
Moments like these were inevitable.
His gaze drifted toward the Firebolt in the display case.
A plan immediately formed.
"Wait here for a moment."
He walked to the counter and spoke briefly with the shopkeeper.
A few minutes later…
He returned carrying a beautifully wrapped Firebolt.
Cho stared blankly.
Lewis placed it in her hands.
"Here."
"A Firebolt."
"Think of it as an early Christmas present."
"B-But…"
"It's far too expensive."
She lovingly caressed the broom before reluctantly shaking her head.
"I can't accept something worth fifteen hundred Galleons."
"Five hundred."
Lewis corrected.
"But I only paid four hundred each."
"I bought three of them at once."
"I nearly cleared out his entire stock."
"Three?"
Cho blinked in surprise.
"What do you need three Firebolts for?"
"To ride, obviously."
"Quidditch season is starting soon."
"They'll be perfect."
He counted them off on his fingers.
"One for me."
"One for Ciri."
"And one for you."
He sighed dramatically.
"Too bad you won't accept yours."
"Ciri got one too?"
Cho immediately focused on the important part.
"That's right."
Lewis nodded.
"And she'll definitely accept it."
"She never refuses anything I give her."
Hearing that her romantic rival already had one…
Cho clenched her teeth.
"…Fine."
"I'll take it."
"Really?"
"That's wonderful."
Lewis sounded pleasantly surprised.
Inside, however…
He wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Everything had gone exactly as he expected.
When used properly…
A girl's jealousy could sometimes be remarkably effective.
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