HP Dual Masters and I had a blast in Hogwarts.

Chapter 285 School starts soon again.

"Next, you need to put all the ideas in your heads into practice. Of course, you also need to figure out how to promote this shop." The three of us stood in the widest center, looking at the shop's decorations.

“Leave the rest to us, Ayers. You’ve already given us a lot of help,” Fred said happily.

“We two can handle the rest, but Ayers, don’t we still have a semester before graduation? Is this shop going to open only after we graduate?” George asked curiously.

“Yes, after we graduate, this shop will be yours to run,” I said with a smile.

"Although I'm a little reluctant to part with it, the thought of owning a shop makes me feel like I could wake up laughing in my sleep," Fred consoled himself.

"Alright, let's leave this shop for now. The three of us have been busy for so long today, the moon is already out." When you're really busy, you lose track of time.

"Ayers, now that you mention it, I realize I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?" George looked out the window and realized it was already dark, and they hadn't eaten anything yet.

"I didn't feel hungry until you said it, but now that you've mentioned it, I feel incredibly hungry." Fred said this and then leaned limply into my arms.

"Alright, come with me, I'll take you to get something to eat." I smiled and hugged Fred, then wrapped my other arm around George as well, and simply Apparated.

After we all disappeared, the shop went dark, and everything returned to calm.

We appeared directly in the lobby, where a familiar and warm atmosphere greeted us.

The interior was still warm and tidy, with moonlight streaming through the windows and casting soft dappled patterns on the floor.

I led them into the kitchen, where Percy and I had some leftover groceries from yesterday's purchase: fresh vegetables, succulent meats, and vibrant fruits.

"Wow, so much delicious food!" Fred's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Ayers, are you going to show off your culinary skills? I can't wait!"

George nodded in agreement, his eyes full of anticipation.

I smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course, I'll be cooking you a big dinner tonight. But you'll need to come and help me out."

Fred and George immediately perked up, rolled up their sleeves, and prepared to get to work.

We had a clear division of labor: I was in charge of the main stove, handling meat and some complicated dishes; Fred was in charge of washing and chopping vegetables, and although his movements were a bit clumsy, he was very serious; George helped set the table and prepare the seasonings.

The kitchen suddenly became lively, with the sounds of pots and pans clattering, water running, and our laughter blending together to create a beautiful symphony.

While cooking, we were busy sharing stories from school and our vision for the future of the shop.

Fred vividly recounted their hilarious experiences in class, making us laugh so hard we almost fell over.

As for the store, we had many new ideas, and everyone shared their thoughts, sparking a constant collision of ideas.

Soon, one delicious dish after another filled the table.

There are fragrant grilled meats, refreshing vegetable salads, delicious soups, and sweet fruit platters.

Under the lights, these delicacies gleamed enticingly, making one's mouth water.

We sat around the table, enjoying the delicious food and savoring this warm and wonderful moment.

Fred, while enjoying his meal, gave a thumbs up: "Ayers, your cooking is amazing! This is the most delicious food I've ever had!" George nodded in agreement, mumbling, "It's so good! When our shop opens, we'll definitely ask you to cook for us again."

Seeing their contented expressions filled me with warmth and joy.

After Fred and George finished their fruit and ate to their hearts' content, they were burping and looking completely satisfied.

I then prepared to send them back to the Blake House.

As he was leaving my place, Fred suddenly reached out and gently patted George on the head, grinning as he said, "Hey, George, this after-dinner fruit tastes really good. Don't you think it's even better than the candy in our store?"

George retorted, not to be outdone, "That's incomparable! Our candy is much more interesting than this fruit!"

The two of them continued their banter, exchanging words back and forth, but their steps were light as they walked towards the direction of Black's old house.

I followed behind them, and every now and then I would burst into laughter at their conversation.

As we were walking, George suddenly quickened his pace and rushed ahead of me, reaching out to tickle me.

I quickly dodged away, calling out to Fred for help as I went: "Fred, George ambushed me! He's bullying me!" Upon hearing this, Fred not only didn't stop George, but also joined in the commotion and chased after me.

For a moment, the three of us chased each other down the street, our laughter echoing in the air.

As we passed by the shops on the street, the lights in the shop windows reflected our figures.

For a moment, I seemed to forget the chaos of the world around me and immerse myself in this simple and happy time.

Finally, we arrived at the entrance of Black's old house, playfully bickering.

The ancient and mysterious gate stood there, appearing somewhat eerie under the cover of night.

Fred and George stopped their playful fighting and straightened their somewhat disheveled clothes.

George looked at me, blinked, and said, "Today was so much fun, Ayers, thank you." Fred nodded in agreement.

I smiled and nodded, then stood with them at the entrance of the old house.

Then, Fred and George pushed open the door and disappeared into the old house.

I gazed in the direction they had gone, my heart filled with reluctance.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, I felt a gaze upon me again. I slightly raised my head and looked towards the second floor of the Black mansion. I saw a familiar figure, smiled at it, and then used 'Apparition' to leave.

Sirius, standing by the window, clenched his fist. The smiling figure before leaving made him want to punch him.

That smile carried a sense of indifference, a carefree attitude as if everything had been left behind.

Sirius stared at the disappearing figure, his anger burning fiercely in his chest.

He couldn't understand how anyone could so easily turn away and treat everything they had experienced together as a thing of the past.

They were once close friends, spending countless unforgettable moments together.

Those memories were incredibly precious to Sirius.

But now everything has changed.

That person, that friend who had shared life and death with him, left with a smile, without a trace of regret, without a single explanation.

Sirius felt betrayed and deeply hurt by the person he once trusted most.

His fist clenched tighter and tighter, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He even imagined rushing up to the man, grabbing him by the collar, beating him black and blue, and demanding to know why he did it.

But he knew that even if he beat him up, he couldn't get back what he had lost, nor could he make things go back to the way they were before.

Sirius felt a wave of weakness wash over him, and he loosened his fists, letting them hang limply at his sides.

The wind blew gently through the window, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart. He recalled the scene of their last meeting; the smile on that person's face was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart.

He didn't know how to face all of this, whether to continue wallowing in anger and pain, or to try to let go of the past and start anew.

He understood that life went on, and he couldn't stay stuck in this painful moment forever.

But the image of that smiling figure before leaving remained vivid in his mind.

Every time he thinks about it, a complex mix of emotions wells up inside him: anger, sadness, and a touch of indescribable loss.

Perhaps, when they meet again at Hogwarts, he will have to bear this pain alone, gazing silently into the distance from the window, as if waiting for something, or as if bidding a final farewell to the past.

Playing hard to get, it might take another trip through Sirius Black's time before that number can be increased.

As soon as I got home, I started thinking about this.

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?" Severus asked curiously when he saw me standing there blankly as soon as I got home.

"Nothing, I just thought of something interesting." I smiled at Severus and then sat down next to him.

"Where did you go today? Your clothes look dusty." Severus patted the dust off my clothes.

“Severus, stop patting me. How about we take a shower together?” I grabbed Severus’s hand, who was still trying to brush the dust off me, and wrapped my other arm around his waist.

"What's wrong? Ayers, why are you being so clingy today?" Severus looked at me curiously.

"Mmm~ I just wanted to cuddle with you today~" I buried my head in Severus's neck, and my warm breath tickled his neck.

Seeing that Severus didn't push me away or refuse me, I simply picked him up with one hand and appeared in the rooftop hot spring bath with a 'Phantom Shift'.

Emerging from the rooftop hot spring bath, the steam still lingered around me, carrying the unique warmth and comfort of the hot spring.

Severus and I walked side by side, my wet hair clinging to my cheeks, water droplets sliding down my hair.

Back in his room, a faint aroma of tobacco and potion filled the air—a scent unique to him.

The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, the leaping flames illuminating the surrounding bookshelves and old tables and chairs.

Severus entered the room first, picked up a dry towel, and silently handed it to me.

I took the towel and gently wiped the water droplets from my hair, my gaze inadvertently falling on him.

His robe was half-wet, outlining his slightly thin but upright figure. Water droplets dripped from his hair onto the robe, leaving a small dark stain.

"I had a very comfortable soak today." I broke the brief silence in the room, my voice sounding particularly clear in the quiet space.

He turned around, his deep eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Hmm, it's never a bad thing to relax once in a while." His voice was deep and steady, as if it possessed a reassuring magic.

We each found a place to sit in the room; I sat in the old armchair by the fireplace, while he sat at the desk.

He began tidying up some potion ingredients on the table, his fingers deftly manipulating the bottles and jars, his focused expression captivating me.

Watching his busy figure, a strange feeling welled up inside me. In the hot spring pool, although we didn't talk much, that silent companionship made me feel exceptionally warm.

I suddenly realized that I seemed to have gotten used to having him around.

After a while, he stopped what he was doing, looked up at me, and asked, "What are you thinking about?" His voice interrupted my thoughts.

I smiled a little shyly, "It's nothing, I just feel that these moments are wonderful."

He stood up, slowly walked to my side, and sat down in the chair next to me.

We sat there quietly, listening to the sound of the fire burning and the occasional gust of wind from outside the window.

His arm accidentally brushed against mine, and in that instant, I felt my heart race.

“Sometimes, this tranquility is also a kind of strength,” he said softly, his voice low and gentle.

I turned my head and looked at his profile. In the firelight, his features were even more distinct.

I suddenly had a strong urge to get close to him and feel his warmth.

So I gently leaned on his shoulder. His body stiffened slightly, but he quickly relaxed.

We leaned against each other quietly, enjoying this warm and peaceful moment, as if the whole world had nothing to do with us.

In this small room, there were only the two of us, the warm fire, and the sound of each other's heartbeats.

Leaning on Severus's shoulder, I suddenly said, "It seems like this holiday is coming to an end. We only have a few days left before it's over, and then we'll have to go back to Hogwarts."

Severus tilted his head slightly, a glint of light seemingly in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "Time always flies. The leisurely holiday is coming to an end, and it will be time to return to that familiar castle."

I sighed softly, and the towering towers and winding corridors of Hogwarts came to mind.

"I wonder what will happen when I go back this time. Everything at school is always full of unknowns," I said softly.

Severus unconsciously tightened his grip on mine, his voice low and firm: "Whatever we encounter, we will face it together. Hogwarts is the last pure land in the British wizarding world, and the cradle of countless students' growth. I have a responsibility to keep it peaceful."

I looked up at his resolute profile and felt a surge of warmth and peace of mind.

In this world full of magic and conflict, with him by my side, it seems that all difficulties can be easily resolved.

"Perhaps, when we return to school, there will be new courses and students waiting for us," I said with a smile. After all, I was just a teaching assistant, and I tried to dispel the slight melancholy of returning to a busy life.

Severus's lips curled up slightly, a barely perceptible smile: "Yes, those young lives are always full of energy and potential."

It's quite rare for Severus to describe the young wizards in this way, rather than calling them a bunch of giants with brains full of reeds.

Thinking about that sentence makes me want to laugh.

We leaned against each other quietly, feeling the gentle breeze and enjoying this last moment of tranquility.

In the distance, several owls circled in the sky, as if foreshadowing a new journey to come.

"I wish time could stand still at this moment," I murmured softly.

Severus hugged me tighter: "Although the holiday will end, our lives will continue."