0546 Apology

Words : 1290 Updated : Jan 26th, 2026

Chapter 545 of "Harry Potter: The Golden Viper" introduces new challenges: 0546 Apology The flickering candlelight casted twirling shadows across Professor Watson's normally warm office. Harry and... Keep following!

0546 Apology The flickering candlelight casted twirling shadows across Professor Watson's normally warm office. Harry and Hermione stood awkwardly before his massive oak desk and their hearts were pounding in their chests. The atmosphere was thick with tension, making even the gentle crackling of the fireplace seem somehow ominous. Harry could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead despite the evening chill that permeated the castle. Beside him, Hermione fidgeted nervously with the hem of her school robes. Harry and Hermione were probably the only students who interacted most privately with Professor Watson. They were both well aware that, in private, he was not the type of wizard who liked to flaunt his authority. Every time they came to his office, he would kindly ask them to sit down before formally discussing matters. However, this time, Professor Watson merely had them stand there, looking at them with an unfriendly stern gaze. This subtle change made Harry and Hermione feel a sense of unease. It seemed that the trouble they caused today really annoyed Professor Watson. And this was hardly surprising– sneaking out of school grounds was one thing, but causing harm to a visiting champion from Beauxbatons was an entirely different matter. The political implications alone were enough to cause serious concern, and both of them were well aware of it. The Triwizard Tournament was meant to foster international magical cooperation, not create diplomatic incidents again and again. Harry's mind raced with possibilities, each more worrying than the last. 'Had Madame Maxime, Beauxbatons' headmistress, already stormed the castle demanding explanation?' Thinking about this, Harry mustered his courage and stole a glance at Professor Watson behind the desk, seeing a face that revealed no emotion in the flickering candlelight, which only made him even more nervous. "Sorry, Professor--" Hermione was the first to break the suffocating silence and her voice was trembling like a leaf in autumn wind. "We... we ran into some trouble--" Bryan's stern expression softened almost imperceptibly. He knew that after returning to Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione had probably gone to find Ron, and he could foresee that they might have had some conflict. Bryan shook his head noncommittally. "So, Hermione, are you prepared for the Triwizard Tournament tasks?" Hermione's body trembled violently, and her heart raced in her chest. Hagrid had previously told her and Harry that Professor Watson was keeping the competition tasks tightly under wraps, though Hagrid still planned to help her obtain some insider information. "I-I'm reviewing previous competition records--" She managed to stammer out, her fingers unconsciously twisting the fabric of her robes. "I thought it might be helpful." "Hmm--" Bryan's thoughtful hum resonated in the quiet office. His gaze was fixed on Hermione, who stood as rigid as the suit of armor in the corridor outside. Normally, providing Hermione with a bit of extra help would be understandable. After all, she was the youngest among the champions and hadn't intended to become one. However, upon further reflection, Bryan dismissed the idea. Regarding the champions' competition process, neither he nor Dumbledore should interfere too much, and besides, she might already have some assistance. Bryan's voice took on a formal tone as he delivered his verdict. "For sneaking out of the school, Gryffindor will lose twenty points." The magical hourglass containing Gryffindor's rubies would soon reflect this loss, though the punishment seemed remarkably lenient. "Of course, detention would have been inevitable, but considering the pressure you're under from the Tournament tasks, I'll refrain from imposing any additional punishment--" "What!" The simultaneous exclamation from both students echoed off the office walls, startling several of the dozing portraits. Harry's emerald eyes widened with disbelief, while Hermione's mouth fell open in shock. "Is that all, Professor?" Harry's voice cracked slightly with surprise. "Of course not. Have you forgotten about Miss Delacour, whom you injured?" Bryan's reminder brought an immediate change to Harry's expression, his face falling faster than a dropped Remembrall. Bryan's subsequent chuckle, however, seemed to ease some of the tension in the room. The light inside the carriage clearly illuminated the white breath coming from their noses and mouths. The weather was truly cold. Harry could even hear the ice fragments on the Black Lake's surface pushing and colliding against each other. Before the two of them were completely frozen into popsicles, Fleur finally appeared. She pushed open the carriage door, wrapped in a thick cloak, but the cold wind that rushed in still made her shiver. The cold climate clearly didn't improve her mood. She wrapped the cloak tightly around herself, carefully descending the stairs, then suspiciously eyed the box in Harry's hands. "Matthieu said you brought something I left in Hogsmeade?" Her voice, slightly nasal from her recent injury, carried both skepticism and interest. "Ahem--" Harry's face was flushed with discomfort. "Actually... we bought you a gift, um, to apologize for what happened today." "A gift?" Fleur's surprise was evident in her slightly hoarse voice. Her eyes traveled over their mud-covered forms, and her expression softened noticeably. "Oh, that's not necessary, it was just an accident--" But then she quickly asked with interest, "What did you bring me?" "A dress!" Harry blurted out, thrusting the box forward eagerly. Professor Watson had already gone to great lengths, and if they failed to deliver a gift, that would be terrible. Perhaps touched by Harry's sincere attitude, Fleur, who had not intended to accept it, extended her hand from the cloak's opening, showing a light blue fitted shirt. She gently pulled the box's ribbon and lifted one side of the lid. "Oh, this is—" Her exclamation was cut off abruptly as suspicion returned to her facial features. With just one glance, Fleur confirmed it was the dress she had liked in the Gladrags Wizardwear store during the day. So, she instantly realized something was amiss. "How did you know I liked this dress?" Harry hastily repeated what Professor Watson had instructed, but unexpectedly, Fleur didn't let the matter drop. She looked at him, her suspicious look not entirely dissipating. "Is that so—" Fleur muttered, "This dress isn't cheap, it's too expensive for an apology gift... how much did you spend?" Uh— Harry was tongue-tied. Professor Watson hadn't covered this scenario, so not knowing how to answer, he looked at Hermione. "We're quite familiar with the store owner. She gave us a discount. it only cost us a few dozen Galleons--" At the critical moment, Hermione spoke without batting an eye, having anticipated the dress wasn't that cheap. In Harry's view, Hermione's answer was near perfect. But for some reason, when Fleur heard this response, she suddenly burst into laughter. The suspicion on her beautiful face disappeared, and she even seemed delighted. She reached for the gift and her cloak slipped to the ground in the process. One glance was enough to make Harry's face turn red. He quickly averted his eyes, but Fleur herself moved closer, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. Harry immediately felt the spot where Fleur had kissed him burning! Then, Fleur tried to kiss Hermione too. "Oh, don't!" Hermione jumped back in shock, staring at Fleur in horror. "Okay—" Fleur's graceful shrug was accompanied by a knowing smile as she retrieved her cloak. "Thank you. I accept your apology—" She ascended the golden stairs with evident pleasure, holding the gift box close, but before entering the carriage, she suddenly turned back to the still-stunned Harry with a mischievous smile and said, "And please thank Mr. Watson for me—" ******************************* For More Chapters; /FicFrenzy

0546 Apology

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