HP Midnight Light

- September 1976, 6 - Wood's Orphanage, London

"Aren't you still doing heavy work now?" Hyacinth touched Ann's cold hand worriedly, she smiled and shook her head:

"Mrs. Barmer has arranged for me to do clerical work. Such as keeping accounts, answering letters, etc." Ann pointed to a large stack of books on her bedside, "I forgot to tell you, I have decided to off to college."

"University!" Hyacinth couldn't help shouting, she knew how difficult it is for a child who grew up in an orphanage to enter a university, "Tell me about it!"

"The teacher thinks that I have studied well, so I can try it out. She discussed it with Mrs. Barmer for me, and she also supported me in doing so. Mrs. Barmer said that college can change my destiny, but this is not the end. Decided..." At this point, Ann hesitated for a moment, she lowered her head, "I have to find a way to solve the problem of tuition and living expenses, and the money is simply astronomical for me."

"Is there no way?" Hyacinth sat down beside her. "Like—a loan or something?"

"Recently, the economy is not doing well, and the conditions for applying for student loans are becoming more and more stringent. I hope to get a scholarship or private sponsorship, but the premise is that I have good grades... Forget it, let's not talk about it for now. "Ann held the corner of her mouth bitterly, and then suddenly became serious again, "By the way, you must not go out for activities alone recently." Hyacinth is one of the few healthy and lively people in the orphanage, so Every summer Mrs. Barmer assigned her some errands.

"why?"

"Several strange cases have occurred in London in the past six months, and several families were found dead at home," Anshen lowered his voice mysteriously, "but it is said that there are no traces of fighting at all, as if they shouldn't have died at all. Like falling..."

Hyacinth immediately understood what was going on, those so-called murders were nothing more than the work of Death Eaters.She immediately comforted: "Don't worry, I don't think their goal will be a place like an orphanage. Don't worry, I will definitely pay attention to safety." Ann wanted to say something more, but Hyacinth resolutely called Cut off her words, "If you really want to worry about it, then prepare well for the college entrance examination. Mrs. Bamer must have high expectations of you."

Ann smiled and changed the subject: "Okay, let's not talk about this. I have prepared a gift for you."

"What?" Hyacinth asked curiously.

Ann jumped out of bed and took out something wrapped in paper from the cabinet, she suddenly showed a trace of shame: "I think you might use it...but... well, this is not a very high-end gift , but I don’t think anyone will prepare this for you.” She slowly opened the wrapping paper, and a long snow-white dress appeared in front of Hyacinth’s eyes. She was stunned, and Ann explained in a low voice, “This is A dress for the prom, I had a tailor make it after I finished the drawings. Hope you like it... I know it's definitely not as fancy as the ones in the store."

"Don't be silly, Ann." Hyacinth interrupted her lightly, she blinked, "Even if you can't buy such advanced customization in the store." She sniffed and suddenly He rushed over and gave Ann a big hug, "Thank you Ann, I don't know how to say it, but I really like this dress. I mean, I never thought that someone would prepare a dress for me .”

"I think you will look good in white." An hugged her tenderly and patted her on the back. "Go and try it on. If there is something that doesn't fit, I can change it for you as soon as possible."

"But, Ann," Hyacinth let go of her, "what about your own dress?"

"Me?" Ann froze for a moment, then laughed, "Where is the orphanage's prom? I don't need those things." She urged Hyacinth to change into a skirt, but Hyacinth suddenly sprouted a idea.

Despite warnings from both Ann and Mrs. Balmer not to go out alone, Hyacins insisted on taking the day off to go to the library.Hyacinth hoped to find those few reports of strange deaths, which might help her figure out what the Death Eaters were trying to do to the Muggle world.

In fact, Cornelia was right that what happened in the Muggle world had nothing to do with Hyacinth.But when she thought that there were so many people here who knew her and treated her kindly, Hyacinth couldn't stay out of it.

There were very few pedestrians on the street, but I saw many policemen on duty along the way.This gave Hyacinth a sense of ominous premonition, and this premonition became stronger when she searched through the Muggle newspapers and found not much useful information: for some unknown reason, all the deaths Use "accident" to pass it hastily.She simply walked to the information desk of the library: "Excuse me, are these all the newspapers in the past six months?"

The librarian didn't even look up: "That's right."

"But why didn't all the reports mention those deaths?" Hyacinth asked.The librarian raised her head, and her expression changed subtly.She pushed her glasses, coughed, and said in an obvious tone of concealment: "What death? I think there will be comprehensive reports in the newspapers, right?"

Hyacinth looked at her angrily: "My friends mentioned those cases in London to me, but why couldn't I find them in the newspapers?" After she had finished speaking, she suddenly thought of something—as expected , the librarian took a deep look at her: "Aren't you a local?"

"I am," replied Hyacinth. "My friend told me the news after I got back from school. Do you know what happened?"

"Well... who knows. There have been strange locked-room murders in several houses in the suburbs of London, and no one can explain what happened. Girl, the authorities don't want to make a mess of the city, and the police station can't do anything about it. You Got it?" She put the new label on a book and put it aside, "No one knows what happened, people like to believe it was an accident, and the only thing people can think about is accidents."

The librarian's words are probably the closest to the truth.It is impossible for Muggles to know that this is a masterpiece of magic, so "accident" became the only explanation.

Hyacinth left the library sullenly and boarded a nearby bus.She looked out the window. Did the Death Eaters just want to slaughter Muggles to create an atmosphere of terror, or were they deliberately targeting those Muggles who had direct or indirect connections with the wizarding world?

When the bus pulled up at the next platform, Hyacins was amazed how close it was to where she lived as a child.She got off the car immediately. Although the street in front of her had changed a lot, she could still recognize its original appearance.

Hyacinth's childhood was spent on a quiet street in Greenwich. When many emerging artists flocked here to develop their artistic careers, Hyacinth's mother just took her to emigrate from the wizarding world to Muggles. world.Mrs White's status as a Squib allowed her to adjust to Muggle life with relative ease, and they rented a suite in a small building.The neighbors above and below were full of artists—poor students, musicians trying to come to London and make their mark.Mrs. White was also affected by this and began to try to sell paintings for a living, which has since become the means of livelihood for the mother and daughter-she insisted on keeping the property left by her husband as education expenses for Hyacinth after she went to school.

Hyacinth walked along the street, her heart pounding as the scenery became more and more familiar to her.It was as if I could see the dilapidated building right away, and my mother was still sitting by the window drawing black and white paintings one after another.

She also remembered that Richard's bakery was just around the corner ahead.

At that time, the main source of food for the mother and daughter of Hyacinth was Richard's bakery-Mrs. help.For example, giving Hyacinth an extra piece of chocolate as a "reward for the cute little girl", or when Mrs. White's turn to check out, Mrs. Richard would come and put an extra piece of bread or a sandwich in their bags, nicknamed "" New product tasting"...Mrs. White kept these kindnesses in her heart. When Richard decided to expand the bakery, she offered to design a logo for them as a small reward.

A few years later, when Hyacinth stood in front of Richard's bakery again, she was moved to find that Richard still kept the trademark-and she also found that Richard's bakery had expanded again, even though it is now In the afternoon, many customers in the store were choosing bread.

Hyacinth walked into the bakery, and the aroma of bread, jam, and butter mixed together to form a nostalgic taste, and she involuntarily took a deep breath.Richard's business has apparently been doing well, and even Mrs. Richard is no longer at the cash register.Hyacinth picked out two signature red bean breads, and when she was paying the bill, she asked the clerk, "Is Richard still making the bread himself now?"

"No, Mr. Richard's two sons are mainly working in the store now." The clerk helped Hyacinth wrap the bread with paper, "I wish you a nice day."

Hiesings broke open one of the red bean breads, and carefully boiled red bean paste flowed out of the bread. Hiesings took a bite, and it tasted exactly as she remembered. Richard kept the original recipe and passed it down from generation to generation. According to legend, when she was moved, she suddenly remembered the paper bag that her mother took out of her handbag when she was a child. The sweet aroma of red beans radiated in the air. When she bit into it, honey, bread and red beans brought together indescribable warmth and happiness sweet.A red bean bread and a bowl of mixed vegetable soup, this is a feast for the young Hyacinth.

But time has changed, Richard no longer bakes himself, and Hyacinth has lost her mother.

Unexpectedly, when Hyacons returned to the orphanage, Mrs. Ballmer told her that someone was waiting for her in the drawing room.

"It seems that your parents are very discerning, Hyacinth. Your school must cultivate real gentlemen and ladies." Mrs. Barmer gave her a meaningful look.Hyacinth pushed open the door of the reception room in a daze, but there was a person inside who should not be here at all——

"Hi, Hyacins."

Margaret Watson stood up and held out her hand.She was wearing an expensive silk dress, her blond hair was neatly braided, and she wore white gloves.She looked just like the royals in the newspapers, and Hyacinth immediately understood what Mrs. Ballmer meant.

"Hi, Margaret." She couldn't figure out why Margaret was here. "How did you find this place?"

"I got it from Slughorn. Please don't mind my sudden visit." Margaret got straight to the point, "I know it's strange to ask, but has Sirius visited you recently?"

Hyacinth's eyes widened in bewilderment, and Margaret got the answer from it all at once, and she sighed: "Sirius ran away from home without leaving any note. Mrs. Black was furious, but she no matter what I can't find Sirius's whereabouts...I guess he might come to the Muggle world." Margaret shrugged, "If that's the case, he might come to you." She rummaged through the small bag for a while , found a small glass bottle and handed it to Hyacinth, "If you see him, please give this to him for me, okay?"

"But—" Hyacinth felt that Margaret hadn't considered an important issue, "I don't think he will come to me."

"No, he will," insisted Margaret unexpectedly, "I can sense that Sirius is attracted to you in a way, so he must come to you. Like a hound finding a rabbit Like that."

Hyacinth felt that Margaret was not only bad at rhetoric, but also very whimsical: "I really think you are wrong, Margaret." As soon as she finished speaking, she remembered that she was on the Hogwarts Express train, Sirius' strange farewell once made her doubt her own judgment, but Hyacinth never believed that Sirius would be "attracted" by her such absurd remarks.

"Regardless of whether my judgment is wrong or not, the probability of meeting you in London is higher than the probability of meeting him in London." Margaret said rather stubbornly, and she arrogantly pulled past Hyacinth's Hand, put the small bottle in her hand, "I'll leave it to you."

"But...but..." Hyacinth felt that the bottle was extremely hot, "What if he didn't come?"

"Then you can return it to me after school starts." Margaret said bluntly, "Or you can keep it for yourself."

"What is this?" Hyacinth couldn't help asking curiously, "Potion?" Everyone knew that Margaret's father was a well-known master of potions, so she couldn't help but wonder what made Margaret Gretel was anxious to hand it over to Sirius who ran away from home.

"Felix Elixir." Margaret replied, "Although Mrs. Black has not found Sirius for the time being, but... just in case. But this thing should not be used indiscriminately, it has some serious side effects." She warned Said, Hyacinth shook her head again and again, and assured: "I will not use it indiscriminately."

Margaret smiled with satisfaction: "You really are as bullying as a cat—"

"what?"

"Nothing!" The smell of bread came out of the paper bag, and Margaret cleverly changed the subject: "What is it that smells so good?"

"Ah—it's red bean bread." Hyacinth took out the remaining one, "Do you want to try it?"

"No need." Margaret waved her hand, "Keep it for your friends."

"Speaking of..." Hyacinth hesitated, "Then what about your engagement with Sirius?"

Speaking of this, Margaret seemed very happy: "Of course it was cancelled. So Sirius has helped me a lot. Now everyone is busy condemning him. I just need to play a vulnerable victim." OK."

At this moment, a slightly harsh beeping sound suddenly sounded, and Margaret hurriedly took out a pocket watch from her pocket to check the time: "Sorry, I can't stay here for a long time. I have to go now."

"Did you sneak out?"

"I told my father that I was going to Diagon Alley to find some books," Margaret said, picking up her handbag and putting on her hat. "My engagement to Sirius fell through in this way, and my father was very unhappy about it." .Besides, he won't allow me to come to the Muggle world alone."

"But I still want to congratulate you anyway," Hyacinth sent Margaret out, "solved a big-problem."

"Yeah. I'll have some free time until my dad chooses the next one," she said to herself. "My house-elf will take me back to Diagon Alley, please stay."

She hurried to a corner where no one was around, and Hyacinth heard a crisp "pa—" and Margaret left.

When Hyacinth returned to the hall, Mrs. Barmer sighed while looking at the account book: "The school your parents chose for you is really good. I haven't seen such a lady for many years."

"The girl who came to see me just now," Hyacinth thought mischievously, "she fell in love with a boy, but her father was dissatisfied and chose a new fiancé for her, but the latter was rebellious in nature and divorced. The family is gone."

"Ah—" Mrs. Barmer put down the ledger in surprise, "is this true?"

"It's absolutely true!" Hyacinth nodded, "What's terrible is that the boy she likes is poor, ordinary-looking, and has an unrequited love for another girl. And the fiancé later, although handsome and rich, but Legend—" Hyacinth held back her laughter and lowered her voice, "He doesn't like girls!"

The pen in Mrs. Barmer's hand fell to the ground, and Hyacinth tried her best to suppress her smile: "It is said that he likes his good friend, but his good friend has a crush on another girl, and this girl is the boy from the beginning. The object of unrequited love!"

After finishing speaking, Hyacinth covered her mouth and ran upstairs as fast as she could. She will never forget the expression on Mrs. Balmer's face just now in her life.

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Note:

1. Greenwich: An area of ​​London that is doing well.It used to be one of the slums.

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