The Rebirth of Harry Potter

After updating Hagrid on his recent situation, Harry brought out the package he had received two days ago.

"Hagrid, I need your help with something."

"Oh?" Hagrid looked surprised. He hadn't expected Harry to ask him for a favor.

Harry unwrapped the package, revealing a neatly stacked collection of identical-sized stones.

Hagrid raised an eyebrow. "To be honest, I noticed that thing the moment you arrived. Thought maybe you brought me some pies."

Harry grinned. "Help me with this, and I'll get you all the pies you want!"

"So, what exactly do you need me to do?" Hagrid glanced at the stones, knowing it must have something to do with them, but completely clueless about what Harry wanted.

Harry was about to explain when he noticed Hermione staring at him intensely.

She mouthed a phrase at him:

"You're not telling me."

Then, leaning in, she whispered to Hagrid:

"…This, and that…"

Hagrid thought for a moment before nodding. "Aye, shouldn't be too hard."

Harry smirked. Mission accomplished!

——

The Walk Back to Hogwarts

As they crossed the fields between the school and Hagrid's hut, Hermione stormed ahead of Harry, swinging her arms with exaggerated force as if trying to get as far away from him as possible.

Harry followed behind, smiling helplessly.

Why did I feel the need to tease her just now? I already know how she is… She definitely took that as me not trusting her, and she won't let it go—even if I was only joking…

"Hey, Hermione, you know I was just messing around. I didn't mean to make you mad."

Harry caught up and walked alongside her.

Hermione abruptly stopped, turned to him, and said, "I'm not mad."

"Right, right, of course, you're not mad. Well, let me tell you what I actually asked Hagrid to—"

"Harry, I don't care at all about what you asked Hagrid to do."

She cut him off immediately.

"Right now, I just want to get back to school and finish all the homework the professors assigned."

With that, she marched forward, not sparing Harry a second glance.

Harry sighed. Okay, she's definitely mad.

Now the question was—how to make her forgive him?

…Maybe an Obliviate charm?

…No, no, bad idea.

Maybe massaging her shoulders and apologizing?

Or should he just…

——

Time for a Different Approach

Harry rushed ahead and planted himself right in front of Hermione, blocking her way.

Hermione ignored him and stepped to the side, continuing forward.

Harry also moved to the side, blocking her again.

She went right, he went right.

She went left, he went left.

She backed up—

Harry grabbed her wrist.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Hermione snapped.

Before she could react, Harry suddenly pulled her forward—

and hugged her.

——

The Ultimate Move—The Hug Attack!

Hermione froze in shock.

Her mind blanked, unable to process what had just happened.

When she finally snapped back to reality, she struggled fiercely, trying to break free from Harry's firm grip.

But no matter how hard she tried—she couldn't.

She let out a frustrated sigh, realizing it was useless to resist.

"…Let me go, Harry."

Harry rested his chin on Hermione's soft brown hair, taking in the faint scent of jasmine.

He breathed in gently before asking, "So… are you still mad?"

"Of course, I am!"

Hermione punched him hard on the chest.

How dare he do something like this without my permission?!

——

"Don't be mad," Harry said with a chuckle. "I only asked Hagrid to help me make a… toy. Yeah, a wizard's chess set!"

Hermione looked up at him, momentarily forgetting her situation.

"A wizard's chess set? But those are easy to buy! Why do you need Hagrid to make one for you?"

"Because I don't want Western wizard's chess," Harry explained. "I want a chess set from the East—xiangqi. You can't find that in the wizarding world."

Hermione's eyes flickered with recognition.

"Xiangqi… is that the game I saw two old men playing in Chinatown?"

"That's the one."

Hermione frowned slightly.

"Then why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Once it's finished, I was planning to teach you how to play."

——

Hermione suddenly winced.

"Let go already! My arm is starting to hurt!"

Harry, finally realizing how tightly he had been holding her, quickly let go.

Hermione rubbed her shoulder, then turned and walked ahead.

Harry stood there, confused.

She still seemed a little mad… but why?

He had already forgotten which idiot had just grabbed her and hugged her out of nowhere.

——

Hogwarts, Great Hall

Draco Malfoy sat at the Slytherin table, his face dark and brooding.

Honestly, every single time he had a class with Gryffindor, his mood took a turn for the worse.

Even now, without seeing Harry, just thinking about him was enough to ruin his day.

He clenched his jaw, remembering what had happened just days ago—right here in the Great Hall—when Harry hexed him, leaving him unable to speak for an entire day.

He had almost lost his mind.

But what pissed him off the most was that he couldn't do anything about it.

——

Just then, his lackey, Goyle, came rushing over, complaining.

"Malfoy! I just saw the announcement in the Slytherin common room—next Thursday, we're having Flying Lessons with Gryffindor! Ugh, I really don't want to spend time with them!"

The moment Malfoy heard that, his expression darkened even further.

But then, as if struck by a sudden thought—

he smirked.

——

Author's Note:Defensive Spells:Expecto Patronum – The Patronus Charm, used against Dementors.Protego – The Shield Charm, repels spells like an invisible suit of armor.Obscuro – Creates an invisible barrier between two people.Relashio – Fires a powerful red light, useful against Grindylows.Riddikulus – The Boggart-Banishing Charm, forces Boggarts into ridiculous forms.