Chapter 262 Longbottom's Oath
Hogsmeade is the must-stop point on the way to Hogwarts, which is located next to the large lake that originates from the village;
The Hogwarts Express also ends in the village, where students start their new school year.
Zhang Xiao knew all this, but he was still very surprised to see Neville here.
"Neville!"
Neville had already trotted over and held Zhang Xiao's arms excitedly. His round face turned red. He wanted to say something but couldn't.
After taking a closer look at Neville, he saw that he had lost some weight, but was taller and stronger. Of course, the biggest change was his eyes.
Originally, Neville gave people the impression of being sluggish and confused, always seeming to be two beats too slow, but now Neville's eyes are bright and agile.
It seems that after the lost souls of his parents returned, Neville finally lost his burden and returned to his original self.
"Neville, are Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank okay?"
Zhang Xiao patted his shoulder and had to calm down the guy first.
Speaking of his parents, Neville, who was already happy, immediately grinned and nodded vigorously:
"Well, okay, over there!"
Following the direction he pointed, he saw a gray-haired couple standing under the big tree in the small square, smiling at him.
It was Alice and Frank, and beside them, Neville's grandmother was actually wearing very normal clothes, without the big taxidermy hat, the big handbag and the fox scarf.
Like a kind old lady.
It only took a little effort for Zhang Xiao to realize that Mrs. Augusta originally did this more to attract people's attention. This old lady had always been worried that others would forget her children, Frank and Alice. .
Now that Frank and Alice have recovered, they certainly don't have to be so unconventional.
"Zhang, come with me, my parents and grandma have always wanted to thank you in person!"
Neville couldn't help but pulled Zhang Xiao towards the big tree.
When the two came to the tree, before Zhang Xiao could say hello, Alice had already walked over and gave him a big hug. Then Zhang Xiao heard Alice's nasal and grateful voice:
"Thank you kid, thank you for everything you have done for Neville, thank you!"
Zhang Xiao paused and said softly
"Ma'am, Neville is my friend."
After letting go, Frank walked up again and stretched out his hand:
“Zhang, I don’t know how to express my gratitude, I can accept death, but I can’t let Neville carry such a burden all the time.
This is more painful than killing me and torturing me. Fortunately, there are people who help Neville and help us get rid of this pain.
Thanks! "
Sometimes men don't say too many fancy thanks, but this is the most sincere thanks from a father.
Zhang Xiao can feel and understand Frank's mood at this moment, because he was also a father.
So he took Frank's hand very manly, squeezed it hard, but said nothing.
"Okay, thank you later -"
Neville's grandmother Augusta said majestically, and then she showed a very gentle smile towards Zhang Xiao:
"Zhang, this is not the place to talk. Can you please go to the Three Broomsticks bar to sit down?
Although Ms. Rosmerta’s terrace on the third floor is rarely open to the public, I happened to be one of the guests who could go to the terrace.
The scenery there is nice, you can see the waterwheel on the river and the entire Hogsmeade. "
The Three Broomsticks Bar also has a third floor? And a terrace?
Uh, okay, I've never been to Three Broomsticks.
"Of course, Mrs. Augusta."
The three brooms were very close, less than fifty meters apart. When they arrived, the bar owner, Ms. Rosmerta, wiped her hands on her apron and hurried over to greet them.
He asked with a pleasant smile:
"Ms. Augusta, you haven't been here for a long time. What brought you here?"
She is a woman with a graceful figure and is very beautiful. She still looks charming. When her big eyes look at you, there is a feeling of affection.
At this moment, these beautiful eyes were curiously looking at Mrs. Augusta's outfit that looked 'abnormal' because it was normal.
Then she saw Alice and Frank next to Augusta, and she was stunned. She covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming.
"Love Alice? Frank?"
The couple smiled at the landlady: "Long time no see, Rosmerta."
"Aren't you - oh, sorry, I -" Rosmerta explained in a panic, but the more she spoke, the more confused she became. The matter between Alice and Frank was a big deal at the time. It was the first major case after Voldemort's fall. .
Two elite Aurors were tortured into fools by Death Eaters, which directly caused the original ministerial candidate Barty Crouch to lose the chance to become Minister of Magic.
"Yes, Frank and Alice have recovered. Romesta, is anyone using the terrace on the third floor?"
Mrs. Augusta replied with a smile.
"Uh, great, congratulations - the terrace on the third floor? Of course it's empty, please -"
Rosmerta tugged her hair around her ears and immediately turned around to lead the way. When they arrived on the third floor, Zhang Xiao found that there was no balcony here, just a small attic with debris piled in one corner.
The graceful landlady pushed open a wall, and the sunlight suddenly filtered in from the outside. There was indeed a terrace.
Rosmerta bowed slightly and gestured:
"Welcome to the Three Broomsticks."
When he really sat here, Zhang Xiao realized that what Lady Augusta said was not an exaggeration. The view here is wide, the woodland in the distance, the waterwheel on the river, and the bustling crowds, forming a beautiful rural scenery.
"It's beautiful here, Zhang."
Everyone gathered around the old wooden table, on which were placed the butter beer and snacks that the proprietress had just brought.
Looking at Zhang Xiao looking at the surrounding environment comfortably, Lady Augusta asked with a smile.
"Yes, it's really beautiful here, but why is Lady Rosmerta unwilling to open this position?"
"Maybe it's because it's inconvenient to refill the cup and serve the meal? Too troublesome?" Neville whispered.
Zhang Xiao was stunned. He saw that Lady Augusta's smile was a little more, and he knew that Neville was right.
Yes, butter beer tastes good but not for long. It is smooth and can be finished quickly. If you chat here, you can have more than a dozen refills in an afternoon, plus snacks and the like.
Romestar has to run at least 15 times. Although there is magic, the magic ability of the proprietress is obviously inversely proportional to her beauty, otherwise she would not be easily controlled by Malfoy in the original book.
Soon, Zhang Xiao looked at Neville in amazement and was happy for him from the bottom of his heart:
"Neville, have you gotten rid of that state? Tell me quickly, what's different?"
Neville scratched his head embarrassedly:
"I can't tell, but the difference is huge. I always seemed to be drowsy before, as if I couldn't breathe, and there was a layer of glass in front of my eyes. Everything was slow to reach me, and-it hurt."
Frank and Alice's eyes were slightly red, and they breathed a sigh of relief and touched Neville's head.
"But it's different now. I feel everything is very clear, and it has come out of an invisible shell."
Neville's voice became cheerful.
"That's good, Neville, surprise everyone in school! Let them see a brand new you!" Zhang Xiao said with relief.
"Yeah!" Neville nodded heavily.
After confirming that Neville was in good condition, Zhang Xiao's interest immediately turned to Wudang:
"How is Wudang? I heard that you were accepted as a registered disciple by Master Zhou?"
Speaking of Wudang, Neville's smile became even brighter. A few months of life in the mountains left him with unforgettable memories.
"Great, Sifu and Brother Si are very kind to me, and they don't despise me for being stupid. They have been teaching me patiently."
"Oh? What skills have you learned? Do you know Tai Chi?"
"Yes!"
"What about swordsmanship?"
"Brother Si taught me some."
"Awesome!"
When the two teenagers talked, the adults didn't say anything, just smiled at them.
Finally, they were tired and clinked their glasses.
Alice embraced Neville and said softly in a tone of guilt and heartache:
"Zhang, Neville told us that the East spent a lot of effort for us--"
Well, the effort was indeed great, but Neville's case is very rare. The Taoist sect is like a top doctor seeing a rare disease unprecedented in the world. What effort is important? Can it be as important as my discovery of a new disease?
It is rare for the soul to be separated from the body for more than ten years, but the Taoist sect has seen it before, and even has seen it for decades. However, in this case, the soul happens to be lodged in a suitable object, such as an ancient mirror or other things with heavy yin and can nourish the soul.
It is unheard of for the soul to live in the human body for ten years.
So the Taoist sect was so happy that it almost sent out a hero invitation to call people to come and watch. Who would not like to leave their name in the Taoist sect's records?
Zhang Xiao said rather embarrassedly:
"No, no, actually, actually"
Frank said seriously: "Zhang, I know you may want to say that it is nothing to you, but from the perspective of me, Alice, and Neville, it is like giving our family a new life.
We must remember it."
Zhang Xiao wanted to say something, but Lady Augusta took over. The white-haired patriarch of the Longbottom family said seriously and gently:
"Zhang, even if you don't want anything in return, the Longbottom family will never forget the benefactor."
She pursed her lips and said slowly:
"Can you please extend your hand?"
Zhang Xiao doubtfully extended his right hand, and Lady Augusta suddenly extended her right hand, like an unbreakable oath, tightly grasping Zhang Xiao's arm.
Frank devoutly took out an ancient dagger, gently cut the back of his mother's hand, and blood slowly dripped.
A series of gorgeous and slender golden rays suddenly burst out from the connection point of the two arms.
This. What is this?
Lady Augusta said solemnly:
"I, Augusta Longbottom, swear in the name of the head of the Longbottom family to bind the Longbottom oath to the person who made it, and I swear to fulfill the promise of the Longbottom family."
Her words were not long, just a short sentence.
Zhang Xiao saw the golden light quickly interweaving and rotating, suddenly tightening, sinking into the skin, and then a thin, gold-like bracelet appeared on his wrist.
Lady Augusta's face was pale, but she still smiled.
She stood up, and not only that, Frank, Alice, and Neville also stood up.
“Zhang, this is an ancient oath passed down to the Longbottom family and has existed since the original founder of the family.
When your life is in danger, the Longbottom family will fulfill their ancient agreement and defend your safety with their lives.
It's called - Longbottom's Oath. "
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1. Monthly ticket 2. Recommended ticket
I originally wanted to re-enact the scene where "the Allen family must repay all kindnesses", emmm, forget it.