Ravenclaw's Blue Gem

"The pile of rags you bought is really worthy of your identity." Draco's tone unexpectedly did not bring much hostility. Although the words still contain the old ones, they are just stating this sentence. It didn't mean any provocation.Since he finally won Harry over Quidditch last year, his arrogant temperament has been much lessened.

"You're not much better, Malfoy." Ron said irritably. This is true. Draco also bought a lot of souvenirs. There are not much less items on him than Harry and the others, he said. The words are not convincing at all.

"You can count on your father to take a ride on Bagman's ride, Weasley. You must know that with your family's income, even if you want to get the most common ticket, it takes a lot of effort, isn't it, your blood? It’s like a goblin breeding." Harry took Ron's arm and warned, "Malfoy, if you are just here for trouble, we don’t mind fixing you."

Draco snorted faintly. The reason why he said the latter sentence was because he couldn't live up to his face."Sure enough, boys only rely on their fists to express each other's feelings." Zoe's attitude is rather flat, "Anyway, it's not too big or too small, how about just shaking hands and exposing it?" Let everyone present To everyone's surprise, she stretched out her hand first.

"Huh, huh?!" Harry felt that even if Siegel in front of him suddenly transformed into a Peppy (the Hogwarts ghost known for his love of doing bad things) and told him it was just a prank, it was more real than him. Realizing that Siegel is showing goodwill to him is more acceptable because Zoe’s hand is facing him, and her eyes are obviously looking at him,

He shook hands with Zoe in a daze, and even Draco couldn't figure out the situation. "Let us live together in peace in the future, Potter. Since we are lucky enough to be classmates, why not let the relationship be less tense? He looked at the sea-blue eyes, bright as if to confuse his mind, and he couldn't say "Isn't it all because you hate me" that he pressed against his throat.

"After all, you are the one chosen, Potter. Maybe you are born different." Harry was stunned by her words that were so subtle that only two people could hear them.He didn't understand why Siegel would say this to him, but it was definitely not casually said, "What do you know?" He asked urgently, but the other party did not answer him, but backed away.

"Shall we go, Draco? Mr. Lucius can't wait too." She walked back to where she had stood before and said to Draco.Draco responded blankly.

"Wait, wait!" Hermione finally couldn't help but speak, her heart beating so fast that her heart was about to burst, and there were bursts of tearing tingling, even her breathing would involve the invisible wound.Since the encounter, Zoe has never paid attention to her once, not to mention just keeping a distance, as if she did not exist at all, turning a blind eye to her existence.

Even Ron was not seen by Zoe, but Hermione didn't care who was ignored like her. All she cared about was that she became a "stranger" to Zoe, those who were just passing by. In the role, Zoe used her harshest attitude to tell Hermione what it means to "keep a distance".

Chapter Nineteen

Maybe everyone will think she is a very hypocritical person.But in fact, Hermione was able to treat Zoe so decisively and strictly, and to get rid of the cold words of "keep your distance", although it was mainly because she was also in confusion and doubt at the time, but in fact she did not even look at it. The reason for Qing lies in her cognition of the thing that she is liked.

Even for a girl like Hermione who is very clumsy and sophisticated except for her studies, she can still understand some spiritual things keenly. That day is not a learning experience, but is carved in the depths of the human soul. Instinct.Since realizing Zoe's kindness to herself, even if she resisted in every possible way, the little bit of warmth still unstoppably remembered in her mind over and over again.

Zoe Siegel's "special" is easy to distinguish, because she doesn't have many such people.There is a very obvious temperature difference between her attitude towards people close to her and ordinary people. People who are unfamiliar may think that it is just her introverted or restrained personality, but in fact she just doesn't want to spend time with them.She stubbornly stays in a small circle and pays in the way she thinks is good, which is usually clumsy, because her experience in this area is also overwhelmingly insufficient.

But when you really feel that she cares about you, you hold an extraordinary weight in her heart. She is willing to tolerate and always support you. Over time, it is easy for people to get lost, because the habit is always quiet. Sounds, once you take the efforts of others as a matter of course, you are not far from losing.

What even Hermione didn't notice was that she thought Zoe would catch up, and even if she hurt her, she would still clenched her teeth to keep up, because she would not lose it, so she was more confident.Hermione's summer vacation was not too comfortable, because too many chaotic thoughts needed her to sort out, but the reason why she was able to keep this original intention was also because she thought that Zoe would not give up on her.

"You, don't you guys go with us?" But even if he stopped Zoe, Hermione didn't know what to say, she just felt her ears buzzing, she met Zoe's sight, it was her I have never experienced...No, I have forgotten it a long time ago, the cold eyes, I am not interested in you, and the clear attitude is conveyed through the eyes.

"It's not necessary. I just want to say hello. Let's meet in the audience later." If Hermione is in a normal and calm state, she must be able to detect all the things wrapped in a harmless shell. The subtle violations, but she was already in chaos, and Zoe's unusually cold attitude was preconceived by her as the product of previous contradictions, so she could not see everything that followed.

She couldn't say a second sentence to keep Zoe, and watched the other party go further and further away, finally drowning her back in the crowd.A strong sense of emptiness and powerlessness all pressed on her heart.She remembered the hypothesis Ginny had said, yes, that's right.She can really imagine the scene, because just bring in everything that happened just now, it's a very complete scene.She felt that she was about to break even people into two pieces. She exhausted all her strength just to raise her hand. She would feel dizzy in front of her eyes like malnutrition. When she looked up, the world was gradually fading, even the noise around her. It seemed to disappear.

At this time, a certain voice from the depths of the heart came out silently: Look, it is true, and what you think is right.When the side effects really pass, everything is over.You have gotten her answer. What are you going to do in order not to hurt your heart, Hermione Granger?

Her extremely weak emotion was begging, hoping she could wait any longer, she had already recognized her heart, even if the object was a woman, even if it was just a bubble dream, how she wanted to completely indulge in it.If she said that the strong negative emotions and pure heartache that emerged after she faced this state of affairs could not be regarded as proof of love, then she would not understand how she felt to match this term.

You deserve it, Hermione Granger, she laughed at herself.But she breathed a sigh of relief, even if there was a faint tingling in the breath.

This is good, this is good.Instead of waiting for conflicts and regrets after everything is spread out, it is better not to let them get there from the beginning.If they are just friends, they can have a retreat, but once they become other existences, they may only have a future like parting ways.

"Hermione?" Harry looked over worriedly. "You look terrible. Let's go back soon." Ron looked in front of him bitterly, but his expression was also hesitant: "You don't think that The girl is really a bit... weird?" He was not sure whether his thoughts were correct or not, "I mean she would never post it so easily before. I think she has some conspiracy..."

"Ron." Hermione tried to flatten her tone. "Let’s go back now, right now, okay? I’m a bit too tired to walk. Mr. Weasley should have said that we should hurry. Going back, the game is about to start." She thought about staying in the tent like this, after all, as long as you go to the auditorium, you will definitely hit Zoe, and the atmosphere between them has become so strange.

No, I don't want to run away.Hermione gritted her teeth, and when the sadness gradually eased, anger and grievance surged.Of course she knew that the origin of everything was her rejection, but she just couldn't help but complain about that indifferent attitude.Even if she would run into a head-on collision, even if something like this happened, she would definitely be able to endure and remain calm.

*****

"You quarreled." Draco said affirmatively. "She is a very good catalyst." Zoe just said something he didn't understand, but didn't intend to explain it at all.

They went back to the tent, and Lucius was chatting with Cornelius Fudge. Seeing them back, Fudge greeted them warmly and shook hands. “Lucius always supports the work of the ministry. It’s really amazing. Good, good." He put on the bowler hat on the table, "The Ministry of Magic always safeguards our rights and interests, and the projects that support it have always been the responsibility of our ancient families."

"You are too modest, Lucius." Fudge laughed. "I never saw anyone as generous as you. You are a truly noble gentleman. Thank you again for those donations to charity." Lu Seuss dealt with him ably, seeing the two return, "We should go now, Mr. Minister will also go with us."

"Is it good at school?" They walked along the crowd to the playing field, and gradually left the clearing and walked through the small woods.Fudge, unintentionally or deliberately, walked with Zoe: "It's pretty good, Mr. Minister. What I should say is to thank the Ministry for forgiving me and thank you, sir."

"Haha, I have become very talkative." Fudge looked very happy, "We were just taking precautions at the beginning. If you can understand our painstaking efforts, then all of what we have done is not in vain." Yi smiled lightly, but didn't take Fudge's words seriously, like him, a sophisticated and sleek politician, although he seems to be chatting with you, but as long as there is a need, he will leave you without hesitation. , Throw you into the fire pit.

"I heard that Mr. Barty Crouch is now working in the Department of International Magic Exchange and Cooperation." Fudge heard her say this, and quickly said: "Yes, he did a great job there, Barty always He is enthusiastic about his work, he handles everything in an orderly manner, and he can speak many foreign languages, which gives him a unique advantage." He smiled broadly, as if he defeated Crouch to become minister in the last election for Minister of Magic. And it was a completely different person who drove him from the Magic Law Department to the International Magic Exchange and Cooperation Department.

"Why do you care about Batty all of a sudden?" Fudge asked with a smile. "I have received a lot of care from him before. Although I don't need to go to the ministry to report much now, I often see Mr. Crouch's picture in the past. A meticulous face." Fudge chuckled and declined to comment on what Zoe said.He certainly knew what Zoe meant by "care". As a hardliner Barty Crouch, he used the harshness of treating the dark wizard as a personality to win support for himself. In those years when the war was stuck. , And at the beginning of the reconstruction of the order just after the war, he was indeed prestigious. He treated the dark wizards cruelly and advocated the use of violence to attack violence. He passed the law that Auror can kill each other without asking why when facing Death Eaters. Clause, bringing anyone suspected of Death Eaters to the trial bench and suggesting that they can be sentenced immediately without trial. This is how Sirius was arrested into Azkaban, even though he did not resist at all.

As the child of the Dark Lord, Zoe had to undergo numerous strict audits and trials since she was a child. Crouch always clamored to throw her into Azkaban.If it were not for the strong opposition of some officials, coupled with the repeated protests of Dumbledore and his supporters, Azkaban's prison record would probably be greatly refreshed.

She would ask about Batty, probably just to vent all past grievances by watching Batty's bad luck, Fudge relieved.We must know that there are too many people who hate Crouch. This man was able to throw his own son into Azkaban for the sake of official career, and eventually lost everything because of this stain and became alone.

Gradually, the cheers became closer, and a round stadium-like field appeared in front of them.This is the World Cup final venue that can accommodate 100,000 people. Muggles will not be attracted to it, because the surrounding area has been spelled to expel Muggles.

Whenever a Muggle approached this neighborhood, they would be forced to remember the urgent things they had not done, prompting them to stay away from here, away from the base camp where the wizards gathered.

Chapter 20 The Fairy Sparkle

"Look, the best seat!" They followed the steps pointed by Fudge up the crowd, and the more they went up, the number of people became fewer and fewer, and in the end there were only five of them left.Zoe noticed that the best location was at the top of the oval stadium. A small private room was opened with only two rows of chairs, which looked luxurious.

The problem is that there are already a group of people sitting in the first row. Lucius collapsed when he saw the familiar color, but he had to pay attention to Fudge’s attitude, and he didn’t interact with Arthur Weiss. Lay spoke, right when he was just airy, their seats were in the second row, just behind the Weasleys.

"I still need to pick up the people from the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic...Ah, haha, they have arrived." Fudge greeted him, and up the stairs were a few very well-dressed wizards, they were wearing black velvet robes with gold edges. , From time to time talk in foreign languages ​​that others do not understand.

"These British people are very good at creating an atmosphere, I have to say that this is indeed a grand event. It seems that we can announce this year's Quidditch World Cup champion under the watchful eyes of 100,000 spectators." Zoe happened to understand that. Bulgarian, the Bulgarian ministers have a high spirits. It is no wonder that they have found a talented seeker this year.

Fudge smiled and shook hands with him, and the people who led them took their positions in order.It’s no different from other wizards. These Bulgarian wizards saw Harry, mainly seeing the scar exposed from his forehead, and pointed to his face and whispered, "Boys who survived the catastrophe, you Look at the scar on his forehead..."

"Mr. Obalonsk, this is Harry, Harry Potter, I think you should have heard of it too." Fudge introduced like Harry’s guardian naturally, "Alas, I’m now Was wondering where did Batty go? I saw his elf but not his people."

There are two seats on the right side of Zoe. A small, wrinkled house elf covered his eyes and shrank into the chair that was somewhat huge for him. Its feet could not even reach the ground. Hanging with its feet like a baby, it wraps around a large tea towel that is similar to other house elves, draping it as clothing.

"What's the matter with you?" As the president of the officially established SPEW, Hermione saw the house elf at first sight. She ignored Zoe on one side, as if she didn't exist at all. It's okay, miss. Shining is just a little, a little afraid of heights, she doesn't dare to put her hands down, because as long as she puts her hands down, Shining feels like she is about to fall, and she falls straight down and becomes a pool of meat sauce. The voice was different from Crocker's high-pitched but calm voice that Hermione had heard in the past. The pitch was higher and sharper, and more hysterical. Hermione heard an abnormality from its sentence, "You said you have a fear of heights? This is the top level!"

"There is no way, miss. The master of Shining needs me to help him check his position. This is the command of the master. Shining should not disobey the command of the master, because this is my duty!" But even though it said so, This house-elf who sounds like a female (they are not easy to distinguish gender from the outside), but as long as they peek through their fingers and peep outside the box, they tremble with fear.

"What?" Hermione asked incredulously. "Doesn't your master know that you have a fear of heights?"

"Of course he knows, miss." Shining cried, "but the elf shouldn't defy the master's order. The master trusts Shining to give this task to Shining, even if I want to faint now, or hide directly. Go up to the ground." Its attitude looked confused, "Listening to Mr. Fudge's tone just now, are you Mr. Crouch's house elf?" At this moment, Zoe, who had been watching silently by the side, suddenly interrupted.

She and Hermione are like two inhabitants of another world who cannot confirm each other's existence, but compared to Hermione who is obviously angry, Zoe's attitude is extremely natural."Yes, this young lady..." After Ke Ying saw Zoe's face, the two big eyeballs wrapped under her loose eyelids were about to stand out: "You, you, you, you are Siegel! Yi Siegel!"

"It's really interesting." Zoe looked at it. "I'm not like that gentleman—" She casually pointed to Harry who was sitting on the side. "There are obvious characteristics. You can be so sure. It must be before. Have you seen my photos or portraits? You are Mr. Crouch’s elf. I was curious about how Mr. Crouch thinks about me. It’s really clear at a glance."

But this docile elf before suddenly kept silent. When it confirmed that the person in front of it was one of the catalysts that his master often complained about and caused him to lose everything, Shining felt that she was the elf of the Crouch family. , Both likes and dislikes should move closer to the owner.It heard Mr. Crouch muttering complaints countless times. Since he was relegated to the International Magic Exchange and Cooperation Department, no matter how hard he worked, it would be nothing more than nothing. He couldn't go further.

The cause was also the trial of Zoe Siegel. To be precise, after he threw his son into Azkaban, Barty Crouch Jr. was alone in less than a year. He died in Azkaban, and soon his wife became depressed and went with her child.This incident was nothing at all, but when Crouch clamored about Siegel’s crimes in another trial, he hoped that even if he was not thrown into jail immediately, he must be under strict supervision, not ruled out of constant surveillance, and strongly demanded to deprive Deng. The guardianship that Blido won was decided by the Ministry of Magic.

Dumbledore also has his own supporters. Many adult wizards do not agree to be so harsh on a child based on ethics and conscience.In the heated debate, one of them, in order to attack Crouch, pulled out the old account of his wife and children.Why does a child from an excellent family, with excellent grades and no bad behaviors and thoughts in the past, end up becoming a heinous Death Eater who enjoys the suffering of others?

Little Batty was arrested for attacking the wizards of the Ministry of Magic and forcing them to tell the story of the Dark Lord. He was thrown into Azkaban along with some of his accomplices, and the situation was not completely settled down at the time. , Crouch's righteous extermination of relatives is very popular, and everyone praises his fairness and justice.

But now people no longer need to be scared for a long time.In other words, the same facts have become the "iron proof" that Crouch ignored his family, insisted on fighting for power, and killed his wife and children."You witnesses, I have never seen such a cruel and ruthless person. He threw his son into prison and watched his wife pass away with cold eyes, but he still focused on his career. In the past, he stepped on the bones of his son Batty Jr., now he wants to pass again. Persecuting an innocent child to prove his "just and unselfish" image!" The wizard who said this won a lot of support and applause. At the time of the election for the Minister of Magic, the contradictions became more confrontational and acute.

Even people who support Crouch can't justify him casually.More people began to think about whether it is really appropriate for such a person to become Minister of Magic. Even though he is talented and ambitious, many people believe that he will not be tolerant and he is not kind.In the end, Cornelius Fudge defeated every rival and was elected Minister of Magic.

When Fudge gained power, he immediately transferred the old opponent to the International Magic Exchange and Cooperation Department. Crouch became silent. He was originally a silent man, but such a blow made him almost depressed, even if he His rigorous and self-control personality urged him not to be complacent, but at home, it seemed that he had not complained.

"You're a bad guy!" Shining screamed, staring at Zoe hostilely. "The master told Shining that she must stay away from you bad wizards!" Zoe said with a smile, but her eyes drifted to the last one to her right. That seat, "Yeah, I'm a bad person, if that makes you feel good." Hermione had to interject: "What are you talking about? It's just confused by the extreme personal feelings of its owner. It even I haven't seen you!"