《Harry Potter: My Life as Hermione》Chapter 33: The Photograph in the Letter

"Emotional control means staying calm when the unexpected happens. Since the Acromantula incident, have you found it harder to keep your cool?"

Professor Swenton's voice was gentle but probing as he and Qin Yu sat together in the Defense Against the Dark Arts office after their meditation session—a little nighttime "talk therapy," as it were.

Qin Yu considered this for a moment and nodded. "That's true. Like last time in flying class, when I fought Jerome, I went a bit overboard. Later, I got so annoyed by all the noise that I cast Levitation Charms on everything people were holding. There was even one time I nearly poured acid on Professor Snape's robes—thank Merlin I snapped out of it in time. Thinking back, it still gives me chills..."

"Yes, you should be grateful you regained your senses when you did," Professor Swenton said, clearly relieved.

"But ever since I started practicing meditation with you, my temper's gotten a lot better. When something bothers me, I can usually keep my anger in check. For example, today a couple of Slytherin boys were picking on a Ravenclaw girl, and all I did was shout at them. I didn't lay a finger on anyone," Qin Yu added.

Or maybe they were just scared of you and backed down before things got ugly? Professor Swenton almost said—but wisely kept the thought to himself. Best to encourage positive progress, not poke at the boy's flaws.

"Exactly so. That's an excellent sign," Swenton nodded approvingly.

It was late by now. After a little more conversation, Professor Swenton sent Qin Yu off to rest.

"What time is training tomorrow?" Qin Yu asked as he reached the door.

"Let's see... Ten o'clock in the morning—I'd like to sleep in a bit. Come find me here, and I'll have a new exercise for you. I promise, it won't be as dry as just sitting and meditating," Swenton replied, leaving a hint of mystery.

"Alright, Professor Swenton. Good night!" Qin Yu waved as he left.

Professor Swenton remained at his desk, gazing absently out into the night—not meditating, just... drifting.

…

Qin Yu made his way from the main castle toward Gryffindor Tower, reaching the eighth floor quickly. After giving the password to the Fat Lady, he slipped through the portrait hole into the common room.

He followed his usual routine: washed up, changed into pajamas, and climbed into bed.

But sleep didn't come right away. Instead, Qin Yu began to review the meditation techniques Professor Swenton had taught him. The professor had said he could practice anytime, and that strengthening his mind would only make him a better wizard.

He wasn't tired anyway, so why not?

He closed his eyes and settled in, following Swenton's guidance.

The room was anything but quiet. Jimmy and Wilson were chatting, grumbling about how first-years couldn't visit Hogsmeade like the older students. Bork was fiddling with some musical gadget, and Elvis was reading, pages rustling now and then.

All those sounds, plus the occasional flash of a certain girl's face in his mind and a jumble of half-formed thoughts, made it hard to settle at first.

"Don't force yourself to listen, or not listen... don't force yourself to move, or not move..."

Swenton's words echoed in his mind, guiding him into that elusive state.

Gradually, the noise faded into the background—just a distant hum that couldn't stir his thoughts. The chaos in his mind quieted, passing through without leaving a mark.

He slipped into meditation, his spirit quietly resting and growing stronger.

…

The next morning, bright and early—Hagrid's hut.

"Wow, what a lovely little girl! She looks like she's grown since I last saw her!" Hagrid exclaimed, holding a photograph delicately between his massive fingers.

"Let me see!"

"Yeah, let us see!" chimed in George and Fred Weasley, both standing on tiptoe, trying to snatch a peek.

Qin Yu nudged the twins aside and took the photo from Hagrid.

"Why so stingy? I barely even saw her face!" George protested.

"Yeah, how are we supposed to help her when she comes to Hogwarts if we can't remember what she looks like?" Fred added.

"You two don't need to help—I'll look after her myself," Qin Yu replied, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

He turned back to Hagrid. "She asked me to thank you especially in her letter. She said the book you gave her was brilliant—really helpful."

"Ha! Such a polite little girl. Tell her she's very welcome—it's my honor she liked it," Hagrid beamed.

The photo, of course, was of Hermione.

In the picture, Hermione stood smiling in front of the Granger house, back straight, holding the wide-eyed owl Trigger in her arms.

It was the photo Qin Yu had found tucked inside the letter he'd received that morning.

Just as he'd said, Hermione had asked him to pass on her thanks to Hagrid for the rare, collector's edition book by Newt Scamander. She was absolutely delighted with it, had learned a great deal, and was now dreaming of owning a Bowtruckle—or perhaps a Niffler or Demiguise would do.

Ignoring the twins' disappointed looks, Qin Yu slipped the photo back into the envelope and stored it carefully away.

"Alright—down to business."

He hadn't come to Hagrid's hut at dawn just to deliver a thank-you message. There was another matter to discuss: business—with Hagrid and the Weasley twins.

Well, as much as you could call it business.

"We heard from Hagrid you're planning to use the school's name to sell things?" Fred started.

"Fred, mind your words! 'Use the school's name'? We have official approval from the school!" Qin Yu rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, and we're giving the school a cut of the profits. Perfectly above board!" Fred added quickly, face all innocence.

"Exactly, we're using the Hogwarts name in a totally legitimate way!" George agreed.

"Now, let's talk pricing…" Qin Yu brought up the main topic.

So, under Hagrid's watchful gaze, the three of them began discussing the price for the Venom they planned to sell.

In the end, they agreed to bump up the original price by about 20%: Grade A, B, and C would be 180, 150, and 120 Galleons per pint, respectively.

With the Hogwarts brand and Professor Snape's reputation, those prices were a bargain.

As for Hagrid's solemn suggestion that 250 was an unlucky number in the East, Qin Yu just shrugged—he didn't care.

Hagrid looked puzzled for a long time, unable to understand why Qin Yu no longer minded such things.

"Next, we'll slap the Hogwarts crest on every bottle, and label each one: 'Grade personally assessed by Professor Snape!'" Qin Yu added.

George and Fred both nodded, their faces full of admiration for Qin Yu's—well, let's call it bold marketing genius.

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