Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Henry listened with great interest, chuckling when Ron joked about the twins and showing curiosity when he heard about Ford cars, which made Ron even more eager to talk.

He even started comparing the Burrow to Uncle Harry's house, and then comparing the differences between wizarding and Muggle life.

"Your family... I mean, with so many people in your family, it must be very lively, right?" Henry's tone was simply one of curiosity about another way of life, without any condescending judgment.

"It's too noisy!" Ron complained, but with a smile on his face. "There's never a quiet moment. Mum is always yelling, George and Fred are always causing trouble, and that old owl always falls headfirst into the food when he's delivering mail... But... well, it's not bad."

When Ron said this, his tone revealed a deep longing for home.

Henry nodded and smiled, saying, "It sounds heartwarming. Sometimes, liveliness is a treasure. Places like this, always full of life and warmth, are truly the most precious things in life."

This statement made Ron feel that this Slytherin might be able to understand the warmth amidst the chaos of the Burrow.

Henry spoke again: "So, at Hogwarts, what place makes you feel at home?"

The question, though asked casually, cleverly steered the conversation from the distant humble dwelling back to the castle before them.

Harry blurted out almost without thinking, "Hagrid's Hut!"

His eyes lit up at the mention of Hagrid: "Hagrid—he's the gamekeeper—it's always warm at his place, there's rock bread and tea, and he keeps lots of interesting animals… well, most of them are quite interesting."

He thought of Ya Ya, the big dog that always drooled.

"Hagrid?" Henry asked, continuing the conversation. "I remember him. He was the one who led us from the platform to the castle when we were first-year students."

Hermione's academic instincts led her to add the information as usual: "He is responsible for taking care of the edge of the Forbidden Forest and the school grounds, and also helps protect Professor Kettleburn, who teaches Magical Creatures. He is a very nice and very warm person."

"He's really nice to Harry," Ron interjected, "like he's known Harry since he was a kid. His hut is right on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, we go there often, though sometimes there are a few little mishaps."

"The edge of the Forbidden Forest?" Henry's voice was filled with curiosity. "You must be able to see a lot of magical creatures that you can't see in school, right? I've read 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' and I'm quite interested in that."

He was half telling the truth and half lying. He was genuinely interested, but bringing it up now was more about paving the way for the conversation to follow.

"Oh, Hagrid loves animals!" Harry started talking non-stop. "He has a big dog named Toothpick, though he's a little timid. He also knows a lot about the Forbidden Forest—centaur, unicorns, and lots and lots of other fascinating magical creatures."

Henry smiled gently. "He sounds like a very special and respectable person. Harry, you're so lucky to have such a family-like friend at Hogwarts."

These words struck a chord with Harry. Hagrid was indeed the first person he met in the wizarding world, and also one of his most steadfast sources of warmth.

Hearing this, Harry felt as if he had met Prince Henry much sooner.

He's a very simple-minded person; he's the kind of person who'll treat you the same way if you treat him well.

Perhaps because the atmosphere was so relaxed, Harry almost naturally extended the invitation: "Hmm... if you're interested, maybe we could go to Hagrid's place sometime? He loves meeting new people, and he'd be happy if someone was interested in his animals."

After saying that, Harry seemed to realize that he had invited a Slytherin to Hagrid's hut.

He looked at Hermione and Ron with a questioning look in his eyes.

Hermione seemed hesitant, quickly considering what Hagrid would think if she brought a Slytherin to him.

But Henry's politeness, the indirect favor of saving her, and the pure interest he was showing at that moment made it difficult for her to find a reason to refuse.

Moreover, she subconsciously felt that letting Hagrid come into contact with a different kind of Slytherin might not be a bad thing.

So she nodded slightly.

Ron's reaction was more direct; he frowned and his lips moved as if he wanted to object.

Take Malfoy, his arch-nemesis, to Hagrid's cabin, which they consider one of their bases?

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

He recalled Henry's attentive listening during their casual conversation, his appreciation for Henry's description of his family's chaotic and lively life, and then looked at Harry's expectant eyes and Hermione's tacit approval... He gave an awkward hum, which was not a direct objection, but added, "You have to promise not to criticize Hagrid... or his stuff."

Henry took in the three men's reactions and said gently, "That would be my pleasure, Harry. But there's no need for special arrangements, and please don't disturb Mr. Hagrid's work. If there's an opportunity in the future, when it's convenient for you all and Mr. Hagrid doesn't mind, I'd be happy to visit and hear stories about the Forbidden Forest and magical creatures—they'll certainly be much more vivid than what's written in books."

He did not immediately set a time or show any urgency, but instead returned the initiative entirely to Harry and his friends, expressing full respect for Hagrid's time and wishes.

This answer completely dispelled Hermione's last concerns and also made Ron's tense shoulders relax a little—at least this Slytherin knew his limits.

The conversation gradually shifted from Hagrid's cottage back to life at Hogwarts, and the tea party gradually progressed into its second half, with the initial awkwardness completely disappearing.

Hermione and Henry discussed a detail from the history of magic, with Henry quoting a rare passage from "Hogwarts: A History of the School," much to Hermione's surprise. Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were arguing about the models in the latest issue of "The Complete Book of Flying Brooms," with Ron insisting that Seven Sweepers were more cost-effective than Nimbus in some aspects, while Harry defended the performance of Nimbus.

During a lull in the argument, Ron secretly observed Henry.

He saw the focused look on Henry's face as he listened to Hermione, the genuine light in his eyes when he talked about Quidditch, and the sincere interest he showed in his family's ordinary, even humble, stories, instead of the disdainful mockery that Malfoy displayed.

This Slytherin... seems really different.

Ron's prejudice against Slytherin House had unknowingly begun to crack.

Of course, he would never admit that Slytherin was good—he would never forget Malfoy's face, but at least, this Prince Henry in front of him... well, perhaps he was an exception?

At least, he saved Hermione, albeit indirectly; he spoke reasonably well, was unpretentious, and his tea was decent, as were his snacks.

He also admitted that the last characteristic was a big plus.

Perhaps... Slytherins are bad, but Henry is different!

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