"Albert!"
A startled voice rang through the room along with the creak of the door opening. Hermione stood at the entrance to the Room of Requirement, holding a book in both hands as she stared at the figure on the sofa, her mouth slightly open.
"What is it?"
Albert turned to Hermione and asked in confusion.
"Nothing. I was just... surprised you're still at school?" Hermione walked into the Room of Requirement with her book, Crookshanks padding along at her feet.
"Everyone knows?"
Albert set down The Quibbler and turned to ask.
"Yeah. Some people suspect you secretly left the school, while others think you've been hiding in the Room of Requirement. After all, you always vanish as soon as the weekend starts." Hermione placed the stack of books in her arms onto the table, reached out to stroke Tom's head, then sat opposite Albert. "There are too many people in the library. I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No."
Albert waved his wand and conjured a cup of milk tea for Hermione out of thin air.
"Thanks." Hermione tore her gaze from the cup, blinked her curious eyes, and asked, "Do you often sneak out to have fun?"
"The school curriculum is more or less finished." Albert smiled and changed the subject. "I'm just waiting to graduate now, while making use of the school library."
Hermione could actually guess what Albert sneaked out to do, so she did not press the matter. That would only make things awkward.
Her gaze fell on The Quibbler on the table. The magazine had become very popular lately, almost as famous as Defense Express at Hogwarts. Some people also said they had moved the content from Defense Express to The Quibbler, successfully evading the Ministry of Magic's ban.
"Rita Skeeter has changed quite