Warm sunlight, like that of early spring, bathed this peaceful place.
Every member of the exchange group found the dormitory with their name nailed to the door and went inside to inspect where they would be living today.
Hagrid returned soon after.
"He's asleep—"
Hagrid told Hermione happily,
"Professor Breen is such a good man. The tree hollow he prepared for Grawp is spacious and comfortable, and Grawp had a good meal tonight, so he fell asleep right away."
Hermione pressed her lips together. She had watched Grawp shovel every edible thing from their long table into his mouth.
"What exactly is going on, Hagrid—"
Hermione demanded fiercely,
"How did you suddenly get a younger brother we never knew about?!"
"Ah, that—"
Hagrid guiltily ducked his head,
"It's a long story."
Hermione crossed her arms and eyed Hagrid sideways.
"That's fine. I happen to have time."
Hagrid was just about to begin when the exchange group members gradually returned after looking over their dormitories. Seeing this, Hagrid closed his mouth.
Hermione hurried forward, her gaze sweeping over them. She drew a breath and smiled at them with a touch of nervousness.
"Um, you already know that I'm Hermione Granger, but I don't know what to call you?"
"I'm Loya—"
The lively-eyed little girl Professor Lahansen had brought studied Hermione curiously.
"Loya Nelly."
After that, the other young Druids introduced themselves to Hermione one by one.
Then came the goblins. Their solemn, unsmiling faces made Hermione somewhat nervous.
"There are no problems with the accommodations—"
A yellow-green-skinned goblin named Taiwen inclined his body toward Hermione and asked respectfully,
"Miss Granger, when will we be able to receive our wands—"
"Oh, the wands—"
Hermione said quickly,
"Yes, that's right. Professor Breen has prepared wands for you, but, um... you'll only be permitted