Conversation

Professor Quirrell? Sean frowned.

In the middle of the night, those two had happened to meet in the bathroom?

And why did this feel strangely familiar... Sean held his breath and edged closer.

Professor Kettleburn's voice was slightly hoarse. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

Quirrell's voice was as usual, though there was a hint of malice in it. "Silvanus, you've been at Hogwarts for so long. Don't tell me you don't even understand such basic rules?"

"I... I... I don't understand what you mean." Professor Kettleburn's voice sounded like an old broken bellows as he wheezed heavily.

"Someone who's been put on probation so many times should have figured out all the rules by now, shouldn't they? Or..." Quirrell's voice suddenly turned vicious. "Did you do it on purpose?!"

"No, it was just an accident. I would never do such a thing, Quirinus." There was a pleading note in Professor Kettleburn's voice.

"Of course, that's what I hope... Silvanus, you're still very useful. I only came to remind you not to cross the line, after all..."

Quirrell's voice became fanatical and hysterical. "Hogwarts still needs you and me to protect it..."

"Quirinus, you have to believe me..." Professor Kettleburn's voice grew quieter and quieter until Sean could no longer hear their conversation.

Without lingering any longer, Sean carefully left the scene.

He hurried back to Ravenclaw Tower, his brow tightly furrowed.

Quirrell was threatening Professor Kettleburn? Did he believe the disturbance in the Forbidden Forest had been caused by the Care of Magical Creatures professor?

But Professor Kettleburn was usually a rough-tempered and careless teacher. The upperclassmen who knew him all understood that he was a straightforward wizard.

And besides, what leverage could Quirrell possibly have over a fierce man who raised Occamies at school and cast Engorgement Charms on Ashwinders, enough to make him lower himself like this?

Quirrell was even stranger. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was usually obedient and unremarkable, even somewhat dull and boring. But just now, he had seemed like an entirely different person.

Too strange...

The name Voldemort had never even appeared in the Wizarding World. Without that Mysterious Person whose name could not be spoken, Quirrell should not have been possessed.

Nor did he wear anything like a turban, and he acted perfectly normal in everyday life.

"Protect Hogwarts..." Quirrell's final words gave Sean goosebumps. The man had sounded like some kind of fanatical believer.

With his mind full of questions, Sean answered a question and returned to the Ravenclaw Common Room.

It was already the middle of the night, but Sean was surprised to find a small figure sitting in one of the velvet armchairs.

It was Hermione.

She had curled her legs up on the chair, with a blanket draped over her and a thick book laid out in front of her.

The girl yawned, then continued reading.

"Hermione?" Sean called softly.

Hermione turned her head somewhat dazedly. After staring blankly for a moment, she broke into a smile.

"Sean, you're back!"

Sean walked over to her, smiling as he spoke gently. "Were you waiting for me to come back?"

The girl's delicate face reddened. She snapped her book shut, stretched out her neck, and declared loudly, "Of course not. I was just curious about the various effects of a spell and got absorbed in reading, that's all."

"Oh," Sean said with a smile. "I see. I was presumptuous. Sorry."

His usual elegant, handsome smile suddenly became irritating in Hermione's eyes. She glared at Sean before putting on a casual expression. "Is your detention over?"

Sean nodded with a smile. "I got lucky. Barely escaped with my life."

Hermione looked him over from head to toe. Seeing that he was only smeared with a little mud, she finally huffed. "You deserved it! That's what happens when you break school rules. Let's see if you dare do it again."

That's what happens when you break school rules and get caught... Sean slightly revised her sentence in his mind, then nodded obediently.

"I won't do it again. Sorry for making you worry."

Hermione muttered, "That's more like it," and moved to stand up.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she staggered toward the floor.

"Ah!" As Hermione cried out, Sean swiftly caught her in his arms.

He helped the flushed girl back into the chair, then immediately released her as if nothing had happened and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"

Hermione nervously shook her head. "I'm fine..."

"That's good." Sean smiled again. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."

"Mm..." The girl nodded.

Sean headed toward the dormitory, but after taking two steps, he turned back in confusion.

Hermione was still sitting in the chair.

"What's wrong? Did you twist your ankle?" He quickly walked back.

Hermione lowered her head. After a long while, she finally forced out, "C-can you pull me up?"

"Huh?"

Her voice carried an embarrassed, tearful whine. "M-my legs are numb..."

As Sean lay in bed, a smile still lingered on his face. In the end, he had pulled Hermione back and kept her company in the Common Room for a while.

Whenever he recalled the sight of the girl lowering her head and running back to her dormitory after recovering, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

That proud, stubborn little girl was actually pretty cute.

The next day, when Sean woke up, he had already missed breakfast. The other students in the dormitory had long since gone out; on a rare day off, they naturally had to relax properly.

Sean stretched lazily. He had spent quite a bit of energy last night and returned late. He had even lain in bed thinking about Hermione and Quirrell for a while (why did that sound so strange?), which was why he had slept until now.

After spacing out in bed for a while, Sean quickly changed clothes and washed up.

When he arrived at the Common Room, Hermione had her books in her arms again.

"Morning, Hermione," he greeted her with a smile.

"Morning..." Hermione had probably remembered what happened last night, and her face reddened again.

However, she quickly returned to normal and pushed a plate toward him.

"I didn't see you, so I saved some breakfast for you. Just make do with it."

"That's wonderful. This is hardly something to make do with—I should savor it properly."

Watching him eat with elegant manners but astonishing speed, Hermione's lips secretly curved upward.

Full and satisfied, Sean let out a contented sigh before getting to his feet.

"Where are you going? The library?" Hermione asked.

Sean had been about to make up an excuse, but when he saw her clear eyes, he gave up on the idea.

"Hermione, let me show you a treasure..." He raised an eyebrow.

The recommendation rank went up—so happy~

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