"I swear, if you ever do something this dangerous again—"
Hermione's words were cut off by an embrace.
Sean hugged Hermione, who had been furious from anxiety, worry, and relief. She went limp like a deflated balloon.
"It's good that you came back... Professor McGonagall said that because you disregarded your own safety, she was deducting fifty points from Ravenclaw. But because of your courage, she was adding sixty points back." Hermione pressed her forehead against his shoulder and spoke in a muffled voice.
Sean laughed. "Didn't Professor McGonagall give you all any points?"
Hermione raised her head. The furrow between her brows finally eased into a smile. "She did... Though all the House point hourglasses were smashed..."
At the mention of that, the atmosphere, which had only just lightened, grew heavy again.
Sean pinched the bridge of his nose. Even he had not expected the Returners' offensive to be so ferocious during their absence. However, that also proved from another angle that Herpo had sensed something and was growing impatient.
He snapped his fingers, and the wooden door to the Room of Requirement opened. "Nothing unusual happened with Avalon's lake water, right?"
Hermione nodded. "Stephanie has been watching it. From the time we returned until it was moved inside, no one else touched it."
"Mm, I'll go take a look."
"Okay. I'm going to see Professor McGonagall. Hogwarts is in a rather terrible situation right now, and I want to help ease some of her burden." Hermione did not follow him, instead heading in another direction.
Sean smiled. "Planning to become Hogwarts' headmistress someday?"
Hermione shot him an irritated glare. "No interest!"
After Hermione left, Sean pushed open the wooden door and walked inside.
Stephanie was already waiting there. Three enormous crystal bottles stood in the center, while the