A Minute Apart, Two Hours Apart

The Transfiguration classroom, the middle to back row to the right of the podium.

"So, the most well-behaved Miss Granger was eating snacks in class and almost got caught?"

Loren smiled at Hermione, who was sitting next to him, and teased her with jokes. He knew the girl had already attended two classes, even though to him it felt like Hermione had only left his sight a minute ago.

Hermione didn't react much. She lay on her side on the desk, using her Transfiguration textbook and notebook as a pillow, her hands inside the desk, her face turned towards Loren.

Ancient Rune finished class, she arrived and successfully met with Loren.

"Yes," Hermione replied in a soft voice. Although she was looking at Loren, her pupils were relaxed, her eyes were vacant, and her gaze was unfocused.

Loren's smile faded, replaced by a hint of heartache.

They're exhausted.

The girl radiated visible fatigue; anyone would be exhausted from teaching three classes in a row without interruption and with complete focus. Others might have seized the opportunity to slack off, but Hermione wouldn't.

However, this kind of academic fatigue appearing in Hermione feels somewhat unfamiliar.

"Can't the Time-Turner turn back five hours at most? Why not have lunch and rest for a while before going back to your other classes?"

"Hmm..."

Hermione frowned slightly.

This is a problem that requires thinking, but she doesn't want to think about it right now; she just wants to lie still.

She thought for a moment and decided to explain it in simple words, "Unidirectional, simultaneous, dangerous."

The main points of her statement were largely omitted, yet Loren still understood her explanation:

The Time-Turner can only go back in time. If she goes back five hours, it means that there will be two Hermione existing at the same time for the next five hours, increasing the risk of the Time-Turner being exposed.

Loren wanted to persuade her further, but when he saw Hermione's exhausted expression, he couldn't say anything more.

Looking at the time, Loren patted her head. "There are still fifteen minutes before class starts, so take a good rest."

"Um."

A comforting warmth emanated from his palm, seemingly melting away some of the weariness in her mind. Hermione closed her eyes and cleared her mind.

After a while, noticing that he had withdrawn his hand, Hermione didn't open her eyes, but her beautiful eyebrows slowly furrowed between her brows. "No."

Loren was taken aback. "What do you mean you don't want it?"

"Hand."

Loren paused, then placed his hand back on her head and gently pressed it.

Hermione's eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she opened her eyes slightly, letting in scattered glimpses of light and shadow. Then she slowly closed them again.

Loren's hands had fair skin with clearly visible subcutaneous veins and distinct knuckles. They looked hard, but the pads of his fingers felt very soft. Stroking her hair and making intimate contact with her scalp brought a comfortable and reassuring feeling.

Hermione?

"Um."

"Let's drop two courses."

"No..." Hermione's voice had a slightly sticky, nasal tone, with a hint of coquetry. "I haven't taken Arithmancy yet. Professor Bubage and Professor Babbling's classes are very interesting, and I want to learn more about Divination."

Aren't you tired?

Sensing his fingers had stopped, Hermione twisted her neck and nuzzled him. "You won't get tired if you massage me a little longer—"

"..."

Loren sighed helplessly and continued to slowly rub her head.

In early autumn of September, Hogwarts was neither too hot nor too cold; you could sleep on your desk without worrying about catching a chill. The grass and paths outside the window were damp and fresh, and the clear blue sky shone through the glass, creating dappled patterns of light.

The young wizards whispered amongst themselves in their seats, discussing their elective courses and the fun they had during the summer vacation. Girls often glanced at the couple, their eyes subtly filled with envy.

The quiet and leisurely break time passed quickly, and Professor McGonagall began the first Transfiguration Class of the semester.

The third-grade curriculum included topics such as Human Transfiguration and Animagus. Professor McGonagall transformed into a tabby cat on stage, with traces of glasses around her eyes.

The young wizards' lukewarm response saddened Professor Cat.

"So, what's wrong with you all today?" Professor McGonagall suddenly transformed back to normal and said calmly, "Nothing much, it's just that my Transfiguration didn't win applause from the students for the first time."

Loren put down his quill, Hermione looked at the new handwriting that wasn't hers in her notebook, wondering if she should use the Time-Turner to memorize today's notes that night.

Loren said coldly, "Stop looking. This is a one-time thing. If you don't withdraw from the course, you'll have to take notes on your own from now on."

Hermione didn't respond, but said quietly with a smile in her eyes, "Professor McGonagall seems to care a lot, doesn't she?"

"..."

Harry, sitting in the front row, hesitated for a moment before raising his hand to answer McGonagall's question, "Professor, we just had our first Divination Class, interpreting tea leaves, and the result—"

"Ah, I see." Professor McGonagall frowned, looking at everyone. "I don't know how many of you chose Divination Class, but you should know that Sybil Trelawney Prophecy the death of one student every year since she came to this school. So far, none of them have died..."

"Divination is the least rigorous branch of magic, and to be honest, I don't have much patience for it. True prophets are few and far between, and Professor Trelawney— "

At this point, Professor McGonagall's expression became complicated. She paused, then continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "In my opinion, you are all in excellent health, and your families will also be safe and healthy, so I cannot suspend classes and cause you worry..."

After hearing Professor McGonagall's words, the young wizards who had been "cursed" in the Divination Class all breathed a sigh of relief.

Hermione's thoughts drifted away; Professor McGonagall seemed to have always disapproved of Professor Trelawney.

On the day he stayed at school for summer vacation, Professor Trelawney Prophecy that thirteen people would dine together, and Professor McGonagall also satirized Trelawney with a joke about the executioner.

Hermione didn't have a good impression of Trelawney at first, but after personally experiencing Professor Babbling's Prophecy, she became somewhat uncertain.

Let's take another look and learn more before making a decision.

Hermione thought to herself.

After lunch, in the Gryffindor Common Room.

On a sofa in the corner, Hermione put down her notebook, leaned back and sank into the soft foam, letting out a long sigh, "I'm not going to memorize anymore, I'll find time to memorize again tonight."

Her gaze shifted to Loren, who was scribbling and drawing beside her. She climbed over the sofa, peeked from behind his shoulder, and whispered, "Experimental design for the optimization of Wolfsbane Potion, what is this?"

"It's homework assigned by Professor Snape," Loren replied.

"Oh!" Hermione hummed, squeezed next to him, and said in a sweet, childlike voice, "Give me a massage."

"..."

Loren looked helpless. Hermione, exhausted, revealed her usually hidden vulnerability, just like when she had a cold and fever, and became unusually clingy.

Hermione took his hand and placed it on her head, feeling the slightly larger hand massaging her, and she squinted her eyes in enjoyment.

Loren slowly pressed the button. "Remember to store some food in the pendant next time."

"Knew."

"If you're tired, go to the Room of Requirement; no one will find you there."

"OK."

"..."

Soft hair flowed through her fingers like a river, and the afternoon seemed to stand still, becoming slow and quiet...

I think it's better to stay in the normal world, so I won't update at midnight.