Hermione had risen early and was leafing through her notes on the Common Room sofa, utterly focused. Her lips moved as she silently recited the contents.
After revising her second year Charms notes, she continued flipping forward. Her gaze suddenly stopped, and she unconsciously clasped the pendant around her neck, her expression softening.
These were notes on the Patronus Charm.
The quill ink had given way to the oily sheen of ballpoint pen, the handwriting neat and rigid. Looking at it now, it seemed somewhat immature. At some point, she had also gotten used to writing in cursive. Though it was still clear and tidy, it had changed enormously compared to a few years ago.
In the section recording the casting posture, there were even a few abstract stick figures.
Thinking back to that summer, Hermione remembered that when they had first begun practicing the Patronus Charm, Loren had been slacking off beside her. Now that she thought about it, five years had already passed, and they had long since mastered the Patronus Charm.
It was just that they had not summoned them in a very long time.
An Orca and a Dolphin. They said the Patronus Charm was closely tied to the soul and emotions. Had their corporeal Patronuses been influenced by each other?
Which of them had influenced the other?
Hermione pondered quietly.
Footsteps sounded from the solid wooden staircase beside her.
Hermione looked up.
It was still early. Most Gryffindor House students were not in the habit of rising early, and the Common Room was quiet and empty at the moment. The staircase was made of solid wood and covered in soft carpeting, and special magic had been used during its construction. Under normal circumstances, footsteps would not be particularly audible. Yet Loren deliberately stomped his feet,