Pabbie Substitute Teaching

"I—how would I know why she suddenly asked me that!" Ron was getting exasperated. "Besides, you were the one who refused to study with me first. You said Professor McGonagall's tutoring opportunities were rare!"

"That's because I want to get an outstanding grade on the NEWTs exam! And I told you the time!" Hermione's voice trembled, sounding incredibly aggrieved. "That's completely different from you agreeing to spend the night alone with another girl! Ron, have you even considered my feelings?"

Harry roughly understood; this shouldn't be old vinegar, but brand new vinegar from the factory.

Hermione's logic was clear: Parvati's timing in asking for advice was too subtle, and Ron's agreement was too readily made, especially with that suspicious smile, making him look like some kind of pervert.

The sensitive situation of tutoring her alone made Hermione feel that her boundaries and feelings had been violated.

Ron's logic was probably: his buddy is good at something + his classmate asked for help + his girlfriend just happened to be busy = it's just helping out, no big deal, and he even showed off a little.

A typical conflict arising from differences in thinking.

Harry rubbed his temples, feeling that being a peacemaker for the young couple was truly the most exhausting thing in the world.

And it might not even be to their liking.

But there's no way around it; they're good brothers and sisters after all, so I have to play peacemaker.

"So,"

Harry spoke slowly, picked up a cup of black tea that had suddenly appeared on the table, and took a sip. This familiar action temporarily drew the attention of both of them to him.

It must be said that the House Elf of Hogwarts are quite capable. Of course, it's not that the House Elf of Hogwarts are doing the work, but rather that Garnett, the House Elf lurking in Hogwarts, is very perceptive.

"Just because of an invitation to an after-school tutoring session, you two are gazing at each other so affectionately, wasting precious study time together?"

Ron muttered, "It's not a waste, she's making a mountain out of a molehill."

Hermione straightened her back and retorted, "He's the one blurring the lines!"

"All right,"

Harry put down his teacup, a hint of helpless amusement in his eyes, and decided to once again resort to his somewhat unreliable but perhaps effective method of comparison.

"Let me try to translate this. Hermione, you think Ron should be more aware that 'tutoring someone of the opposite sex alone' might make you uncomfortable, especially without your permission. He should prioritize your feelings, or at least discuss it with you first, instead of just happily agreeing on his own, right?"

Hermione pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but her eyes said it all.

Isn't this the most basic thing?

"Ron," Harry turned to his best friend, looking at his "I did nothing wrong, I'm right" expression, "You think it's normal to help a classmate, especially in your area of expertise, and Hermione had her own things to do. You don't think you did anything wrong; on the contrary, you think Hermione is a bit—well, overreacting, and might even be limiting your normal social interactions, right?"

Ron opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but in the end he just gave a muffled "humph".

"Look," Harry shrugged, "The problem lies in your perceptions. Hermione's radar is more sophisticated, with a lower threshold for potential threats and emotional respect. Ron, your radar—maybe sometimes has a bad signal."

At this point, Harry pointed to his temple and circled it twice with his finger.

A classic "mentally challenged" gesture, generally used to describe someone who isn't very bright.

Ron muttered, "My radar is fine—"

Hermione glared at him.

"Okay," Harry decided to offer some specific advice based on his observations, "Ron, next time a similar situation arises—especially if it involves being alone with someone of the opposite sex, and Hermione might be concerned—try saying first that you might need to ask Hermione if she has any plans, or that we can find a time when everyone is free to discuss it together. This isn't about being afraid of your girlfriend; it's about respect and care. And—"

He added, in a teasing tone, "It usually makes you seem more mature and reliable, rather than impulsive and reckless."

Ron seemed lost in thought, and the blush on his face faded slightly.

"Hermione," Harry turned to her again, his tone softening, "I know you care, and you think some principles are important. But sometimes, expressing your feelings and concerns directly is more effective than making definitive accusations like 'you don't care about me' or 'you're blurring boundaries.' For example, Ron, your promise to tutor Parvati alone tonight makes me a little uneasy because we could have coordinated the time, or I wish you had told me beforehand." Give him a clear instruction, rather than making him guess.

"You know, my good buddy's brain sometimes can't keep up with the processing speed of these kinds of signals."

Harry couldn't help but laugh as he said this.

The area of male psychology----

Hermione's tense expression relaxed slightly. She looked at Harry, then at Ron, who was still processing the advice, and sighed softly.

"I just don't want any unnecessary misunderstandings between us, or for others to have any inappropriate thoughts."

"I understand," Harry nodded, "so communication is key. And, really,"

He shrugged, a self-deprecating expression on his face. "Your problems are nothing compared to the problems I've faced. You can't even imagine how difficult it is to strike a balance between Cassandra and Veratia— it's harder than climbing to heaven."

Ron couldn't help but burst out laughing this time, though he quickly covered his mouth.

Hermione's face finally relaxed, revealing a helpless yet amused expression.

Harry's overly complex emotional world does indeed always provide them with a peculiar, overwhelming sense of comfort.

"The House Elf in the Kitchen said he tried a new recipe today, something like—chocolate raspberry pudding?" Harry offered the tempting treat at the perfect moment. "He added some Fizzing Whizzbees, which is said to sweeten the mood and sharpen the mind. It should be great for anyone who needs to study or clear their head."

Ron's stomach growled at just the right moment, and he immediately raised his hand. "I want to go!"

Hermione closed the book and put the Quill back into the inkwell. Although her tone was still somewhat deliberately serious, she was clearly no longer angry with Ron.

"Since someone promised to change, and considering that studying does require sugar—well. But," she looked at Ron, her eyes serious, "about tomorrow night—"

"I'll go tell Parvati in a bit that the timing might be inconvenient, or suggest she discuss it with Hermione? Your understanding of the Patronus Charm theory is much deeper than mine!" Ron immediately chimed in, his reaction much faster this time, though his suggestion was a bit clumsy.

Hermione finally couldn't help but laugh and shook her head, "No need for that. You can help her, but how about we change the time to tomorrow afternoon in the Common Room? There will be more people, better lighting, and I'll be there too—not to monitor her, but I also need to practice the Silencing Charm, and I'll be there in the meantime."

This compromise relieved Ron.

He nodded hurriedly, relieved, and readily agreed, "Okay, good afternoon, the Common Room is just right!"

Harry let out a quiet sigh of relief.

well.

These two people, a married couple.

The three of them got up and left the Gryffindor Tower, heading towards the Great Hall.

The warm sunlight streaming through the window dispelled the slight unpleasantness from before.

It was indeed a minor unpleasantness, but the two have since made up.

As soon as I entered the Great Hall, I heard a clear, cheerful voice coming from the Hufflepuff table. "Harry! Over here!"

Harry looked in the direction of the voice and saw Pabbie sitting at the long table in Hufflepuff, her light brown hair looking like it was coated in honey in the sunlight.

Sitting next to her were Hannah and Susan, sharing a plate of pudding that looked delicious.

"Hey, Pabbie." Harry walked over with a smile, and Pabbie stood up, went up to him, and hugged Harry's arm.

Oh, that familiar softness.

"We were just talking about this new pudding!" Pabbie's eyes sparkled as she pointed to the plate of fluffy, tempting dessert garnished with raspberries and chocolate chips. "It's definitely more delightful than Honeydukes candies! Come and try some!"

She naturally took Harry's arm and led him to sit on the Gryffindor long bench, then warmly greeted Ron and Hermione: "Ron, Hermione, come on over! The House Elf say they've made a lot today."

Ron was immediately drawn to the pudding, plopped down on the other side of Harry, grabbed a spoon, and stared intently at the newly appeared pudding without wiping his drool. "Then I won't be polite!"

"All settled?" Pabbie whispered to Harry. "I heard those two had a fight, but seeing how harmonious they are now, they must have made up, right?"

"Of course, is there anything I can't handle?" Harry snorted conceitedly.

"Yes, yes, yes." Pabbie smiled, picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of pudding, and brought it to Harry's lips.

Harry took a bite and squinted his eyes in satisfaction.

Seeing Harry eat so happily, Pabbie was also very pleased.

Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Harry, her tone becoming excited. "Oh, right, Harry! I received a letter from Newt the other day. Guess what he found in the Fjord of northern Norway?"

"Hmm?" Harry's interest was piqued. "Could it be that you've found another nest of Niffler?" he joked.

He remembered that Newt hadn't been at school for the past two days; he'd gone to Norway, and Pabbie had been taking over his classes.

"That's way cooler!" Pabbie leaned forward, still holding onto Harry, even squeezing his arm between them. "He says he's found the legendary Kraken!"

Harry nearly choked on the pudding in his mouth.

"The Kraken?! The legendary sea Kraken that can capsize ships and has tentacles as big as castles?!"

His voice rose slightly in surprise, attracting curious glances from students at the nearby tables.

Pabbie's eyes shone like two stars as she nodded vigorously, tightening her grip on Harry's arm. "Yes, yes, that's it! But Newt's letter said the real Kraken is quite different from the horror stories told by Muggle sailors—at least the one he encountered was different!"

"How is it different?" Ron, forgetting about his pudding, leaned closer and asked curiously, "It can't really be that big, can it? Are its tentacles covered in suckers and barbs?"

Hermione put down her spoon, her curiosity piqued, and asked, "Did Mr. Scamander mention its taxonomic characteristics? Is it a giant cephalopod? Or some kind of magically mutated deep-sea creature? Or, like Fire Dragon, a separate magical species?"

Pabbie began to share excitedly, and Ron and Hermione's questions opened up a floodgate of conversation.

"Newt said he found the Kraken in a remote Fjord in northern Norway, hidden by magic. It was indeed enormous; its main body lay submerged in the deep water, with its exposed tentacles alone measuring tens of feet long!"

She gestured with her hand to indicate the name, almost spilling Hermione's Pumpkin Juice.

If Hermione hadn't been quick-witted and agile, she would have been soaked in it.

Pabbie stuck out her tongue and apologized to Hermione.

"But!" she suddenly added, her tone becoming slightly amused, "Newt said that the kraken seemed a bit lazy and very curious about wizards. Instead of attacking his boat, it very carefully poked his protective bubble shell—the one created by the Bubble-Head Charm —with the tip of one of its tentacles. Newt said it felt like being gently touched by a giant cat's paw."

"Uh, this description—" Harry thought for a moment, "Does indeed fit Newt's character somewhat. Isn't he afraid that this Kraken will strangle him in the eyes?"

"How could it be so cruel!" Pabbie rolled her eyes and said, "You know Newt has a natural talent for Magical Creatures affinity. That Kraken not only didn't attack him, but it even let him get close to observe."

"There's another possibility," Hermione thought for a moment, then said, "Like orcas, aren't they very interested in humans? It's said that in the eyes of orcas, humans are as cute as cats are in the eyes of humans."

"Oh, I can't imagine what it's like to be mistaken for a cat by another species," Ron said with a shrug. "Sounds a little scary, doesn't it?"

"How's his research going?" Hermione pressed. "Any initial results?"

"Newt is still in the initial observation phase," Pabbie explained with a smile, "But he believes that the legendary Kraken attacks on ships were likely caused by the ships' magical engines or the enormous noise and vibrations that startled or angered them, or that they mistook the ships for some kind of large competitor. Under normal circumstances, they are probably more like gentle giants of the deep sea, feeding on large fish that die naturally, or whales, or even special minerals near underwater volcanoes."

"I do remember the research Muggle scientists did on deep-sea creatures," Hermione suddenly said, looking up.