Moonlight Sonata

The late autumn moonlight was a bit chilly.

Klein wandered aimlessly through Hogwarts Castle with Hermione, stopping and starting, exploring every place he found interesting.

Whether it was the suits of armor standing in the corridors, the portraits in the style of the last century, or even the moss growing stubbornly in a seldom-visited corner, anything could make him pause.

This was the feeling he wanted.

Peace.

He truly enjoyed this beautiful, water-like passage of time from the bottom of his heart.

"This is Lady Mear, who helped the four Professors repel a giant attack at the founding of Hogwarts. Hermione, say hello to Lady Mear."

Lightly stepping through the corridor, Klein, with great interest, introduced some of the figures in the portraits to the young girl accompanying him.

His voice was soft, as gentle as a white feather landing on immaculate piano keys.

Hermione listened carefully, even deliberately slowing her breathing.

From initial nervousness to current relaxation.

She hadn't felt this at ease in a very, very long time.

"A romantic confession once happened at this corner. A prefect from Gryffindor directed and performed a musical for a girl from Slytherin.

This is where the two finally kissed."

Klein touched the rough wall and winked at the young girl beside him. But then, he seemed to realize it might be inappropriate and quickly added, "You can find many interesting things in 'Hogwarts: A School History'."

"Mhm."

Hermione, draped in a green-bordered robe, nodded softly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's.

"Did you know that in the mysterious East, there's a festival dedicated to moon gazing?

Of course, in our astrology..."

Deliberately changing the subject, Klein motionlessly turned his head to look at the full moon outside the window.

Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and looked towards a hidden corner.

"What is it? Is there something there?"

Hermione had been waiting to hear about astrology and, after a long while, received no further explanation.

She looked up in confusion, following Klein's gaze, but found nothing.

"Nothing."

Klein shook his head and generously led Hermione to continue exploring the castle.

After the two left, Dumbledore took off his invisibility cloak, shaking his head with a smile in his eyes.

"If I had known it was just this, I shouldn't have bothered. Heh heh, youth is wonderful."

Dumbledore was just a minor interlude; Klein didn't pay it any mind.

The reason was not hard to guess. It was likely that the spies hidden in the castle had reported him wandering around with a little girl in the middle of the night, and the old man was worried.

They couldn't fully trust each other yet. If it were him, he would have come to see for himself too.

"Where was I? Oh, right, astrology."

Adjusting his mood, Klein softly spoke again.

As he strolled under the moonlight, explaining astrology, his mood grew happier.

Finally, he simply drew his wand and conjured a brilliant, seemingly real starry sky around them.

"Wow!"

Her eyes filled with shining stars, Hermione couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Growing up, she had never seen such a beautiful sight!

Stars, a silver moon, and a joyful maiden.

Klein took it all in, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

Scheming, killing, fighting for power and profit.

Many things that were once etched into his bones were slowly dissolving, leaving only peace.

A peace that could soothe the soul.

"Not becoming Emperor was truly the most correct decision I ever made."

Under the moonlight, the youth smiled faintly.

With a flick of his wand, soothing music played out of nowhere.

"Hm?"

Hermione, immersed in the stars, was slightly stunned, and then completely lost in the music.

She felt tonight was like a dream.

No, even in her dreams, she only dreamt of classes or homework, never of this scene.

"Relax, you're always too tense."

Klein smiled. Though he and Hermione didn't have much of a connection, their only exchanges were brief conversations on the train.

But there's a saying: timing is everything.

Stepping from the real world into the magic world, the young girl bore immense pressure. Beneath her arrogant, self-important armor hid a fragile, sensitive heart.

Klein knew all this.

And he understood.

"I never owe anyone favors. Thank you for accompanying me tonight, you've made me feel much better."

Although he couldn't explore "that place" tonight because of Hermione, Klein wasn't disappointed at all.

He was, in fact, grateful.

Just like Dumbledore and Snape, he felt he owed Hermione a favor.

Consider it a return for

that glimpse under the moon.

"Do you know how to dance?"

Shaking her head, flicking away stray thoughts, Klein just wanted to enjoy the moment.

He asked, but before waiting for an answer, he stepped into the starry expanse and gently closed his eyes.

Klein's dance had no fixed steps. He simply swayed his body to the music, moving east then west, looking rather comical.

Hermione laughed joyfully and joined in.

The boy and the girl spun and leaped amidst the stars, hopping about wildly.

Not romantic at all.

But

very happy.

"Meow!"

They danced for who knows how long when suddenly, a hoarse meow abruptly interrupted the soothing music.

Klein and Hermione stopped simultaneously, exchanging a glance.

"Mrs. Norris!"

Hermione whispered with a yelp.

"Don't worry, she won't find us."

Klein smiled dismissively, letting Hermione follow him as they ran in a certain direction.

However, because the young girl was wearing slippers, her movements weren't agile. After running more than ten meters, she gradually fell behind him.

He had no choice but to stop, turning back to wait for Hermione.

Scratching his temple with a fingertip, Klein blinked. After a second of thought, he tentatively extended his right hand.

"May I?"

"Mmm."

Hermione was stunned at first, then blushed profusely.

The young girl flicked her fluffy brown curls, avoiding Klein's eyes. After taking several deep breaths, she tremblingly extended her hand.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

He softly reassured her. Klein had no other thoughts.

Taking her nervous little hand, he strode forward without hesitation, weaving through the corridors and easily shaking off Filch's old cat, Mrs. Norris, returning to the entrance of the Gryffindor common room.

"Alright, tonight's adventure is over. Goodnight."

Naturally releasing her hand, Klein smiled and gave Hermione a slight bow.

"G-goodnight."

Hermione mumbled something, her face flushed red. She turned abruptly and bumped into the Fat Lady's portrait, who had just returned from visiting.

Hmm.

Klein was certain her face turned even redder.

"Pig's snout."

Hermione felt her face might be bleeding. After telling the startled Fat Lady the Gryffindor password for the day, she darted into the common room entrance like a shot, not daring to look back.

"Heh."

Klein chuckled, his heart unmoved. Just as he had appeared, he silently melted back into the night.