After getting the answer she wanted, Harley took her plate and slipped back to her original seat.
Hermione was chatting with Lavender and the other girls. Every now and then, they covered their mouths and giggled.
"Was it a love letter Fred and George sent Professor Snape?" Hermione asked in a low voice, turning to Harley when she returned.
Harley nodded, then asked curiously, "What were you discussing earlier? What's got them laughing so much?"
As she spoke, Harley discreetly pointed at the girls across the table.
Hermione's expression instantly became rather complicated. She hesitated before answering, "They were guessing who wrote you that love letter today."
"Harley, who do you think it was? They even specifically asked for a message to be passed along."
Lavender suddenly chimed in from across the table, then covered her mouth and giggled with Parvati.
Harley rolled her eyes and ignored them.
It was probably some boy who'd pull a stunt like that, but he was bound to be disappointed.
If it were a cute, pretty girl, this lovestruck Demoness with a weakness for good looks might consider it.
But a boy... Stay as far away from me as possible, will you?
Dinner was still underway when Peeves suddenly barged in and shouted,
"Run! Everyone, run! There's been another death, and this time it's a Slytherin Pure-blood!"
The Great Hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos. Fear filled the students' faces.
Some time earlier, Professor Sprout had announced that the Mandrakes were nearly mature and that the petrified students would soon be cured.
When they'd heard the news, everyone had felt relieved, as if the clouds hanging over them had finally lifted.
But now, everyone was once again gripped by the fear of a Monster whose existence they couldn't even