Today Is a Wonderful Night

Harley pulled Hermione along, and the two made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

The common room was hosting the Halloween feast, and it was incredibly lively. However, Harley and Hermione only ate a little bit before returning to their dormitory.

Although there was no lingering scent on them, the foul stench of the troll was so nauseating that the mere thought of it made both girls feel sick.

Earlier, the situation had been urgent, so they hadn't cared—or perhaps they hadn't even registered it.

But now that they were completely relaxed, the girls felt disgusted the moment they recalled it.

After washing up, Harley lay in bed in her pajamas, admiring and fiddling with a Magic Mirror.

It was this Magic Mirror that had played a significant role in the previous battle, transmitting quite a bit of Harley's power over a long distance and making the entire fight look so effortless.

Just then, Hermione suddenly pulled back the curtains of Harley's bed and crawled in, clutching her pillow.

"What's wrong?" Harley felt a bit surprised and casually tucked the Magic Mirror away.

"Nothing," Hermione said in a voice so small it was barely audible. "I just... couldn't fall asleep, so..."

Harley scooted to the side to make room for Hermione. Fortunately, the beds provided by Hogwarts were large enough that sleeping two people at once wasn't difficult.

However, Hermione simply tossed her pillow aside and threw herself onto Harley.

That bushy hair had already been washed clean and dried by magical flames.

Now, Hermione's head rested on Harley's smooth lower abdomen, which felt ticklish and very comfortable to Harley.

"Thank you, Harley," Hermione said in a whisper, seemingly feeling very embarrassed.

"Thank you for not abandoning me and for saving me. If it weren't for you, I would have died there."

"It's nothing." Harley carefully slid her body out from under Hermione's head and moved it onto her lap.

While chatting with Hermione, she subconsciously began to play with her hair.

This bushy brown hair was the most stubborn hair Harley had ever seen or styled, which made her unable to keep her hands off it.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you alone. I will always be your best friend and confidante, and I will always be by your side.

That will never change." As she spoke, Harley gently stroked Hermione's cheek with the back of her hand.

Hermione's face turned bright red and began to feel hot. After a moment of hesitation, she asked softly, "But why does everyone hate me?

This afternoon, I clearly succeeded too.

But the other students all chose to ask you for advice, and no one came to ask me how to cast that spell.

I feel like what Ron said wasn't nonsense; that's just how the other students see me.

And..."

Hermione seemed unable to continue.

Harley's hand slowly slid down to Hermione's collarbone, using her past experience to guide her as she asked:

"What is it? If you have something on your mind, you can choose to confide in me."

"...And I thought about it all afternoon," Hermione quickly felt her entire body go limp, feeling incredibly comfortable and relaxed.

Her face turned burning hot, and in her daze, she poured out everything in her heart.

"Harley, I feel like I'm really not as good as you. Your grades are better than mine, you're good at sports, and you're so proficient with magic. And you're so popular!

And me? Aside from good grades, I'm practically useless!

I'm not good at sports; I can barely ride a broomstick. In terms of learning, I only know how to memorize things by rote, and I'm not good at utilizing magic.

More importantly, I... I feel like everyone in Gryffindor house hates me!

Why? Why are they like this? I'm clearly working hard to earn points for the house and striving for the honor of Gryffindor.

But while they waste the points I worked so hard to earn, they subject me to cold violence.

My emotional intelligence isn't high, but I'm not stupid. How could I not see these details? It's just that, subconsciously, I didn't want to recall them..."

Hermione poured out her heart in a haze, telling Harley about her feelings. Tears appeared in her eyes before she knew it, and she looked as if she were about to cry.

Harley smiled, listened patiently until she finished, and then said:

"Hermione, you're just holding them to too high a standard. Everyone around us is only eleven; it's the age where they can least stand being lectured.

Believe me, as long as you don't hold others to such high standards, you'll feel much more relaxed yourself.

Hermione, don't worry. There's still a long time ahead, isn't there? We still have time to change.

Don't worry, you still have me by your side. Sleep now; after a good night's rest, you'll forget all these troubles."

Spirituality surged within the curtains, and Hermione drifted into a deep sleep.

Harley let out a long sigh. Solving the psychological problems of a young girl was definitely not her strong suit!

Moreover, Harley couldn't tell her the truth. Should she have told Hermione that "the world isn't just black and white; there's gray in between"?

Hermione's behavior did indeed seem correct and in accordance with the rules.

But Gryffindor itself wasn't a house that cared much for rules, so Hermione naturally appeared out of place and suffered exclusion.

There were other reasons why Hermione was unpopular, but they weren't things that could be easily spoken aloud.

Fortunately, Hermione was asleep now, which saved Harley the headache of trying to figure out how to deal with her psychological issues.

"Finally asleep." Harley muttered to herself, "But the harvest has finally paid off! Such a pure and flawless soul, whether as an anchor or to be cultivated as a helper later on, is quite excellent."

And... forget it, I won't think about it. I need to get to sleep quickly too. Ah, tonight is going to be a wonderful night!

Saying this, Harley tried her best to move Hermione onto the pillow, then reached out and extinguished the light in the dormitory.

At this moment, in Dumbledore's headmaster's office, the headmaster was spending a sleepless night.

"...I understand, Minerva." Professor Dumbledore flipped through a detailed report in front of him while speaking softly, "I will consider the matters that follow; you go and get some rest first!"

Professor McGonagall, who was in front of Professor Dumbledore, nodded and then quickly left the headmaster's office.

Professor Snape, however, remained in the headmaster's office.

"Severus, did you discover any unusual circumstances tonight?" Dumbledore flipped through the report without looking up, examining the autopsy results of the troll conducted by three senior professors.

"No." Professor Snape said righteously, "I discovered tonight that Harley did not attend the Halloween feast.

So I figured she must not have known that a troll had entered the castle, and went directly to find her. And running into Weasley on the way just happened to prove my guess.

Therefore, when my magic was triggered on the fourth floor, I did not arrive in time."

Hearing Professor Snape speak so righteously, the corners of Dumbledore's mouth couldn't help but twitch, and he looked up at him:

"Severus, I must remind you, Harley is not Lily..."

Before his words could finish, he was interrupted by Professor Snape.

"I know," Professor Snape said coldly, "but she is one of the few traces Lily left in this world.

So whoever dares to harm her, I will kill them! Even Voldemort won't do, I mean it!"

Dumbledore sighed and fell into silence.

Headache, I only just managed to write this. I hate being sick.

My state was extremely poor tonight; I don't know what the quality of what I wrote is like. If there is anything you are dissatisfied with, tell me directly, or join the group and tell me. I will take a look and revise it after I wake up tomorrow.