Seeing Ron's embarrassed expression, Li Mu could not help laughing. He had been watching the fun from the side for quite a while, but had not expected Hermione to have such a sharp tongue hidden beneath the surface. He had previously wanted to reason with her and guide her toward a gentler temperament, but now it seemed... had it somehow backfired?
"How could we break school rules every day?" Li Mu coughed, smiling as he came to Ron's rescue. "I was the one who found them... and I should let you know about this too."
"Hm?" Hermione indeed turned her gaze back to him. She was also curious what could have made Li Mu seek out Harry and Ron so early in the morning, and what had kept the three boys whispering to one another for so long.
Just then, a series of flapping sounds came from outside the Great Hall's doors. Countless little black dots approached from afar, growing larger and larger until they finally swarmed in through the windows.
The teachers and students dining in the hall were used to the sight, because it played out at the same time every morning. The owls delivering parcels had arrived.
But Li Mu's attention was immediately captured. He craned his neck toward the flock of owls, and Hermione and the others followed his gaze...
Something was strange. No, very strange.
For a moment, Hermione and the others thought they were still half-asleep... the scene before them seemed oddly familiar.
No fewer than six sturdy owls were working together to carry a long, slender package. They wobbled through the air, yet flew straight toward the Hufflepuff table.
At that table, beside Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley, was an empty seat. A silver plate and fork had already been set there, though