"Thank you," Hermione suddenly said softly, lowering her head.
Li Mu smiled at her. "I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for remembering me at such a critical moment. I hadn't seen you these past few days—I thought I'd really made you angry back at the library."
Hermione's cheeks reddened, and she lifted her chin.
"Hmph, how could I possibly... I'm not as awkward as Ron. But... but I won't admit defeat so easily! In the House Cup standings, I'll definitely surpass you!"
As they spoke, they crossed the underground corridor and turned another corner, arriving at the boys' bathroom on the first basement level.
Second only to the girls' bathroom on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle, this underground bathroom was especially unpopular with students.
It was right beside the Potions classroom, and the whole place was dark, gloomy, and icy.
The long-unused bathroom was mottled with rust, as though a few ghouls might crawl out at any moment.
Unless someone was seriously disturbed or truly desperate, no one wanted to relieve themselves in an environment like this.
Ron had once bet that Professor Snape enjoyed this place. He and Harry Potter had watched for a long time, only to discover that they had never once seen Snape use the bathroom.
Now, this rarely visited bathroom stood before them. Li Mu took the lead and reached out to push open the wooden door. The old, moss-covered-looking door creaked as it swung inward.
"Is... is anyone there?" Hermione instantly hid behind Li Mu, poking out her little head to call inside.
There was no response. The spacious bathroom was empty. There didn't seem to be anyone inside, and naturally, there was no sign of a troll either.
The two exchanged a glance.
"Are we still going in?" Hermione