"How did you find me?"
"It was Fruit Tea. She caught your lingering scent and kept getting restless."
Vaughn did not take Hermione back to the Room of Requirement. Hogwarts at night posed no danger to him.
He did not need to worry about Filch, Mrs. Norris, or Peeves like the other young wizards did.
So he took Hermione straight to the Astronomy Tower.
This was the tallest tower in all of Hogwarts. Other than during lessons, it was usually deserted. The two sat on the edge of the tower, while Fruit Tea curled up in Vaughn's arms, rubbing her head against his chest and purring coquettishly.
"Fruit Tea, so you're the one who gave me away."
"Meow~"
Fruit Tea stretched lazily, her fur reflecting a silvery sheen. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pure light over everything that should have been shrouded in darkness.
Perched atop a Highland cliff, Hogwarts Castle overlooked all the surrounding scenery. The Astronomy Tower in particular was the best place Vaughn had found to enjoy the view since arriving at Hogwarts.
Looking down now, the Black Lake reflected the moon, glittering like scattered shards of crystal. The dark Forbidden Forest and rolling mountains blended into one, stretching toward the edge of sight, while at the far horizon, faint stars flickered amid the mist rising from the forest.
Everything possessed a beauty completely different from that of the daytime.
A tranquil kind of beauty.
The gentle breeze tousled the girl's hair. Hermione gazed at the scene before her and pressed her lips together. "I've never seen the Scottish Highlands at night before."
"Is it beautiful?"
"Mm!"
Vaughn opened his shoulder bag, took out the Grangers' reply, and handed it to her. "I had meant to find a chance to give this to