As time went by, Hogwarts was nearing the end of the school year, and the students were busy reviewing.
Because of Silan's involvement, the original timeline has subtly shifted.
Lockhart was arrested relatively early, and the exams that were originally scheduled to be canceled were not affected.
Everything proceeds as usual.
Lavender and Parvati have been overwhelmed by their revision tasks lately and have been burying themselves in their studies in their dorm room.
"Phew~ I'm exhausted." Parvati closed a thick book, rubbing her temples wearily. "How's your studying going, Lavender?"
"Just finished reviewing the History of Magic," Lavender replied listlessly, slumped over the table. "And you?"
"I did a quick review of Potions." Parvati looked at the thick Potions with fear in her eyes. "I can't believe there are so many steps involved in making Potions."
"It's nothing," Lavender waved his hand. "Just don't blow up the crucible like Seamus did."
"Ha ha."
Parvati was amused by her, and stretched out his body freely on the back of the chair, looking up at the ceiling.
"I really wish Hermione would give us some key points for the exam," Lavender sighed.
"Forget it," Parvati shrugged.
"Have you forgotten? Hermione's revision involved memorizing everything that might be on the test."
"In her view, anything in the textbook could be on the test."
"If you study like her, you'll probably be memorizing until next year."
After saying that, Parvati looked around the dormitory and asked, "By the way, where's Hermione?"
"Who knows?" Lavender nudged himself among the pile of books on the table, as if swimming in an ocean of knowledge.
"She seems to have been away for the past few days; I wonder if she's studying."
At this point, Lavender seemed to remember something, suddenly jumping up from his desk and mysteriously pulling Parvati aside to ask, "Have you noticed Hermione a little strange lately?"
"What's wrong?"
"I haven't seen her with Prewett lately."
Upon hearing this, Parvati made an exaggerated expression, instantly dispelling the fatigue from his earlier studies.
She asked with great interest, "Did they have a fight recently?"
"I'd noticed something was off with Hermione before. She'd often stare blankly at her textbooks, then suddenly snap out of it and bury herself in studying. She'd memorized the entire textbook in just a few days."
"I thought it was some new learning method."
Lavender was also very interested in the topic and pulled up a chair to get closer to Parvati.
As they talked, their back pain and leg soreness disappeared, and their minds became as sharp as if they had taken a brain-boosting drug.
"Do you think it's possible that Prewett has fallen for someone else?" Lavender asked seriously.
Parvati exclaimed, "How is this possible!"
She glanced at the dormitory door, lowered her voice, and repeated, "How is this possible?!"
"Hopefully we're overthinking it," Lavender whispered.
If Hermione were here, she would probably agree with Lavender.
Unfortunately, she was currently tracking Silan.
Hermione also suspected that Silan might have another little witch friend.
This isn't just Hermione's wild imagination.
First of all, it's currently the end-of-term review period.
By this time, almost all classes had stopped. Logically, Silan should have had more free time, but Hermione had rarely seen Silan lately.
This is clearly problematic.
Secondly, even in the Room of Requirement, it's rare to see Silan anymore.
Even George and Fred hadn't seen Silan for quite some time.
This brings up an even bigger problem.
This suggests that Silan has been meeting with someone else recently.
This upset Hermione.
When Hermione was feeling down, she would study, using her studies to dispel her inner turmoil. She quickly finished reviewing all the exam material. With nothing else to do, Hermione decided to investigate the matter thoroughly.
That's why she followed Silan the whole way, wanting to see who Silan was going to meet.
Following Silan furtively through the courtyard and down the corridor, Hermione saw Silan heading upstairs.
It's a very secluded direction.
Her heart suddenly felt as if a wet cotton coat had been put over her in winter, heavy and cold.
This kind of place has always been a popular date spot for couples.
Hermione's gaze was fixed on Silan, her heart breaking with every step he took.
"It can't be true, can it?"
"But I've never heard of Silan getting close to any little witch."
"Was it something they deliberately kept from me?"
Hermione, her mind in turmoil, hurriedly followed, only to be blocked by a man and a woman at a stairwell corner.
A little witch tugged at a boy's sleeve, blushing shyly, and whispered, "Are you free during summer vacation? I bought a pretty new dress..."
Hermione pressed herself against the wall somewhat awkwardly, slowly moving her feet, but her eyes were inexplicably fixed on the two people.
"Don't come looking for me again." The boy pulled his sleeve back and said coldly, "I'm afraid Elena will misunderstand."
"No..."
The little witch stretched out her hand, trembling, but held nothing back.
Seeing the little witch's sorrowful face, Hermione's eyes widened, and she quickened her pace considerably.
Silan wouldn't do that!
He is the gentlest and kindest person in the world!
Hermione clenched her fists, grabbed her robes, and ran upstairs without looking back.
Her footsteps pounded loudly, as if they were stepping on her own heart.
Because of the two people's delay, Hermione found herself lost when she went upstairs; she couldn't find Silan anywhere.
She paced anxiously back and forth in the corridor, going up and down the stairs in a great circle, until she finally found Silan again.
Hermione stood close to the wall, knowing full well that Silan was in the hallway outside, but she just couldn't bring herself to look.
I haven't been able to calm down.
"Maybe I should just pretend I don't know," Hermione silently consoled herself.
As long as we pretend we don't know, everything can remain the same.
Silan is still my good friend.
Just pretend you don't see him with the other little witches...
She was afraid of seeing Silan actually become closer to a little witch; how would she get along with her then?
Should I be angry, or should I accept her and consider her a friend as well?
Thinking about all this made Hermione feel so upset that she couldn't help but squat down against the wall.
Hermione's chest heaved rapidly as she forced herself to calm down.
"If that's the case, then as a friend, I should also offer my blessings to Silan."
"This... this is what a friend should do!"
"But... but why..."
Hermione clutched her clothes tightly to her chest.
She could recite those tedious History of Magic from memory, even getting the dates of every event right. She could also remember all the steps to make Potions and easily understand those complex Spells. But now, she just couldn't understand why her heart was aching so much.
After calming down for a while, Hermione finally mustered up the courage to stretch her neck and peek out.
She kept her eyes closed, and only cautiously opened a tiny slit to peek out from behind the wall.
Just as she had expected, Silan was indeed there.
The only difference is that he didn't play with the little witch...
Or are they playing with birds?
Or is it a large red bird?!
Hermione felt her little head buzzing, her eyes widening as she stared blankly at Fawkes.
It wasn't a little witch, but a bird.
Bird?!
Hermione blinked hard, wondering if she was seeing things.
She stared intently at Silan and Fawkes, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Hermione now really wants to slap herself for what she just did.
There's no little witch at all; you're just imagining things!
Silan is your best friend, how could you not trust him? That's really wrong of you.
Hermione burst into laughter through her tears, but her smile quickly vanished.
She stuck her head out again for a closer look.
Now it's confirmed, it really is just a Phoenix, not a little witch.
The Phoenix, a Magical Creatures, can be Nirvana Rebirth ashes, teleport, its feathers can be used as magic wands, its tears have powerful healing properties, and its song can inspire courage in kind-hearted people...
But in any case, it won't turn into a human.
Hermione secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but soon felt very unconvinced and clenched her little fists in a huff.
Am I really less charming than a bird?
They'd rather play with a bird than talk to me!
You must take good care of yourself when you get back, otherwise Silan will be stolen away by a bird.
That would be so embarrassing.
Miss Granger fiddled with her hair, thinking somewhat angrily.
As for Dumbledore, he also kept looking for Fawkes after leaving the Headmaster's Office.