First, Get a Bed

"Whoosh—"

Hermione gently blew out the candle, a pure smile gracing her fair face.

"What did you wish for?" George asked curiously.

"Mom always said that if you tell your wish, it won't come true," Hermione said with a sly smile. "Shall we cut the cake, Professor? I imagine you can't wait?"

"Oh, ho ho ho... Am I that obvious?" Dumbledore chuckled, conjuring a carving knife and several plates with a wave of his hand, then cutting off the top layer of the cake.

"This most exquisite and beautiful piece is for you, Miss Granger."

Hermione accepted the cake Dumbledore handed her, and Dumbledore took the second layer for himself.

"After you've finished your cake, please remember to return to your dorms early, as you have classes tomorrow."

The kind, white-bearded old man, having received his share of the cake, left them with two large bottles of cherry juice.

No matter how much he mingled with the students, Dumbledore knew they wouldn't be at ease with him present.

"Professor Dumbledore is called the greatest Headmaster of Hogwarts, and I don't think that's without reason," Gemini said with a smile, watching the direction Dumbledore had left.

After Dumbledore left, Fred and George ate their cake, leaning on the railing of the observatory and secretly laughing at Filch bustling about below.

Hermione, draped in Gemini's cloak, her small face flushed, sat quietly on the steps eating chocolate cake.

A few nights ago, she had broken school rules and witnessed the terror of a Hellhound, feeling the heart-pounding fear of breaking the rules.

But this time, even though she had broken school rules again, the little girl couldn't muster any resistance; her heart was filled with warmth.

Hermione glanced up at Gemini's handsome profile, then blushed and lowered her head again.

He's so handsome!

The next morning, all of Hogwarts was discussing last night's fireworks incident.

Except for Slytherin, the other three houses saw the colorful and spectacular fireworks display.

Gryffindor and Ravenclaw saw it from their towers, while Hufflepuff saw it through the skylights.

Only the little snakes of Slytherin saw nothing...

"Was it you guys?"

At breakfast, Harry stared curiously at the twins.

"It wasn't us."

"But we were witnesses."

"So who set off the fireworks?" Ron asked.

"It's a secret, you know? A secret!" Fred spread his hands. "Some things can be said, but some things can't be spoken carelessly. Don't get us into trouble."

"But you can ask Miss Know-it-all, she might know," George said with a grin.

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, whose face turned red, and she lowered her head, quietly eating breakfast.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry blinked.

"Oh... I'm fine," Hermione mumbled.

Ron looked puzzled. "You look really pale, are you sick?"

Hermione's fork was almost bent in half as she suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

"You don't have to be so nosy..."

Meanwhile, at the Slytherin table.

Draco looked at Gemini with some uncertainty. "The fireworks last night—"

Gemini gently interrupted him. "Fireworks? What fireworks?"

Draco: "..."

Your attempt to cover up the truth looks so arrogant...

Damn it, the whole school knows about last night's fireworks incident, and you're playing dumb with me?

"Eat up quickly, keep your energy levels up. We have flying class today."

Last night's fireworks display didn't bring any significant changes to Hogwarts today. At most, the students had more gossip fodder during their free time, and Old Filch was in a complete rage, his sinister eyes fixed on every little wizard entering or leaving the Great Hall, trying to find something on their faces.

On the weekend, in the Potions classroom.

Gemini was practicing the Patronus Charm under Snape's guidance.

"Expecto Patronum."

A faint white light...

"Expecto Patronum~"

Still the same...

"Expecto Patronum!"

No progress.

"Chirp chirp! Patronus appears!!!"

Gemini's forehead bulged with veins, but it was useless; he still couldn't cast it.

"If you'd spent the time you used for fireworks practicing spells, I imagine you would have mastered it by now."

Snape wore a gloating smile.

"Professor, could it be that there's something wrong with this spell?"

"I think there's something wrong with your head."

Gemini sighed and turned to leave, "I'll go adjust my state."

"If you dare step out that door, pack your bags and go home."

Gemini: "..."

Why is this person so unreasonable?

"I understand the principle of the Patronus Charm, and I think the reason I can't use it successfully yet is simply that I don't have enough happy memories." Gemini spread his hands.

Snape's sarcasm intensified, "Weren't the fireworks happy enough? I heard they could be clearly seen in Hogsmeade that night."

Gemini sighed, "Professor, can you use it successfully?"

"Naturally, I can."

"Could you please demonstrate it for me?"

"No."

Gemini pinched his chin, "Professor..."

"Hmm?"

"It's said that the Patronus Charm reflects a person's inner state..." Gemini's lips curved slightly, smiling like a little fox, "What is your Patronus?"

Snape remained silent, busying himself with writing and drawing in his notebook.

"I bet it's not a bat."

"Feel free to guess something even more ridiculous!"

A crumpled piece of paper hit Gemini squarely on the forehead.

"If you can't cast it today, you're not going back to sleep. Keep company with dead toads here," Snape said sinisterly.

Gemini thought for a moment, then nodded happily. He then wove a net in the corner.

Snape's face darkened, "What are you doing?"

"As you can see, I plan to make a bed first."

Snape: "..."

Damn it, after so many years of teaching, he'd never met such a stubborn student!

"Watch carefully, I'll only cast it once." Snape shot Gemini an annoyed glance, flicked his wand, and said, "Expecto Patronum."

Brilliant silver light flashed in the Potions classroom. Amidst the white light, a beautiful figure flickered and vanished within the room.

"So beautiful," Gemini murmured. "Though I didn't get a clear look... but that's fine. Professor, what happy memory did you think of when you cast that spell?"

"None of your business."

"I just thought it might serve as a reference or something."

Snape, who had intended to reprimand him, paused, then spoke expressionlessly, "How did you feel during the fireworks a few days ago? Why don't you think about that silly girl Granger?"

"Is that necessary? We have a good relationship, but it shouldn't be enough for me to successfully cast the spell with her."

"Besides, Professor, Miss Granger isn't stupid. Although she's Muggle-born, her grades are better than all the other students from pure-blood families."

Gemini smiled gently as he spoke, "I can sense that she worries about being inferior to others because she's Muggle-born, but she studies very hard. At least so far, I haven't met a girl in our year who is more outstanding than her. Have you, Professor? A girl like her, who is Muggle-born yet so excellent?"

In an instant, something must have struck a nerve with Snape. He shot to his feet, strode over to Gemini, and roughly hauled him up.

Then, he opened the door and tossed Gemini out.

The entire process was smooth and seamless...

Standing outside the Potions office, Gemini shrugged helplessly. Sometimes he felt Snape was quite unlucky.

For example, when facing Harry and the other two—

Harry had green eyes, just like Lily...

Ron had red hair, just like Lily...

Hermione was Muggle-born, just like Lily, and was incredibly gifted with excellent grades...

How painful must it be for Snape to see the three of them every time?

What was even more critical was that Harry looked ninety percent like his father...

But to be fair, Gemini was very grateful to Snape for teaching him Defense Against the Dark Arts in private. If he hadn't been unable to cast the Patronus Charm, he wouldn't have provoked Snape like this.

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