The stars and moon above Hogwarts Castle shone especially brightly that night, bathing the entire Castle in a hazy silver glow.
Since it was not yet curfew, Su Er and Hermione walked out of the Castle quite at ease, like a young couple heading out for a stroll.
On the way to their meeting place with the Weasley Brothers, Su Er asked how Hermione was progressing with her Animagus transformation.
"I wrote reminders by my bed and in my homework book, and I've been doing it every day. I can already feel another heartbeat." Hermione broke into a broad smile.
"It's just a shame that when the Dementors were here a while ago, there was thunder every few days."
"If I'd started the preparations earlier, I should have learned to become an Animagus by now." A hint of regret crept into Hermione's voice.
"Now the potion's almost ready, and the heartbeat's appeared, but the weather keeps staying clear. Just look at tonight." The girl tilted her head up and complained, "Look at those stars. Does that look anything like rain?"
"It's all right." Su Er chuckled and reassured her, "At least there's bound to be some rain by spring or summer."
"I hope so. If I miss it, I'll have to wait for the next rain." Hermione sounded glum as she counted on her fingers. "December, January, February, March. I'll have to wait at least four more months."
"If you're lucky, there could be a thunderstorm in winter too." Finding Hermione adorable, Su Er laughed. "You could ask Professor Sinistra. I only knew there would be a thunderstorm around that time because I asked her."
"But doesn't Professor Sinistra teach Astronomy?" Hermione blinked. "Can she predict the weather too?"
"Wasn't it mentioned in our primary school textbooks?" Su Er reached