The peaceful days were disrupted.
Of course, that disruption concerned Su Er and Hermione. One afternoon in March, Hermione came running excitedly to find Su Er.
Su Er thought Hermione had come around and was ready to open his arms, but Hermione stopped short, and what came out of her mouth had nothing to do with what he had imagined.
"I asked Professor Sinistra. She said there'll be a thunderstorm tomorrow." Hermione glanced in puzzlement at Su Er's outstretched arms and spoke happily.
"A thunderstorm?" Su Er awkwardly raised his arms into a stretch, then realized what Hermione meant.
"That means your Animagus..."
"Exactly!" Hermione made no attempt to hide the excitement in her eyes. This was the highest mystery of Transfiguration-of Human Transfiguration Studies.
"Are you sure it's tomorrow, Hermione?"
"Of course. There's no way I misheard." Hermione nodded. "Tomorrow happens to be Friday, too. Professor Sinistra gave me a precise time, around six in the evening."
Hermione had never stopped reciting the incantation twice a day, morning and evening. Even the incident with the Time-Turner had not interrupted her. Over more than half a year, it had become a habit, and she naturally recited the transformation spell at dawn and dusk without needing a reminder.
"I don't know if I'm imagining it." Hermione gently touched her chest. "It's beating so fast."
The next day, Friday, at dusk, in the Forbidden Forest.
Hermione stood still and steadied her breathing. She opened her eyes and looked at the three people nearby, feeling a wave of peace within.
"Remember when we practiced becoming Animagi, Remus?" Sirius turned to survey their surroundings and smiled. "Young wizards these days are much bolder than we were."
"Of course I remember. James was a real mess back then." Professor Lupin smiled too, a trace