Though Shawn had thought of the door knocker suddenly making its questions harder, he did not immediately set about solving the problem. Instead, he brought up why he had asked Hermione to come.
"Isn't there a girl of Chinese descent in your house called Cho Chang? Do you know her well?"
Hermione looked at Shawn suspiciously.
"There is. Are you trying to...?"
Shawn hurriedly waved his hands.
"I'm still young. Don't get the wrong idea. I just wanted to ask her about something. You could handle it for me, too."
Hermione relaxed at once. Shawn seemed allergic to older girls; he never visited Ravenclaw.
"If it's nothing important, I can help. Cho Chang slept in the corridor last night. The third-years have no classes today, and she didn't dare come to the Great Hall for breakfast."
Shawn thought for a moment, then began telling Hermione about chili peppers.
But Hermione was a rational person. Vague descriptions such as "spiciness" and "authenticity," with no measurable quantities attached, left her utterly baffled.
Seeing her reaction, Shawn decided to forget it.
"Come on. Let's visit Ravenclaw together and see if we can sort out the door knocker while we're there."
Hermione was still trying to understand what kind of pepper burned in your mouth and all the way into your heart. What kind of pepper wasn't hot but was fragrant? What kind of pepper...?
She heard Shawn say they were going to Ravenclaw, but what was with casting a Disillusionment Charm? Ravenclaw wasn't full of monsters. Was that really necessary?
"Let's go. I'll stay beside you."
The invisible Shawn offered no explanation.
Hermione could only pick up the parcel and head toward the tower.
Along the way, other people saw Hermione talking to thin air, then noticed the parcel in her hands.
They