Quirrell, I hope you don't get yourself killed...

Still, since Malfoy insisted on holding his hand, there was nothing he could do.

"Miss Malfoy, um, could you do me a favor?"

Harry looked at Malfoy, his green eyes behind his lenses seemingly engulfed in a sudden white mist, completely hidden from view.

"Huh? What is it, Potter?"

Malfoy felt her little hand being squeezed twice, and her face instantly flushed.

But even though she knew eating required both hands, she still couldn't bear to let go...

This time, she had happened to sneakily take his hand while using the incident of teaching Hermione a lesson as an opportunity.

As for next time, never mind whether Harry would agree-she wouldn't have the courage to do it again herself...

So, ideally, it would be best not to let go.

But she and Potter really did need to eat...

Such a dilemma, such a struggle, ugh...

"This steak in front of me is a little hard to cut. Could you hold it steady with your fork?"

Holding his dinner knife, Harry pointed at the steak in front of him.

Well, they could keep holding hands. It wouldn't get in the way.

He just needed Malfoy to help him cut his steak. That wasn't asking too much, was it?

"Huh?"

Malfoy froze, completely failing to follow Harry's train of thought.

Wait, that was an option?

But...

That actually sounded pretty nice?

Her little face bright red, Malfoy didn't refuse.

She simply picked up her fork with her left hand and held the steak in front of Harry steady for him.

"I, um, Potter."

"Okay, take your time..."

Really, how much coordination could Harry and Malfoy have on their first attempt at something like this?

Apparently, quite a lot!

Although one could only use her left hand, and the other could only use his right.

Somehow, they worked remarkably well together, without even getting in each other's way!

It was just a little too intimate...

But whatever. They were already holding hands, so what difference did this make?

After cutting the steak in front of Harry, Malfoy even tugged him over to cut up the steak in front of her too.

"Thank you, Miss Malfoy?"

"Mm."

Malfoy hardly dared say another word now, and could only stuff her cheeks full to stop herself from talking.

That had been far too exciting!

Merlin's beard, how had she dared to do that just now?

Potter had been so close to her...

She felt as though Harry could practically smell what shampoo she used.

And while they were holding hands just now, she kept brushing against Potter's chest...

Likewise, Harry sometimes wasn't quite paying attention either, and accidentally touched Malfoy in the corresponding spot...

That hard bit had to be his glasses or the gold-rimmed button on Malfoy's shirt, right?

It was just that the area beside it sometimes felt a little soft...

The sight of Malfoy and Harry like this left Professor McGonagall utterly dumbfounded, Dumbledore thoroughly puzzled, and Severus perfectly satisfied...

Wonderful, wasn't it?

Of course, for Malfoy, a seemingly sweet meal seemed destined to bring something that would leave her heart burning.

As she ate, Malfoy had almost forgotten her plans for the afternoon.

When she suddenly remembered, she jumped in fright and hurriedly turned around, looking from side to side.

Oh no, oh no, where was Laila Xisi?

This was bad!

A photo of them holding hands at the entrance was enough. Please don't photograph this steak-cutting business!

If Lucius or Narcissa saw any overly intimate photos of her and Harry...

Draco's little body trembled slightly. She was a little scared...

In all her life, she had never been this close to anyone other than Lucius or Narcissa...

Crabbe and Goyle were her followers. They wouldn't get this close, let alone behave so intimately and suggestively...

Oh, what was she supposed to do...

"What's wrong, Malfoy?"

Harry gently wiped the corner of Malfoy's mouth, then wiped his own as well:

"Something bothering you?"

"It's nothing, um, are you going to see Professor Snape, Potter?"

Malfoy looked at Harry and blinked.

"Yes. Would you like me to walk you back?"

Harry checked the time, but hadn't decided to leave Malfoy behind.

Mainly, it was past six now. Would Malfoy be cold?

Besides, since he had invited her to the library to tutor her in potions, surely he ought to walk her back afterward?

Well, Harry didn't know whether he needed to. He just thought it might be a little more polite?

"Um, would that be convenient?"

The moment Malfoy heard the invitation, she put her parents out of her mind.

Ahem, should she say yes? Or agree? Or accept immediately?

"Of course. The Slytherin Common Room isn't far from Professor Snape's office."

With that, Harry stood straight up from his seat, even taking the initiative to tug on Malfoy's hand:

"Shall we?"

"Hey, Potter, you're not allowed to tug me like that!"

"Why?"

"You're just not!"

"Oh."

"If you tug me again, I'll tell my father!"

"Oh."

"Potter!"

Amid a bout of laughter and teasing, Harry finally left the Hogwarts Great Hall, with all four of his roommates giving him thumbs-ups.

Harry, impressive. Just what you'd expect from the Chosen One...

Harry's four roommates weren't the only ones watching with great interest.

Even Professor Snape, seated at the staff table, couldn't help dropping his cold, sour expression as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

What a lovely sight...

Never mind, he should hurry back. In a little while, he still wanted to ask whether Harry had any keepsakes left by Lily...

Of course, everyone was either talking to one another or stealing glances at the little romantic display at the Ravenclaw Table.

For some reason, Professor Quirrell alone maintained a deeply uncomfortable silence as he ate.

He even stopped eating halfway through.

He seemed to be listening to something, not saying a word, utterly silent.

Professor Quirrell's previously expressionless face also began to look somewhat unpleasant.

Eventually, Professor Quirrell's expression even began to look a little vicious!

He simply put down his knife and fork and left the Hogwarts Great Hall!

But judging by the direction he rushed off in, he didn't seem to be heading toward yesterday's staircase, but toward the place that led to the dungeons or Ravenclaw Tower...

How strange. Instead of probing the forbidden area on the fourth floor at this hour, Quirrell was going to the tower or the dungeons?

That showed rather little regard for Snape's vigilance.

"I knew there was something wrong with you..."

Professor Snape narrowed his eyes at Quirrell's retreating figure and gave a quiet, cold laugh.

Still...

"I'd advise you not to get yourself killed, Quirrell..."

Snape, who knew perfectly well that he wasn't a good person either, threw on his cloak and followed...