Lavender's face immediately fell, and he sighed as he leaned against the stair railing, "I knew I shouldn't have come so early. Now look what I'm going to do, I'm going to be forced to eat lemons again."
Parvati poked her, looking bewildered. "Eat lemons? We didn't bring any lemons. What are you talking about?"
Lavender rolled her eyes and said sourly, "I meant I felt sour! Lemons are sour, aren't they?"
Parvati instantly realized what was happening, covering her mouth and giggling, "Oh~ I get it, I get it! It really is sour, so very sour!"
Hermione replied calmly, with a hint of smugness, "Good to know. Stop joking around and don't forget your notes."
Parvati looked down and exchanged a glance with Lavender, wanting to laugh but unable to.
Climbing the steep spiral staircase leading to the top of the tower was exhausting; the group panted as they made their way up the winding stone steps.
The moment you step onto the top of the Astronomy Tower, a cool evening breeze greets you, making you realize that climbing this rickety ladder was all worthwhile.
The night sky was already slightly darkening, with a few last rays of light still lingering on the horizon, and a few impatient bright stars were already faintly twinkling against the deep blue backdrop.
The top of the tower is a spacious open-air platform with an excellent view, but it is also drafty. When the cold wind blows, all four of them subconsciously shrink their necks.
Without saying a word, Draco raised his hand and whispered a Warming Charm to himself and Hermione.
A faint, almost invisible warm light gently enveloped the two of them, instantly dispelling the chill.
"Hey, hey, hey! What about me? What about me!" Lavender immediately came over, raising his hand expectantly.
"Me too! Me too!" Parvati sidled over as well.
Draco turned to Hermione, giving her a look that said, "You're in charge."
Lavender couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Having to ask your wife first at a time like this, you're really clingy..."
Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, but she remained calm, clearing her throat lightly and saying, "Don't tease me anymore, or I'll have Draco add it to your list too."
"Okay, okay~" the two immediately replied with smiles.
Draco raised his hand and cast two more gentle spells, casting a warm light upon Lavender and Parvati.
The cold wind was instantly shut out, and both of them let out a comfortable sigh.
The four of them dispersed to find their own spots, spread out their star chart folders, and set out their quills, parchment, and small stargazing telescopes.
Draco almost without thinking and immediately chose the seat closest to Hermione, sitting down next to her.
The two couples quietly admired the beautiful view from the top of the tower.
A gentle evening breeze, carrying the soft starlight, brushed against my cheek, and the silhouette of Hogwarts Castle in the distance gradually softened in the twilight.
Hermione looked down at the star chart, her fingertips lightly touching the marks on the parchment, carefully adjusting the stargazing telescope.
Draco sat beside her, half his gaze fixed on the starry sky, and the other half quietly on her earnest profile.
Occasionally, he would help her steady the star chart that was being blown by the wind.
Lavender and Parvati huddled together, whispering about the positions of the constellations, occasionally glancing at the two people next to them, suppressing their laughter.
Students gradually climbed up the spiral staircase.
The once empty Astronomy Tower gradually became lively, with footsteps and whispers mingling with the evening breeze.
Everyone found their spots, set up their tools, and waited for the professor to arrive.
When almost everyone had arrived and the seats were nearly full, the wooden door at the top of the tower was gently pushed open.
Steady footsteps approached slowly, and Astronomy professor Aurora Sinistra finally made her entrance.
Professor Aurora, draped in a thick astrological robe and holding an ancient star chart in her hand, calmly swept her gaze across the room.
The previously hushed conversation immediately fell silent, and everyone straightened their backs, ready to begin tonight's observation lesson.
Professor Aurora raised her hand and cast a large-scale Warming Charm on the entire top area of the tower.
The warmth slowly enveloped everyone, and the cold wind could no longer get in, so everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Astronomy courses are nothing more than identifying constellations, aligning with stars, drawing star charts, and memorizing the orbits of a few bright stars.
Draco had never been particularly interested in these dry astrological theories.
The only downside was the cool evening breeze at the top of the tower, and the vast, clear night sky—the scenery was truly breathtaking.
Throughout the entire class, Draco only focused on memorizing the location of Polaris.
After all, this is practical; if I wander around the edge of the Forbidden Forest at night or sneak out of the castle, at least I won't get lost.
The long Astronomy finally ended, and as Draco packed up his things and followed the crowd downstairs, his heart began to sink.
Because this means there's only one new course left.
A subject that gives you the creeps.
Snape's Potions Class!
It's almost a given that Snape will definitely find some way to target me in Potions Class.
Thursday passed by as usual, and everyone got through the day of classes without any problems.
Friday arrived in the blink of an eye.
In the Great Breakfast Great Hall at Hogwarts, what was unusual today was that Ron had gotten up exceptionally early.
He even sat calmly at the table, munching on bread, showing no signs of being sleepy as usual.
Neville, holding his teacup, looked at him with surprise. " Ron, why are you up so early today? Usually, Harry has to drag you here."
Ron, his mouth bulging, let out a muffled sigh, his face resigned to his fate.
"Isn't there Snape's Potions Class today? I want to take a look at the textbook a bit more this morning and memorize some more content, so that if he calls on me, at least I can answer a question or two and won't be scolded to the point of questioning my existence."
Ron quickly waved his hand. "It's not just targeting me, it's everyone except Slytherin! Of course, we Gryffindor are probably his number one target."
Harry frowned, still not quite understanding. "Why does he have to target students from other houses like this?"
Ron rolled his eyes and lowered his voice, "What else could it be? Favoring their own house, of course! Maybe they just want Slytherin to easily win the House Cup."
Draco sat to the side, not participating in the discussion, but quietly cutting the bacon on his plate.
Snape's intentions were not that simple.
It's probably much more complicated than they could imagine.
I had two consecutive Potions Class scheduled this morning, but the only good news is that I have no classes all afternoon.
However, Draco was still very busy, not only having to clean the house but also rushing to Quidditch tryouts in the evening.
Halfway through breakfast, the sound of owls' wings suddenly swept across the Great Hall, and letters and packages of all sizes landed on the long tables of each college.
A snow-white figure swooped down straight down; it was Hedwig. She landed steadily in front of Harry, a folded piece of paper in her mouth.
Harry reached out and took it, unfolded it, and slowly scanned the words, his lips unconsciously softening.
Several people instinctively looked over.
Harry read the contents of the letter aloud:
Dear Harry:
I know you don't have classes on Friday afternoon. I was wondering if you could come over and have tea with me around 3 PM? I'd really like to know how your first week went.
Oh, and bring Draco along too. I heard he's a celebrity now, a real Gryffindor.
Please let Hedwig give me an answer.
Hagrid