Draco chased after Hermione, who ran ahead, and the two raced across the wide lawn.
Her wizard robe billowed in the wind like a small sail, her brown curly hair flew wildly as she ran, and fine strands clung to her flushed cheeks.
Every time she turned around, her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, as if they held the entire afternoon sun.
With a mischievous smile that she never showed in class, Hermione ran around with her face flushed.
A thin layer of sweat glistened on her nose, softening my heart. I just wanted to hug her messy little head and give her a big kiss.
Just as she was about to catch up, Hermione suddenly made an incredibly nimble turn, like a light little sparrow, and slipped behind the tall, thick beech tree.
"You're cheating!" Draco laughed as he stopped in front of the tree, deliberately putting on a stern face.
Hermione peeked halfway out from behind the tree trunk, her chin slightly raised, her eyes gleaming with a clever and cunning light.
She said smugly and cheerfully, "That's called making good use of the environment, otherwise you would have caught me!"
After a brief rest, before Draco could react, she darted out from behind the tree like a nimble deer and rushed back into the open meadow.
Draco immediately gave chase.
Light footsteps and crisp laughter echoed across the quiet lawn, startling a few Bowtruckle that were resting in the grass.
They rustled in dissatisfaction, their tiny figures twisting and quickly disappearing into the dense grass.
They ran for an unknown amount of time until they were both panting heavily. Finally, they both collapsed backward, slumped on the soft, thick grassy slope.
The warm sunshine bathed me, gentle and mild, with only the tenderness unique to early autumn.
The grass beneath me carried a faint fragrance, and the waters of Black Lake rhythmically lapped against the pebbles on the shore, creating a soothing, hypnotic gurgling sound.
"Seriously."
Hermione turned to the side, propped her head up with one hand, and looked at Draco, saying:
"If you had put half the energy you use chasing me into studying, we might already be the winners of the House Cup."
Draco couldn't help but laugh out loud, turning his head to look at the earnest light in her eyes:
"Is Miss Granger really that obsessed with the House Cup?"
Hermione casually plucked a slender blade of grass, twirling it rapidly between her fingers, and said, slightly quickening her pace:
"Think about it. If we get points deducted for being late or forgetting to submit our papers, it's not just a matter of a reduced number. It's about bringing shame to Gryffindor, disappointing Professor McGonagall, and making all our previous efforts go to waste."
"This is a matter of logic, not some strange obsession you're talking about."
Seeing her earnest and reasonable manner, Draco smiled and gave in:
"Alright, alright, Miss Granger is right. But for now, please clear your mind and give yourself a good break after a busy week."
Hermione opened her mouth, as if she wanted to add some logic, but when she met Draco's gentle and languid gaze, she ultimately decided not to argue.
She slowly lay back down on the grass, gazing at the clear, bright early autumn sky with Draco.
White clouds drifted slowly by, the wind was so light it was almost imperceptible, leaving only a rare sense of comfort and tranquility.
After resting for a while, Draco silently activated the system in his mind and first exchanged for a Bubble-Head Charm.
Colorful bubbles floated from my palm, refracting tiny sparkles in the sunlight.
Immediately afterwards, he asked in his mind: [System, is there a way to deal with the Grindylow water ghost?]
[Host requirement detected: Upgradeable Banishing Charm, effective against all spirits and malicious creatures, can forcibly remove from a designated area.]
Without the slightest hesitation, I immediately chose to redeem and upgrade.
A faint warmth flowed along the veins of the wand, and the upgraded Banishing Charm was complete.
Draco casually raised his hand and waved it lightly, causing an invisible wave to spread out.
Centered on the two individuals, the entire shallow waters of the lakeside area of Grindylow were instantly and swiftly driven away.
After dealing with the potential hazard, Draco got up, walked to the shore, squatted down, and watched the lake water gently lapping against the mud, shimmering and calm.
Hermione immediately sat up straight, her voice tinged with tension and worry:
" Draco, there are water ghosts in the Black Lake! The school forbids us from getting too close to the water; they'll pull people in!"
Draco turned around, smiled at her, and said:
"It's alright. Do you remember the spell that could control Peeves? After the upgrade, it works on Grindylow too. I've already banished them all from this area."
Hermione paused for a moment, then suddenly slapped her forehead:
"I almost forgot... Hogwarts has been around for so many years, and almost no one has ever been able to truly control Peeves. You really did... learn that spell from your grandfather?"
Draco stood up, walked towards her against the light, a smile playing on his lips, then said mysteriously, "Guess."
Hermione looked at him helplessly and said, "... I guess you're trying to tease me again."
Draco didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her, then changed the subject:
"My family has a large collection of old books, many of which are not even in the Hogwarts Library. Would you like to take a look?"
Hermione's eyes lit up for a second, then quickly dimmed again, and she whispered, "Of course I want to... but..."
"Don't worry," Draco interrupted her, speaking calmly yet with unwavering determination.
"They'll find out sooner or later. I'll convince them then, and then I'll take you home. Even an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws eventually."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, and she immediately glared at him, saying, "You're the ugly one!"
She scolded him playfully, but the unease and worry in her eyes remained undiminished.
She feared the prejudice of Pure-blood families, his family, the fact that their relationship was destined to be unblessed from the start, and even more so, that it was just a momentary impulse on his part.
Draco walked back to her side and sat down next to her again.
He reached out and gently took her hand, gazed intently into her eyes, and said solemnly, "Don't overthink it, let's work together."
Hermione froze for a moment, her heart jolting violently.
The worry in her eyes and brows melted away little by little, like the warmth of the sun breaking through the frozen surface of a lake.
She stared at Draco in disbelief.
He... understood.
He truly understood the concerns she hadn't voiced.
This is not a spur-of-the-moment thing, not a youthful impulse, not a casual declaration of love.
Does he understand the weight of those words?
The composure and seriousness in Draco's eyes clearly told her: he understood.
"Yes, I understand." Draco seemed to see right through her.
Hermione was startled, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding so hard it was almost out of control.
He seems to... know what she's thinking?
"Of course I know." Draco chuckled, a tender look in his eyes. "I remember everything you said at the Room of Requirement, not a single word."
"Good that you remember!" Hermione whispered, calming herself slightly. She immediately opened her otter bag as usual, taking out a quill and notebook. "Then we need a plan—"