Hermione's father sat on the edge of the bed, his tone suddenly becoming a few degrees somber:
Even if this child seems very well-behaved right now, I still need to observe him further.
Hermione's mother didn't argue, she just listened quietly.
"We only have one daughter, and we've doted on her since she was little. She's not someone any random guy can just take away because he's polite to me or makes me happy."
Hermione's dad spoke with exceptional seriousness.
"Family background, personality, sincerity, whether they can be good to Minmin in the long run... we'll have to wait and see."
As he spoke, he looked at his wife, his eyes less playful than usual, and more solemn with the seriousness of a father:
"It seems good now, but there's a long road ahead. A temporary period of good fortune isn't enough; only when things stay good can we feel at ease."
Hermione's mother sighed softly, patted his arm, and looked at him understandingly.
"I understand. You're worried that our girl will be taken advantage of or wronged. I know what I'm doing and I won't let them do whatever they want."
Hermione's father finally relaxed a little and nodded. "Well, let's wait and see, no need to rush to conclusions!"
"As long as he truly cares for Hermione, I naturally won't make things difficult for him. But if he has second thoughts..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the protectiveness in his tone was crystal clear.
Hermione's mother chuckled softly, "Alright, we just need to keep it in mind. Don't show it on your face and scare the child."
Hermione's father hummed in agreement, leaning against the headboard, but his mind was still replaying the scene in the hallway.
Around 2:00 PM, there was a light knock on the guest room door twice.
Before Draco could respond, Hermione pushed open the door and came in. "Get up, it's time to study."
Draco was sleeping soundly when he sat up in bed, still half asleep and with his hair all messy.
He hadn't expected to sleep so soundly at Hermione's house, but the nap was indeed a bit too long.
Seeing him languishing and motionless for so long, Hermione couldn't help but walk over, gently taking his arm and coaxing him half-pushing, half-pulling:
"Stop lying in bed, get up and practice spells with me."
Draco rubbed his eyes and protested, "No way, Hermione... we're on holiday right now."
Hermione put one hand on her hip, and her know-it-all serious look immediately returned:
"Even on vacation, you can't slack off! The more you rest, the easier it is to fall behind. Take advantage of this time when you're at your best to solidify those few spells you didn't master last semester."
As she spoke, she gently shook his arm, with a hint of pleading in her voice:
"Just practice for a little while, okay? After you're done, I'll go downstairs with you for tea and snacks."
Draco, unable to resist her pull, smiled and agreed, "Alright, alright, whatever you say. After all, he's mine..."
Hermione blushed and glared at him, afraid he would spout more nonsense.
Draco suddenly remembered something and glanced towards the door. "But... won't your uncle and aunt hear you shouting like that?"
Hermione tensed up immediately upon hearing this, cautiously glancing towards the door before lowering her voice to reply:
"Don't worry, my parents always take deep naps, and they're still sleeping soundly right now."
After she finished speaking, she gently tugged at his arm and urged, "Get up quickly, or I'll really call for help."
The two moved to an open space near the window in the room. The curtains were half-drawn, and the light was soft, just right for practicing the spell.
Hermione opened the book, revealing her true intentions.
It wasn't about urging him to get up; it was clearly about seizing the opportunity to take advantage of the upperclassmen's influence.
Draco couldn't help but laugh when he saw her serious yet slightly calculating expression.
"I knew it, you were trying to steal things from the older students."
Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, and she retorted defiantly, "What do you mean by 'stealing'? You taught me willingly."
"Alright, alright, I'm willing." Draco was quite indulgent. "Today I'll teach you the Shield Charm; it's the most practical for self-defense."
He first demonstrated, his gestures clean and crisp, his incantation deep and clear, and a pale golden barrier gently appeared.
Hermione's eyes lit up, and she immediately started imitating.
But on his first attempt, his hand gestures were slightly off, and his incantation was a beat too late.
"Armor--"
The barrier didn't appear; instead, it blew a notebook off the table with a "whoosh" and onto the floor.
Hermione: "..."
Draco couldn't help but chuckle.
Hermione glared at him. "Don't laugh! This is my first time practicing!"
"I wasn't laughing." Draco tried hard to keep a straight face, but his eyes were full of laughter. "Come on, I'll show you how to correct your gestures."
He stepped forward, gently grasped her wrist, and slowly adjusted the angle. "Don't tense your wrist too much, keep it steady, like this... Yes, chant the spell slowly, don't rush."
The two were so close that Hermione's heart started racing, and her incantation became a little unsteady.
The second time, the Shield Charm worked, but it was too powerful, sending the nearby chair flying far away with a "thud".
The noise was a bit too loud, and the two of them froze, holding their breath and straining to hear what was happening outside.
There was silence for a few seconds, but nothing happened.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and glared at him fiercely, "It's all your fault for getting so close, I was distracted!"
Draco raised an eyebrow innocently. "I was just teaching."
That's interfering with your studies.
The two bickered quietly, but couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.
After practicing a few more times, Hermione gradually regained her composure, and the barrier became thin and transparent.
Her eyes lit up, and she was a little proud. "See? Don't I learn very quickly?"
Draco, seeing the expectation in her eyes, nodded sincerely. "Yes, you learn much faster than I do."
He lowered his voice, a mischievous smirk in his eyes. "So smart, no wonder you planned it all out in advance, waking me up at the appointed time to be your private tutor."
Hermione picked up her notebook and lightly tapped him. " Draco Malfoy! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll—"
"So what?"
"I'll kick you out!"
Draco raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll shut up and continue teaching you. I'll listen to Miss Granger."
Draco glanced at the empty guest room and shrugged. "But this room is too basic; there's not even an item to practice defense."
"How about... we go to your room?"
This is Draco's true purpose.
Hermione took a half-step back without thinking, hurriedly waving her hands. "No, no! My room is a mess, it's not convenient."
Afraid he would bring up going inside again, she quickly added, "I'll just bring my things over; I'll practice here."
He then quickly ran back to his room, grabbed a few thick notebooks, an old cushion, and a lightweight chair, and carried them all to the open space by the window in the guest room.
Draco leaned against the window, watching her bustling about, a smile playing on his lips. He didn't expose her little bit of shyness, just waited quietly.
Once Hermione had finished setting things up, she looked up and glared at him. "What are you looking at? Weren't you going to teach me the Shield Charm?"
Draco then stood up straight, twirled his wand, and said, "Coming. Listen to my commands, and don't bounce the chair away again."