Hermione's face flushed, and she immediately pursed her lips in defiance, gripping her wand tighter:
"That was an accident! Last time I was distracted, but that won't happen this time."
"Oh?" Draco slowly walked to stand opposite her. "Then I'll be watching, Miss Granger."
He then gave the standard demonstration again.
" Protego."
A pale golden, semi-transparent barrier instantly unfolded before him, shimmering with light.
Hermione watched intently, silently memorizing the movements and pronunciations.
"Watched carefully?" Draco put away his wand and looked at her. "You do it once, remember—don't stiffen your wrist, don't rush the spell, and keep your balance."
Hermione nodded, took a deep breath, and raised her wand.
But just as she was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of his gaze so close to hers out of the corner of her eye, and her heart skipped a beat, her wrist trembling slightly.
"Iron armor... protects you!"
The barrier appeared, but it was crooked and wobbly. Due to a misdirection, it sent the pillow next to it flying into the air with a "smack," which then slammed straight at Draco.
Draco reacted quickly, catching the pillow in his hand. Seeing her face turn red from holding it in, he finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Still saying you're not distracted?" He hugged his pillow, his eyes full of laughter. " Granger, are you practicing the Shield Charm or the Sneak Attack Charm?"
Hermione was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground. She whispered urgently:
"You're not allowed to laugh! I already said it's my first time! I just... I just didn't adjust my posture properly!"
"Okay, okay, I won't laugh anymore." Draco tried to suppress his smile, approaching step by step, his expression becoming gentle and patient. "I'll help you adjust."
Before Hermione could refuse, he gently grasped her right hand holding the cane and, with a slight force, helped her raise her wrist to the correct height.
"Here, yes, hold steady... don't veer towards me."
His palms were warm, and his breath fell softly beside her ear, causing Hermione to freeze.
His mind was completely blank; he couldn't possibly remember any incantation.
Draco seemed to notice her stiffness, chuckled softly but didn't let go, instead gently adjusting her posture little by little:
"Relax, trust me."
Four words made Hermione's heart race completely.
She bit her lip and, following his instructions, recited the incantation again. " Protego."
This time, the golden barrier unfolded steadily, flawlessly beautiful.
Hermione's eyes lit up, instantly forgetting her earlier shyness. She turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I did it!"
Draco gazed at her jubilant face, his fingers unconsciously brushing against her cheek. "I knew it, you learn the fastest."
The movement was so light and fleeting that it made Hermione freeze in place.
The air suddenly quieted down, leaving only the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the slightly hurried beating of our hearts.
Hermione hurriedly turned her face away, pretending to organize her notes, and said in a very low voice, "Let's... let's continue practicing, don't waste time..."
Draco looked at her flustered profile, his smile finally coming out, and replied gently, "Okay, whatever you say."
The two continued practicing repeatedly in the guest room, their wands waving lightly, causing the golden barrier to open and close.
In the hallway, Hermione's parents were already awake.
Hearing only the low chanting and occasional soft laughter from inside, they exchanged a glance, quietly tiptoed away, and didn't want to go in and disturb them.
Hermione's father moved a chair to the living room and sat down to read the newspaper, but he didn't turn a single page for a long time.
But his ears were secretly perked up, listening to the sounds coming from inside the house, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously relaxed a little.
Hermione's mother picked up her shopping basket, tiptoed out the door, and headed towards the fruit shop at the street corner.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Hermione's mother returned carrying a bag of fresh fruit.
After washing it thoroughly, I placed it on a white porcelain plate and gently knocked on the guest room door.
Hermione and Draco put away their wands and looked up at the same time.
"You must be tired from training. Have some fruit and rest." Hermione's mother smiled and placed the plate on the small table by the window.
The grapes are glistening, and the apples are rosy red; they look delightful.
Draco quickly stood up. "Thank you, Auntie."
Hermione leaned over, picked up a grape, popped it into her mouth, and mumbled, "Thank you, Mom."
She glanced at the overflowing plate and couldn't help but tilt her head and ask, "Mom, why did you buy so much today?"
Hermione's mother couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to gently tap her forehead. "Silly girl, it wasn't bought for you."
Hermione had just taken a bite of apple when her movement suddenly froze in mid-air, her mouth slightly agape, her face filled with disbelief.
She slowly put down the fruit and looked at her mother with a pitiful expression:
"So that's why you were so generous today, turns out I wasn't the one getting the lion's share... Mom, who's your real child anyway? Is there any love left?"
Hermione's mother laughed out loud at her antics and gently poked her forehead.
"You talk too much! I buy you things every day and you still complain. Draco finally comes to our house, what's wrong with me buying him a little more? If you keep criticizing him like this, how can he eat it?"
Hermione was speechless, and could only puff out her cheeks and look pitifully at her mother, looking like a wronged little girl.
Draco sat to the side, watching the mother and daughter bicker with great interest.
Hermione's mother watched her like this, pretending not to notice.
She tidied up the scraps of paper around the fruit plate, quietly closed the door, and left, leaving the two children completely alone.
The room fell silent again.
Draco looked at Hermione's chubby, round cheeks, her lips slightly downturned.
Normally she's the most competitive person, but now she looks like a kitten whose food has been stolen.
Draco chuckled, picked up a perfectly cut piece of apple, pinched the segments, and gently brought it to her lips.
"Alright, stop being angry," Draco said with indulgent pampering. "You're such a grown woman, and you're still trying to compete with me for my attention."
Hermione, amused by his remark, muttered softly, "Who told her to... I'm the biological daughter, after all."
Even so, she still slightly opened her mouth and put the apple slice in her mouth.
The sweet juice spread in my mouth, instantly washing away any lingering grievances I had just felt.
Seeing that she obediently ate the apple, Draco picked up another piece and put it in his mouth.
While eating, he casually picked up where they left off, explaining in detail the tricks to unleashing the Shield Charm and how to adjust in case of unexpected situations.
He spoke earnestly, but as he continued, he noticed that Hermione didn't react at all.
She didn't listen at all.
At that moment, Hermione stared at him with her bright, clear eyes, not blinking.
She thought to herself: This guy in front of her always loves to talk big.
But when he gets serious, even the way he holds the wand looks neat and handsome.
She sighed inwardly, no wonder everyone says that people who are serious are the most beautiful.
Draco was completely oblivious to the strange look in her eyes, assuming she was just daydreaming again.
So I couldn't resist reaching out and gently tugging at her soft cheek with my fingers.
"You said I explained things in detail, but you just openly let my mind wander."
Hermione shuddered slightly at his touch, suddenly snapping out of her daze.