When did you two start dating?
Draco asked bluntly.
"I... we... it's not... it's just..." Neville waved his hands frantically, wanting to explain but not knowing where to begin.
Hannah reacted even more strongly, finally explaining shyly, "No... we're just friends..."
But after she finished speaking, she secretly glanced at Neville, and his slightly contradictory expression only made things more ambiguous.
The two stood there, one stammering and incoherent, the other shyly lowering his head and remaining silent, their awkwardness and embarrassment palpable, which was more interesting than a direct admission.
"What's there to be embarrassed about? Look at Hermione and me, we've been teased about it so many times since we started school, and we're still fine," Draco said, arms crossed.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hermione scolded playfully, a faint smile immediately appearing on her face.
Neville paused, the blush on his face faded slightly, and the embarrassment in his eyes lessened.
Hannah glanced at Neville discreetly, a slight smile playing on her lips; she seemed much more relaxed.
"Have you finished shopping?" Hermione asked.
Neville quickly shook his head, his tone finally becoming more natural. "Not yet, we just arrived too."
"Then let's go together. I hope it won't disturb your time alone together?" Draco finally realized how fun it was to tease others.
Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation, pinched Draco's arm hard, and said in a low voice, "Can't you just shut up a bit!"
Turning to look at Neville and Hannah, she quickly waved her hand again. "Ignore him, it's better to go together. There are a lot of people in Diagon Alley, we can look out for each other."
After hearing Draco's words, Neville's face flushed red again, and he frantically waved his hands.
He stammered, "No, no, it's not a bother! It's fine to walk together, it's fine."
He glanced at Hannah furtively as he spoke, and seeing that she didn't object, he felt a little relieved.
He moved the paper bag in his hand closer to Hannah.
Hannah simply responded with a soft "hmm".
Her fingers, which were clutching the hem of her skirt, twitched slightly, and she unconsciously followed Neville's footsteps.
The four walked side by side on the cobblestone street of Diagon Alley.
Just as I turned the corner of the wand shop, I bumped into a father and daughter walking towards me.
The man walking in front was tall, with light golden hair interspersed with a few strands of silver. His loose, royal blue robe was printed with strange patterns, making him look both odd and casual.
The girl beside him was slender, with light golden curly hair loosely draped over her shoulders, and round eyes that revealed pure innocence.
Butterbeer bottle cap brooch was pinned to the neckline of her patchwork dress, and radish earrings swayed gently from her ears.
The girl's appearance was peculiar, yet she possessed a certain liveliness.
The man recognized Draco at a glance, his gaze lingering on him briefly before he immediately flashed a warm smile.
He put his arm around Luna's shoulder, strode forward, and said directly, " Young Master Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Xenophilius Lovegood, and this is my daughter Luna."
Lovegood learned that Luna was called " the Loony " at Hogwarts and was isolated and had her belongings hidden away.
His deep affection for his daughter made him eager to use his family background and social connections to pave the way for her future.
So he deliberately softened his tone and smiled as he addressed the crowd:
"The children are all classmates at school, so please look after each other in the future."
Luna blinked her silver-gray eyes, stood quietly beside her father, and glanced curiously at the group.
Draco nodded slightly and greeted the man, " Mr. Lovegood. Lovegood."
He then looked at Luna and said frankly, "Since we're classmates at Hogwarts, we should look after each other at school."
"Hello Luna, I'm Draco Malfoy." After saying that, Draco raised his hand to straighten his cuffs and extended his hand to shake hands with Luna.
Luna blinked, stared intently at Draco's outstretched hand, and then looked at his face.
After her initial curiosity subsided, she reached out and gently placed her hand on Draco's, saying in her characteristic casual tone, "Hello, Draco. I'm Luna."
Lovegood, seeing Draco's overtures, felt a surge of gratitude in his eyes, and his smile grew even more genuine.
Hermione's face showed a hint of surprise, not expecting Draco to be so proactive, but she also gave a gentle smile.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger, you can call me Hermione."
Seeing this, Neville quickly scratched his head and gave Luna a shy smile. "I, I'm Neville Longbottom, just call me Neville."
" Hannah Abbott." Hannah was more direct.
After shaking hands, Draco looked at Luna and asked, " Luna, is there anything else you want to buy? We're going to Flourish and Blotts, do you want to come with us?"
Upon hearing this, Lovegood's smile instantly brightened, and he tactfully said:
"Great! Luna was just saying she was going to Flourish and Blotts to buy some new books. It's perfect for you young people to shop together."
He naturally wouldn't go with them; he secretly hoped to use this opportunity to let Luna and Draco's group spend more time together.
After a moment's thought, he said softly to Luna:
"Dad will go to the Diagon Alley to buy some things. I'll wait for you in front of the Eeylops Owl Emporium. We'll meet there after we're done shopping, okay?"
"Okay." Luna nodded.
Having received Luna's response, Lovegood then nodded slightly to Draco and entrusted her with the task, saying, " Young Master Malfoy, I'll trouble you to look after Luna."
Without waiting for anyone's response, she picked up her brown paper bag, turned around and left with light steps, tactfully leaving the children some space to be alone.
Without the slightest hesitation, Luna walked briskly and naturally to the side of the group.
The group moved towards Flourish and Blotts. Hannah finally recovered from her earlier shyness and took the initiative to ask:
" Hermione, what electives do you want to take in third grade? I'd like to take 'Care of Fantastic Beasts '."
Hermione was also very interested in this, counting on her fingers:
"I plan to choose Arithmancy, Herbology, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination."
"Good heavens, five doors? That's too many! Hermione, can you manage?" Neville exclaimed in surprise.
He himself was still hesitating between choosing two subjects.
"Five elective courses?" Hannah was stunned. "That's incredible! I feel like I might fall behind if I choose just two, and you dare to choose so many."
"Why choose so many?" Draco asked.
Hermione explained:
"Third-year elective courses are for building a foundation. Taking more courses can broaden your knowledge and give you an advantage when applying to higher education later."
"No, we can't choose so many," Draco firmly objected. "If you choose so many courses, you'll be so busy you won't have time to focus on me."
"What nonsense are you talking about! Who wants to focus their energy on you?" Hermione's cheeks flushed.