Crookshanks, nestled lazily on its cushion in its pet cage, watched the two of them being affectionate without a care in the world, its amber eyes filled with helplessness.
After listlessly sweeping its tail across the bottom of the cage, it silently grumbled to itself, "Sigh, I'm just a cat, not a dog. I've been abused all this way."
I really don't know if coming to this new owner's house is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm afraid I'll have to watch these two being all lovey-dovey every day from now on.
It yawned and buried its head in its fluffy tail, out of sight, out of mind.
The two walked into the Prim Beauty Pharmacy again, where the owner, Madam Primpernelle, was standing behind the counter mixing hair oil.
Upon seeing the newcomer, he immediately looked up, and the instant he recognized Draco, a respectful yet familiar smile appeared on his face, " Young Master Malfoy, you've arrived."
Draco casually placed the Crookshanks cage on the cushion by the door and led Hermione to the dressing mirror in the middle.
"Come and give the young mistress a new hairstyle."
"So it's the young mistress. No wonder she and the young master look so well-matched." Having received Draco's confirmation, Mrs. Prim finally dared to tease him.
Hearing this, Hermione's face flushed again, and she whispered in protest, "You... you've misunderstood, I didn't..."
"Good eye. Bring the tools. I want her dressed up nicely, using the Malfoy family's exclusive formula."
Mrs. Prim smiled and replied, "Don't worry, young master, I guarantee the young mistress will be satisfied, and everyone else will be amazed."
As she spoke, she turned to prepare hair care Potions and styling tools, and before leaving, she thoughtfully handed Crookshanks by the door a small dish of catnip cookies.
Crookshanks was listlessly fiddling with the cage bars when he caught a glimpse of the catnip biscuits Mrs. Prim offered him. His eyes lit up, and he unconsciously sniffed them.
It paused reservedly for a moment, then turned its head away as if it didn't care, but its ears perked up quietly, with the tips pointing towards the biscuit.
After Mrs. Prim left, Hermione glared at Draco and said, "Why don't you explain! Who's the young mistress?"
"It'll happen sooner or later, let them get used to it in advance."
"No way!" Hermione wrinkled her nose, her cheeks still flushed, her tone stubborn and willful. "I don't want to be called 'Young Mistress' all the time."
"Okay, I understand, Hermione Granger. But that doesn't stop you from being mine sooner or later."
As soon as Draco finished speaking, Mrs. Prim came over carrying an exquisite silver platter.
The plate was filled with various glass bottles of hair-care Potions, along with neatly arranged hair-trimming tools.
The set includes silver-handled, intricately carved hair scissors, fine-toothed styling combs, and gleaming razors, as well as magic curling irons with varying curl patterns and styling wax.
"Young Madam, we can begin now."
Hermione's blush, which she had just managed to suppress, surged back up instantly, and she glared fiercely at Draco.
She then awkwardly sat down in front of the dressing mirror, letting Mrs. Prim do her hair.
"I'll do it myself." Draco took the tools from Prim and placed them on the dressing table.
Mrs. Prim, who was standing to the side, was slightly taken aback when she heard this, but she quickly composed herself.
"So it turns out the young master wants to personally take care of the young mistress."
She thoughtfully added, "These tools have been treated with a seamless shaping magic, so even if you're not careful, they won't damage your hair. Young Master, please use them with confidence. I'll be right here, so please let me know if you need anything."
After saying that, she tiptoed to the counter, turned her back and pretended to organize the goods, but actually left enough space for the two of them to be alone.
Draco stood behind Hermione, looking directly into the dressing mirror with a serious expression, his fingers gently stroking her hair.
Hermione's body stiffened instantly, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she could only glare at him through the mirror.
"Can you?" She hesitated for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out the question. Her fingers twisted nervously together, afraid that he would be clumsy and ruin her hair.
Draco chuckled at her words, stood firmly behind her, and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
With a flick of his fingers, the delicate hair clippers deftly twirled between his fingers, showing no signs of being a novice.
"Want to make a bet?" Draco's lips curled into a playful smile.
Mrs. Prim immediately lowered her head and pretended to tidy up the Potions on the counter.
Although the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, she tried her best to suppress her laughter, afraid of disturbing her two little masters' little fun, and just stood quietly in the corner like a transparent person.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and her expression instantly fell.
Another bet? This is the fifth or sixth time already. I've never won a single bet against him, and it makes me so angry every time I think about it.
But seeing the man in the mirror so calm and confident as he fiddled with the scissors, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least it seemed he had some training and wasn't just making things up.
But the next second she frowned. Wait a minute, if he really knew how, then she was doomed to lose.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally mustered up the courage to speak.
What are we betting on?
"I bet you'll love the haircut I give you, and it'll amaze everyone at Hogwarts." Draco's gaze fell on her flushed cheeks in the mirror.
Then he added a condition, "If I win, you have to grant me one request."
Mrs. Prim listened from the sidelines, secretly amused. The Malfoy family young master's determined look suggested he had already planned what he would do after winning.
Hermione was indignant. After biting her lip, she made a ridiculous demand. "If I win, you have to grant me ten requests! Not one less!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Prim jerked her head up and then coughed quickly to cover it up.
Even Crookshanks, who was licking its paws in its cage by the door, stopped in its tracks. How dare its master mention that?
Draco chuckled at her self-righteous attitude and flicked her forehead lightly with his finger, " Hermione Granger, are you taking advantage of my misfortune?"
"No way?" Hermione raised her chin, a hint of smugness in her eyes, deliberately provoking him. "Fine, don't bet then."
Draco, seeing her smug little face, laughed even harder and nodded decisively, "Alright, we'll do it your way. Ten it is, I'll play along."
Hermione's eyes lit up instantly, overjoyed, but her happiness lasted only a couple of seconds before a strange sense of foreboding rose in her heart.
This guy always seems so confident; is he going to suffer another crushing defeat?
Crookshanks lay back down in its cage, covering half its face with its tail, and rolled its eyes in exasperation.
They actually signed an unequal treaty for the sake of an agreement.
Mrs. Prim smiled and gently shook her head. These two little rascals, no matter how they gamble, they always win in the end.
Mrs. Prim saw things most clearly.
Draco glanced at Hermione, who was still secretly apprehensive in his eyes, and gently ran his fingers through her soft brown hair, saying:
"Then I'll begin."