When Qin Yu and Hermione slipped through the portrait hole behind the Fat Lady and into the Gryffindor common room, there was still plenty of time before curfew.
Normally, Hermione would have gone straight to her dorm to wash up and get ready for bed. But tonight, because Qin Yu had stood her up after class, she insisted he make it up to her with a tutoring session in the common room, claiming she hadn't finished her study tasks.
"It's just, you can't really talk in the library, and I've got so many questions I didn't get to ask," Hermione explained, her tone both earnest and a little triumphant.
"Alright, I've got nothing better to do anyway." Qin Yu shrugged—he certainly didn't mind. Spending time with little Hermione was far preferable to hanging out with the usual dorm blokes.
"Okay, I'll just grab my books. Be right back!"
With that, Hermione skipped off, clearly in high spirits.
Qin Yu seized the chance to duck into his own dorm, drop off his things, and change into something more comfortable.
When he emerged, he glanced at the handful of first-years lazing about, shaking his head in mock disdain and genuine sympathy. Then, with a sigh, he set off to find his favorite little witch.
Honestly, life as a second-year at Hogwarts was leagues better than first year. After all, Hermione was here.
Smiling to himself, Qin Yu grabbed his favorite quill and headed back to the common room—just in time to see Hermione reappear from the girls' staircase.
She'd been quick. In just a few minutes, she'd changed into her familiar pale blue pajamas—the same ones she often wore at home. She clutched a stack of books in her arms, cheeks flushed pink from her brisk pace.
The sight made Qin Yu want to pinch her adorable face, but with others still around, he restrained himself. Instead, he took the books from her and led her to a quiet corner.
"So, which subject first?" he asked as they settled in.
"How about History of Magic?" Hermione grinned, waving A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.
It was the official first-year textbook for the class.
Qin Yu just stared at the book, lips twitching, at a loss for words.
"Hehe, let's save that for last. It's the best way to fall asleep, after all." Hermione stuck out her tongue, placing the book aside—clearly delighted with her little prank.
Qin Yu could only sigh and shake his head. There was nothing he could do about her; he certainly couldn't threaten a spanking, not if he wanted to keep his dignity.
"Alright then… Potions it is. I had a few more questions in the library that I didn't get to ask. Let me find my notes…" Hermione rummaged for another book and a notebook crammed with writing.
"Potions is actually one of my favorites." Qin Yu smiled—he'd always taken Professor Snape's lessons seriously.
So, Hermione began firing off the questions she'd accumulated over the past few days, and Qin Yu answered each one in detail, breaking down even the trickier concepts.
Some of her questions weren't things most lower-years would worry about, but he made sure to guide her through the broader logic of learning—sometimes delving into more advanced knowledge. Of course, this meant her young brain was running at full tilt, burning through energy at a remarkable rate.
That's where the "rainbow lollipop" came in handy. Qin Yu popped one into her hand, and Hermione sucked on the sweet, the sugar-fueled happiness making her eyes half-close in bliss before she dove back into her mental marathon.
Before long, they'd finished Potions.
Glancing at her Potions notebook, Qin Yu couldn't help but praise her: "Your notes are really impressive—so thorough."
Hermione beamed. "Really? I thought you'd think my questions were too basic and childish."
Qin Yu shook his head, answering seriously, "On the contrary—some of these are things I never thought about in class. A lot of them help keep you from going down the wrong path. If every student worked through their questions like this, I bet anyone could master Potions."
In fact, some of the issues Hermione had encountered in class were ones he hadn't anticipated, even during their earlier preview sessions.
"Really? Then I must be brilliant!" Hermione said, tilting her chin up in mock pride.
"Of course! Who else could the great Hermione Granger be related to?" Qin Yu grinned, ruffling her hair.
"Hmph, I'm not your sister—I'm a Granger!" she huffed, though she didn't seem truly upset.
She quickly moved on, pulling out another book and notebook. "Alright, Qin Yu—who is definitely not my brother—let's do Herbology next."
"Sure…" Qin Yu just smiled at her dramatic phrasing.
He picked up her Herbology notes, flipping through the pages. As he read her questions, a sudden idea flickered in his mind. Stroking his chin, his lips curled into a sly, wicked smile, and a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.
Study notes, mistake collections… It brought back memories.
"Qin… your smile looks so evil…" Hermione edged away, eyeing him warily.
"Miss Granger, you have no idea what you've brought to Hogwarts! Future students will remember your name for generations!" Qin Yu intoned in a deep, theatrical voice, as if casting a spell.
"Huh?!" Hermione blinked, utterly bewildered—her confusion tinged with the faintest hint of worry. It was almost unbearably cute.
Faced with that unfair level of adorableness, Qin Yu couldn't resist any longer—he reached out and gave her rosy cheek a gentle pinch.
—There weren't many people left in the common room now, so he could get away with a little mischief.
"You always say the weirdest things…" Hermione pouted, looking helpless.
"Haha, never mind that. Later, give me a copy of all your notes—I'll organize and summarize them," Qin Yu said, clearly in a great mood.
"Alright, alright. But can we get back to Herbology now? I really do have a lot of questions!" Hermione urged.
Generally, once he'd ruffled her hair and pinched her cheek, Qin could be counted on to behave himself and get back to business—she'd learned that much by now.
Sure enough, Qin Yu nodded, clapped his hands, and picked up where they'd left off.
Hmph, what an easy-to-please guy. As she listened to his explanations, Hermione couldn't help but think, a little smugly, to herself.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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