"He carried her like a princess..."
"Still hasn't come out..."
"How does she deserve..."
"What, you want to try too..."
Afternoon.
Draco walked out wearing his new Quidditch robes, wanting to show off.
However.
The common room buzzed with gossip.
Except for Marcus and the Quidditch players already prepared, no one paid him attention.
Pansy sat elegantly among older girls, sipping tea while describing Tiger carrying Hermione away.
Envious yet disdainful commentary rose and fell.
Though they knew Tiger had a personality like concrete over steel, that didn't stop them enjoying the contrast.
"Pan..."
Draco's lips parted, but he didn't speak. Turned back listlessly:
"Let's go, Flint..."
"Show those stupid lions our new equipment."
Thinking of poor Gryffindors seeing their matching Nimbus 2000s—jealous but pretending to look down on them—brought back his energy...
In the Head Girl's dormitory.
"Deep breaths, Farley..."
"Don't forget—Granger's just an underdeveloped little thing. She can't threaten you..."
"She doesn't even know what's the difference between her and a boy."
Riley Shafiq kept comforting her friend. Gemma Farley cooperatively calmed her agitation.
The possessiveness from love potions couldn't be controlled. Any female approaching Tiger—even Professor McGonagall—triggered Gemma Farley's hostility.
"That's right... good..."
"You did it!"
Seeing her friend finally calm, Riley patted her chest and sighed with relief.
She'd nearly seen green light flash from a wand tip. Fortunately, she'd been quick enough to drag her friend back.
"Excellent, Farley!"
"You conquered the love potion!"
Relieved cheers echoed.
Riley pressed her hands on her friend's shoulders, explaining seriously:
"Listen, Farley."
"I already asked around."
"That little thing just collected materials for Shelby. She didn't sleep all night, so Shelby brought her back to his dormitory."
"Just a simple nap."
"Nothing to be jealous of. That's the love potion's effect, not your real thoughts."
"You must overcome it!"
Riley clenched her fists, eyes full of encouragement.
"I understand, Riley."
Gemma Farley smiled.
"Just sleeping in that beast's den. Tomorrow there'll be a thunderstorm, and by the next storm, I can too—every day..."
"Nothing to be jealous of."
She turned into the washroom to fix her makeup.
Riley Shafiq: "(?_?)..."
That's not what I meant.
Meanwhile.
Hermione walked out with flushed cheeks.
Under the Slytherins' meaningful gazes, Miss Know-It-All practically fled toward the exit, nearly crashing into the opening stone wall.
She didn't know why she'd slept soundly in Tiger's dormitory for an entire day!
"Oh, she's embarrassed."
"Did Shelby do something?"
"Impossible. Given Father's personality, he'd throw Granger off the tower before doing what you're thinking..."
Hearing this, the girls looked at Timaeus with disgust.
Bah, what do you know?
And when did you sneak in?!
"Oh God!"
"How could I sleep all day?!"
"In Slytherin!"
"Was his bed too comfortable?!"
"This is so embarrassing!"
With burning cheeks, Hermione walked out of the castle, trying to get fresh air. Thinking of the Slytherins' looks made her breathless.
Her chest seemed filled with honey. This strange feeling made her head dizzy.
When she'd left, Tiger was sleeping soundly on the sofa. She hadn't dared wake him.
She'd felt like a thief...
"Oh God, Mum!"
"What should I do!"
"This feels so strange..."
Sunlight gradually became soft and warm. Clouds painted with brilliant colors.
Hermione sat under a tree by the Black Lake. The breeze drifted by with coolness. Her flustered thoughts calmed, though that sweet feeling lingered.
Just then, Harry supported stumbling Ron, hurrying toward the castle.
Seeing Hermione, like finding a savior, Harry quickly dragged Ron over:
"Hermione! Help Ron!"
"He won't stop vomiting slugs!"
Ron raised his hand: "Her... urgh..."
Hermione: (?_?)
Actually, she'd been enjoying this sweet feeling flowing through her heart. It made her feel full, like she had unprecedented security.
Unfortunately.
When slugs splattered in front of her—all sweetness vanished!
"So..."
Hermione stood up, examining the retching Ron. Sighed helplessly.
"You found a new way to kill yourselves?"
"Like Ron choking on slugs while you collect them and stuff yourself?"
Hearing Hermione's habitual sarcasm, Harry's face went green. He dry heaved.
"No... it was me... urgh..."
Another string of slugs spewed from Ron's mouth. Harry held his forehead and stopped his friend.
He hadn't noticed before. Now he was genuinely disgusted.
"We were at the Quidditch pitch and got into a conflict with Slytherin..."
"You know, Hermione."
"Malfoy's words were really nasty."
"Ron couldn't hold back and..." Harry helplessly explained.
In the distance, Malfoy and the others walked toward the castle, laughter drifting over. They hadn't noticed the trio.
The moment Ron waved his wand at them, green light flashed.
Honestly, Draco's face had gone white.
Even though the broken wand backfired, sending Ron flying, they'd still frozen in place, cold all over.
Only when slugs poured from Ron's mouth did they react, collapsing on the grass in helpless laughter...
"Hermione, do you have any solution?"
Harry looked at Hermione pleadingly. Ron was hunched over the lake, vomiting.
School rules forbade casual spell use. If they sought Madam Pomfrey's help, Gryffindor would lose points.
"There is a way. Just a bit painful. You'll have to bear it, Ron..."
Hermione sighed. Under Harry's horrified gaze, she pulled out brass knuckles.
"No... problem..."
Ron nodded repeatedly while hunched by the lake.
Having received a Howler, he didn't dare make more mistakes—or let his family know.
"Hermione, Ron's already suffering..." Harry tried to plead.
"This is the solution, Harry."
Hermione put on the brass knuckles and walked toward Ron. "Only by making him finish vomiting quickly can we end his suffering."
She grabbed Ron by the collar. Under his panicked gaze, delivered a devastating liver punch.
"Bear with it, Ron!"
"Short pain beats long pain!"
"No no no no... urgh!!!"
Harry: "..."
The brass knuckles weren't really necessary.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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