Hermione walked out of the compartment with a bewildered expression, following behind Gemma Farley as they navigated through the slightly swaying corridor of the Hogwarts Express.
At this moment, her thoughts were in complete disarray.
Why is she looking for me?
Oh no!
Hermione suddenly realized that Gemma coming to find her at this time must be about Sherlock!
And it could only be about Sherlock!
At this thought, Hermione's heart filled with vigilance and a trace of indescribable sourness.
Could she be coming specifically to show off to me?
To tell me about their meeting last night?
Wait!
Could they have already kissed?
While Hermione was lost in wild speculation, Gemma had already pushed open the door to an empty compartment, gesturing for Hermione to enter.
The moment the door closed, the noise from outside the carriage seemed to be cut off by a layer.
This was the first time Hermione had been alone with Gemma. Previously, when such situations occurred, Sherlock who connected them both—would certainly have been present.
The atmosphere became somewhat delicate.
Fine dust particles floated in the air, dancing slowly in the light streaming through the train window.
Gemma turned to face Hermione. The soon-to-be-former Head Girl no longer wore the elegant aloofness she showed in public.
Her blue eyes stared intently at Hermione, even revealing a trace of barely perceptible earnestness.
Even though she harbored some hostility toward this girl, Hermione had to admit that Gemma was truly beautiful.
So beautiful that until she left, Cho Chang couldn't smoothly inherit the title of most beautiful girl in Hogwarts.
So beautiful that once she spoke, it created a strong sense of trust.
So beautiful that even if she were a boy, she couldn't help but be moved by her.
Perhaps only someone like Sherlock could remain completely indifferent.
"Hermione."
Gemma spoke, her voice very calm, but her blue eyes remained firmly locked on Hermione.
"I know this is abrupt, but I need to talk to you—about Sherlock."
As expected!
When she heard that Gemma really wanted to discuss matters related to Sherlock, Hermione's heart immediately rose to her throat.
She instinctively straightened her spine. "Sherlock? What about him?"
Is she finally declaring war on me?
Or a final show of dominance before leaving?
What exactly happened between them in the Room of Requirement yesterday?
Just as Hermione began to let her imagination run wild again, Gemma took a gentle breath, as if carefully choosing the most appropriate words.
"I think you should be very clear that Sherlock is not the type to take good care of himself.
Especially when he encounters a mystery, curiosity drives his spirit of adventure to override his instinct for self-preservation."
Gemma's tone contained undisguised concern, along with a sense of weight, as if entrusting an important mission.
"You know his characteristics—he excels at observation and analysis, but isn't good at expressing vulnerability.
Sometimes, he'll even place himself in dangerous situations without realizing it, just to observe the details of that process."
Hermione nodded. She deeply understood this point.
Sherlock's almost obsessive habit of observation and his dedication to solving mysteries indeed often made him do things that seemed very reckless to others.
This was also why the Sorting Hat placed him in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw.
It was because, although he possessed wisdom that even Hermione admired, what was even more irreplaceable was the adventurous spirit in his bones.
In this one aspect, Hermione actually had something in common with Sherlock.
After all, the Sorting Hat had also hesitated for a long time about whether to place her in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw.
However, Hermione was very self-aware—Sherlock possessed great wisdom, while she at most had a bit of cleverness.
But when she heard the second half of Gemma's words, Hermione shook her head.
"Using the word 'vulnerability' to describe him is probably inappropriate, isn't it?"
Gemma smiled. "Everyone has a vulnerable side. Sherlock Holmes is no exception."
"Sherlock is special." Hermione still insisted on this point.
Gemma couldn't help but chuckle softly at this. "That's probably where we differ—but I didn't call you out specifically today to discuss this."
Her voice carried a trace of barely perceptible nostalgia.
"From the moment I step off this train, I will officially leave Hogwarts.
For the next four years, I won't be able to keep an eye on him like I did before.
Even though we can communicate through letters, some things may be beyond my reach, or he might gloss over them with understatement."
Hermione immediately frowned at these words.
Fine, fine, fine—so since you're leaving anyway, you're not even pretending anymore, is that it?
You're actually saying things like "I won't be able to keep an eye on him like before."
Gemma also paused slightly; her gaze sharply directed at Hermione.
"But you're different."
"We're different?"
"Yes, you're one of his closest companions. You're in the same house, together almost every day.
You're intelligent, brave, perceptive... and you care about him very much."
Gemma's words precisely struck at Hermione's inner feelings.
Ever since she began seeing Sherlock as the hero who could save her, Hermione could no longer deny her special feelings for him.
"The unique connection between you two is something I can never achieve."
Gemma's voice dropped even lower, carrying a tone almost like entrustment.
"You are partners, friends, and important support for each other. In his heart, you are a special existence.
So, Hermione, I'm asking you..."
She stepped forward, tightly grasping Hermione's hands, her blue eyes showing unprecedented honesty and urgency.
"Where I cannot see, please watch over him for me."
Hermione was completely stunned.
Before Gemma spoke, she had imagined countless possibilities.
Perhaps a tactful warning to stay away from Sherlock, perhaps a high-profile declaration of her claim over Sherlock, perhaps...
But she never expected the other party would issue what amounted to a deathbed entrustment.
After all, this was Gemma Farley!
Even Hermione, as a fellow female, had to admit that the other party was practically flawless.
Even her potential weakness of being in Slytherin couldn't overshadow her brilliance.
Yet this person—who was always confident and composed, capable of single-handedly suppressing those little snakes—was now assuming an almost vulnerable posture, asking her to protect Sherlock?
Moreover, protecting Sherlock...
Wasn't she always the one being protected?
Gemma seemed to see through Hermione's shock and smiled with a trace of self-mockery.
"Yes, I know this sounds very strange. But I must ensure someone can pull him back when necessary, remind him.
Even punch him when he's being foolish—if that can wake him up."
Her gaze became extremely serious and earnest again.
"He's a genius, Hermione, but he's also the person least likely to cherish his own gift.
He needs someone like you by his side—someone clear-headed, rational, and tough enough.
I can no longer play this role, at least not in such a close manner."
Having said this, Gemma released Hermione's hands and took out an envelope sealed with wax from her robe pocket, offering it to Hermione.
"This is..."
Hermione didn't take it, instead looking at Gemma with some confusion.
Gemma said solemnly.
"This contains my observations over these three years regarding Sherlock's specific weaknesses, tendencies, and behavioral pattern analysis.
There are also certain danger signals I think he needs to be wary of, especially blind spots that might appear when he's researching certain knowledge or dealing with specific people and events.
In a sense, this may be more than he himself realizes.
Remember, don't let him know you have this.
Or rather, keep it from him as long as you can.
When you think he's heading down an extremely dangerous path and won't listen to any advice, perhaps these can help you understand his logical blind spots or provide some intervention approach."
Hermione was deeply moved.
She never expected that Gemma would go to such lengths for Sherlock!
No wonder she just said that Sherlock also has vulnerable moments.
"You've... been observing him all along?"
"That's right. This is the biggest difference between me and you—don't think I'm so impressive. Actually, this is precisely my utilitarian side.
From the moment I first approached him, I had impure motives—please, don't look at me like that. It's not what you're thinking."
Gemma smiled somewhat helplessly. "At that time, he was only 11 years old. I hadn't become depraved enough to go after such a young boy, even though his thoughts and behavior were more mature than most adults."
"Meaning now that he's 14, you can make your move?"
"By impure motives, I meant I valued his talent and abilities and wanted to befriend someone so capable."
Gemma ignored Hermione's question and continued, "But during our time together, I gradually fell.
The charm he possesses is something I've never seen before. It was during this process that I gradually abandoned my initial utilitarianism.
But this habit of studying him remained. I hope that in the days when I'm not by his side, these can help you."
Hermione finally accepted the envelope.
This envelope was light, seemingly containing only a few thin pages, yet to Hermione, it felt incredibly heavy.
This sudden trust and responsibility made her feel tremendous pressure, even mixed with a complex emotion of being acknowledged.
Gemma Farley, someone she had subconsciously viewed as a rival, had personally handed her the secret weapon for protecting Sherlock?
This didn't feel like a show of dominance, but rather like a solemn transfer of authority.
"You..."
Hermione spoke with difficulty, her voice somewhat hoarse, "Why me? Why do you trust that I can do it?"
Gemma revealed an extremely faint smile that seemed to see through everything.
"Because you don't simply just like him, Hermione."
Once these words were spoken, like a stone thrown into a calm lake surface, Hermione's heart jumped violently, her cheeks instantly burning.
She... she actually said it out loud!
She just said it directly like that?
Gemma seemed to have no intention of delving deeper into this point and continued.
"You're smart enough to understand his complexity, determined enough to resist his stubbornness, and care enough about him to take action to stop him from doing foolish things.
Most importantly, you'll always stay by his side.
Without being polite, if I were the same age as you, I would never give you this opportunity."
"Gemma, you..."
With the conversation reaching this point, it was equivalent to laying all cards on the table.
"Unfortunately, I'm not. So when I'm not around, having someone like you watching over him gives me much more peace of mind."
Gemma's voice lowered, carrying a kind of deep weariness and the relief of letting go. "Please promise me, Hermione."
Looking at Gemma's eyes full of sincerity and entrustment, the little bit of awkwardness and jealousy in Hermione's heart was strangely dissolved quite a bit at this moment.
She felt the genuineness and weight in Gemma's words.
This was by no means child's play, but more like the final effort someone about to journey far could make for the most important concern in their heart.
Hermione took a deep breath, her gaze becoming equally firm as she tightly gripped the envelope.
"I will do my best,"
She promised, her voice regaining strength, "I will watch over him."
However, she didn't say "for you."
They both understood without saying.
Gemma's face finally broke into a relieved smile, that smile containing gratitude and a trace of indescribable sadness.
"Thank you, Hermione. I believe you can do it."
She reached out and gently patted Hermione's shoulder.
"Take care."
"Wait!"
Seeing that Gemma was about to leave, Hermione hurriedly called out to her.
Gemma stopped and looked at Hermione with some curiosity.
"Last night, you were with him in the Room of Requirement, weren't you?"
"It seems you didn't ask him?"
"If he wanted to tell me, he would say so himself."
"Silly girl!"
Gemma finally couldn't help but laugh.
"If you continue to hesitate like this, you'll lose that fellow!"
Her words immediately put Hermione on high alert. She looked into Gemma's blue eyes and said word by word.
"You might as well speak more clearly."
"Haven't you noticed yet?
That girl you call the 'crazy girl' is surprisingly compatible with him!"
"You mean Luna?"
Hermione was first stunned, then shook her head. "Impossible. Luna doesn't have such thoughts at all."
"Yes, she indeed doesn't have such thoughts, but in this world, many things are judged by actions, not intentions.
Who else besides you can stay by his side, one on the left and one on the right?
Who else besides him can communicate with her without barriers?
Hermione, love doesn't follow a first-come-first-served basis.
You must not have that childish thought of 'but I was here first.'
To put it bluntly, if it weren't for the fact that he has no such thoughts, plus I have my own principles, he would have already been..."
"Stop talking!"
Hermione's face turned red. "How can you say such things?"
"Let me give you one more lesson, silly girl."
Having said this, Gemma's face showed a complex, indiscernible smile.
That smile mixed cunning that saw through everything, a kind of mischievousness of someone experienced, and a trace of barely perceptible sadness.
While Hermione was still immersed in surprise and vigilance about the Luna topic, Gemma had already moved.
Her movements were as swift and precise as when she cut Sherlock's hair yesterday, yet carried a completely different meaning.
In the swaying carriage, her steps seemed even lighter than usual.
Gemma took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them.
Hermione Granger didn't have time to make any reaction—
Whether to step back, question, or block.
Gemma's arms had already, like a blessing or a silent declaration, naturally rested on her shoulders.
This process happened in just a breath.
Then, under Hermione's widened, confused, and astonished brown eyes, Gemma tilted her head slightly and pressed her warm, soft lips against Hermione's left cheek.
Hermione. Σ(°△°|||)
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