"Madam, I'd like to borrow thisStudies in Modern Wizarding Development. I'll return it after Christmas."
Within the library, Hermione clutched a thick tome, placing it cheerfully before Madam Pince.
Madam Pince adjusted her spectacles, frowning as she examined Hermione, her tone rather resistant:
"I don't consider this appropriate reading for your current level, but since you insist on borrowing it, you should understand..."
"I'll absolutely treasure it!"
Hermione nodded eagerly. Despite receiving no pleasant tone, she remained beaming.
"Very well, register..."
Madam Pince said nothing further, simply extracting a form and placing it upon the desk.
"What's gotten into her today?"
Ron whispered as he sidled toward Harry. Hermione's sustained good mood made him thoroughly uncomfortable.
Even when they'd lost points during morning Potions class, the joy radiating from Hermione's face hadn't diminished whatsoever.
Professor Snape had even considered it provocation, deducting another point—only then did she restrain herself somewhat.
"You don't know?"
Harry regarded Ron strangely.
Hermione had maintained this state for nearly a week—today simply proved most obvious.
"What?"
Ron appeared completely bewildered.
"Tomorrow begins holidays—Christmas break. Did you forget last week's form?"
Harry spoke helplessly:
"Hermione arranged going home with Tiger. They're departing this afternoon—she packed her luggage this morning."
"Oh right, I remember now..."
Ron slapped his forehead in realization.
Actually, he'd planned returning home too.
But his family had all traveled to Romania visiting Charlie, so he'd chosen remaining at school.
"It's merely going home with Tiger—what's there to celebrate? With a Slytherin..."
Observing Hermione's bouncing, joyful figure departing, Ron muttered with complete bewilderment.
The weighty responsibility of locating "Nicolas Flamel" now fell entirely upon their shoulders.
"Say less, Ron."
"She'll return..."
Harry rubbed his tired eyes, closing the Directory of Contemporary Famous Wizards before him.
Following Ron's multiple beatings, he'd vaguely discerned something.
Tiger treated Hermione like a novice father managing a chattering child.
Annoyance > Care.
Meanwhile, Hermione's emotional fluctuations predominantly stemmed from feedback from Tiger, this novice father.
Dependence > Dislike.
Their interaction methodology proved extraordinarily peculiar.
But regardless, never speak ill of Tiger before Hermione.
That would equate to insulting her father.
Understanding it thus... correct...
Presumably...
The gray sky held desolate undertones as snowflakes drifted leisurely downward, completely transforming the station into pristine white. Little wizards carrying luggage boarded trains successively.
Bitter air penetrated wizard robes, reaching skin directly. Hermione clutched her collar tightly, her small face pale from cold.
But she showed no urgency boarding. Instead, she gazed expectantly toward the station entrance, occasionally rising on tiptoes.
Only when that fierce, upright silhouette vaguely materialized did she feign indifference while adjusting her scarf.
"Aren't you cold?"
A calm, steady voice sounded. The quietly approaching presence generated inexplicable security.
But presently—shouldn't he apologize for tardiness?
Hermione puffed her small face indignantly, rare childish stubbornness surfacing in her eyes.
"I'm not..."
Midway through her words, she suddenly realized Tiger was observing her with complete bewilderment—as if regarding an idiot.
Hermione pointed at herself incredulously—for the first time in her life, someone regarded her with such expression.
Beneath her wizard robes lay thick, fluffy sweaters, with her Gryffindor scarf wrapped tightly around her collar.
Under the seemingly warm coat, however, she wore Hogwarts' uniform skirt—thin pleated fabric swaying in wind.
Her exposed skin appeared slightly reddened from cold, protected only by black knee-high socks.
Initially appearing rather cute, closer inspection revealed this girl possessed certain mental complications.
Most Hogwarts girls dressed similarly. Tiger found it completely incomprehensible, but he rarely bothered glancing at other girls, much less inquiring.
This guy's focus remained perpetually peculiar.
"Heh..."
Hermione nearly laughed from anger. She grabbed her luggage, striding quickly toward the carriage.
"I'm not cold whatsoever..."
Faint tremor in her voice inadvertently revealed her minor compromise with frigid weather, plus anger toward this sigma male.
"Hm?"
Tiger blinked with some confusion.
Even with his thick-headedness, he roughly sensed something amiss with Hermione's tone.
"Father, that's not how you comfort girls."
Ramos Tiamat stood behind Tiger, sighing with considerable difficulty.
He suddenly recalled his own father and sister.
The Egyptian patriarch, over fifty, perpetually struggled understanding little girls' delicate, sensitive thoughts.
"Oh, then it's your responsibility."
Tiger glanced at the fellow indifferently, then stepped toward the carriage door.
Comfort? How to comfort?
Even Mother Polly had never comforted him.
This presented a challenge for Tiger, but Tiger had zero intention accepting this challenge.
Who wasn't still a child?
"Ah?!"
Ramos Tiamat's expression froze.
The black veil beside his ear rose without wind, mocking laughter echoing faintly behind.
"I'd suggest cursing her instead."
Theodore Nott walked directly past his shoulder, carrying his suitcase while following Tiger's steps...
Ramos Tiamat: (?_?)
The train hadn't started yet, and carriage temperature proved even colder than outside. Though Hermione sat huffily in the corner, her peripheral vision still monitored the door.
"Whoosh—"
The door suddenly opened as Tiger strode into the carriage like a dragon or tiger, bringing gusts of cold wind.
Hermione hastily flipped through the book upon her lap. The cold, thick cover gradually numbed her exposed skin.
The straight, robust figure approached. Hermione couldn't help stealing glances while rubbing her knees.
Tiger placed his suitcase upon the luggage rack, then turned observing the little girl sneaking peeks at him.
Hermione hastily lowered her head, pretending to read, her pale fingertips unnaturally stroking pages.
Just then, Gunpowder suddenly leaped into her arms, his fluffy body retaining scorching warmth.
"Gunpowder!"
Hermione hastily embraced the cat.
Cold currents swept throughout her entire body.
Gunpowder couldn't help shivering, confusion gradually rising in his drowsy, fluorescent blue eyes.
Who am I? Where am I?
Then Tiger removed his wool coat, covering both person and cat together.
The scent of burning deadwood struck her face—both hazelnut bitterness and warmth of sunlight upon snow-covered pines.
Hermione couldn't help inhaling deeply.
But as Gunpowder's dissatisfied meowing sounded, she quickly lifted the coat, poking out her messy head.
"Tiger!"
Facing the little girl's flushed cheeks, Tiger yawned carelessly. "Still cold?"
Hermione instinctively shook her head.
"Not... not cold anymore."
The chill instantly vanished. She unconsciously reached out, gently gathering the coat over her legs.
The soft, warm lining completely surrounded her—as if within someone's embrace. Her previously puffed cheeks bloomed with contented, satisfied smiles.
"Why were you so late?"
She had so much to tell Tiger.
A week ago, Hermione had already envisioned warm moments she'd share with Tiger during their journey.
Without those two little wastes around, this rare world for two couldn't end over minor conflicts.
Hermione regarded Tiger with sparkling eyes.
However, before Tiger could respond, Theodore Nott and Ramos Tiamat entered together.
Tiger lazily lifted his chin. "Waiting for them, bringing them to see the Shelbys..."
"Ah?"
Hermione stared blankly at the pair, her round eyes vaguely carrying questioning undertones.
Why are you here? Not going home for Christmas?
Theodore Nott sat directly beside Tiger, his tone indifferent and composed:
"Everyone at home is dead. Nowhere to go."
Ramos Tiamat sat beside Hermione, shrugging apologetically.
"Egyptians don't celebrate Christmas..."
Hermione: (?_?)
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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