When Cela opened the door, her face lit up.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed with a bright smile. "Oh, you came back!"
Hermione Granger stood on the doorstep, her bushy hair catching the sunlight. She smiled brightly. "I got back from France last night and thought I'd visit you today. Mum and Dad insisted on reopening their dental clinic this morning, even after I told them to rest since we just returned. They're so stubborn about work."
"Come in, come in!" Cela said, ushering her inside.
As they stepped into the sitting room, Cela tilted her head, studying her friend's complexion. Hermione's skin had a deeper, golden hue than before. "What happened to your skin? You aren't sick, are you?"
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "No, nothing like that. We stayed by the beach. I spent hours under the sun and ended up with a bit of a tan."
Cela gave a soft chuckle. "Oh, I see. I was a bit worried you might have a skin issue, but you look quite healthy, actually."
After Hermione greeted Horace and chatted briefly about her parents with him, they headed to Cela's room. Cela slipped away for a moment and returned with a tray of biscuits and sugared tarts, placing it on the table between them. "Here, try these," she said. "I baked them yesterday. These have a more Muggle taste, while those are mixed with magical ingredients—don't worry, they're perfectly safe to eat."
Before Hermione reached for one, she pulled a small parcel from her bag and handed it over. "But first—this is for you. A little something I brought from France."
Cela's brows arched in surprise as she carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside was a delicate bottle of perfume. She lifted the stopper, inhaled, and her eyes widened. "Oh! It smells of cherries. So fresh and sweet… Hermione, you shouldn't have troubled yourself."
"It was no trouble," Hermione said with a grin. "I saw it and thought of you."
"Thank you," Cela said softly, smiling with genuine warmth. "It's beautiful."
They settled back, nibbling sweets and sipping tea. Cela leaned forward, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "So then, tell me. How was France?"
Hermione's face lit up. "It was wonderful! We stayed near the beach, and every morning Mum dragged me off to Paris for shopping. Our hotel was just across from the sea, so in the afternoons we'd lie under the sun until it dipped low. It was… different. Relaxing."
Cela leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what about the magical side of France? Did you visit any places there? I've heard so much about their Diagon Alley—Allée des Merveilles, they call it. People say it's the heart of fashion in the entire magical world. I'd love to visit someday."
Hermione shook her head with a small smile. "Not really. You need to know someone to guide you into the French magical world, and I don't have any contacts there. So, I just stuck with my parents in Paris. It was beautiful, though, even without the magical side."
Cela sighed dreamily. "I envy you. It sounds magical."
"It was," Hermione admitted, then turned the subject. "And what about you? You are coming to Hogwarts this year, aren't you?"
Cela's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Well, after days of Professor Dumbledore sending me Hogwarts acceptance letters—and heaps of Grandpa's shouting letters back to him—Grandpa finally gave in. I'll be starting this term!"
Hermione's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That's fantastic news, Cela! Hogwarts is incredible—you'll have so much to enjoy and learn. You're going to love it!"
"I hope so," Cela replied.
Hermione nibbled the corner of a tart before asking, "Have you gone to Diagon Alley for your supplies yet?"
"Not yet," Cela said, shaking her head. "I was waiting for you. I thought we could go together."
Hermione's face lit up. "Oh, that's perfect! Tomorrow morning, then? My dad's already planning to take me to Diagon Alley, so you can come along. I've got an appointment to meet my friends there."
Cela tilted her head. "Is your dad driving you, or are you taking the Knight Bus with him?"
Hermione laughed lightly. "Dad's car, of course. I've read about the Knight Bus, but I've never seen it, let alone used it."
Cela grinned. "Good thing you haven't used it. The Knight Bus is fast, I'll give it that, but it's a nightmare. So uncomfortable it'll make you question your life choices. Honestly, though, we could just use our home's Floo Network. It'd be much easier."
Hermione's eyes widened. "You have a Floo Network at home? That's so convenient! Dad's actually really busy—he was going to drive me early in the morning because he has an appointment right after. But if we can use the Floo Network, we won't need to go so early."
"Yes, our fireplace is connected to the Leaky Cauldron," Cela explained. "Grandpa uses it often, and the house itself once belonged to one of his students, so it's properly registered. It's simple enough—we'll be there in a blink."
"That's brilliant," Hermione said, relief in her voice. "Then tomorrow we'll go together."
The two girls leaned back comfortably, their conversation wandering from dresses to books to Hogwarts itself.
Cela grew thoughtful. "This year might be different though… Have you heard about Sirius Black?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not really. We don't get the Daily Prophet at home."
Cela leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper as if someone might be listening. "Word is, he's a Death Eater, and was very close to the Dark Lord , since his escape from Azkaban the British Wizarding world is in constant fear. They say he's after Harry Potter. So, Hogwarts will be under tight security this year, and things might feel… tense."
Hermione's face fell. "Oh, poor Harry. Why is it always him? Every year it's something new."
Cela sighed. "It's been that way since the beginning. Born in the middle of a war, losing his parents… Then, every year at Hogwarts something happens. First year, second year, and now this. I suppose being 'the Boy Who Lived' comes with its price."
Hermione frowned, almost protectively. "But he doesn't want that. He just wants to be normal—go to classes, play Quidditch, spend time with his friends. He never asked to be anyone's hero."
"Life doesn't always give us what we ask for," Cela said quietly. Then she managed a smile. "But he's lucky to have you, and of course Dumbledore. He won't face things alone."
Hermione returned the smile, though hers was tinged with worry.
After that, the two of them let the heavy talk drift away, and soon laughter filled the room as they swapped stories, teased each other, and dreamed about the year ahead.