"So… where did Granger go?" Kayson asked Harry and the others, looking at the clearly empty seat in the Alchemy classroom.
"Uh…" The three of them exchanged glances. Of course, they wanted to save face for poor Hermione, after all, they were good friends. But each of them couldn't resist that strange urge to share, so they used a more subtle method.
"Professor, do you remember the prophecy we told you about?"
Kayson understood. Of course, he remembered it. After all, an outrageous prophecy probably wouldn't be too accurate, but a prophecy that outrageous had to be remembered. It had nothing to do with accuracy; it was mainly for entertainment.
"Well, there's nothing to be done about that. But since we're one student short in this class, let's take it easy and review a bit. Everyone, take out your notebooks. I'll be asking questions one by one, the kind where no one can escape." Kayson revealed a demonic smile and said, cackling.
"??? Meow meow meow???" The Little Wizards stared at Kayson with wide, helpless eyes.
.....
After class, at the Medical Wing entrance...
Kayson held a few pixelated carnations in his hand. He wanted to check on Hermione's current condition. After all, as a Professor, it was perfectly normal to care about his students' physical well-being. He definitely wasn't curious about what was going on with Hermione's horns.
However, his lips kept curving upwards involuntarily, giving him a strange appearance.
Actually, it was fine originally, but if Hermione saw it, it would probably look like mockery, so…
Dead mouth! Go down quickly!
Kayson frantically manipulated his lips, trying to flatten them. Soon, his efforts paid off.
"Phew… Hold it, hold it…" He strenuously kept his lips at a flat angle, only to strain the two tendons in his neck.
He walked into the Medical Wing and quietly greeted Madam Pomfrey, then asked for Hermione's room number before entering.
He saw Hermione inside a large bubble, reading a book also encased in a bubble. There were no small red horns on her head, only two abnormal protrusions…
She was truly showing her horns, so to speak.
"Hello, it's good to see you're alright." Kayson said, placing the pixelated carnations into the vase on the nightstand.
"Yes, Professor, it would be even better if your lips were a little flatter," Hermione said with a wry smile.
"Oh…" Kayson touched his lips, which he couldn't help but let curl up automatically, and pursed them helplessly: "I'm just astonished by your current state. You know, the mysterious power from the East? You're showing your horns now; you have the look of a Minister of magic!"
"Oh, thank you, Professor, though I know you're just trying to cheer me up." Hermione nodded. She looked at Kayson, pursed her lips, and said, "Professor, why do I feel like you're a little disappointed?"
"Ah? Am I?"
Hermione nodded seriously.
"...Alright, I'm just… um… curious, purely curious," Kayson said, a bit awkwardly.
"Oh… I remember… um… Professor, open the nightstand drawer, my small bag is in there." Hermione sighed, speaking in a 'just get it over with' tone.
Kayson took out the small bag and shook it at Hermione.
"In the outermost layer, there's a photo that Madam Pomfrey took of me. You can keep it as a souvenir."
Kayson quickly pulled the photo out of the small bag. It was a magical, moving photo. In it, Hermione had two cute white little horns on her forehead, looking tearfully at the camera.
"No, no, I can't accept this, and in the future, you'll definitely regret giving me your dark history… I suggest you show it to your parents. After all, a small embarrassment like this at school can greatly improve your relationship," Kayson explained.
"Oh, I hope so," Hermione said listlessly.
Kayson also helped put the photo back in the bag and returned it to the nightstand.
"Alright, I won't disturb your rest. If I stay one more second, there's a possibility Madam Pomfrey will come after me with a big weapon from outside the door." Kayson said, standing up. He looked at Hermione's prominent horns and once again couldn't hold back, so he quickly took off the hat on his head as an apology.
"Get well soon!"
Hermione looked at the Professor, who was acting like a child, leaving the room, somewhat speechless, and turned another page of her book.
Whoosh...
The next morning, Hermione had already been discharged. Kayson even went to join the commotion, only returning reluctantly after confirming that the horns were gone and her forehead was smooth and clean again.
He still secretly hoped that Hermione could unlock a new form, like those two little horns being able to retract and reappear at will.
How cool would that be?
But no matter how cool that was, it wasn't as important as eating right now. Kayson was currently struggling with a particularly unruly potato. This potato was so smooth that…
"Severus, give it a Sectumsempra!" Finally, Kayson, whose knife had failed to break through, pushed his plate towards Snape. Soon, a magical fluctuation flashed by. He retrieved his two 0.5 potatoes.
"Sectumsempra to cut potatoes, that's really something, Severus," Lupin said, trying to put on a friendly smile, but his words sounded like a direct taunt to Snape.
"I don't believe I gave you permission to call me Severus, Mr. Lupin," Snape said dryly.
"Oh… alright, Professor Snape, I just wanted to apologize. I never got the chance before," Lupin explained, a bit awkwardly.
"Only from you?" Snape glanced at Lupin and said.
"I can only speak for myself right now."
"Childish," Snape snorted coldly.
Lupin subtly nudged Kayson with his leg: "What does that mean?"
"It means that although he's accepted your apology in his heart, he's a tsundere, so he didn't show it. In the future, he'll still mock you, but he won't hold hatred or murderous intent towards you. You're just strangers now, not enemies," Kayson dutifully translated.
"Kayson!" Snape's dining knife clinked sharply against his plate.
"Oh, I'm full. I still have to prepare for class. I'm out of here, bros!" Kayson tried to make a quick escape. Then an owl flew in through the window and placed an envelope in front of him.
There were four identical envelopes on the Gryffindor table, and Lupin next to him had one too.
"What is this?" Snape asked, uncharacteristically.
"Oh… Sirius Black wants me and Lupin, and Harry and a few Little Wizards, to go to his place this weekend…"
"Not eating, leaving!" Snape abruptly stood up, his black robes rustling as he strode towards his office.
Disclaimer: I am not the reader, I am the author!
By the way, I'm taking a day off tomorrow, bros. There's a lot going on during the New Year. Sorry about that.
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