Hogsmeade weekend was a snowy day, and exhaled breath formed mists in the air.
The lawn outside Hogwarts Castle was covered in a thick layer of white frost.
The line to Hogsmeade moved slowly under the sharp gaze of Filch and Madam Norris.
Hermione was wearing a thick wool robe, looking a bit more bloated than usual.
In her arms, a warm and soft furball was curled up quietly, with only the occasional faint purr coming from the gaps in her collar proving that a "smuggler" was hidden inside.
Lia hated this enclosed, claustrophobic feeling; it reminded her of some unpleasant memories.
But Hermione's scent and heartbeat were right by her ear, serving as the most effective sedative, allowing her tense nerves to relax.
"Miss Granger, your robes look... exceptionally thick." Filch's searchlight-like eyes swept over, his tone full of suspicion.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm.
She straightened her back and replied in an indisputable top-student tone, "The weather is cold, Professor. It's basic health common sense to wear more clothes, isn't it?"
Filch was momentarily speechless and waved her through sullenly.
Not until they were completely away from the Castle's range and on the dirt path leading to the village did Hermione breathe a sigh of relief and stop behind a hidden thicket.
"Alright, Lia, you can come out now."
There was a rustle from the hem of the robe, and a fluffy pure white little head poked out first, looking around warily. After its sapphire-like cat eyes confirmed the surroundings were safe, its entire body nimbly leaped out.
Light and shadow distorted for a moment.
The next second, the petite Ragdoll Cat disappeared, and a silver-haired Cat-girl emerged from Hermione's spare school uniform.
She rubbed her somewhat numb legs, her snow-white cat ears twitched, and her long tail stretched out and flicked behind her, declaring her freedom.
"Wow!" Lavender and Parvati let out a small exclamation of wonder.
"Let's go! Honeydukes is waiting for us!" Hermione had already impatiently grabbed Lia's arm.
Lia's hands were cold, but very soft.
Hogsmeade Village, a name she had only seen in books, was now presenting itself vividly before Lia.
The crooked thatched roofs were covered in snow, warm lights flickered in the windows, and the air was filled with a wonderful mixture of the scents of baking bread, caramel, and some unknown spices.
"Here..." Lia's nose sniffed gently, the tip of her tail curling uncontrollably, "it smells so good."
"This is just the beginning!" Parvati laughed, leading them directly into the most famous candy shop—Honeydukes.
With a "buzz," Lia felt as if she had stumbled into a hive built of sugar.
The cloyingly sweet air surged into her nasal cavity.
Strings of brightly colored cockroach clusters hung on the walls, the counters were piled high with mountains of Fudge, huge glass jars held various forms of hard candy, and there were Flying Snowballs, Screaming Sugar Skulls... Except for those cockroach clusters, everything else looked delicious.
At least, that's how it seemed.
Lia's eyes were completely overwhelmed. Her cat ears twitched curiously, trying to catch every novel sound, and her tail wagged slightly in excitement behind her.
"Here, Lia, try this!" Lavender, like a little master showing off a treasure, unwrapped a Fizzing Whizbee and popped it into Lia's mouth.
Lia instinctively held it in her mouth, and the next second, her eyes widened suddenly.
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