Coming out of the Headmaster's Office and leaving Hogwarts, Harry and Ron followed behind, almost holding their breath.
Harry wanted to speak several times, but he didn't know what to say.
An apology? A thank you? Or to ask about that power that could even stand up to Lord Voldemort?
Every thought vanished the moment he saw the slender figure ahead, her hand held tightly by Hermione. They formed a world of their own, airtight and impenetrable, where any words seemed pale and redundant.
For the remainder of the summer holidays, Harry and Ron were pushed by the Order of the Phoenix to study frantically in preparation for a new school year that was destined to be anything but peaceful.
As for Hermione and Lia... Ron only remembered one time bumping into them coming out of their room; Lia was practically hanging off Hermione, her legs visibly trembling as she walked, and her snow-white tail dragging limply on the floor.
Hermione, on the other hand, looked utterly satiated. She was even in such a good mood that she gave him a tip on a certain spell; her expression was exactly like Lia's blissful state after devouring top-quality salmon.
Aside from the two of them, no one knew just how excessive they had been during the rest of the holidays.
It wasn't until today, upon reaching the Hogwarts Express and finding their familiar four-person compartment, that Lia still couldn't help but let out a soft sigh as she sat down. Her bones felt soft all over, and she unconsciously leaned closer to Hermione.
As soon as Hermione sat down, Lia expertly rested her head on her shoulder and closed her eyes to rest.
But her long, snow-white tail wrapped restlessly around Hermione's wrist, the fluff at the tip brushing against Hermione's palm like a feather, every now and then, with a coquettish itchiness.
As usual, Ron dumped a pile of snacks onto the seat. He tore open a chocolate frog and held it out to Lia. "Lia, want some?"
Lia's eyelids lifted lazily, and her nose twitched slightly. Uninterested in "public" sweets that carried the scent of too many people, she shook her head gently and even wrinkled her small nose.
Seeing this, Hermione smiled dotingly and patted Lia's head.
She took another identical piece of chocolate from her own pocket, used her slender fingertips to snap off a small piece, and naturally held it to Lia's lips.
Only then did Lia obediently open her mouth and take the chocolate in. Her warm tongue inadvertently licked Hermione's fingertip, sending a faint jolt of electricity through her.
Hermione laughed and pinched her warm ear tip, the gesture intimate and natural.
Ron and Harry exchanged a glance, both making a "used to it" grimace in silent understanding.
Harry leaned against the window, watching the scenery flash by outside, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.
The nominal title of 'the savior' now had a more substantial co-bearer, which made him feel both relieved and strangely conflicted.
With a long whistle, the train arrived at Hogwarts. The start-of-term feast was as grand and lively as ever.
After the Sorting Ceremony, Dumbledore stood up and introduced this year's new Professor in a booming voice: "...Please join me in welcoming Professor Horace Slughorn, who will return to teach Potion Class!"
An old man as fat as a walrus stood up, his round belly straining against the golden buttons of his waistcoat, which looked ready to pop.
A few strands of grey hair grew sparsely on his shiny bald head, which, combined with his silvery-white walrus mustache, gave him a somewhat comical appearance. He waved enthusiastically to the students, but his gaze swept through the crowd like radar, inspecting his future "collections."
His gaze locked onto Harry, and when he saw the famous lightning bolt scar, he broke into an unabashed smile of satisfaction.
Then, his gaze shifted half an inch.
When his eyes landed on the silver-haired figure sitting calmly beside Hermione at the end of the Gryffindor table, the smile on Slughorn's face stiffened slightly, then transformed into a nearly pathological fervor and greed.
His obese body leaned forward uncontrollably, his eyes bulging and his breathing becoming heavy.
Lia, who was sipping pumpkin juice, stopped her movements.
She felt that gaze; its thick greed made her uncomfortable.
She looked up, her pure blue eyes meeting Slughorn's murky ones.
Through Lia's [Eye of Truth], the so-called Professor appeared as a massive, sickly sweet toffee pudding.
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