The process of asking Professor McGonagall for a leave of absence was much smoother than Harry and Ron had imagined.
After Friday's Transfiguration Class, Hermione knocked on the door of Professor McGonagall's office alone.
She didn't give many reasons, but simply handed over two pieces of parchment calmly.
One was hers, and the other was Lia's.
They clearly recorded that since the start of the term, both had received the highest grade—"O"—in every quiz and homework assignment for every course.
Professor McGonagall adjusted her glasses, her gaze lingering on those two impeccable transcripts for a long time.
She looked up, her sharp eyes scrutinizing Hermione's calm face for a moment.
"Miss Granger, I hope you know that these are extraordinary times."
"I know, Professor. That's exactly why," Hermione replied.
Professor McGonagall fell silent; she knew quite a bit, at least knowing why the four of them were leaving one after another.
She looked at her most prized student before her; in those intelligent eyes, the confusion typical of her peers was gone, replaced by a clarity and determination that even startled her.
Finally, she nodded.
"Just this once. Stay safe."
She didn't press for details about Harry and Ron, accepting that the two boys who were always getting into trouble were tag-alongs for this "honor student leave."
Coming out of Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione took Lia directly to the Room of Requirement.
Instead of choosing a public fireplace, she used Lia's perception of Hogwarts' spatial ley lines to find a long-forgotten fireplace in an abandoned room.
It was connected to an obscure Floo Network node.
Hermione grabbed a handful of Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace.
The green flames flared up, Incendio.
"12 Grimmauld Place."
She pulled Lia and stepped into the flames.
After the familiar sensation of vertigo, the two stumbled out of a dusty fireplace and landed steadily in the living room of Black Manor.
They were greeted by a warm embrace.
"Harry! Oh, and Ron, Hermione! It's so good to see you!"
Mrs. Molly Weasley used her plump arms to hug Harry and Ron, who had just come out of another fireplace, one by one, and then gave Hermione a warm hug.
When she saw Lia, her smile grew even wider.
"Oh, dear Lia, you look like you've grown a bit taller! Would you like some pumpkin pie? I just finished baking a tray!"
Lia's eyes instantly lit up, and she nodded vigorously.
Sirius Black leaned against the doorframe, his face pale as if after a narrow escape, but upon seeing Harry, a spark immediately ignited in those gray eyes.
He stepped forward and gave his godson a firm hug.
Remus Lupin also came out of the kitchen, wearing a patched-up old sweater, nodding to them with a gentle but weary smile.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the atmosphere quickly became solemn.
Everyone sat around the long wooden table in the kitchen.
After Kreacher served several cups of hot tea, he retreated into the shadows, peering at everything with his spiteful eyes.
"What exactly happened, Harry?" Sirius spoke first, his hand tightly gripping a goblet.
Harry took a deep breath and recounted everything he had heard in the bathroom regarding the Unbreakable Vow between Snape and Narcissa, detail by detail.
"I knew it!" Sirius slammed the table, tea splashing everywhere. "That Snivellus! He's a traitor! A Death Eater through and through! Dumbledore must be blind to trust him!"
His voice was filled with years of pent-up resentment and anger.
"Remus, did you hear that? This is the man you wanted me to trust!"
Lupin's face was also extremely grim; he pushed his glasses up his nose and said softly, "This is very serious, Sirius. An Unbreakable Vow... if this is true, then Snape is effectively tied to Lord Voldemort's chariot."
"I must act immediately!" Sirius stood up. "I'm going to snap Snape's neck with my own hands!"
"No!" Mrs. Molly screamed. "You're still a wanted man! You can't go!"
"Then what should we do? Sit here and wait for death?!" Sirius roared.
"We should trust Dumbledore," Mr. Arthur Weasley tried to soothe everyone. "He must have a plan."
For a moment, the kitchen was filled with arguments, roars, and dissuasions.
Harry and Ron were bewildered by the chaotic scene; they had brought information, but it had ignited a powder keg.
Only Hermione hadn't spoken from beginning to end.
She just sat quietly, stirring her black tea with a small spoon, letting Lia lean against her shoulder while nibbling on Mrs. Molly's special pumpkin pie with double cream.
Not until the arguing gradually subsided and everyone sat slumped in their chairs, exhausted and helpless.
Only then did Lia sniff an unusual scent from the gradually calming emotional atmosphere.
She looked toward the door, tilting her head, her sky-blue eyes full of pure curiosity.
"The scent on it is so complex," she spoke, her voice crisp.
"That House-elf, his soul is fractured."
Kreacher let out a terrified gasp in the shadows and then vanished.
All the adults present looked at Lia with strange expressions, then turned to Hermione—what on earth was she talking about?
Requesting a translation!
...My author's note was originally supposed to be at the end, but for some reason, these few sentences couldn't be posted...
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