The news that Lewis Green had organized a study group within Ravenclaw to teach the Patronus Charm quickly spread throughout the entire school.
Students from the other houses were openly envious.
Quite a few even sought out their Ravenclaw friends to ask whether the study group was still accepting members.
One day in the library, Harry Potter quietly stopped Lewis.
"Lewis… Ravenclaw's studying the Patronus Charm together, right?"
After fumbling through a few awkward opening remarks, Harry finally got to the point.
Lewis immediately understood.
Harry wanted to learn the Patronus Charm as well.
Perhaps because Malfoy had loudly spread the story to the entire school, Harry had always been bothered by the fact that he'd fainted in front of the Dementors on the train.
Before Harry could continue, Lewis gently cut him off.
"That's right."
"But because our resources are limited, we agreed from the very beginning that the study group would only be open to Ravenclaw students for now."
"After all, the classroom and equipment are all provided by Ravenclaw."
"Otherwise, I'd gladly invite you."
Feeling that sounded a little too blunt, Lewis added,
"However, if Professor Flitwick's request to Headmaster Dumbledore is approved, and we receive more support…"
"…we'll probably open enrollment to the other houses."
"If that happens, I'll let you know."
If Harry insisted after hearing that…
Things would become awkward.
It was better to explain everything beforehand.
"I wish Gryffindor had something like that…"
Harry said with a dry smile.
"I've never heard of any older Gryffindors who can cast the Patronus Charm."
Then he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right."
"About next weekend's Hogsmeade trip…"
"You know my aunt and uncle would never sign the permission form."
"And Professor McGonagall refuses to sign it either."
"She thinks I shouldn't be going to Hogsmeade."
"I was thinking about sneaking out under the Invisibility Cloak…"
"But there are so many Dementors outside the school."
"Do you know any way I could get past them?"
This kid…
Lewis increasingly felt that Harry was slowly evolving into a troll during his years at Hogwarts.
Whenever Harry encountered a problem he couldn't solve…
His first instinct was always to ask Hermione.
If Hermione couldn't solve it…
—or if it was clearly something Hermione couldn't help with—
He immediately came looking for Lewis.
He truly had developed the habit of "When in doubt, visit Buddha Lewis in Ravenclaw Tower."
Still…
They had known each other since first year.
Lewis couldn't simply ignore him.
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"That's easy."
"On Hogsmeade weekend, go find Fred and George Weasley."
"Tell them I sent you."
"They'll take care of the rest."
"Thanks, Lewis!"
Harry's face visibly relaxed.
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Lewis called after him.
Harry looked back in confusion.
"If your goal is simply to learn the Patronus Charm…"
"…there's actually someone even more suitable to teach you."
Harry blinked.
"Who?"
"Professor Remus Lupin."
Lewis recommended the same choice Harry would eventually make in the original timeline.
"He was one of the people who drove away the Dementors on the train."
Harry nodded absentmindedly before leaving.
Clearly…
He didn't think Lewis's suggestion was very realistic.
As a true Gryffindor…
He had long since developed the habit of never asking professors for help if he could avoid it.
Hogwarts professors already had enough work.
How could one of them possibly have time to tutor him personally?
Lewis could already guess what Harry would choose.
He simply shook his head and returned to reading.
Even if Harry ignored his advice…
Dumbledore would eventually steer him toward Lupin anyway.
There was no need for Lewis to worry.
Finally…
The long-awaited Hogsmeade weekend arrived.
Lewis noticed that nearly everyone had gotten up unusually early that morning.
By the time he entered the Great Hall for breakfast…
It was already far more crowded than usual.
Students had all dressed in clothing suitable for going out.
While eating, they enthusiastically discussed their plans for the day.
Upper-years entertained the younger students with stories about Hogsmeade Village.
Every tale earned another chorus of gasps and curious questions.
Lewis had barely sat down when he heard a familiar voice.
"Lewis! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"I only just got here myself."
He turned instinctively—
Then found himself looking Ciri up and down.
They had spent years together.
Yet under his gaze…
A faint blush immediately spread across Ciri's cheeks.
Lowering her head slightly…
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Only then did Lewis notice the delicate silver earring hanging there.
At first glance…
She looked much the same as always.
But Lewis's sharp eyes quickly caught countless subtle differences.
Her eyebrows had clearly been shaped.
She was wearing light eye makeup.
A faint rosy tint colored her lips.
Her braid had been carefully styled.
Even the silver earrings were something he'd never seen before.
Her outfit itself wasn't new…
But it had obviously been altered.
The neckline around her shoulders had been loosened slightly…
Revealing a hint of smooth, fair skin.
Even the collar had been lowered a few inches.
Normally…
Ciri always dressed in a straightforward, practical manner.
Today…
She had clearly gone to great lengths to dress herself up.
She hadn't chosen extravagant clothes.
Nor heavy makeup.
She had simply refined every little detail.
Those tiny changes softened her usual cool and heroic appearance…
Replacing it with an unexpected gentleness…
And subtle allure.
Lewis didn't even need his telepathy.
He immediately understood what she was trying to do.
No wonder she'd become so shy after being looked at.
Leaning close to her ear…
He whispered teasingly,
"That light makeup really suits you."
"You look amazing."
"And those earrings match you perfectly."
"I like them."
Ciri didn't answer.
Her expression hardly changed at all.
But through their mental connection…
Lewis clearly felt the surge of happiness inside her.
The joy of being understood.
The joy of being acknowledged.
Without realizing it…
She moved just a little closer to him.
Unfortunately…
A very untimely voice interrupted the moment.
"Hey, hey!"
"You two are whispering to each other while completely ignoring me?"
Lewis turned around.
It was Penelope.
The Head Girl proudly declared,
"You should thank me."
"I picked out today's look for Ciri."
"That blockhead didn't even know how to put on makeup."
"I practically taught her by hand."
"Even the outfit was altered by her personally."
"Pretty good, right?"
Lewis didn't answer.
Instead…
He secretly gave Penelope a thumbs-up.
Whatever suspicious thoughts she'd had about stealing his girlfriend before…
This assist was absolutely perfect.
"Penelope!"
Ciri immediately covered her friend's mouth in embarrassment.
"Stop talking!"
"Fine, fine."
Penelope laughed.
Then she looked at Lewis seriously.
"Lewis Green."
"I know you're on good terms with plenty of girls."
"But considering how much effort Ciri put into dressing up today…"
"…could you at least spend part of today alone with her?"
"Ciri immediately panicked again.
"Stop saying things like that!"
Lewis, however, answered honestly.
"Don't worry."
"I will."
Unfortunately…
Just as Penelope had implied…
Ciri wasn't the only girl hoping to spend time with Lewis today.
Across the Ravenclaw table…
Cho Chang winked at him.
The meaning in her eyes was obvious.
"You haven't forgotten our promise, have you?"
Lewis could only nod helplessly.
Meanwhile…
Over at the Gryffindor table…
Hermione finished breakfast and immediately hurried over.
The brightest witch of her age devoted almost all of her attention to studying.
She remained surprisingly oblivious when it came to romance.
Yet…
As a girl…
She instinctively disliked the idea of Lewis becoming close to more and more girls.
She simply wanted to spend more time with him herself.
Because of that…
Unlike in the original timeline…
She had no intention of staying behind at Hogwarts to accompany Harry, whom she believed couldn't visit Hogsmeade.
Lewis suddenly realized something.
If he didn't carefully plan today's schedule…
He was about to walk straight into the greatest Shura Field of his life.
He slowly turned toward little Aiyu beside him.
"When the time comes…"
"I'm counting on you."
Aiyu blinked.
"…?"
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