Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

Madame Patif's Tea House is a small, old-fashioned brick building with a faded pink bow sign hanging on the pale yellow wooden door, and the windowsill is covered with fluffy moss and dozing cattails.

Just by looking through the window, you can tell that this is a teahouse designed specifically for couples.

Various pink lace curtains hung down, each small round table was covered with a tablecloth embroidered with heart patterns, and an old-fashioned gramophone sat in the corner, slowly turning a record of "The Spell of Love".

John led Hermione by the hand to the shop entrance.

Although he had expected it, John still didn't expect it to be such a pink and bubbly place.

Hermione, standing nearby, wasn't much better off.

They were clearly a couple, but since it was their first time entering a place like this, they still had a subtle feeling that they couldn't quite put their finger on—whether it was nervousness or guilt.

But John didn't back down; he took Hermione's hand and led her inside.

As I pushed open the door, the wind chimes behind it tinkled, and a warm fragrance mixed with the sweet aroma of honey cake wafted out.

"Oh, welcome, you two~"

To the left of the entrance is the teahouse counter, where a slightly plump woman with her hair up is looking up from behind the ledger.

Her face wore a smile that was either kind or teasing, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes held a gentle smile.

"...Hello, madam, please arrange a seat for me."

John saw that Hermione was blushing and looking around, showing no intention of speaking, so he had no choice but to speak up.

"No problem, darling. Is this your first time here?"

"...Yes."

Madame Partif smiled and came out from behind the counter, leading the two to a seat by the window.

The chair was covered with thick velvet cushions, and a small bottle of freshly cut silver bell flowers, still covered in snowflakes, sat on the table.

"Hehe, don't be nervous, baby. The first time is always full of unknown excitement."

Seemingly noticing that it was John and Hermione's first time there, Mrs. Parthoff patted John on the shoulder affectionately and then winked at Hermione discreetly.

Hermione's ears turned bright red, almost dripping with honey. It wasn't that she didn't understand these things, but seeing the couples nearby, one after another, kissing each other so passionately.

Will John and I have to kiss like that in front of everyone later?

John felt a little embarrassed; otherwise, young couples would be happy to come here.

They simply opened up a place specifically for students to date...

Hmm? Who's that?

Cedric and Cho Chang?

Goodness, I can't believe I ran into someone here.

They had clearly noticed us from the start.

When Cedric noticed John's gaze, he raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a friendly smile.

This isn't a suitable place to just come over and say hello.

Although the way I put it is a bit inappropriate, for some reason, I have this strange feeling that I ran into an acquaintance while soliciting a prostitute...

John and Hermione sat down and ordered two cups of hot cocoa, a heart-shaped cake each, and a plate of gingerbread figurines covered in icing.

Mrs. Patif served the food quickly, and soon brought over their drinks and snacks.

It wasn't until she took a sip of warm cocoa that Hermione calmed down and regained her composure.

To be fair, her forced composure was inexplicably endearing.

"Hermione, what are your plans for Christmas this year?"

Hermione was taking small bites of a gingerbread mane when she heard John's sudden question. When she looked up, there was still some icing on her lips.

"Oh right, I was planning to ask you that when I had the chance."

"My parents asked me if I wanted to go skiing during the Christmas holidays. If you'd like, you can come along."

Upon hearing John's question, Hermione seemed to remember something and spoke up.

Completely oblivious to the icing on her lips, she then noticed John, for some reason, not saying a word, just staring at her mouth.

Her face flushed red again.

John isn't trying to kiss himself, is he...?

What to do!

Want a kiss?

But so many people...

Even if they're not, they're still being affectionate!

So, a kiss shouldn't be a problem, right...?

Hermione, stared at by John, maintained a calm facade, but a mini-drama was playing out in her mind.

John, meanwhile, stared at the icing on her lips, his obsessive-compulsive tendencies kicking in; he desperately wanted to wipe it off...

But given Hermione's frightened deer-like appearance, perhaps we shouldn't continue to tease her...

He had no choice but to pretend he didn't see it and try his best to look away.

"Skiing? Great, even though I've never skied before."

"But I need to ask my family if they've made any arrangements... Come to think of it, I don't think I've sent home a single letter since the start of the semester..."

John belatedly muttered to himself.

Seeing that John had no intention of kissing her, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, but was also a little disappointed.

However, she didn't show anything, but instead went along with John's words and complained.

"No wonder Mom made me write a letter to your aunt and uncle to let them know you're safe. Turns out you never even thought of writing home, and your aunt and uncle came to my mom's place..."

Upon hearing Hermione's complaint, John choked on his hot cocoa.

"Well, I just don't have that habit..."

"If you won't honor the agreement, did you write a letter to let me know you're safe?"

John first explained, then realized what was happening and asked a follow-up question.

"Hmm, my aunt and uncle even replied to my letter."

Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"What did they say?" John pressed.

"They didn't say anything, just that I could go there more often during my vacation."

"Was I not mentioned?"

"no."

"..."

Oh no, I haven't posted in too long, and my favorability rating has dropped to zero.

I need to write a letter back quickly, otherwise my future real estate will be in danger.

"By the way, how about bringing your aunt and uncle to my house for Christmas?"

Hermione then added that since their two families lived relatively close to each other and their parents had a good relationship, they could easily live together.

Hearing Hermione's words, John snapped out of his reverie, considered it for a moment, and decided it was feasible.

"Then I'll write a letter back later and ask."

Hermione nodded. That was the end of it for now; they'd have to wait for more news.

After finishing our business, we can continue to enjoy our precious date time.

Just then, the little Cupid figure that had been floating around the teahouse drifted to their table.

It playfully flapped its little wings and then sprinkled various shimmering golden heart-shaped powders at the two of them.

The powder settled softly on their hair and clothes, floating and shimmering in the slanting winter sunlight, as if coating time itself with a layer of shimmering light.

Although the scene looked beautiful, John couldn't help but laugh when he saw Hermione's fluffy hair covered in gold powder.

What are you laughing at?

Hermione blushed and patted her hair as she complained to John.

"Hurry up and get it off for me!"

"Okay, okay, I'll do it."

John quickly waved his hand to stop laughing, then leaned down close to Hermione's face to brush the gold dust off her hair.

They insisted on using their hands instead of a spell, even though it could have been solved with a simple wave of a magic spell.

Just as John was brushing the gold dust off Hermione's hair, Hermione stared intently at John's face, which was so close to hers.

"Okay, all done."

Finally, John brushed all the gold dust off Hermione and smiled at her.

Hermione didn't immediately look away, and for a moment their eyes met.

The winter sun shone through the window, casting dappled light on Hermione's trembling eyelashes.

Then, the two of them just stared at each other, without surprise, without shyness, without their hearts racing.

They moved closer to each other and kissed each other in perfect unison.

Like other couples here, kiss your loved one.