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

John and the others didn't continue discussing their summer vacation plans.

John carefully read through the case file, and according to the table of contents, he flipped through the cases of magical creatures injuring people, and found that there were indeed quite a few incidents similar to Buckbeak's.

Ultimately, either the zookeeper or the offending magical creature will be punished.

In any case, the blame can't be placed on the victim.

Yes, when something like this happens, either the zookeeper or the magical creature must be held responsible.

Now that Hagrid has been saved by Dumbledore, Buckbeak is the only one left to take responsibility.

In these cases, although some were punished, most of the crimes did not warrant the death penalty and fell within an acceptable range.

But Bakbik may face a death sentence.

After all, Draco was constantly clamoring to execute Buckbeak.

As I said before, learning knowledge in the magical world is inherently accompanied by a certain degree of danger.

Thanks to the various potions and magic in the magical world, such dangers can often be averted at critical moments and minimized, making them acceptable to most students and parents.

But now Draco is determined to magnify this accident to an extreme degree, even at the cost of sacrificing Buckbeak to satisfy his personal grievances.

This is what they cannot accept.

......

There was no follow-up to this, as the final verdict has not yet been delivered.

So John was helping Hermione gather useful case files so she could prepare new defense strategies.

The library at night.

Hermione and John sat in the corner as usual.

"Well...."

Hermione suddenly rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Recently, in addition to dealing with heavy schoolwork, I also need to gather as much information as possible for Buckbeak's case.

This left her feeling somewhat exhausted.

John glanced at Hermione with concern and said softly.

"Take a break, Hermione. Your dark circles have been quite noticeable these past few days."

"...Huh? Really?"

Hermione instinctively lowered her head, not wanting John to see her. She touched her cheek, her eyes somewhat dazed.

She stayed up all night studying last night, then used the time converter to attend two classes today, and is now continuing to flip through case files.

The relentless work schedule was definitely taking a toll on her.

Hermione let out a soft sigh and forced a smile. "I'm fine, I just haven't been sleeping well these past few days."

John looked at Hermione's forced smile and silently closed the book in his hands.

"Let's call it a day, Hermione. Exhausting yourself isn't good for anyone. Want to go outside for some fresh air?"

John put the book away, smiled at Hermione, and extended an invitation.

Hermione looked at John's smile, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

After tidying up, the two left the library and went to the garden in front of the covered bridge.

A night breeze gently brushed against my cheek, carrying a hint of coolness.

Hermione sat on a stone bench in the garden and let out a long sigh, as if to exhale all the pent-up fatigue.

The campus was sparsely lit, and the distant lake shimmered with a faint light, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

John sat down next to her, leaning against a pillar behind him.

"The breeze is so nice tonight."

"yes."

Winter has passed, and spring has arrived.

Although the night wind still carried a slight chill, it was no longer as biting as it was in winter.

Hermione gently closed her eyes, feeling the night breeze brushing against her hair.

Her mood seemed to gradually relax along with the gentle breeze.

"John, tell me, if in the end we still can't change Buckbeak's fate, won't all our efforts seem ridiculous?"

At that moment, Hermione suddenly said something... disheartening?

John paused for a moment, then smiled and asked, "So, are you going to give up?"

"No way!"

"That'll do."

Upon hearing this, Hermione smiled.

John's left hand was suddenly covered by something icy cold.

He turned his head and saw Hermione's hand on the back of his hand, gently clasping it.

"I noticed around Christmas that your hands are so warm~"

Hermione looked at the sky, a faint blush rising on her face, and said softly.

John paused for a moment, then smiled again, but made no further move.

The two of them silently enjoyed this moment of peace.

But gradually, Hermione's eyelids became heavier and heavier.

After relaxing, a wave of fatigue washed over me.

John felt a weight on his shoulder.

He turned his head slightly and saw Hermione leaning on his shoulder.

Her hair swayed gently in the wind, like an exhausted traveler finally finding a place to rest for a moment.

Hermione exuded a faint fragrance, mixed with a hint of bookish scent, which smelled very pleasant.

John gently adjusted his position to make Hermione more comfortable.

He then waved his wand, draping a robe over Hermione.

......

"Um..."

After an unknown amount of time, Hermione murmured softly, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the bright moon hanging high in the night sky.

She blinked her eyes, still blurry, and gradually, her consciousness returned.

I remembered that I came out for some fresh air with John, but somehow I fell asleep...

Hermione turned her head slightly and found herself lying on John's lap.

John, who had been leaning back against the pillar, noticed the movement in his arms and looked down at Hermione with a smile.

"Hermione, you're awake."

Hermione was slightly taken aback, and a blush quickly spread across her face.

She immediately sat up and realized that she was still covered with a robe, which made her even more embarrassed.

"Sorry, I fell asleep without realizing it... Did I sleep for a long time?"

Hermione tried to calm herself down and asked softly, full of apology.

John chuckled and said, "Indeed, my legs have gone numb from using you as a pillow."

Hearing this, Hermione blushed, but still couldn't help giving John a reproachful glare.

Who says things so directly?

He has absolutely no emotional intelligence...

"Then why didn't you just wake me up?"

Hermione muttered, a hint of resentment in her voice.

"Because you look very tired, I want you to rest a little longer."

John said softly, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.

Hermione's resentment vanished upon hearing this, and her blush deepened. She lowered her head and began adjusting the robes in her arms, pretending to be very busy.

You know what, after that nap, Hermione felt all the fatigue that had been building up over the past few days disappear.

She understood that John hadn't woken her up because he cared about her.

After all, I haven't been feeling well lately.

"Thank you, Yue..."

"You're welcome."

Hermione had just opened her mouth to thank him when John responded with lightning speed.

"......idiot."

Seeing John's grinning face, Hermione muttered something under her breath, though her tone carried a hint of amusement.

After exchanging a glance, the two smiled at each other.

Hermione finally recovered, stretched comfortably, and looked up at the moon in the sky.

The moon is so high up tonight...

Hmm? I won't redeem it!

"What time is it now?"

Hermione looked up at the moon high in the night sky, suddenly realized something, and turned to John to ask.

"I think the curfew should be in effect for quite a while now."

John glanced at the moon and said nonchalantly.

"..."

Hermione was speechless again at John's completely unperturbed demeanor.

They've broken the school rules now.

But he couldn't say anything, since it was his own fault for falling asleep and causing John to be implicated.

Finally, she sighed helplessly.

"Let's go back quickly, or we'll be in trouble if the administrator finds out."

John nodded and stood up, supporting himself on his knees.

Then he reached out his hand to Hermione, who did not refuse and took John's outstretched hand.

John pulled Hermione up.

After getting up, Hermione didn't let go of John, but instead pulled him along and walked quickly towards the castle.

The two walked through the corridors one after the other.

No one spoke on the way, until they reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

After Sirius Black was exonerated, the portrait here reverted to that of the Fat Lady.

Hermione stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady and recited the command.

The plump lady also looked like she had just woken up.

"Come in quickly, child. Filch just went on patrol. You've made it in time."

The plump lady seemed quite used to seeing her students going out for nighttime strolls and returning so late.

As the portrait is opened, the entrance to the secret passage into the lounge appears.

When Hermione tried to enter the secret passage, she realized she was still holding John's hand.

Her cheeks flushed slightly again, but Hermione didn't immediately let go. Instead, she gently squeezed John's hand.

She gave John a shy yet gentle smile.

Goodnight, John.

"...Okay, goodnight."

John noticed Hermione's subtle movement, paused slightly, but still responded.

Hermione reluctantly let go of John's hand and walked into the secret passage, turning back every few steps.

John stood still, watching Hermione's figure disappear at the end of the secret passage.

The portrait slowly closed.

"..."

John remained silent for a while, looked at the hand he had been holding with Hermione, gently squeezed it, and then scratched his head repeatedly.

Even if he were slow to realize it, he could sense that the relationship between himself and Hermione seemed... somewhat subtle?

But he didn't hate the feeling, or rather, he didn't hate Hermione.

On the contrary, he really enjoyed being with Hermione.

Tsk...she should only be 13 years old, right? 14 at most.

Could it be that I'm actually a lolicon?!

No way! I'm only 11 years old!

Hermione should be the one reflecting on this!

John suddenly felt as if he had been enlightened.

It turns out I was the victim!

That wretched Hermione! She's so cunning at such a young age!

John muttered to himself as he tried to convince himself to go back.

Just then, at the top of the spiral staircase, the caretaker, Filch, came from around the corner carrying an oil lamp.

Filch noticed the figure downstairs, raised the oil lamp high, and shouted.

"Who's there!"

"I don't know!"

John responded instinctively.

Then, upon discovering it was an administrator, he immediately took off running.

Filch chased after him, carrying an oil lamp.

The quiet castle was immediately engulfed by noise again.