The bustling streets of Diagon Alley were alive with activity. Witches and wizards of all ages filled the cobblestone paths, but the majority were young students from Hogwarts, eagerly preparing for the new school year. They flitted from shop to shop, purchasing textbooks, replacing outgrown robes, and readying themselves for another year of magical education.
Among the crowd, four lively young girls walked hand in hand, their laughter ringing like silver bells. Their cheerful voices and radiant smiles brightened the atmosphere, drawing smiles from passersby who couldn't help but muse, "Ah, the joys of youth."
Trailing a short distance behind them was a boy with jet-black curls, dressed entirely in black. His expression was impassive as he carried several large shopping bags. Despite the black cloth covering his eyes, he moved with steady, deliberate steps, maintaining a consistent distance from the girls ahead.
A stalker, perhaps?
No, this was Glenn Hawthorne, the unfortunate pack mule for the day.
The Hawthorne and Granger families had recently returned from a trip to France, and with the summer holidays nearing their end, Glenn and Hermione had chosen a day to visit Diagon Alley for their school shopping.
Declining their parents' offers to accompany them (which was really an excuse to shop), Hermione had initially envisioned this outing as another exclusive date with Glenn. However, fate had other plans. They unexpectedly ran into her dormmates, Lavender and Parvati, as well as a lost little Ravenclaw, Luna.
Hermione didn't mind, though. To her, anywhere with Glenn was a date. The two had been inseparable since becoming a couple, though their dynamic hadn't changed much. Even so, the idea of spending time alone with Glenn was tempting. But Hermione couldn't bring herself to ignore her friends.
After all, despite exchanging letters over the summer, it had been a while since they last saw each other. Hermione was eager to catch up, and Luna, with her dreamy gaze and aimless wandering, seemed to need some guidance.
With a glance at Glenn, Hermione signaled her intentions. Glenn understood immediately and released her hand, allowing her to approach her friends.
And so, the day unfolded as it did.
Since they had company, Glenn and Hermione refrained from using an Undetectable Extension Charm to store their purchases. Glenn, ever the gentleman, volunteered to carry the bags for the girls—a suggestion he had picked up during a summer visit to Malfoy Manor.
"Build a good rapport with Hermione's friends," Draco Malfoy had advised earnestly. "That way, they won't badmouth you behind your back. You only seem to interact with your girlfriend, and that's not great for your reputation."
Draco's words echoed in Glenn's mind. While he didn't blindly trust others' advice, he acknowledged the value of connections. Having grown accustomed to working alone, Glenn realized he had overlooked this aspect of social interaction.
Of course, Glenn also remembered that Draco had zero experience in romance, so he took the advice with a grain of salt and sought Hermione's perspective.
"They wouldn't badmouth you," Hermione had said with a laugh, "but I would love for you to get along with my friends."
So today, noticing the girls' desire to chat freely without the burden of shopping bags, Glenn took the initiative to help.
Hermione appreciated his thoughtfulness and encouraged her friends to hand over their bags to Glenn, freeing her hands to hold his.
"You know, after hearing all about you and Glenn, we've really changed our opinion of him," Parvati remarked as Hermione recounted her summer adventures in France.
"Honestly, I used to think he was just a quiet, gloomy little wizard. I couldn't understand why you liked him. But now it all makes sense."
Lavender nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with envy.
Though Glenn Hawthorne was a man of few words, he was undeniably a caring boyfriend.
"Why can't I find my prince charming? Hermione, you're so lucky!" Lavender whined, shaking Hermione's arm dramatically.
Luna smiled softly at Hermione, saying nothing.
"Well, of course! Glenn's kindness is hidden beneath his reserved exterior, so it's not easy for others to see," Hermione declared proudly, her cheeks flushing slightly from her friends' compliments.
Parvati and Lavender exchanged a mischievous glance, then looked back at Glenn, who was silently carrying their bags. They turned their teasing gaze back to Hermione.
"Your boyfriend's right here, so we'll give you a pass for now," Parvati said with a smirk. "But once we're back in the dorm, we'll properly punish you for showing off!"
Hermione's smile froze.
Her eyes darted around until they landed on Flourish and Blotts. Her face lit up.
"Ah, um, look! The bookstore! Let's hurry and buy our textbooks for the new term. There are so many new classes this year!"
Releasing Luna and Lavender's hands, Hermione darted into the bookstore like a startled ostrich.
Lavender rolled her eyes. "She thinks she can escape our tickle torture? Just wait, Hermione."
She turned to Luna, taking her hand with a smile. Thanks to Hermione's introduction, they had quickly become friends with the adorable younger girl.
"Come on, Luna, let's get our books too."
Luna nodded obediently and followed them into the store.
Glenn, unfazed, followed suit. From his perspective, this was just a sign of Hermione's close bond with her friends.
As for the so-called tickle torture, Glenn decided to let Hermione deal with it herself. After all, she often initiated tickle fights with him, only to end up pinned and tickled herself.
In the end, poor Hermione always lost.
Not that she minded, of course.
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