Gryffindor girls' dorm.
Under flickering firelight, Hermione's hurried figure stood out. Her thick curls hung completely inside the upside-down wardrobe.
Clothes and books piled messily. Faint, rapid breathing.
Lavender Brown pushed open the door. Seeing this, she asked:
"Hermione, what are you looking for?"
"Ah!"
Hermione's head shot up.
Bang. The wardrobe shook. Miss Know-It-All crouched holding her head, tears welling from pain.
"Oh my!"
"Are you alright!"
Lavender exclaimed, then hurried forward to help Hermione up.
"Sorry, I startled you..."
"Are you okay?"
Embarrassment in her voice. She examined Hermione's head carefully, but messy curls blocked her view.
"Oh..."
"It's fine, Lavender."
"I was too hasty..."
Hermione rubbed her aching head. Helplessness flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by urgency.
She grabbed Lavender's hand, tone carrying anticipation:
"Lavender, have you seen the hair smoothing potion? The bottle delivered at lunch?"
"Smoothing potion?"
Lavender blinked, thinking. Her gaze moved toward Hermione's bedside.
"I remember when you came back..."
"You seemed to put it..."
Before finishing, her gaze fixed under the bed. Clear liquid seeping out.
With ominous premonition, Hermione followed her gaze.
Realizing that puddle was the shattered potion, Hermione slapped her forehead.
"Oh no..."
"I'm so stupid..."
Polyjuice Potion had occupied her entire brain. She'd overlooked the smoothing potion.
Facing the Christmas feast, Hermione's heart filled with unprecedented importance.
This wasn't just a holiday—her first Christmas with Tiger.
It meant everything.
The girl who'd never dressed up had commissioned the Weasley twins for smoothing potion, just so Tiger could see a different version of herself. Unfortunately...
"Oh, let me guess..."
Seeing Hermione deflate, Lavender seemed to understand. She raised an eyebrow, tone teasing:
"Is our bookworm facing a very important date?"
"You're in love!" (?_?)
Lavender's voice rose. Eyes stared intensely.
"What?!"
"Oh no!"
Hermione stepped back in panic, waving her hands. Her confident gaze turned evasive.
Like a deer whose secret was exposed, she wanted to flee this embarrassing topic. Her voice trembled, carrying defensiveness.
"I just..."
"Just wanted my hair neater. Tonight's the Christmas feast. Not a date. We're growing up!"
"I should learn some..."
"Things..."
Facing Lavender's meaningful smile, Hermione's explanations grew slower and quieter until she buried her face.
"It's really not... a date..."
"Just... spending Christmas with Tiger... nothing... roman..."
Hearing Hermione's groundless protest, Lavender burst out laughing. Freckled cheeks flushed. The ribbon fell from her hair.
"Oh, Merlin's love potion..."
"You're adorable, Miss Know-It-All... hahahaha..."
"Lavender!"
Hermione's eyes widened in exasperation. Blush spread from her ears toward her eyes.
"Okay okay, calm down."
"Listen~ smoothing potion isn't the only way. Trust me, in one hour, I can make you radiant!"
Lavender suppressed laughter, grabbing Hermione's shoulders. Tone full of confidence.
Though Hermione was Miss Know-It-All, Lavender came from pure-blood family. Far more familiar with wizarding products.
Moreover, except for Hermione the bookworm, every Hogwarts girl had known wizarding cosmetics since first year.
"Really?"
Like meeting a savior, Hermione's eyes lit up. Her hands gripped Lavender's shoulders tightly.
"Of course, darling~"
"But you're facing Shelby. To conquer this wild guy, we need help..."
Lavender smiled cunningly.
Miss Know-It-All rarely dressed up. Just smooth hair wasn't enough...
"No no no!"
"Professor Lockhart, I can't help you. I also suggest you..."
Hagrid stood stiffly. Tone overflowed with determination and regret.
No one!
No one could stop a half-giant from leaving this terrifying office!
Damn, my jaw's hurting again.
"Mr. Hagrid!"
Just as Lockhart frantically blocked Hagrid's path—
A knock sounded.
Instantly, the room hit mute. Both froze.
All noise stopped. Only eerie silence.
"Professor Lockhart?"
Tiger's low, wild voice penetrated the door like an ancient beast's growl, chilling.
"Yes, coming right now..."
Lockhart's voice trembled. He swallowed. Eyes showed pleading as he looked at Hagrid, face pale, seeking a lifeline.
"..."
Hagrid's beard trembled. After intense struggle, he said through gritted teeth:
"Professor Lockhart, I'll try to protect you. But first, send an owl to Dumbledore."
"But..."
Lockhart looked troubled.
Actually, he didn't want to face Dumbledore's mind-reading gaze. His secrets seemed already exposed.
"At least notify Madam Pomfrey..."
"Or I'm leaving now!"
Hagrid's tone grew irritable.
He'd heard how incompetent this show-off was. He couldn't watch a professor get beaten to death by Shelby.
Likewise, he couldn't die before this fool.
Ever since witnessing werewolf deaths in Knockturn Alley, he'd feared the Shelby surname.
Before seeing the person, that eerie pressure had already penetrated the door.
"Okay okay! No problem!"
Lockhart didn't dare hesitate.
He grabbed his quill. In seconds, handed the note to an owl. Then he nervously straightened his clothes and strode toward the door...
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