The Restricted Section is a special area in the Hogwarts library, clearly roped off from the rest of the collection to keep younger students out.
Any wizard who wishes to enter must first receive permission from a professor, and even then, books from the Restricted Section cannot be taken out.
In other words, students must present a signed note from a professor to gain access.
The books stored there often contain dark magic or content considered inappropriate for young wizards, so it's usually only upper-year students who are ever seen inside. In fact, it's not uncommon for an entire year to go by without a single student qualifying for entry.
Needless to say, getting a professor's permission is no easy feat...
The recipe for the Polyjuice Potion Ron Weasley mentioned is recorded in Most Potente Potions, but the problem is that this book is only available in the Restricted Section.
So, if Harry and his friends really wanted to brew Polyjuice Potion, their first step would be to find a way into the Restricted Section, locate the recipe, and somehow bring it out. Not exactly an easy task...
...
Hagrid's hut on the edge of the grounds.
"Hermione? Why are you here by yourself? Where are Harry and the others?"
"Forget about them for now, Hagrid. I have something I want to ask you."
Skipping over Hagrid's question, Hermione got straight to the point.
"Ask me? Alright, if I can help... Hey, Fang! Stop drooling all over the place!"
Because Hermione had brought some meat cutlets with her, Fang had bounded over to the table, tail wagging wildly, trying to curry favor with her. His overeager behavior could've fooled anyone into thinking Hagrid hadn't fed him in days.
Hermione didn't mind that her robe had picked up some of Fang's slobber. Instead, she just smiled and fed the mischievous Neapolitan Mastiff.
Even while her hands were busy, she didn't forget what she had come for.
"Hagrid, I want to ask you about the Restricted Section."
"The Restricted Section? What do you want to go there for? That's not something you're allowed to access right now."
"I just want to look into a theory related to charms. You know how my studies are a bit ahead of everyone else... so I thought I'd ask."
Hagrid, ever the straightforward sort, didn't seem to suspect anything. He simply blinked at her in mild surprise.
"Is that so?"
"Mm-hmm. So, Hagrid, do you know a way in? Or how to get access?"
Hermione had searched the entire library and come up empty-handed, so her only option now was the Restricted Section. Not fully familiar with the rules—and wanting to avoid drawing attention—she had come to Hagrid for help.
Not, of course, because Hagrid wasn't... well, the sharpest, or because he was notoriously bad at keeping secrets...
Unfortunately, even though Hagrid served as Hogwarts' gamekeeper, he didn't have the authority to let students into the Restricted Section. At least, not unless he became a professor.
Which meant Hermione's visit was bound to end in disappointment.
"Sorry, Hermione. You'll need to talk to a professor. Only with a note signed by one can you get into the Restricted Section."
"That's really... wait! Did you just say any professor?"
Hermione's previously downcast face suddenly lit up as if something had just occurred to her.
At that moment, the door to the hut swung open...
"The Restricted Section? That does sound a bit interesting."
A rush of cold wind came in with the opening door, and the familiar voice made Hermione leap from her chair.
"Draco..."
For some reason, the smile on his face made her awkwardly turn her head away…
…
Come to think of it, this was the first real conversation Draco and Hermione had shared since starting their second year—though nearby stood Hagrid, visibly delighted to see his dragon-loving friend.
"Draco, you're just in time! I heard from the centaurs that you went to visit Norberta. Is that pretty little girl doing well? She must really miss her mum, huh?"
Clearly, the "mum" he was referring to was himself. The way his face crumpled with emotion, he looked like a doting mother worried about her child.
"Relax, Hagrid. I seriously doubt anything in the Forbidden Forest could pose a threat to a dragon."
Seeing Hagrid on the verge of throwing himself at him, Draco gave a strained smile and quickly tried to calm him down.
It had to be said—when a giant like Hagrid looks like he's about to cry in front of you, the whole scene is... unsettling, to say the least.
Hermione, who hadn't realized Draco had overheard her earlier, lowered her head in guilt, focusing on Fang licking her robe. Only then did she process what Hagrid had just said.
"Hagrid, you said yesterday... Wait! You snuck into the Forbidden Forest alone? By Merlin's beard—how could you even think of doing that?!"
"Well, everyone else was at the Halloween feast. It was the perfect chance."
As he spoke, Draco walked to the other side of the bench and sat down, giving Fang's head a quick rub, which made the dog wag his tail happily.
Draco's casual explanation caught Hermione off guard. A flicker of irritation crossed her face.
Why didn't he invite her along...
"Last night? So, when that happened... you weren't even in the castle?"
"That incident... Well, barring anything unexpected, I should've been flying over the forest on Norberta at the time."
Hermione felt an overwhelming urge to retort, but as the pieces fell into place, she simply scratched Fang under the chin and let a broad smile sneak onto her face.
"So it really wasn't you..."
"What wasn't me?"
Draco blinked, confused by the glare Hermione suddenly shot him. He shrugged and turned to the now-overlooked Hagrid.
In fact, Draco had nearly forgotten the reason he came in the first place. He wasn't here just to bicker with Hermione.
Neither of them noticed how their little exchange had brought back the familiar feeling from when Norberta was still around.
After a sip of Gurdyroot Infusion, Draco looked toward Hagrid.
"Hagrid, you were the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets last time, weren't you?"
"..."
"..."
Hermione: ???