Chapter 35: “Conversation”

“Professor Quirrell?” Sean frowned.

In the middle of the night, these two happened to meet in a bathroom. Sean held his breath and got closer.

Kettleburn’s voice was slightly hoarse, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Quirrell’s voice was the same as usual, but there was a bit of viciousness in it, “Sylvanus, you’ve been at Hogwarts for so long, and you don’t even know the rules?”

“I…I don’t understand what you mean.” Kettleburn’s voice was getting weaker, and he panted heavily.

“People who have been kept on probation so many times should have figured out the rules long ago? Or…” Quirrell’s voice became fierce, “You did it on purpose?!”

“No, that was just an accident. I wouldn’t do such a thing.” Kettleburn pleaded.

“I hope so, Sylvanus. You are still very useful. I just came to remind you not to cross the line.”

Quirrell’s voice became frenzied, “I have to rely on you and me to protect…”

“You have to believe me…” Kettleburn’s voice became weaker and weaker, and Sean could no longer hear the conversation between them.

Without stopping any longer, Sean cautiously left the scene. He quickly ran back to the Ravenclaw tower.

Quirrell is threatening Professor Kettleburn. He thinks he caused the commotion in the Forbidden Forest. But Kettleburn is usually a rough-tempered and rambunctious teacher. A senior student who is familiar with him knows that he would never do such a thing.

How come this professor was weak under Professor Quirrell’s influence? What’s even more strange is Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who has a cowardly personality and even feels a little boring, acting differently as if he was a completely different person.

Voldemort’s name has never been revealed in the wizarding world. Without him, Quirrell shouldn’t be acting this way. He also didn’t wear a scarf or anything and behaved normally.

Quirrell’s last words gave Sean goosebumps, feeling that he was some fanatical believer. After answering a question, Sean returned to Ravenclaw’s common room. It was midnight now, but Sean was surprised to find someone on the velvet chair in the lounge.

It was Hermione.

She curled her legs into the chair, covered with a blanket, and had a thick book in front of her. The girl yawned and continued to read the book.

“Hermione?” Sean called in a low voice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hermione turned her head naively, and after a moment of sluggishness, she smiled, “Sean, you’re back!”

Sean walked to her side, smiled, and said warmly, “Are you waiting for me to come back?”

Her face turned red. She closed the book, straightened her neck, and said, “No, I’m just curious about the various effects of a spell, and I’m just fascinated by it.”

Sean said with a smile, “Well, sorry for interrupting you then.”

She glared at Sean and then casually said, “Is the punishment over?”

Sean smiled and nodded, “Yeah. It’s not too bad, and I came back alive.”

Hermione looked him up and down and saw that he was only covered with some dirt, so she snorted, “I guess you deserve it. That’s what you get from violating the school rules, and I dare you to violate another one.”

“It won’t happen next time. If you’re that worried.”

Hermione muttered, “Fine then.”

As soon as her feet landed, she staggered toward the ground.

“Ah!” With Hermione’s voice, Sean immediately caught her.

He helped her go back to the chair. Sean immediately let go of his hands and then asked with concern, “Are you alright?”

Hermione shook her head nervously and whispered, “I’m okay…”

“Good to hear,” Sean smiled, “It’s getting late. Why don’t you go sleep?”

“Alright then.” She nodded.

Sean took a step towards the bedroom, took two steps, and turned his head in confusion. Hermione was still sitting in the chair.

“What’s the matter? Did you twist your foot?” He hurriedly walked back.

Hermione lowered her head and took a long time to hold back a sentence, “Can… can you pick me up?”

“What?”

There was some embarrassment in her voice. When Sean saw this, he had a smile on his face. He finally picked Hermione up and stayed with her in the common room for a while.

When he saw Hermione fall asleep, he couldn’t stop the smile in his mouth. She’s so cute when she’s asleep.

—

On the next day, when Sean woke up, he had already missed the breakfast. A few classmates in the common room had already gone out. It was a day off, so he had nothing better to do.

Sean stretched. He spent a lot of energy last night and returned late. He lay in bed, thought about Hermione and Quirrell, and fell asleep moments later. After staying in bed for a while, Sean quickly changed his clothes and took a shower.

When they came to the common room, Hermione was reading her book again.

“Morning, Hermione.” He greeted me with a smile.

“Morning…” Hermione’s face turned red again, probably thinking of what happened last night.

However, she quickly returned to her usual appearance and then pushed a plate over.

“I didn’t see you this morning, so I brought some breakfast. You can eat this.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing how elegant but fast he was eating, Hermione’s mouth raised. After eating and drinking, Sean sighed with satisfaction, then stood up again.

“Where are you going? Is it the library?” Hermione asked.

Sean just wanted to tell a lie, but seeing her eyes, he gave up that thought.

“Well, I can just show you.” He raised his eyebrows.

​