Hermione and Daphne descended the spiraling stairs that led away from the Headmaster's office. The Gryffindor couldn't shake off the thoughts that were swirling in her head, pondering whether or not she wanted to accept the daunting mission that had just been thrust upon her. After all, she was already burdened with a myriad of pressing matters, ranging from the menacing threat of Skarooth to the enigmatic puzzle of the three wands. Not to mention her recent concerns about Fleur and the disquieting events that had been unfolding in the castle.

As she strode purposefully down the winding staircase, Hermione's mind continued to race with anxious thoughts, wondering why she had to take on yet another responsibility, especially when she was feeling so overwhelmed. She couldn't help but feel that it would be better to face the task alone, without any additional distractions or complications.

Hermione's thoughts were so jumbled up that she didn't even realize that she had stopped walking. She was lost in her own world, replaying the events of the past few days and trying to make sense of everything. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder and heard Daphne's voice interrupting her thoughts.

"Are you thinking about me?" Daphne asked with a small smile, her blue eyes glistening with amusement.

Hermione was caught off guard, "What? No. Why would you think that?"

Daphne gave Hermione a knowing look. "Your silence is deafening," she teased, a smirk playing on her lips.

Hermione's cheeks turned red as she stammered, "I-I wasn't trying to hide anything, I just... I mean, I was just lost in my thoughts."

Daphne chuckled, "Relax, Hermione. You don't have to explain yourself to me."

Hermione quickly defended herself, "Hey, I wasn't going to."

Daphne teased, "Oh, I see you're trying to change the subject. But don't worry, I won't judge you for being a little scaredy-cat. So, since we're going to be working together, do you have any burning questions about me?"

Hermione proudly answered, "You are somehow related to Newt Scamander. Figured that out."

Daphne smirked, "Oh, did you do some detective work on me?"

Hermione shrugged, "Just a hunch. But now that you mentioned it, I am curious. Care to tell me more about it?"

Daphne hesitated for a moment before answering, "Well, he is my grandfather. But that's all I'm going to say for now."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "So, how did you end up here? You don't look like you study here."

Daphne revealed, "Nobody has seen me in any magical school."

Hermione was intrigued, "Why not?"

Daphne replied with a shrug, "Eh, I never went to school. You know, rebel life and all that."

Then Daphne abruptly chuckled like she just said something funny.

Hermione wondered to herself what was so funny about that. She felt like Daphne was a weird one.

Daphne interrupted her thought again, "I can look like a weird -"

Hermione cut her off, "Hey, are you psychic or something?"

Daphne leaned in closer to Hermione's face, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Hermione squirmed a little, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the intense gaze.

Daphne whispered, "I can read your thoughts like a book, Hermione."

Hermione raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Is that so?"

Daphne nodded confidently, "Yep, and your face is like an open book."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Great, now I have to start wearing a poker face around you."

Hermione felt a sense of annoyance building inside her. She needed to find a way to meet with Fleur, but she couldn't simply abandon Daphne. Dumbledore's orders were clear, after all. Why did it have to be her? She found herself wishing it was Harry or Ron instead, they were always the ones getting the fun and exciting missions.

Hermione tired to end the conversation quickly, "Dumbledore must have seen something in you?"

Daphne responded with a sly grin, "Let's just say Dumbledore saw a bit of himself in me - a knack for solving mysteries and breaking the rules. And as the first and only private investigator in the wizarding world, I like to think I bring a certain...je ne sais quoi to the table."

Despite their differences, Hermione couldn't help but admire Daphne's self-sufficient attitude. "You know, being self-dependent has a nice ring to it," she said with a smile.

Daphne nodded proudly with a small smile, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Hermione said in a obvious tone, "Well, it was a compliment."

Daphne, not paying attention to her words, said, "So, Hermione, where do you want to brainstorm our next move? Or should we wait for your friends to join us?"

Hermione replied, "I need to take care of something. Meet me in an hour at the Three Broomsticks, and we can talk about the case over some butterbeer."

Daphne extended her hand for a handshake with a smirk, "Don't keep me waiting too long, Granger. I wouldn't want to get bored and start solving the case on my own."

Hermione didn't intend to say that but it slipped out, "You won't, Scamander."

But Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of a mark on Daphne's wrist: a wand engraving, it resembled one of the three wands she had seen on the fur of Skarooth. How was that possible?

Before Daphne could notice Hermione staring at her wrist, she quickly let go of her hand and smiled at her, trying to act as casual as possible.

Hermione's eyes followed Daphne as she walked away, her curious mind still lingering on the wand engraving she had seen on Daphne's wrist. There was definitely more to Daphne than meets the eye, and Hermione couldn't wait to uncover the mystery. The Boggart case suddenly seemed even more intriguing now, and Hermione was determined to crack it wide open.

Hermione's face lit up with a wide grin, as if a sudden realization had dawned upon her.

But then she remembered… Fleur.

"Oh no!" Hermione exclaimed under her breath. She needed to get to Fleur as soon as possible. Without wasting a moment, she dashed towards the stairs.