On the second day after the Christmas Ball, Hermione didn't keep arguing with Ron Weasley. The relationship between them seemed amicable yet rather odd. They even used polite words like "please". In short, neither of them mentioned the quarrel from the previous night, which had almost lifted the ceiling of the Gryffindor Common Room. I couldn't help but admire Black's prescience wholeheartedly. The gossipy atmosphere didn't fade away with the end of the ball. He effortlessly dismissed everyone who asked why he had danced with Greengrass from Slytherin yesterday by saying, "I was willing to dance with any woman who was the third one without a partner."
"I just thought of something," Hermione said as we started working on the homework assigned by the teachers. (Everyone was astonished to realize that we still had so much homework, and there was only a week left until the new term started.) "Wasn't Greengrass Malfoy's dance partner?"
"I've no clue," said Black. He had just spoiled a piece of paper, crumpled it up, and tossed it directly into the Gryffindor fireplace. "I didn't know her. I saw her lingering alone at the door for a while, so I went over to say hello. Only then did I find out she was from Slytherin. Ugh."
Hermione looked up at me. I pretended to be earnestly trying to clean the ink stain on my Transfiguration essay. Even though a whole night had passed, all that was neatly written on the piece of parchment was "On the Similarities and Differences between Transfiguration among Animals and Transfiguration between Objects and Animals".
"Harry, where's your Golden Egg?" Hermione turned her head to ask Harry. "The second task is on February 24th - it sounds like it's just around the corner."
"Your sense of time is really in the same vein as McGonagall's - ahem, I mean, there's something we haven't told you yet because you had such a great time yesterday." Ron Weasley cleared his throat. Seeing Hermione purse her lips, he quickly made amends. "Er, it's quite an important matter..."
"I have an appointment," I said tactfully as I stood up. "See you tonight, Hermione."
There were still quite a few girls sound asleep in the dormitory. The smell of various magical perfumes mixed together hadn't dissipated. One might accidentally step on the empty packaging of Pimple Vanishing Potion and Disposable Magical Skin - rejuvenating Patches on the floor. I took out my father's notebook from the drawer. After thinking for a moment, I also retrieved the small portrait that Greengrass had given me, which I had thrown into the bottom drawer before. I wiped the dust off it and put it back on the bedside table.
I flipped the notebook to the page where the sections on Legilimency and Occlumency met. I gently tapped the center with my wand and said, "Diffindo - Sectumsempra."
A thin crack neatly split the notebook into two parts. The brand - new, clean and sharp paper edges of the gap looked so out of place with the yellowed pages around them due to the passage of time. A gentle brush of the hand over it would leave a cut and a trail of blood on the fingertips.
Although I've always tried to restore the past stories from the perspective and tone of myself back then, inevitably, I would think about some of the coincidences and connections that I overlooked at that time, and wonder if everything would have been different if certain things had been done differently. But when recalling this moment, I've never been able to remember why I used an irreversible spell to split this complete notebook in half. I can only guess from my current perspective that perhaps I was influenced by Hermione. She always thought that Legilimency was a disrespectful and extremely dangerous magic that invaded others' privacy, and I was worried that Draco might use it casually on those around him for amusement.
In fact, we had stopped completely trusting each other much earlier, but this was something we had been covering up for each other and ourselves in various ways that were almost self - deceptive, and we were even unaware of it. Even after so many years, facing this fact still makes me feel pain. The publishing house doesn't understand why I would spend a whole half - year on this part, which "is obviously much more sunny, relaxed, and even romantic compared to the later parts". They sent one owl after another, hoping to get the manuscript of this book as soon as possible, and showed obvious impatience after I said it might take another half - year.
When my husband learned about this, he sent a Howler to the editor - in - chief of the publishing house. By the time he told me (expecting me to praise him), Vivian had already been on her way for half a day. I was both annoyed and amused. As an official of the Ministry of Magic, getting into a conflict with the media is one of the most stupid and impulsive behaviors. But after that, I finally didn't have to open my eyes to see an owl pecking at the window glass.
Draco didn't comment on the fact that I only gave him the part about Occlumency. During the remaining days of the holiday, we were all struggling with the mountain - high homework, hastily and haphazardly piecing together the essays required for various subjects. The library was crowded again. Hermione now had to divide her time into three parts. Viktor Krum regarded sitting in the library and watching her do homework as a pastime, but this undoubtedly greatly reduced her efficiency. She even asked me to borrow my Potions homework, saying that she had only written half of it and was worried that she didn't have extra time to find reference books to correct it. This was truly a first.
Harry started to get fidgety again. After all, after Christmas, the second task no longer seemed so far away (it's hard to feel that way with Hermione constantly counting down like a living calendar by his side). He admitted that he still hadn't gotten any useful clues from the Golden Egg, unless someone could tell the difference between different screams. The enthusiastic suggestions from the Gryffindors clearly didn't help either. Some even thought the patterns on the Golden Eggshell were the real clues, wasting a great deal of their time looking up Runes and other codes, only to end up with nothing.
On the first day of school, the grounds were still covered with thick snow. Large and small icicles hung down from the eaves. It felt as if one's internal organs would freeze with every breath. I even left my scarf in the common room. In this weather, everyone might prefer my father's Potions class to Care of Magical Creatures class - at least in Potions class, there were cauldrons giving off heat for warmth.
Draco and I trudged through the snow. Surprisingly, he didn't make any advance comments about today's class. Instead, he walked towards Hagrid's hut with an expectant look on his face. I didn't feel any difference wearing his scarf. The wind quickly froze the soft fabric stiff.
Hagrid wasn't there. A witch with graying hair stood in front of the hut, organizing the students to line up. Draco didn't show any signs of surprise. He gave a malicious smile to the confused Gryffindors and said, "Ha, look at them. They know nothing..."
"I'm Professor Grubbly - Plank," the elderly witch introduced herself to us in a brisk tone that didn't match her age. "I'll be your substitute teacher for Care of Magical Creatures."
"Where's Hagrid?" Harry asked loudly, showing no intention of showing respect to the new teacher. "Why isn't he teaching?"
"Professor Hagrid is feeling a bit under the weather," Professor Grubbly - Plank said, not minding his rudeness and not planning to elaborate. "Well, the class bell has been ringing for several minutes. All of you come this way and follow me."
"Do you know what happened?" I asked Draco, who had started whistling, frowning. "What's wrong with Hagrid?"
"You don't like that big oaf either, do you?" he said triumphantly. "You also think he's completely incompetent and unworthy of being our teacher, right? Blast - ended Skrewts, winged horses, or chickens... I've really had enough."
He quickly shut up because we were walking towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest, which should have brought back some unpleasant memories for him. But soon we saw a beautiful unicorn tied to a tree. Every girl who saw it couldn't help but gasp in admiration. We had never seen such a sacred and beautiful creature. Compared to it, the surrounding white snow seemed dull and gray. It was so dazzling.
"Boys, step back!" Professor Grubbly - Plank said sternly. "Unicorns like to be stroked by females. Come on, girls, relax and approach it carefully... one by one, line up."
The girls were overjoyed to touch it. The unicorn half - closed its eyes and docilely enjoyed the girls' hands gently stroking its back. But when I got closer, it suddenly opened its eyes warily and snorted.
"Do you have something of your boyfriend's on you? Take it off. Adult unicorns are very sensitive and wary of the smell of males," Professor Grubbly - Plank said, used to such situations. "It's okay, it won't attack you."
"The scarf," Hermione reminded me from behind. "Your scarf, Iris."
"Are you paying attention?" Professor Grubbly - Plank shouted at the boys at the back. The Gryffindor boys were looking at something in the Slytherins' hands. I quickly took off the Slytherin - patterned scarf that Draco had put around my neck earlier, feeling that my face was so hot that I no longer needed it to keep warm.
The girls were all very satisfied with this class. Parvati even said she hoped Professor Grubbly - Plank would teach us all the time in the future, considering that the by - name of "Care of Magical Creatures" had never been "See if this monster bites your finger off". In fact, apart from Harry and a few students who were on good terms with Hagrid, even most Gryffindors basically agreed with this view. Everyone was fed up with those bad - tempered and aggressive Blast - ended Skrewts, and really couldn't figure out what value they had for protection. Besides, Hagrid didn't know much about them either.
"So what exactly happened?" I asked Draco. He was looking at the angry expressions on Harry and the others' faces, and seemed so delighted that his tail would have reached the sky if he had one. I poked him, ready to return the scarf in my schoolbag to its owner.
"The Daily Prophet finally made its due contribution to getting rid of unqualified teachers," he took the scarf from my hand and casually put it back around my neck. "Half - giant... I used to think he just drank a bottle of Skele - gro when he was a kid. Now that I think about it, the only thing probably bigger than his frame is a dragon. Parents of students won't agree to let a half - giant oaf teach their children. What if he goes crazy and eats people one day? Who knows... It's so funny to think about."
"Half - giant? What half - giant?" I asked Draco, watching as Harry's group of three and Hermione didn't plan to go straight back to the Great Hall for lunch. Instead, they rushed towards Hagrid's hut. It was the same as when we came for class. The small door was tightly shut, and all the curtains were drawn. They kept knocking on the door there, but Hagrid didn't come out.
"I gave my newspaper to Potter," Draco said with a smile, looking towards Hagrid's hut with me. "A reporter from the Daily Prophet discovered the truth about his bloodline - not even a pure - blood, ha!"
I have to admit that this was the best and most rewarding Care of Magical Creatures class I've ever taken. Professor Grubbly - Plank knew exactly what she wanted to teach us, instead of leaving us in confusion with instructions like "figure it out" or "just give it a try". However, I wasn't happy about Hagrid being exposed as half - giant, especially when I heard Draco say "pure - blood". Subconsciously, I pulled my hand out of his. His tone made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
"See you tonight," I was glad that we had entered the Great Hall at this moment, so this action seemed quite natural. I took off the Slytherin scarf around my neck and handed it to him, muttering, "Have a nice day."
This report was indeed written by Rita Skeeter. Hermione was fuming with anger when she showed me the newspaper. I was astonished to learn from the conversation among Harry and the others that they had only accidentally (Ron Weasley emphasized that they didn't overhear on purpose) heard Hagrid mention this matter to someone else on the day of the Christmas Ball, and then Rita Skeeter got wind of it right away.
A week passed, and Hagrid seemed to have disappeared from the school. Harry and his friends didn't give up and were still discussing this matter.
"We're sure there wasn't a soul around at that time," I heard them discussing as soon as I returned to the common room that day. They didn't avoid others, and Harry's voice was quite loud. "And wasn't that woman banned from entering Hogwarts by Dumbledore?"
"She must have some way we don't know about - maybe something illegal. If we can find evidence, we can get her in trouble," Black tilted his head. "But I think you should focus on your Golden Egg right now."
"What? You still don't have any ideas at all - and you just said you're going to Hogsmeade this weekend!" Hermione exclaimed. "Harry, it's already mid - January! You - "
"I, I think I've almost figured it out," I heard Harry say unconvincingly as I sat down next to Hermione. "I need some relaxation."
"Really?" Hearing this answer, Hermione seemed relieved and her tone became more cheerful. "That's great!"
Harry also seemed to relax. He threw me a pack of Berocca Bertie Bott's Every - Flavor Beans that they had already half - eaten. His attitude towards me had changed a lot after the Christmas Ball. I don't know how to describe this change precisely. He seemed much more casual - at least he didn't always try to flatten his hair. He would crack a few small jokes with me and share their snacks with me. I was glad because his previous attitude always made me feel nervous. Even though I didn't think he was the "arrogant, self - important, and rude Potter" as my father described, I didn't know how to get along with him. But now we seemed like ordinary friends, and I didn't have to constantly think about deliberately maintaining a distance between us.
One day, Hermione pretended to ask casually (in hindsight, she must have wanted to ask this for a long time) if I was "with Malfoy". Seeing the confused look on my face, she quickly explained that she didn't mean to comment on it. After all, she had always known that Draco and I had a good relationship. She just guessed that something had happened between Draco and me at the Christmas Ball.
"Er, actually, I don't know what it means to be together," I said, looking her in the eye honestly. "We get along the same as before - you know, we've known each other since we were kids."
Hermione seemed stumped by my question too. She thought for a moment, then her own face turned red first. "Well, for a couple - like... kissing?"
"No," I asked her curiously. "Have you kissed Krum?"
Her face turned completely scarlet, and she abruptly ended the conversation unilaterally.
In Hogsmeade village in the January snow, the Three Broomsticks is always the most popular place among students - even Honeydukes, stuffed with new - product candies, can't compare to a simple cup of steaming butterbeer at this time. So I don't understand why we had to come to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. It's crowded and small, filled with couples kissing over two cups of tea. It's awkward to look, and I don't know where else to put my eyes if I don't. Draco clearly thought he'd made a wrong decision too. We drank half a cup of coffee there (sickly sweet and without any taste) and then paid the bill and left. I wanted to go to the Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to buy him a quill because he said the Potions book I gave him for Christmas was "undoubtedly a thoughtless and haphazard choice made out of a tantrum."
I have to admit he was right.
"A quill?" He promptly rejected my proposal. "I don't need that. I have several drawers of quills in different styles."
"Finding something I can afford and you actually need sounds harder than brewing Felix Felicis," I muttered. "The young master of the Malfoy family has everything. What else can I give you?"
"I don't care," he said grumpily. "You already owe me half a dance. You can't owe me a Christmas gift too - you have to give me something I'm satisfied with."
But it's so hard to satisfy him. We walked around Hogsmeade village, almost bumping into Harry's group of three and Hermione, who were shouting at Rita Skeeter. We also saw Ludo Bagman being pestered by a group of goblins. Draco criticized almost every store. From the new clothes in Twilfitt and Tatting's with "completely regressed taste" to the candies in Honeydukes that "taste worse and worse with the same old recipe." He even found fault with the owls in the post office (which couldn't be bought anyway), saying their feathers weren't shiny enough.
"Then I don't know what to give you," I said, looking wistfully at the Shrieking Shack in the sunset. "How about I go over there and pull out some grass as your Christmas gift? Since you don't like anything anyway."
"Of course I have things I like," he drawled.
I stood by the roadside and thought for a long time, watching the snow gradually fall on his light - blond hair. The snow wasn't heavy today, but if you stood outdoors for a long time, your clothes would still get damp from the melted water droplets. The various small shops in Hogsmeade were packed with students from Hogwarts and the other two schools, yet there weren't many people on the street, and the area around the Shrieking Shack was even more deserted.
"Lower your head a bit," I mumbled. Then, the moment he lowered his head, I tiptoed and quickly brushed my lips against the corner of his mouth. "Is this okay?"
"If it's not, there's nothing else!" I shouted, feeling my face turn completely red. I turned around and was about to run. "Don't laugh - if you do, this will be the last Christmas gift!"
"This is acceptable," he said. His pale face was tinged with the glow of the setting sun. He licked his lips and smiled. "Now you only owe me half a dance."