After finishing the afternoon elective class, Hermione rushed to the playground to complete her daily physical training session. Harry and Neville had already finished their training, drenched in sweat, and were preparing to go back to their dormitory's bathroom for a shower. Next, they would go to the common lounge to ponder the assignment Professor Braney had assigned for Wednesday night.
After finishing her training, Hermione dashed back to the auditorium, snatching a few bites of food from her meal, and prepared to go to the library to look up the ancient craft that Professor Braney had mentioned in today's Dark Magic Defense class, which is capable of resisting enchantments.
This was the most relaxed and cheerful time of the day in the castle. The stairs were filled with small wizards, ranging in groups of three or five, laughing and beaming with happiness as they went up and down. These smiling faces couldn't help but make Hermione feel a bit sentimental.
In the first year, besides the occasional time she went to the library alone, Hermione and Harry and Ron were inseparable. Their classes were the same, they could go to class together, eat together, and return to the common room together to do their homework.
However, the situation is now quite different. Since the third year began, their time spent together every day has drastically decreased.
Harry and Ron's elective classes are the same, while Hermione is a bit different from the two boys. Moreover, to master increasingly profound courses, Hermione has to spend more time in the library. During the public courses in the day, they can't communicate more; they can only talk for a bit during lunch and dinner, as well as before lights-out in the auditorium and the common room.
Harry and Ron did not feel too deeply about this change, which was not surprising, as they had always been sloppy. However, Hermione felt deeply about this change. She even began to think about the sad situation of them being separated after they graduate from Hogwarts.
With a hint of melancholy in her heart, Hermione walked into the library with practiced familiarity.
During the first week of school, the tasks in classes were not too heavy, and there were not many students in the library. The most common students here are the senior students of Ravenclaw, which is not surprising. This college has always had the highest average score at Hogwarts.
Hermione was startled to find Professor Braney there when she walked into the library. It seemed that he had caused some trouble and was being scolded by the library administrator.
The librarian of Hogwarts, Mrs. Pince, is a witch who resembles a lean, bald eagle in appearance. She is extremely strict; if you make noise in the library or damage her cherished books, no matter who you are, you are sure to receive a scolding.
"This is the library, Amos-"
In the yellowish eyes of Mrs. Pince, her constricted pupil targeted Professor Braney. She didn't care if Amostha Braney was one of the most powerful wizards of his time. With no pretense, she scolded him severely,
"Far be it from me to suggest this is a love nest! If you wish to indulge in romance, I suggest you find somewhere else!"
"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Pince –"
Professor Braney didn't dare to defend himself, feeling awkward and smiling.
"What's the matter?!"
Hermione was originally prepared to go forward and ask Professor Braney about the magic he mentioned today in Mr. Moody's class on Dark Magic Defense. After hearing this, she stepped stiffly, and the next second, she ran out like a rabbit, reaching the person she was most familiar with in the library management.
“Professor Braney is in a romantic relationship! With whom, in the library?”
Hermione was so surprised she couldn't catch her breath, even wondering if she had misheard the words!
Angelina Johnson, a black girl with a majestic appearance, was a member of Gryffindor. She was the best chaser for the Gryffindor team and an excellent student this year due to the Triwizard Tournament. As a result, Quidditch matches were canceled, and she spent more time studying to catch up on the coursework she had missed during training.
"Oh, it's you, Hermione —"
Angelina was watching the commotion. When Hermione got close, she realized it was her and, upon hearing the question, laughed softly and said,
"You missed a great show, Hermione!"
"Oh, don't keep me in suspense, Angelina. Tell me what happened!"
Hermione pushed back her tangled hair that was blocking her view, and eagerly asked.
"Professor Braney came to the library to borrow books –"
Angelina covered her mouth, still smiling when she spoke. She chuckled softly as she explained in a barely audible voice, while expressing her excitement about the incident.
"Two Ravenclaw seventh-year witches suddenly ran up to give Professor Braney love letters!"
"Oh!"
This wasn't the first time she had heard of such an incident, Hermione snorted with disdain.
"Professor Braney couldn't possibly be interested in them, could he? And why can't they just go somewhere else?"
"The most important thing is –"
Angelina laughed even harder,
"Those two Ravenclaw students wanted Professor Braney to sign their names. They took out lipsticks from their bags and asked him to write his name on their shirts with them!"
Angelina pointed to a spot on her own shirt that made Hermione blush embarrassingly, still giggling as she explained,
"You should have seen the expression on Professor Braney's face! Wow, I bet I'll never forget it for the rest of my life!"
Hermione didn't find this amusing at all; she said with an indignant tone,
"Unspeakable! They have no sense at all!"
On the other side, Professor Braney seemed to have finally soothed down Mrs. Pince's anger. He watched her return to her usual desk, placing the several books with gold-embossed and moldy covers under his armpit, sighing and wiping the sweat off his forehead.
He, too, had come of age, and knew very well that the two Ravenclaw girls were just making a fuss. However, he hadn't expected them to be so daring, which indeed made him quite embarrassed. Having spent a long time in his office, he had originally planned to spend some time in the library before going to sleep. But with those teasing glances around him, he had no face to stay there any longer.
Amostha tightened his books, turned around, and even felt a little impatient to leave here. But right as he was about to step out of the library door, a voice suddenly called him back from behind the big room.
"Wait, Professor Braney!"
Laughing out of breath, Angelina suddenly stood up and shouted towards Professor Braney's back.
Hermione stared at Angelina in disbelief. In that moment, she almost thought Angelina was also going to give Professor Braney a love letter.
"You'll see such interesting things how often, Hermione?"
Noticing Hermione's gaze, Angelina whispered an explanation.
"Let's go tease him!"
Without giving a chance to argue, she grabbed Hermione's arm, dragging her out of the library before Mrs. Pince had a chance to become angry. They blocked him at the door just as he was about to leave.
Hermione noticed that Professor Braney's gaze at her and Angelina was even a bit terrifying, which made her want to dig through the hard stone tiles beneath her feet and jump down to the next level!
"What's going on?"
Amostha raised his eyebrows high, staring at Hermione, whose face was flushed and even had a wisp of white smoke rising from her head, as well as Angelina, who was grinning and teasing. He prepared himself for a quick 'escape' at any moment.
Professor Braney has been teaching at Hogwarts for almost two years, and the young wizards have learned his temperament. As long as it's not during class, when he is serious about teaching, he is quite willing to make jokes with the wizards, not an easily angry wizard by any means.
"Just now, why did you refuse, Professor Braney?"
Angelina said excitedly,
"As far as I know, you don't have a girlfriend, do you?"
(Chapter ends)
