bacchusnovels Chapter 338 Hermione's Desertion
Chapter 338 Hermione's Desertion
Chapter 338 Hermione's Desertion
When they reached the top of the tower, the scene before them made Hermione stop abruptly.
At the top of the tower, shrouded in the quiet night, a cold wind rustled the hem of his long robe.
The contact between Sean and Tonks had come to an end, and judging from their expressions and disheveled appearance, it was not hard to guess what kind of fierce battle had just taken place here.
Hermione froze, completely still, forgetting to breathe, her mind a complete blank.
"You saw that, didn't you?" Daphne said softly, her tone carrying a hint of satisfaction and indifference.
Hermione felt as if she had been struck hard in the chest, a mixture of bitterness and anger washing over her. Her hands clenched into fists, her fingers even turning slightly white.
"This is impossible..." she muttered to herself.
The scene before her was unbearable; a mix of emotions overwhelmed her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
"Now you should believe me," Daphne's voice rang out again, "Professor Phillips—he's not as naive as you think."
Hermione felt her eyes burning, tears almost welling up, and her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, all the words she wanted to say stuck there, unable to come out smoothly for a moment.
She didn't doubt Sean; after all, she was well aware of the secret romantic relationship between Sean and Tonks—she had been witnessing it all as both an observer and a participant.
But knowing it was true, actually witnessing the person who was important to her having an intimate conversation with another person was still unbearable for her.
Given her young age and limited experience, the impact of such an experience was undeniably strong.
Although Hermione kept reassuring herself, when the moment actually happened, she realized that she was far from mentally prepared.
It's like there's always been a thin layer of paper separating her from her heart, even though she tries to tell herself that this layer doesn't exist.
However, today, this self-imposed barrier has been ruthlessly shattered by reality.
In that instant, all her self-deception vanished, and her naked emotions were laid bare before her.
Hermione felt a slight pain in her chest, as if something inside her had shattered.
Just then, Sean and Tonks had straightened their clothes and were walking side by side toward the exit of the Astronomy Tower.
Upon seeing this, Daphne and Penelope immediately stepped forward and tried to pull Hermione away from the place.
However, Hermione seemed to be nailed to the spot, unable to move, her gaze fixed, as if she were trapped in a rocky abyss.
Daphne and Penelope tried to pull her several times, but seeing that she didn't react at all, they finally exchanged a helpless glance and had no choice but to leave first, quietly going downstairs.
Light footsteps echoed down the stairs of the Astronomy Tower, accompanied by Sean and Tonks' relaxed and cheerful conversation.
The two exchanged playful sweet nothings and wore sweet smiles all the way. However, when Sean pushed open the wooden door of the Astronomy Tower, their smiles vanished abruptly.
Standing in front of the door was a small lion cub that looked somewhat wolfish, with messy hair and a complex expression in its eyes. Hermione appeared completely different from her usual shrewd and capable self.
Sean was stunned for a moment, and instinctively blurted out, "Miss Granger... what are you doing here?"
Tonks' reaction was even more pronounced. Her previously slightly mischievous smile instantly froze.
Immediately afterwards, she felt her cheeks begin to burn, and a shy blush quickly crept up her face.
"I hope this little wizard didn't see all the ridiculous things I and my senior just did... ::::
Tonks wanted to say something like Sean, but she opened her mouth as if to say something, but didn't know how to start, let alone how to deal with Hermione's gaze. She could only manage a weak smile.
"Maybe... the whole campus will be talking about me and my senior tomorrow..."
For some reason, Tonks felt a sense of joy at the thought.
Having accepted all of Sean's love, she was now mentally prepared to make their relationship public.
This might be more acceptable than waiting for the belly to grow bigger day by day before announcing it.
After all, if she remembered correctly... Sean had just poured every last drop down his throat.
1. So... when are you getting married? It seems... your senior hasn't proposed yet.
While Tonks was jumping around in his thoughts about his and Shaun's future, Hermione remained silent.
After a long while, she took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty, "Professor Phillips, I... have something to tell you."
Once she came to her senses, Tonks keenly noticed that Hermione was acting strangely. She turned to look at Sean, who was also looking at her.
"I'm off now, darling." With that, Tonks smiled slightly, straightened Sean's collar, nodded gently to Hermione, and turned to leave the Astronomy Tower, her steps light yet unwavering.
However, under the pale moonlight, her cheeks appeared exceptionally rosy.
God knows how much psychological challenge it must have been for her to act so intimately with her senior in front of her students.
Even someone as carefree as her couldn't help but feel her heart race and a little embarrassed.
Even if Hermione hadn't said anything, she had just tried to run away.
The air in the Astronomy Tower fell silent instantly, leaving only Hermione and Sean standing face to face.
Professor Phillips, I...
"Miss Granger, what do you want to say? Speak slowly."
"I.....""
"What's wrong...?"
I want to tell you...
"What did you say?"
"Could you...?"
9
Watching Hermione's words slowly emerge from her mouth, even a slow-paced person like Sean felt a little uncomfortable.
But seeing Hermione's current state, he felt embarrassed to urge her, so he could only wait anxiously.
Finally, Hermione mustered her courage and blurted out what she wanted to say: "Could you... save Buckbeak... it's about to be executed..."
"Buckbeak?" Sean looked at her strangely, raising an eyebrow. "Is that Hagrid's hippogriff?"
Hermione nodded shyly.
Yes, Hermione changed her mind at the last second.
Seeing this, a slender figure nearby hurriedly stopped.
“Professor, I know this may sound a bit abrupt,” Hermione said urgently, her voice pleading, “but Buckbeak did nothing wrong. It’s just facing trial for accidentally injuring Malfoy, and Hagrid is at his wits’ end—without your help, Buckbeak might really be executed.”
Looking at the little witch whose voice was already tinged with sobs, Sean sighed softly.
"I understand your anxiety, Miss Granger. Hagrid certainly needs help, and Buckbeak's situation is not much better."
"So, would you be willing to help?"
Hermione blinked, her eyes brimming with tears, and asked.
In fact, her performance was not only due to Buckbeek, but also because it reminded her of herself.
For a fleeting moment, she felt as pitiful as Buckbeak—both were about to face trial, one by law, the other by morality.
Sean nodded almost without hesitation and accepted the task.
"Why not, Miss Granger? I will do my best to help and see if we can find a legal way to save Buckbeak. However, you must understand that legal proceedings are not easy to overcome, especially in cases involving dangerous creatures."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, her gratitude overflowing: "Thank you, Professor! I know this is difficult, but with you here, I believe we can find a way."
"Thank goodness I was just now doubting you because of what Daphne said about you—" Hermione said, lowering her head in shame.
His gaze darted away, avoiding any contact with Sean.
"What?"
Hermione looked up, took a deep breath, and as if she had made up her mind, told Sean everything that had just happened at the entrance of the Astronomy Tower.
"Daphne—she said something that confused me." She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "She said that you—maybe you have some other ideas—about your students—using your authority."
Her face flushed slightly; this was a topic she found difficult to discuss, and she didn't know how to continue.
Sean frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said in an extremely calm tone, "Daphne told you this? Miss Granger, do you believe her?"
Hermione shook her head, her face full of regret: "At first I wavered a little. Although my reason told me I shouldn't believe it, because of Penelope—just now, I did doubt you for a moment. But now, I understand, it's all nonsense from those two."
After confessing her innermost thoughts to Sean, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.
A relaxed smile appeared on her face, but it quickly froze as Sean spoke next.
"So, you're willing...?"
On Christmas morning, Harry was woken up by a pillow that Ron threw at him.
"Hey! A present!" Ron shouted excitedly.
Harry reached for his glasses, squinting at the foot of the bed where a small pile of packages had appeared. Ron was busy tearing open his gift wrapping.
"Mom gave me another hooded leather jacket, this time maroon. Let's see if you got the same one," Ron said, proudly showing it off.
Harry looked down and, sure enough, there was one too. Mrs. Weasley had given him a bright red hooded leather coat with the Gryffindor lion woven into the front, along with twelve homemade mince pies, some Christmas pastries, and a box of crunchy peanut butter flakes. He moved these things aside and found a long, thin package underneath.
"What's that?" Ron asked curiously, as he opened a pair of chestnut-colored socks.
"I don't know." Harry tore open the package, his eyes lighting up as a beautiful, shimmering flying broom rolled onto his bed. He was breathless with surprise. Ron dropped his socks, jumped off the bed, and rushed over to examine it.
"I can't believe it," he said in a hoarse voice.
That was a Firebolt, the very broom Harry had looked at every day in Diagon Alley, the one he'd always dreamed of! Harry picked it up, felt its vibration, and excitedly let go; it hovered in mid-air, the perfect height for him to ride on. His eyes scanned from the gold serial number at the top of the flying broom to its streamlined tip.
"Who gave it to you?" Ron asked quietly.
"Let's see if there are any cards," Harry said.
Ron tore open the packaging of the fire bolts and said disappointedly, "Nothing here! Ugh, who spent so much money on you?"
"Hmm," Harry said, looking surprised, "I bet it's not the Dursleys."
“I bet it was Dumbledore,” Ron said, circling the brilliant firebolt a few times. “Didn’t he anonymously send you the Invisibility Cloak?”
“But that’s my father’s,” Harry said. “Dumbledore just gave it to me. He wouldn’t spend that much money on me; he wouldn’t give such valuable things to a student.”
"That's why he didn't say it was a gift!" Ron said. "Otherwise, someone like Malfoy would say he's biased. Hey, Harry—" Ron suddenly burst out laughing, "Malfoy! He'll be horrified when he sees you riding that broomstick! It's a world-class flying broomstick!"
"I can't believe it," Harry muttered, stroking the broom with his fingers. "Who—"
At that moment, Ron lay down on Harry's bed, laughing so hard he could barely breathe, imagining Malfoy's expression. "I know," Ron said, trying to suppress his laughter, "I know who probably sent it—Lupin!"
"What?" Harry laughed. "Janping? Listen, if he had that much money, he might as well buy himself a few new robes."
Harry frowned. "I don't think Lupin can afford something this expensive."
Just then, soft footsteps sounded at the door, and Hermione entered. She looked listless, wearing a dressing gown, carrying Crookshanks, her eyes glazed over, clearly lacking her usual energy. She entered without her usual excitement or curiosity.
Instead, he seemed distracted.
"What are you laughing at?" Hermione asked wearily, her voice much lower than usual.
Ron looked up at her and couldn't help but frown. "What's wrong, Hermione? You look like you didn't sleep well."
Hermione waved her hand weakly, barely acknowledging him, her gaze only sweeping over the Firebolt on Harry's bed. Normally she might have gasped, but today, she merely frowned and asked casually, "Harry, who gave you this?"
"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "There were no cards or any instructions in the package."
Hermione's face darkened instead of becoming excited upon hearing this.
She pursed her lips, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked, noticing her strange expression.
Hermione lowered her head, rubbed her temples, and said wearily, "I'm fine, but something's strange about this. Such a valuable gift as the Firebolt, given to you without leaving your name—isn't that odd?"