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Problem girl. No one fit those words better. Hofa finally understood. This little bitch was dead set on opposing him. Anything that made him unhappy, she'd try.
She was the most annoying person he'd met in two lifetimes!
Even Tom Riddle was more likable. At least Voldemort kept low profile!
In an empty bathroom, Hofa turned on the tap. Splashed his face. Cold water couldn't calm him.
He thought his mentality was mature. Could hide emotions. But after so many days, his mindset was near breaking.
Finally, he kicked the tiles angrily. "Petty! Vain! Crazy! How can someone like you exist?"
Just then—
Thud.
A book hit the floor. Hofa turned.
Miranda stood at the entrance. So shocked her book dropped.
Hofa realized he'd lost composure. With his goal unachieved, his patience had worn down. He'd started raging helplessly. Real wizards didn't act like this.
Miranda picked up her book, muttering, "I saw you leave quickly. Followed to check..."
"It's fine," Hofa said. "Just got too angry."
"What's wrong today? You seem weird."
Miranda asked after gathering her books.
"I'm weird? That white-haired girl is weirder..." Hofa sneered.
"I've never seen you fix your hair before. At the feast you looked casual. Why so enthusiastic today?" Miranda asked.
Hofa fell silent.
Seeing no answer, Miranda comforted: "Aglaia isn't that hard to get along with. She just likes showing off. Most Ravenclaw person in Ravenclaw."
"Since when is Ravenclaw an adjective?" Hofa walked out.
Miranda followed. "What do you think Ravenclaw is? Aglaia would be unwelcome in any other house. But Ravenclaw students have their own way. Maybe try viewing her differently."
Hofa laughed mockingly. "As long as she doesn't interfere, whatever. Even if she wins a Nobel Prize, nothing to do with me."
"What's a Nobel Prize?"
"Never mind." Hofa waved irritably. "Don't you find her annoying?"
"Not really. She didn't... wait."
Miranda stopped suddenly.
"You said she interfered. Did she interfere today?"
"Of course..." Hofa almost told the truth but shut his mouth. Ravenclaws were sharp. He didn't want anyone seeing his desire for forbidden books.
But Miranda figured it out. She pushed up her glasses, smiled meaningfully.
"You tidied up, answered questions enthusiastically. Were you trying to impress Slughorn?"
Hofa quickly distanced himself. She didn't act like a girl right now.
Miranda caught up. "Well well, not without desires after all. What do you want? Join his Slug Club? Get potions?"
"Neither." Hofa stopped irritably.
"Then what? Tell me."
Hofa hesitated. Her identity as Deputy Headmaster's granddaughter made him cautious.
"Trying to attract some girl's attention?"
Miranda got gossipy. Knowing she might be provoking him, Hofa's teeth itched. Do British kids mature this early?
"Or is it... Aglaia?"
Hofa got goosebumps. He angrily raised his book, pretending to hit her.
"Enough! Shut up. Can you not be disgusting? I want Slughorn's signature. Use it to borrow a library book. Satisfied?"
"That's... it?"
Miranda said, surprised.
"What else? If the librarian wasn't so strict, why would I please Slytherin's Head?"
"Should've said so earlier." Miranda covered her forehead. "Something this simple can be done easily. Why compete with Aglaia?"
"Huh? You have a way!"
Hofa looked pleased. "You mean your grandfather can help?"
"Don't even think about it. Adebe wouldn't be that kind."
Hofa: "Then why mention it?"
"He won't, but I will." Miranda grinned. "We can play a trick..."
Hofa was curious. But Miranda didn't tell him. Just told him to cooperate and keep it secret.
...
Soon, another Monday.
Gloomy rainy day. Rain pattered the castle windows. Everything looked gray.
Morning. Charms classroom.
Adebe Goshawk entered precisely on time.
He stood at the podium. Gray eyes swept the room. "Why is someone missing again?"
Hofa knew. Miranda was skipping.
But before Goshawk could deduct points, a hand shot up.
Aglaia, Miranda's roommate.
"Yes?"
"Professor, here's Miranda's sick note. Upset stomach."
She pulled out a paper and handed it over.
Goshawk scanned it. Hofa saw rare disappointment on his usually impassive face. That expression made Hofa sympathize. If I were Goshawk, I'd be furious.
His granddaughter giving him no face. Skipping repeatedly. And he couldn't really do anything. Where was his authority?
But elderly Goshawk quickly hid that disappointment. He efficiently signed and returned the note to Aglaia.
No points deducted. Ravenclaws sighed in relief.
Goshawk: "Last class we covered basic charm syllables and movements. Today, we'll practice. First, the Doubling Charm. Mostly used on physical objects but can extend to mental aspects—non-physical carriers. Non-basic but very advanced..."
After class started, the tense atmosphere eased.
This lesson, they'd formally learn spells. Though Hofa had learned all first-year spells and studied this charm thoroughly, he still listened carefully.
Thanks to above-average mental capacity, Hofa excelled at Charms like Transfiguration.
He successfully doubled a small iron ball into two, then into four. His skilled technique earned Goshawk's praise. Ten points to Ravenclaw.
Not as generous as Dumbledore, but enough to anger Aglaia. Her doubled ball was obviously smaller than the original. Not identical. Good among ordinary students. But compared to Hofa, not enough.
Hofa ignored her frustration. He'd reflected. Decided not to get angry over her anymore. Considered this a stumbling block on his mental cultivation path. A test from cosmic will.
But after class, at the fourth-floor staircase, he saw Aglaia with folded arms under Gregory the Smarmy's statue, coldly watching him.
Hofa thought she was upset he earned points. He ignored her and walked past.
"Stop!"
Aglaia called coldly.
Hofa turned reluctantly. "What?"
"What's your relationship with Miranda?"
Hofa said flatly, "What are you trying to say?"
"Why did she ask me to leave this for you?"
Aglaia raised her finger. A note pinched between them.
Hofa sneered. "I don't know what you're talking about. Whatever Miranda wants to leave me has nothing to do with you."
Aglaia showed disgust. "Don't flatter yourself. I couldn't care less."
She flicked her finger and tossed the note. Like it was contaminated. Then turned and left.
Hofa's mental fortitude +1.
He lazily cast a Levitation Charm. The note floated back.
He opened it. Miranda's sick note.
[Upset stomach, being treated at hospital wing. Requesting one morning off. Miranda Goshawk.]
Below: Adebe Goshawk's signature.
Hofa held it, confused. Just as he wondered what it was for, the letters changed.
They rapidly rearranged.
Became:
[Request to enter library to borrow any book, unlimited time]
Adebe Goshawk
Hofa's mouth dropped. Miranda promised to help get a library note. But he never expected this method. Pretending diarrhea to trick Adebe's signature. She fooled not only Goshawk but even Aglaia.
Beyond surprise, his mood lifted. This is luck turning around.
Initial goal achieved!
Get that Transfiguration book, he might become an Animagus. If successful, basically stealth.
Invisibility and Animagus each had advantages. Invisibility hid your form completely. But after transforming into a small creature, he could go places humans couldn't. Best of all, when Animagus form shrank, footsteps became silent.
Hofa wanted to thank Miranda properly. However, in Dumbledore's class, Miranda still didn't appear.
This made him worry. Is she actually sick?
After Transfiguration, Hofa ran to the library with the signed note.
He went to where Dissecting All Things, Structure is King was. Just as he reached for the book, the administrator popped out. Held his feather duster, yelled fiercely, "Hey! You again..."
A note thrust under his nose, cutting him off.
"Cut the crap. Give me the book!" Hofa said.
The old man snatched the note, read it twice. Forcibly swallowed his curses. His wrinkled face looked gloomy and confused.
Rules were rules. No room to object. He could only pull out the book and reluctantly lend it.
Holding the book, Hofa touched the thick tome's rough cover. His mood improved. But he didn't read immediately. Decided to wait until alone.
...
Evening in the Great Hall. Rain fell from the ceiling, no different from outside.
Only then did Hofa see Miranda at the dining table. She sat eating a potato pie, looking vacant.
Hofa waved his hand. "Hey!"
Miranda slowly turned. Strangely, she wasn't wearing glasses. Face pale and gloomy. Looked sickly.
"Did you really have diarrhea?" Hofa asked with concern.
Miranda looked him up and down, hummed through her nose, then continued eating. Cold expression like she didn't want to deal with him.
"Poor thing..." Hofa muttered. He took a potato pie and said quietly, "Thanks so much. I got the book."
Miranda stopped chewing. Thought for a moment.
"What?"
"The book. I borrowed it from the library..." Hofa said happily.
"What's that got to do with me?" Miranda interrupted expressionlessly. She turned and continued eating.
Hofa's mouth dropped. He was confused. What's it got to do with you? If you hadn't helped, could I have borrowed it? How did this good-tempered girl suddenly change personalities?
He figured Miranda might be on her period, in a bad mood. But thinking again, Hofa felt crazy. This girl was only eleven. Hadn't started developing. A standard little loli. Where would she get a period...
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