In truth, Lewis and Hermione didn't have to wait until lunchtime to see each other again.
Their second class of the day—Transfiguration—was shared by Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
The moment their eyes met across the classroom, Hermione immediately lowered her head in embarrassment, unable to look at him.
She had finally figured everything out.
And realized just how badly she had misunderstood him.
All the accusations about flirting with girls.
All the suspicions about secret embraces.
The person she had actually been suspicious of all along...
Was herself.
More specifically, her future self.
The entire mess had been created by Hermione Granger alone.
Today's lesson covered Animagus transformation.
Of course, it was only an introduction.
Professor McGonagall had no expectation that a group of third-years could actually master something so advanced.
Standing before the entire class, she transformed into a tabby cat.
Even in feline form, distinctive markings resembling spectacles remained around her eyes.
The demonstration immediately earned thunderous applause.
Every student in the room became excited.
They eagerly imagined the day they too could become Animagi.
Unfortunately, reality quickly crushed those dreams.
They soon learned that becoming a true Animagus was far beyond the abilities of ordinary students.
For example, the very first step was already enough to eliminate most people.
A wizard had to hold a single mandrake leaf in their mouth continuously for an entire month.
If the leaf left their mouth or was accidentally swallowed, they had to start all over again.
Even after completing that requirement and fulfilling a long list of additional conditions, success still depended heavily on luck.
The aspiring Animagus then had to wait for the proper thunderstorm conditions before attempting their first transformation.
For a student attending school, that alone was almost impossible.
Viewed from that perspective, James Potter and the Marauders truly had been absurdly talented.
Although Lewis had long since mastered the druidic equivalent—Wild Shape—he still paid close attention throughout the lesson.
After all, he wanted to help several of his female friends become Animagi someday.
He couldn't exactly expect them all to possess druidic talent.
As soon as class ended, Lewis immediately intercepted Hermione.
Already burdened by guilt, she reluctantly agreed to honor their wager.
However, she negotiated one condition.
Instead of barking like a dog, she wanted to meow like a cat.
After all, she had recently adopted a cat this semester.
That counted, right?
And so, under Lewis's eagerly expectant gaze, Hermione shyly lowered her head and softly whispered:
"Meow…"
"Meow…"
The adorable sound nearly caused fatal damage to Lewis's sanity.
The price was that Hermione refused to see him for the entire afternoon afterward.
It wasn't until after dinner that she finally approached him again, accompanied by Harry and Ron.
The first thing she said was:
"Have you heard?"
Lewis blinked.
"Heard what?"
"I heard there's a strange guy wandering around Wolvendom."
Hermione stared blankly.
"What's Wolvendom?"
"Who's wandering around?"
Clearly she had completely missed the joke.
Then she quickly explained:
"The situation is this: Malfoy got injured during Hagrid's class."
"We're planning to visit Hagrid."
"Are you coming?"
"Of course."
Lewis nodded immediately.
"Hagrid's a friend of mine too."
Then he glanced at the three worried faces.
"But first, tell me exactly what happened."
"Wasn't that class shared by Gryffindor and Slytherin?"
"Then you should know the details."
Harry started first.
"Everything began the moment he took out the textbooks."
"Malfoy kept looking for opportunities to cause trouble."
"The bookstore clerk clearly explained how to handle The Monster Book of Monsters, but Malfoy pretended he knew nothing."
"He also mocked me and Ron for fainting on the train," Ron added.
"Oh, can we get to the important part?"
Hermione interrupted impatiently.
"Hagrid chose Hippogriffs for his very first lesson."
"Those things are rated XXX on the Ministry's danger scale!"
Even now, she sounded somewhat dissatisfied with Hagrid.
"Hagrid asked us to approach a Hippogriff named Buckbeak."
"Harry volunteered first."
"But Malfoy couldn't stand Harry succeeding, so he insisted on trying too."
"Then Buckbeak slashed him because he behaved disrespectfully."
"That was entirely Malfoy's fault," Ron immediately argued.
"Harry did everything correctly!"
"I'll bet Malfoy would never have gone near Buckbeak if he hadn't been jealous after seeing Harry ride it."
Lewis believed that.
For all his flaws, Malfoy wasn't stupid.
Normally, he'd never provoke a dangerous magical creature.
Unless jealousy had completely overridden his common sense.
"Malfoy being stupid is true," Hermione admitted.
"But Hagrid shouldn't have started with something that dangerous!"
"Harry could have broken his neck!"
"That only happened because Malfoy insulted Buckbeak and called it an ugly beast!"
"He deserved it!"
Once again, Ron and Hermione immediately started arguing.
As usual.
Harry looked miserable sitting between them.
This wasn't a one-time occurrence.
Aside from the Buckbeak incident, Ron and Hermione had already spent days fighting because their pets refused to coexist peacefully.
The four hurried across the wet grounds toward Hagrid's hut.
After knocking, a voice roared:
"Come in!"
Hagrid sat at his freshly scrubbed wooden table wearing only a shirt.
Fang rested his massive head on Hagrid's lap.
One glance was enough to tell that Hagrid had consumed a truly impressive quantity of alcohol.
A tankard the size of a bucket sat before him.
"This might be a record," Hagrid muttered drunkenly after finally recognizing them.
"I don't think Hogwarts has ever had a teacher whose career lasted only one day."
"You haven't been fired, have you?" Hermione asked in alarm.
Even Hogwarts couldn't dismiss professors that quickly.
And Dumbledore certainly wasn't that type of headmaster.
"Not yet."
Hagrid took another massive gulp.
"But it's only a matter of time."
"Have you seen Malfoy?"
"How is he?" Ron asked after everyone sat down.
"Not seriously hurt, right?"
"Madam Pomfrey's doing everything she can."
"But he keeps saying it hurts."
"Wrapped up in bandages…"
"Still moaning…"
"He's faking it," Harry declared immediately.
"Madam Pomfrey can heal anything."
"Last year she regrew half my bones."
"Malfoy's absolutely going to milk this for all it's worth."
"Everyone probably knows already," Hagrid said miserably.
"They think I moved too fast."
"That I should've started with Flobberworms or something…"
"I just wanted my first lesson to go well…"
"It's all my fault…"
"It's Malfoy's fault, Hagrid!" Hermione insisted.
"We were all witnesses," Harry agreed.
"You warned everyone that Hippogriffs attack if they're insulted."
"Malfoy wasn't paying attention."
"We'll tell Dumbledore exactly what happened."
"Yeah," Ron added.
"We'll back you up."
"Cheer up, Hagrid," Lewis said encouragingly.
"We're all looking forward to your next lesson."
Tears immediately began flowing from the corners of Hagrid's tiny black eyes.
"You're still looking forward to my class after all this?"
"Waaaaah—"
"Of course."
Lewis gently patted his arm.
"I'm genuinely interested in magical creatures."
"In fact, I like Buckbeak quite a lot."
"However, Hagrid, you need to stop drinking."
"I think you should start making preparations."
"For example, moving Buckbeak somewhere safe."
"And adjusting your lesson plans."
"Malfoy definitely won't let this go."
"Hagrid, Lewis's right," Hermione agreed firmly.
"You've had enough to drink."
She grabbed the giant tankard and marched outside to dump its contents.
"Oh…"
"You might be right."
Hagrid staggered after her.
Moments later, a loud splash echoed from outside.
"What's he doing?" Harry asked nervously.
Soon Hagrid returned carrying the empty tankard.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
At the same time, Hermione walked back inside.
"He stuck his head in a water barrel."
A moment later, Hagrid followed.
His hair and beard were dripping wet.
Lewis immediately took several steps backward.
Experience suggested this was the correct decision.
"This feels much better," Hagrid declared.
Then he shook himself like a giant dog.
Water sprayed everywhere.
Harry and Ron were instantly soaked.
"Thanks for coming."
"And Lewis, your suggestions are good."
"Maybe I should start with Flobberworms."
"They're very safe."
"No."
Lewis rejected the idea immediately.
Absolutely not.
He was taking Care of Magical Creatures too.
If he had to spend an entire lesson staring at a pile of disgusting Flobberworms, he'd only have himself to blame.
"Then... what should I choose?"
Hagrid asked sincerely.
After the blow to his confidence, he was noticeably more willing to listen.
"A successful class needs two things."
"Safety first."
"Appeal second."
Lewis spoke confidently.
"Especially now."
"You need to recover your reputation quickly."
"I'd suggest creatures like Puffskeins, Mooncalves, or Fairies."
"They're safe."
"They're cute."
"And students naturally like them."
"You should listen to Lewis," Hermione said proudly.
"After Lockhart was dragged away last year, Lewis personally taught several Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons."
"Everyone loved them."
"He has experience."
"Thanks, Lewis."
"I think I'll check the Forbidden Forest and see if I can find some of those creatures."
Hagrid's confidence visibly returned.
He enthusiastically slapped Lewis on the shoulder with a hand the size of a shovel.
Suddenly, he froze.
Then stared blankly at Harry.
As though he'd only just remembered Harry was there.
"Wait a minute!"
His sudden roar startled everyone.
"What are you doing here?"
Only then did realization strike him.
"You shouldn't be wandering around after dark, Harry!"
"And you three!"
Hagrid strode over, grabbed Harry by the arm, and dragged him toward the door.
"Sorry."
"I've got to escort you back."
He sounded both guilty and worried.
"And don't come visiting me at night anymore."
"I'm not worth getting yourselves into trouble."
After returning to the castle, they watched Hagrid's retreating figure disappear into the darkness.
Harry still looked concerned.
"What do you think Malfoy's going to do?"
"If you're really worried," Lewis replied,
"then start researching magical creature injury laws and previous legal cases."
"I have a feeling those will become very useful soon."
With that, he said goodbye to the trio and headed back toward Ravenclaw Tower.
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