Wherever he went, Draco never failed to draw attention.
In fact, from the moment he stepped out of the Shrieking Shack with Hermione in his arms, word of his actions had already spread among the Hogwarts students. They had even seen him carry her straight into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop—a favorite spot for couples.
At first, they questioned their own eyes. Then, disbelief took over.
Aside from how striking the pair looked together, what truly stunned everyone was...
The moment Draco appeared holding Hermione, the once lively street went dead silent, as if someone had hit pause.
No wonder they were so shocked.
After all, it was a princess carry—and the girl in his arms was the know-it-all herself.
What no one knew, however, was that Hermione was completely unconscious. Had she been awake, she would rather die than appear before everyone like that.
Unfortunately, news of Draco and Hermione spread across Hogsmeade in no time...
...
Somewhere in Hogsmeade.
"What's with those weird looks on your faces?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all!"
"Yeah, boss lady, it's nothing. Just something small."
Pansy had just stepped out of Gladrags Wizardwear when she noticed Goyle and Crabbe looking flustered, their faces pale as if they'd just seen a ghost.
Astoria, following behind, cast a doubtful glance at Crabbe, who was sweating so much that anyone unaware might think he had a medical problem.
Astoria was quick to pick up on things. Though she hadn't known them for long, she had already realized that compared to the relatively composed Goyle, Crabbe was hopeless at hiding his emotions.
That guilty look on his face was obvious even to the most oblivious person...
"Talk. What do you know?"
"..."
"..."
Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a glance before reluctantly repeating the news they'd just heard.
Because even if they didn't say it, Pansy and Astoria would find out soon enough.
After all... every Hogwarts student passing by was talking about it...
...
Outside Madam Puddifoot's Tea Parlor.
At that moment, the shop was surrounded by Goyle, Crabbe, and their group of followers. Judging by the stern looks on their faces, it seemed something serious had happened.
To anyone passing by, it might have looked like they were about to rob the place.
But since they were blocked outside, no one knew what was going on inside. The only sound was the faint murmur of voices drifting out...
"Draco, you seem to be having quite a bit of fun with our Miss Know-It-All~."
The fierce Pansy stood right in front of Draco, chest puffed out in a show of dominance that made Hermione's eyelid twitch... No, it was that strange tone in her voice that really annoyed Hermione.
She had a name, thank you very much—she wasn't "Miss Know-It-All."
Thud!
Though Pansy's accusatory stance was full of momentum, as if Draco might actually confess under the pressure, one sharp flick to her forehead from Draco shattered it instantly.
"Guh!"
"Speak properly!"
"You! You only ever bully me!"
Feeling the odd looks from Astoria and Hermione, Pansy, both embarrassed and angry, kicked Draco's calf in frustration.
He was the one who'd ditched her to sneak off with another girl, so why was she the one getting scolded?
Still fuming, Pansy didn't forget to throw a challenging glare at Hermione, who stood nearby holding Crookshanks.
"Draco, if you wanted to have tea here, why didn't you ask me? Don't tell me you actually prefer girls who have nothing to offer?"
Nothing to offer???
Hermione instinctively looked down.
Those words made veins pop on both Hermione's and Astoria's foreheads, their glares toward Pansy full of hostility.
Draco, meanwhile, pretended not to hear and looked away.
A gentleman wouldn't comment on such matters...
To everyone's surprise, it wasn't Astoria who reacted first, but Hermione Granger, who had been quietly standing aside until now.
She stepped forward.
Standing deliberately beside Draco, Hermione glared back without backing down.
"This place, with its so-called literary atmosphere, doesn't suit you at all. I imagine Draco thought the same thing—that's why he didn't invite you."
Draco: ???
What kind of "literary atmosphere" was she even talking about?
Draco stared at her in disbelief. The way she could lie so confidently left him wondering if she'd gone mad. How could she sound so different from her usual self?
Setting aside Draco's confusion, Hermione's words had their intended effect. Pansy's chest rose and fell with anger, her eyes blazing with the fury of someone who'd just been robbed of what was hers.
The two girls locked eyes, the air between them charged like a thunderstorm.
Astoria, who had only been dragged along for the outing, watched the exchange and felt an inexplicable emotion stir inside her...
...
Just as Draco was about to step in to stop this increasingly bizarre situation, a sudden explosion echoed in the distance, followed by a powerful surge of magic.
"What happened?"
"An explosion?"
"It came from that direction!!"
The blast broke the standoff between Pansy and Hermione, both turning sharply toward the source of the sound.
But unlike the others, who looked confused and alarmed, Hermione's expression turned anxious and frustrated.
It was the look of someone who knew exactly what was coming—but had forgotten until it was too late.
"I completely forgot! I'll explain on the way—come on, Draco!"
"That's... Eh? Granger! Where are you dragging Draco!? Let him go!"
Before Draco could even react, Hermione grabbed his hand and ran, leaving Pansy and the others stunned.
Flustered and furious, Pansy chased after them.
"Don't you dare run, you cheating cat!"
"We're going too!"
"Hurry!"
As Hermione and Draco disappeared around the corner, Pansy finally caught on and ran after them, dragging Goyle and Crabbe with her.
Only Astoria remained, frozen in place.
Frowning, she turned her gaze toward the source of the explosion.
"Somehow, things are starting to get a lot more complicated..."