Otherwise, something would definitely be missing—
"We're going... Wait, didn't you call me out?"
Harry blinked in confusion, seemingly finding Hermione's question a bit strange. After all, Hermione had just told him Snape was looking for him. How long ago was that? Even though he spent quite a while mentally preparing himself, it was less than half an hour.
Has she read herself silly?
"Uh... Really?"
Hermione's tone instantly raised by eight pitches as she instinctively glanced at William beside her, only to see him nodding too.
"Okay, maybe I forgot—right, didn't you have something to tell the senior?"
Hermione quickly chuckled, grabbed her stack of textbooks, and made a swift exit. Although she had many books, with the help of levitating spells, it wasn't too difficult. However, controlling them simultaneously with her magical precision was a bit challenging, requiring her to use some arm strength.
So, after saying this, Hermione's figure had already disappeared around the corner of the foyer.
Sigh...
Watching the girl's back, William felt a bit silent... She's such a hardworking go-getter; Hermione now not only manages all her academic subjects but also her homework, helping William with research, compiling information, practicing charms, sleeping, and resting...
Now Hermione's day is barely enough as two and a half days. From last month's full moon until now, in reality, nearly a month has passed, and Hermione has lived through a whole four months... Probably even more?
Not in this life, or even the past life, has William seen such a strong-willed workhorse... no, not really, but seriously, Hermione's recent busyness has him a bit frightened. In the library, in the Room of Requirement, these two places, as long as you go, you can see Hermione's presence.
The girl seems to be completely immersed in her own rhythm, but William always feels that going on like this will eventually lead to problems—
More crucially, at Hermione's current pace, by next year's Easter, she'll probably have skimmed through all the books in the Hogwarts Library... It's frightening. William really fears he's dumbing down such a promising child with his influence, and that would be a real crime.
No, maybe it's better to take some time and report it to Professor Meow?
After all, the task of researching the Seik Crystal isn't urgent; taking it slowly is fine. Pulling Hermione out of this state first is necessary to prevent being accused of exploiting free labor, or worse, child labor—what if he gets hanged by a streetlight? He's not some devil (crossed out) capitalist.
The devil doesn't deserve such blame.
Thinking of this, William didn't continue to dwell on Hermione's issues but turned to Harry, who was hesitating, stopping short of saying something. Remembering Hermione's words before she left, it seemed Harry had something to tell him?
Why so hesitant?
With this thought, William directly raised his hand and smacked the back of the boy's head. At this moment, the two of them were already standing at the stairway entrance to the Hufflepuff basement common room. William glared at Harry, signaling him to speak up quickly, since he wanted to continue practicing silent meditation and needed a quiet place to avoid failing again.
"Senior, could you sign a permission slip for me to go to Hogsmeade?"
Harry widened his eyes, meeting William's gaze. He seemed to have made up his mind, closing his eyes, gritting his teeth, and directly asking.
"?"
When I made this question mark, it's not because I have a problem, but because I feel you have a problem—how does this kid think he could sign on a 'letter to the parents' form?
Do you really take me for your dad?
Faced with William's puzzled gaze, Harry was also somewhat embarrassed. He had tried all possible means. To get a signature, he had to comply with Uncle Vernon's demands, but in the end, he almost battered his aunt into a second-degree handicap, clearly unable to get the Dursleys' signature.
Later, he thought of other ways, like asking Professor McGonagall—but the result was obvious, McGonagall didn't agree.
Without a form, he couldn't go to Hogsmeade—but Harry completely didn't want to miss this day. You know, Fred and George have been raving about Hogsmeade in the common room, talking about Honeydukes, the Three Broomsticks Inn, Zonko's Joke Shop... and the Shrieking Shack.
Each one teased the playful nerve in Harry.
No way, kids this age just love to play, and William had no objections, as long as Harry kept up with his coursework and training. He's not a demon; look at Cedric and Cho Chang spending every day together. He didn't interfere at all; they've completed the seventh-year syllabus, why not take a break?
Given that the Room of Requirement doesn't need any chores now, with Dobby now scared of anyone taking its jobs, those tasks are not enough for Dobby. Every time William finishes eating and wants to use magic to wash a dish, he'd get stopped by Dobby...
More so, now Cedric can withstand him for three minutes under his supervision, which is quite an achievement among the minor wizards.
Except for those high-power evil curses, William doesn't hold back much.
Of course, he hasn't used ancient magic.
Therefore, William didn't bother with Cedric. If Cedric was the right age now, he could directly apply to become an Auror. Not to mention in terms of official duties, purely from a combat perspective, Cedric is definitely outstanding—of course, this is partly due to the recent downsizing pressure on the Auror Office by Fudge, leaving it short on excessively skilled personnel.