The afternoon sun was warm but not harsh, and the breeze was gentle.
After leaving the library, Lucas and Hermione strolled along the edge of the Black Lake.
"Slytherin's common room is under this lake, right?"
Hermione asked, curious.
Gryffindor's common room was on the seventh floor. Of the four houses, Slytherin's was by far the most unusual—and mysterious.
"Yup. Every night, I fall asleep watching fish swim by. Sometimes even a giant squid."
Honestly, it felt like living in a luxury aquarium.
There were other students around the lake, chatting in small groups. A few older students, clearly couples, held hands as they walked.
Hermione glanced down at her notebook, then quickly shook her head, trying to banish a certain thought.
"Whatcha thinking, Miss Jack-of-all-trades?"
Lucas grinned as he glanced back toward the Forbidden Forest.
"That nickname really fits you, y'know."
Hermione definitely knew more than most first-years, and that kind of knowledge came with a natural sense of pride.
Maybe that's why she didn't have many friends in Gryffindor.
If she'd been sorted into Ravenclaw, she'd probably be the most popular student there.
"They used to laugh at me for that nickname."
Watching Lucas plop down on the grass, Hermione hesitated—then sat beside him.
"Guess you haven't made many friends in Gryffindor either," Lucas said, handing her a lollipop.
"Same here. I don't talk to most of those little snakes."
"Well, except Malfoy. He's alright."
After all, Malfoy had volunteered for one of his experiments. That earned some respect.
"Draco Malfoy?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
She pictured the smug blond boy from earlier.
"He's awful."
"Maybe. But I think he's got potential."
They walked and talked until they unknowingly reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"This is off-limits," Hermione said quickly. "Dumbledore specifically said not to go near it."
Looking around, they realized they were alone.
Lucas stared into the woods for a moment. Just as he was about to turn back, a loud voice boomed:
"Oi! What are two baby wizards doin' here!?"
They turned and saw Hagrid marching toward them—the same Hagrid who'd guided them across the lake on their first day.
"I remember Dumbledore sayin' no students near the forest!"
As the gamekeeper, Hagrid was dead serious. The forest held all kinds of danger—centaurs, acromantulas… stuff that could eat a first-year for lunch.
"Sorry, Mr. Hagrid, we got a little lost. We were on a date."
Lucas quickly took Hermione's hand as he spoke.
Hermione froze at the word "date" but didn't pull away.
"...A date?!"
Hagrid's eyes widened. He remembered these two from the lake crossing.
They were already dating? It had only been a few days!
Thinking back to his own time at Hogwarts, Hagrid suddenly felt personally attacked by how fast these kids moved.
"Alright, off with you! And no next time, or I'll be tellin' the Headmaster!"
He tried to sound strict, but as he watched the two walk away hand in hand, he couldn't help but mutter:
"…some kids have all the luck."