Hogwarts Lion Girl

Hermione stood at the edge of the crowd, her bright smile quickly collapsing like melting ice cream.

The main culprit was Lavender Brown, the girl who was like a sticky cake and wanted to stick to Ron 24 hours a day.

She pushed through the cheering crowd like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, hugged Ron, and gave him a passionate kiss as if no one was around.

Hermione felt her stomach churn, as if she had swallowed a live toad.

She bit her lip hard until she tasted a hint of rust.

The noise of the crowd seemed to be isolated, her ears were buzzing, and everything in front of her became blurry.

When Harry turned around to look for Hermione, he saw nothing.

He knew that Hermione must have gone there to digest her emotions alone. Sighing, Harry pushed through the crowd and walked towards the corner where Hermione often went.

Sure enough, Harry found Hermione at the stairs leading to the Astronomy Tower.

She had her back to him, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Harry walked over lightly and found that Hermione was covering her face with her hands, and tiny sobs leaked out from between her fingers.

"Hermione?" Harry called softly.

Hermione turned around suddenly, tears streaming down her face like pearls from a broken string.

Seeing it was Harry, she sniffed and tried to control her emotions, "I'm fine."

But her trembling voice and red and swollen eyes ruthlessly exposed her lies.

"Don't be like this, Hermione," Harry sat down next to her and lent her his shoulder, "I know how you feel. It's the same feeling I had when I saw Cedric and Serena together."

Hermione raised her head and looked at him with tearful eyes, "So...how do you feel now?"

Harry was silent for a moment, looking at the twinkling stars in the distance, "Cedric and Salina are both my friends, I sincerely wish them well."

"What about Qiu?" Hermione asked, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Harry smiled bitterly, "I admit that there was a time when I had feelings for Cho. But now, we are just friends, and perhaps this is for the best."

Hermione wiped away her tears vigorously, her tone was a little stubborn, "But I can't let go. Being just friends with Ron is not what I want."

"Why not just tell Ron? You know, he can be really… insensitive sometimes."

Hermione bit her lip, a blush on her face, "How can a girl say something like this first?"

"What's there to be said?" Harry shrugged. "Didn't Lavender take the initiative?"

"But..." Hermione's voice dropped, "I've hinted at it many times, but now he's... flirting with Lavender. I feel embarrassed to tell him now."

Harry nodded in understanding, and the two fell into silence, with only the twinkling stars in the night sky watching them quietly.

After a while, footsteps were heard in the distance, accompanied by Lavender's giggles and Ron's signature loud voice.

"Shall we go to the Astronomy Tower?" Ron's voice was getting closer.

Harry and Hermione looked up at the same time, bumping into Ron and Lavender.

Lavender held Ron's arm affectionately, and both of them had excited smiles on their faces.

"Huh? Why are you two here?" Ron asked in confusion.

Seeing Lavender holding Ron's arm, the anger that had just subsided in Hermione's heart flared up again.

She stood up suddenly and yelled at the two of them, "Go away! I don't want to see you!"

Ron was stunned, totally confused as to why Hermione suddenly got so angry.

"Hermione, what's wrong with you?"

Hermione ignored him, turned her head, and walked quickly towards the Astronomy Tower.

Harry looked at Ron helplessly, then stood up and followed.

"What's wrong with her?" Ron looked at Lavender in confusion.

Lavender pouted, "Who knows? Maybe he's jealous of us."

Ron scratched his head, still confused as to why Hermione was angry.

But the date with Lavender was more important.

He shrugged and hurried away with Lavender in his hand.

Harry caught up with Hermione and they walked side by side up the spiral staircase leading to the Astronomy Tower, neither of them speaking.

The wind was strong on top of the Astronomy Tower, causing Hermione's long hair to fly in the air.

She held onto the railing and looked out at the brightly lit windows of Hogwarts Castle, feeling mixed emotions.

Suddenly, a hand gently covered her hand.

Hermione turned her head and saw Harry's concerned look.

"Don't think about it, Hermione," Harry said softly, "It's getting late, we should go back."

……

Christmas is approaching, and the Hogwarts Castle is filled with the aroma of pine branches and cinnamon.

A thin layer of ice formed on the colored glass windows. The sunlight shone through the ice and cast colorful shadows on the floor.

There were fine snowflakes floating in the air, falling on the students' shoulders, like gifts sent in advance by Santa Claus.

However, for Hermione, this year's Christmas was overshadowed.

Ron and Lavender have been inseparable lately, as sticky as two pieces of taffy stuck together.

They were whispering all the time, playing around in the corridors as if no one was around, and even laughing awkwardly in the library.

Hermione felt like she had swallowed a lemon, with a sour taste churning in her heart.

She threw the quill on the table in annoyance, and the ink splashed onto the parchment like a blooming black flower.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked concernedly, noticing Hermione's unusual behavior.

"Nothing," said Hermione glumly, "Just a little irritated."

The library was silent, with only the rustling of pages and the scraping of quills.

Hermione and Harry talked in low voices, so as not to disturb others.

"Professor Slughorn is hosting a Christmas ball. Who are you going with?" Hermione asked suddenly.

Harry was stunned for a moment; he had completely forgotten about this.

"I haven't thought about it yet," he scratched his head, "maybe... just find someone randomly."

Hermione frowned, "Harry, you are more famous in school now than Professor Dumbledore. Some girls might... use love potions on you."

"I'll be careful," Harry promised. "Thanks for reminding me, Hermione."

"You'd better invite someone you trust," Hermione suggested. "How about... Luna Lovegood?"

Harry thought about it and realized that although Luna was a little weird, she was indeed a trustworthy friend.

"Good idea, Hermione, thank you."

Hermione forced a smile, but she felt even more annoyed.

She had originally planned to go to the Christmas ball with Ron, but now... she didn't want to see him and Lavender being so affectionate!

In order to take revenge on Ron, Hermione made a bold decision: she accepted the invitation of the greasy boy.

As a substitute on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, the Greasy Boy is tall, strong and confident.

He had always expressed his affection for Hermione, but Hermione thought he was too greasy and always touched her inappropriately, which made her very uncomfortable.