Unreal

Chp 12 Magic Not So Little

She placed the tray gently on the dresser, and I moved to the chair as she took a seat on the bed, crossing one leg over the other, ever the picture of calm curiosity.

"How have you been?" she asked.

I gave a small smile, already reaching for the warm bread. "Better. Actually... really good. I think I finally got the hang of spellwork."

Hermione raised her brows, impressed. "Told you it just takes practice."

I paused mid-bite. "What brings you here, though?"

She shrugged, but her eyes were kind. "Just wanted to visit. See how you're doing."

My heart did a little skip.

She wanted to see me? She chose to come here?

I don't know why that made me so stupidly happy, but it did. My inner fangirl was fully sobbing.

As I kept eating, Hermione watched me with a curious smile.

"So," she said, "what house did you get sorted into?"

I wiped my mouth with the napkin, trying to be dramatic. "Guess."

Hermione tilted her head, thinking. Her tone turned thoughtful, the way it always did when she was analyzing something. "You're intuitive, observant, but clearly imaginative. You don't give yourself enough credit, but I've seen how quickly you pick things up—especially under pressure."

She smiled knowingly. "Ravenclaw."

My eyes widened. "Wait—yes. How'd you know?"

"I pay attention," she said simply, grinning.

I beamed. "That's actually insane. I thought I'd get Gryffindor just to copy you."

She laughed. "Ravenclaw suits you better."

We talked for a while after that—about her classes, what Hogwarts was like during winter, what subjects I might enjoy most. She told me stories about teachers I hadn't met yet and mentioned some students I might get along with. And through it all, I just listened, soaking it in like sunlight after days of rain.

Eventually, I set the tray aside, stomach full and mood even fuller.

••••••

"I'll be right back," I said, picking up the tray. "I'll just put these in the sink."

Hermione stood up immediately. "Oh, I can do that—"

"Nope. I got it," I said, already halfway to the door. "You nearly dropped the tea last time, remember?"

She frowned. "That was one time—"

I laughed, slipping out of the room before she could argue more.

The hallway was quiet as I padded down to the kitchen. I opened the door and stepped inside, placing the dishes in the sink with a quiet clink.

That's when I saw him.

Kreacher.

It was my first time seeing him in real life. He was exactly as I remembered: short, grumpy, and giving me the nastiest side-eye like I'd just stepped in mud and tracked it across the rugs.

"Trespassing girl thinks she belongs here," he muttered under his breath. "Bringing noise, mess, and bad smells..."

I blinked.

Okay.

Classic Kreacher.

I didn't say anything. Just backed away slowly, pretending I didn't hear a thing—just like they always did in the movies. Man had a grudge against the entire world and didn't even try to hide it.