In the end, Hermione couldn't figure out what a Crumple-Horned Snorkack was.
"Does a creature called a Crumple-Horned Snorkack really exist? I've never heard of it," Hermione was filled with doubts, but she couldn't outright deny it. She was unfamiliar with magical creatures, so she couldn't conclude that this creature didn't exist.
For example, in the Muggle world, there is a frog called the "paradoxical frog," which nine out of ten people who hear the name think is a funny made-up creature, but it exists, and it's a frog from South America. In its tadpole form, it measures 25 cm, but when it becomes a frog, it measures less than 7 cm, such an irrational phenomenon that scientists have dubbed it the Paradoxical Frog.
With this example in mind, Hermione couldn't say that the Crumple-Horned Snorkack didn't exist. However, she had a Care of Magical Creatures class the next day, so she could take the opportunity to ask Professor Scamander, an expert in magical creatures, if he knew anything about it.
Once she cleared her mind, she stopped worrying about that issue. She lazily reclined on the back of the armchair, naturally placing her feet on Tom's lap.
Tom was conversing and writing a Transfiguration report. After telling Hermione about his encounter with Luna and what had happened, he was preparing to focus on his report when suddenly a foot rested on his leg. He looked up and saw Hermione's eyes, which seemed teary.
"I'm so tired today, let me relax," Hermione pouted at Tom, rubbing her foot against his leg. "The report isn't that urgent..."
"There are so many people in the common room," Tom became nervous as if he were doing something wrong.
"Are you sure?" Hermione smiled flirtatiously, and as she saw the expression on Hermione's face, Tom looked around, noticing that the common room had emptied out, and the few remaining people were sitting in pairs in the corners. It was this atmosphere that emboldened Hermione.
Tom also felt a surge of warmth inside him. If Hermione approached willingly, he no longer had to pretend to be a gentleman.
"Allow me to give you a foot massage," he said as he took off Hermione's brown shoes and gently pressed the soles of her feet, kneading them firmly.
"Mmmm..." Hermione winced in pain and squirmed in comfort.
Tom massaged while he observed the beautiful sole of her foot. Hermione wore a pair of rather conservative black stockings, without any adornments.
"Why aren't you wearing the ones you bought before?" Tom felt a little disappointed, thinking he would see something more exciting. Hermione gave him a disdainful look and didn't respond.
"Have you finished your report?" Tom suddenly asked her.
"Yes."
Tom: ...
"Then you've convinced me not to write my report!" Tom gave Hermione a ruthless look. "You must be severely punished!" He then applied a bit more pressure to Hermione's feet, making her shudder. She covered her mouth and tried not to make any noise.
Tom leaned down, getting closer to the tips of Hermione's toes, inhaling deeply. He sensed a warm breath mixed with the scent of leather and the fragrance of her body. That aroma enveloped him completely—it was Hermione's scent.
"Hey, hey," Hermione didn't expect Tom to be so daring today. Momentarily caught off guard, but quickly regained her composure. She knew that if she took the initiative, she could completely embarrass this naive and innocent boy, leaving him completely blushing and defeated.
"Does it smell good? Do you like it?"
"I like it..." Tom lightly caressed Hermione's toe. "It's like a work of art."
"Let... let go of me," Hermione, defeated in her resistance, didn't know what to do anymore. Tom slipped his hand under Hermione's skirt and removed her socks.
Slowly, the black stockings peeled off from the base of her calves, revealing bare skin as white and warm as ivory. The black socks were pulled down from the calf to the ankle, then the heel, the arch, and finally Hermione's toes. Finally, with Hermione's temperature and scent embedded in them, the socks were completely removed, exposing Hermione's perfect leg and foot curves.
Tom balled up the socks in his hands and rested them on the arm of the chair. The socks quickly lost their warmth as they were taken off Hermione's body, leaving only the scent and trace of Hermione's moisture.
The mischievous little feet slightly twitched in Tom's hands, but they weren't bare either. Around Hermione's feet was a golden anklet, adding a finishing touch to the whiteness, a bit more variety.
"Doesn't it bother you to wear this every day?" Tom touched the tiny bell on the ankle chain, but the bell made no sound.
"It's fine to get used to it, wearing it... it's like you're by my side," Hermione said with her head down, revealing her true feelings.
Tom couldn't contain his excitement upon hearing those words. He left his seat and squeezed himself next to Hermione on the same armchair.
He held Hermione tightly in his arms, wanting to become one with her, and the scent in his nose reminded him that the girl in front of him was completely his, his girlfriend. From body to mind and soul, Hermione was his.
Yes, Hermione is my girlfriend. Tom wanted everyone to know. It was such a happy thing.
Tom embraced Hermione and brought his lips close. They kissed passionately until they were breathless.
In that moment, Hermione would have accepted anything Tom did. However, after parting their lips and seeing Hermione's teary eyes, Tom regained his composure and decided not to go further.
Love is moderate, while desire is unrestrained. Tom understood this lesson. So, he only embraced Hermione, drawing their bodies close and caressing her. They cuddled for a while, and soon midnight arrived.
"It's time to rest a bit, we have classes tomorrow," Tom said, gently pushing Hermione to indicate that it was time for her to go to bed. Hermione reluctantly lifted her head and squirmed in Tom's arms, so deeply in love with him that she didn't want to separate from him, she just wanted to cling to him like a koala.
Seeing Hermione's soft and delicate feet, Tom took her socks and wanted to help her put them on.
"Keep them," Hermione whispered, resting her head on Tom's shoulder with a flirtatious look. She leaned closer to Tom's ear and softly bit his earlobe. "I know you like them a lot, but I'll only allow myself to be liked by you."
After saying this, she stood up from on top of Tom, placed her hands on the back of the chair, and gave Tom a "chair push." Then, she gave him a quick kiss and jumped to the floor, quickly running away.