The Great Hall at Hogwarts wasn't just for banquets—it also served as the dining hall. The house-elves always prepared a variety of delicious foods, and whatever you wanted to eat, they could make it appear.
"A slice of bread and a glass of milk," Cro said as he sat down. Instantly, golden bread and pure white milk appeared out of thin air.
"Cro!!" A sharp, clear voice rang out, filled with anger. Cro didn't bother looking up.
"Jumping between tables is frowned upon, you know. People might not like it," he said calmly.
Hermione, momentarily silenced by anger, opened her mouth but couldn't find the words. Frustrated, she stomped her foot.
"I'm asking you, why did you go to Slytherin yesterday instead of coming to Gryffindor? Is it because—"
"Because Slytherins speak nicely, and they're incredibly welcoming. You should've seen it—they danced all night long to welcome me, and I couldn't stop them!" Cro interrupted before Hermione could finish.
Of course, he wasn't about to admit that he went to Slytherin because there were more treasure chests to unlock. Although telling Hermione wouldn't be a big deal, the system was his trump card in this world, and it was best kept secret.
"They welcomed you so warmly? And danced all night? Are you going to say they didn't show up today because they're too exhausted to get out of bed?" Hermione, hands on her hips, stared at Cro suspiciously.
Indeed, only a few scattered upper-year students sat at the Slytherin table, and none of the new students were there, not even Cassandra.
Cro drank his milk and said, "Actually, when I left, they were all passed out in the common room. But don't worry, I reminded them not to be late. I'd be a terrible honorary prefect if I didn't do my job, right? I'd feel so guilty!"
He spoke with a deadly serious expression.
Hermione squinted at him, her suspicion clear. "An honorary prefect? I read about Slytherin's tradition of having one for each year. But why would you want to be an honorary prefect? That doesn't seem like something you'd do."
Cro wiped the milk from his lips and stood up leisurely. "Because I like serving others and helping people!"
"Be serious."
"Well, honorary prefects get their own room and a few privileges. You know how much I hate sleeping next to people who snore. I wouldn't get any rest."
Hermione's mouth twitched, and she stomped her foot in frustration. "How would I know whether you like snorers or not? Wait... why does this even matter to me?"
She shot him a glare, clearly irritated, and stormed out of the Great Hall, completely forgetting why she had come to speak to Cro in the first place.
Amused, Cro rubbed his nose and quickly followed after her.
[Detected intense frustration!]
[Reward: Golden Chest!]
"Gryffindor's next class is Transfiguration, and you're paired with Ravenclaw. Potions class with Slytherin isn't until the afternoon," Hermione said, arms akimbo. "Why are you following me? Are you planning to join us for Transfiguration, Mr. Honorary Prefect?"
Unfazed, Cro replied, "Transfiguration? I'd love to attend. I hear Professor McGonagall teaches it. I wonder what her lessons are like."
Hermione stopped in her tracks, looking exasperated as Cro confidently walked towards the Transfiguration classroom.
"Are you seriously going to Transfiguration? Isn't your next class Charms? Aren't you worried about making Professor Flitwick mad? He's the Head of Ravenclaw, after all!"
Cro waved her concern away. "There's still time. I'll head to Charms later."
With a sigh, Hermione followed Cro into the classroom. A few students had already trickled in, mostly Ravenclaws, with only a handful of Gryffindors chatting amongst themselves.
On the professor's podium, a tabby cat sat calmly, occasionally licking its paws, indistinguishable from any other ordinary cat.
"Are we allowed to bring pets to Transfiguration? Speaking of cats, how's Crookshanks? You haven't forgotten to feed him, have you?"
Cro casually picked up the tabby cat and began petting it, much to the cat's astonishment.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'm helpless without you? Crookshanks is fine, eating well, and very much alive. He thanks you for your concern."
Unbothered by Hermione's sarcasm, Cro playfully stroked the tabby cat. "Crookshanks is getting old, isn't he? Was he a male or a female cat again? I think he's a male, right?"
At Cro's words, Professor McGonagall, still in her Animagus form, felt a chill of unease.
She wanted to return to her human form, but before she could—
"Hmm, I wonder if this cat is male or female? Wait, doesn't this cat look familiar? Could it be Professor McGonagall's... pet?"
"Do you think Professor McGonagall would let your Crookshanks breed with this cat? I mean, I'm sure she wouldn't mind, right?"
Feigning surprise, Cro glanced at Hermione, who was now curious as well.
Hermione leaned in, scrutinizing the tabby cat with interest. "It really does look like her cat, but... should we even suggest something like that? Would Professor McGonagall really agree?"
[Detected intense anger!]
[Reward: Golden Chest!]
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T/N:
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