The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

52. Lovestory

"Wow." Ron stared at them.

Nobody said anything.

A few seconds passed. Then—

"Wow."

Harry laughed. "That's the third time you've said that."

Ron pointed at Draco and Sloane. "Can you blame me?"

"Yes," Hermione replied immediately.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You are a very strange man."

Ron looked offended. "I've just discovered two of my closest friends literally share a soul." He threw his hands into the air. "What am I supposed to say?"

"Congratulations?" Ginny suggested.

"Apparently not because I've already said that."

The room burst out laughing.

The group had gathered in the common room after dinner, occupying nearly every sofa available. Goose was curled up beside Hermione, his tiny paws holding open the book on Ceangalanam as he examined it with great interest.

Every so often the Niffler would make an excited chirping sound and point at something.

Hermione would immediately lean over. "Oh!"

Goose chirped again.

"That's fascinating."

Another chirp.

"I didn't see that."

Ron stared. "How are they communicating?"

"No idea," Harry admitted.

Goose flipped another page. Then jabbed his claw at a sketch inside the book.

Hermione gasped. "Oh my goodness."

"What?" Luna asked.

Hermione pointed excitedly. "It says here that some Ceangalanam pairs developed similar magical signatures after bonding."

Goose nodded vigorously.

"There is no way that Niffler can read."

Goose immediately looked offended.

Then stole a chocolate biscuit from Ron's plate. "Well now he's just showing off."

The room laughed.

"So you actually are soulmates?" Harry was looking between Draco and Sloane. Still trying to process everything.

"That's the simplified version." Draco chuckled. "It is a bit more complicated than that."

"Far more complicated," Sloane agreed. She was currently curled up comfortably on Draco's lap. Her head rested against his chest. One of Draco's arms wrapped around her waist while the other absent-mindedly played with her hair.

Neither seemed remotely aware they were doing it anymore.

Harry smiled. "You two are disgustingly cute."

"Agreed."

"Absolutely."

"Without question."

Draco groaned. "Traitors."

"I think it's romantic." Luna sighed dreamily.

Everyone turned towards her.

"Of course you do." Ron rolled his eyes.