Whispers of the Dove / R.L & S.B

🌼~°4°~🌼

<<<<Willow>>>

Walking out of the Great Hall, still savoring the warmth of my tea, I nearly collided with a small figure.

"I am so sorry," I said quickly, looking down. The girl I'd almost bowled over had bushy brown hair and wore Gryffindor robes. I recognized her immediately-Hermione Granger, one of the brightest students Hogwarts had seen in years.

She straightened, her cheeks slightly flushed but her expression eager. "Professor Langley! I was actually looking for you. Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you a tour of the castle grounds." She smiled brightly, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

I blinked, trying to process this new information. Dumbledore hadn't mentioned anything about sending a student as my guide. Of course, he wouldn't. Why warn me when he could simply toss me into the deep end and see if I'd swim?

"Well, then," I said, forcing a smile, "it's your lucky day. I've just finished breakfast. Shall we start the tour now?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Professor. I'd be happy to!"

Okay, Willow, I told myself. Just be nice. She's a kid, and this is just a walk.

We began our tour in the castle itself. Hermione led me down long corridors lined with portraits, their inhabitants leaning out of frames to greet us-or, in some cases, to grumble about being disturbed. She pointed out the classrooms as we passed: Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions. She even stopped by the entrance to the kitchens, where a few house-elves greeted us cheerfully.

"This is where we come to sneak snacks sometimes," Hermione admitted with a sheepish grin.

I raised an eyebrow but couldn't help smiling. "A well-kept secret, I assume?"

"Mostly," she said, glancing around conspiratorially.

As we walked, Hermione's chatter filled the halls, and I found myself relaxing, lulled by her enthusiasm. She explained the inner workings of Hogwarts with the precision of someone who had spent years studying every detail.

Eventually, we made our way outside to the castle grounds. The crisp morning air greeted us as we stepped onto the sprawling lawns. Hermione led me to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, pointing out the boundaries where students weren't allowed to venture without supervision.

"That's Hagrid's hut," she said, gesturing toward the small wooden house at the forest's edge. Smoke curled lazily from its chimney. "He's the Keeper of Keys and Grounds. Oh, and he takes care of Magical Creatures around the schoolgrounds. You'll like him-he's wonderful."

I nodded, taking it all in. "I'll have to introduce myself properly later."

We continued our walk, passing by the Black Lake, its surface shimmering under the morning sun. The giant squid's tentacle briefly broke the surface before disappearing again.

As we walked along the shore, Hermione glanced up at me curiously. "Professor Langley, how come you never attended Hogwarts?"

The question hit me like a Bludger to the chest. I had been dreading it. How could I explain my father's suffocating control, his obsession with turning me into a tool for his ambitions? There was no way I could burden a thirteen-year-old with that.

"I was homeschooled," I said simply, keeping my voice light.

Hermione looked thoughtful but didn't press further. Instead, she started telling me about her favorite subjects at Hogwarts-Arithmancy, Charms, and, unsurprisingly, Defense Against the Dark Arts. She even shared a few stories about her friends, Harry and Ron, and their various escapades over the years.