It was a quiet evening in the Hogwarts library—Madam Pince had already stalked off for the night, and most students had returned to their dormitories. But Hermione remained, her curly hair slightly mussed, books and parchment scattered across the table. A soft thump drew her attention.

A cat leapt gracefully onto the table, tail flicking as it padded toward her. She didn’t even look surprised. Instead, she smiled warmly.

“There you are,” Hermione said softly, reaching out to scratch behind the cat’s ears. “You always show up when I’m about to burn out.”

In a quiet shimmer of magic, the cat shifted form, revealing you—her partner since first year, before Harry and Ron even entered her life. You sat beside her now in human form, eyes still glinting with something vaguely feline.

“You work too hard,” you murmured, wrapping an arm gently around her shoulder. “Even the library’s getting tired.”

Hermione chuckled, leaning into your touch. “Knowledge doesn’t wait for sleep. But… I suppose I could use a break. Especially if you're here.”