It was obvious that Draco and Lockhart weren't simply in a superior–subordinate relationship.
Calling it an equal partnership didn't quite fit either.
The teasing tone in Lockhart's voice, along with the smile playing at his lips, felt more like the easy banter of acquaintances—almost friends.
That, however, did nothing to ease Hermione's guard.
After all, the man standing before them had once intended to kill them.
Still, what he had just said made Hermione turn a questioning look toward Draco. If there hadn't been a third party present, she would have demanded an explanation on the spot.
You clearly had a reason not to worry… so why didn't you tell me sooner?
Though still annoyed, she gradually felt the tight knot in her chest loosen.
In fact, even without Lockhart's reassurance, a moment of calm thinking would have revealed something strange.
From the moment Draco had used magic until now, no Ministry officials had appeared.
That wasn't normal.
Even if the Ministry had been thrown into chaos recently, that didn't mean their enforcement mechanisms would simply stop working.
It wasn't that the Trace had failed to detect Draco's magic.
And it certainly wasn't because they lacked manpower.
They had chosen to ignore it.
Putting together those clues and Lockhart's hint, Hermione wasn't slow to grasp the key point.
"Figured it out already? Just from a few words and a little prompting? That sharpness of yours… I'm almost jealous, Draco."
For reasons unknown, Lockhart, who had seemed perfectly composed moments earlier, suddenly looked strangely animated. His eyes gleamed as though he had discovered some rare treasure.
The intensity of his gaze made Hermione's skin crawl. She instinctively stepped behind Draco, her face tense.
Tap. Tap.
Draco's knuckles rapped lightly against the table, drawing Lockhart's attention away. Freed from that stare, Hermione finally exhaled.
Only then did she realize her back was damp with cold sweat.
Draco's cooperation with Lockhart wasn't a secret to Hermione and the others.
During several gatherings over the holidays, Draco had mentioned it in passing, though he hadn't gone into detail.
What Hermione hadn't expected was the subtle shift in Lockhart's attitude.
Having dealt with him before, she had every reason to be wary.
The man across from them was, quite frankly, insane.
And yet Draco faced him with calm indifference.
"Cornelius Fudge and my father seem to have reached some kind of agreement. Or perhaps an alliance. That's the information I got from him last night."
"With the Ministry?"
"It wasn't confirmed at the time. So I didn't mention it."
The explanation was straightforward, but it only raised more questions.
Hermione held them back.
This wasn't the time.
The silent exchange between her and Draco didn't escape Lockhart. His gaze flicked between them with open interest.
"Hmm. It seems that since we last met, your relationship has grown even closer."
Lockhart even gave them a thumbs-up.
Hermione stared at him for a second before discreetly rolling her eyes.
It sounded like a blessing.
But the tone carried an unmistakable hint of watching the drama unfold with amusement.
As for why he sounded like that—
Hermione could more or less guess.
And Draco, of course, had caught it too.
"We already discussed this last night. If that's all you have to say, I'll pretend I never saw you today."
"Now, now, don't be so impatient. I received some very important information this morning."
"Oh?"
"I'm certain you'll be interested. Just hearing that should move you, shouldn't it? I rushed over to find you the moment I got it, Draco."
For some reason, Lockhart seemed almost overstimulated, like he had taken some sort of invigorating potion. His pitch rose higher and higher, his tone brimming with barely contained excitement.
Even Draco, who had remained calm until now, subtly shifted his wand with his thumb.
"Hah… hah… My apologies. I got a little carried away."
"But it can't be helped. If you knew what I know, you'd understand why I'm this excited."
"You—"
Hermione had reached her limit with the suspense. Just as she was about to demand an explanation, a warm hand wrapped around hers.
She froze.
Draco's hand.
The steady pressure grounded her. Her rising anxiety slowly ebbed.
Then his voice came, low and even.
"If you don't want to say it now, we can discuss it tonight."
"Fine, fine. Honestly, you're no fun at all. I am still your professor, you know."
"Let's go, Hermione."
"Ah? Oh—right."
Without another word, Draco stood. He had no intention of entertaining Lockhart's theatrics any longer.
He moved as if to leave.
One would have expected Lockhart to be irritated by such a dismissive attitude.
Instead, the smile on his face widened. It became almost unsettling.
"Tsk, tsk… What if I told you I know the identities of the escapees from Azkaban?"
Step.
The hand resting on the doorknob stopped.
Though his face wasn't visible, it was obvious Lockhart's words had struck their mark.
Hermione, who hadn't even fully turned around yet, stared in shock.
But that alone wasn't enough.
If it were merely a list of names, Lockhart wouldn't have gone through the trouble of concealing himself just to pass along the message.
Unless—
There was more to it.
Or the identities of those escapees were far more complicated than anyone had assumed.