Lynn lowered her head sincerely. Her respectful and humble demeanor made Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey feel a pang of discomfort.
What Professor or healer would want to see their student or patient act so... so "subservient" toward them?
Students were meant to be taught and cared for, not to be used to gain a sense of superiority.
Patients were meant to be treated and cared for, not to be used to seek a sense of advantage.
Mutual respect is the prerequisite for politeness, but excessively belittling oneself still makes the other party feel uneasy.
Professor McGonagall took off her Wizard's hat and gently patted Lynn's shoulder.
"There's no need to be so formal with us, Miss Lynn. Go on into the Great Hall; the new students will be arriving soon."
"Alright."
Lynn nodded expressionlessly. After thanking Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey again, she walked toward the Great Hall in Hermione's embrace.
Upon entering the Great Hall, Lynn felt Hermione release her waist and turned to look at her.
Hermione's face flushed slightly, and she cleared her throat. "Ahem, you go sit at the Ravenclaw Table first. I have something I need to talk to Professor McGonagall about."
"Alright."
Lynn agreed indifferently and walked toward the seat her housemates had tacitly left for her at the Ravenclaw Table.
Sitting between Maranhao and Marietta, the two seniors immediately began asking about Lynn's condition and what Madam Pomfrey had said.
"My body is fine," Lynn's voice was flat. "Madam Pomfrey said I just need to rest well for one night."
"Phew... that's good." Maranhao sighed in relief, reaching out to smooth Lynn's hair.
"Let's both learn the Patronus Charm this year too," Marietta said, leaning across Lynn toward Maranhao, completely oblivious to the fact that because she was so close, Maranhao's face was slowly turning red.
"Sure," Maranhao agreed with a nod, trying hard to control the heat in her face.
Sitting next to her, Penelope looked at her junior's flushed cheeks and a knowing smile played on her lips.
Oh my... it was indeed true; Maranhao was reaching the age where she might want to fall in love.
"I can teach you."
Penelope, who could also successfully use the Patronus Charm, spoke with a beaming smile.
"But Senior Penelope, you have to take your O.W.L.s this year. If we learn from you, won't it interfere with your revision?"
Maranhao turned back to look at Penelope, a bit uncertain if they should trouble her.
"It's fine," Penelope's smile widened. "With the notebook Lynn helped me organize over the summer, I've already memorized all the knowledge points and practiced all the question types."
"I'm fairly confident I'll get an 'Outstanding' in all the subjects I've chosen."
"Impressive." Maranhao gave a thumbs up in admiration.
Penelope shook her head and gestured to Lynn sitting next to her. "It's Lynn who's impressive, not me."
To be honest, the revision notebook Lynn gave her was like having the O.W.L.s Exam papers and the examiners themselves right in front of her.
It was as clear as being able to ask the examiner how to solve each problem on the paper.
If she still couldn't feel confident about getting an 'Outstanding'... then it would truly be a matter of her not putting in the effort.
On the other side, Hermione walked back out of the Great Hall to Professor McGonagall's side. Seeing that the new students hadn't arrived yet, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Miss Granger? Is there something else you've come out for?"
The flush on Hermione's face deepened, and she lowered her head guiltily.
"Um... Professor McGonagall, last school year Headmaster Dumbledore mentioned preparing a bed for me in Lynn's Dormitory in Ravenclaw. Can I, can I sleep there tonight?"
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, looking down at Hermione while suppressing a laugh, teasing her intentionally.
"It seems our star Gryffindor student is about to be whisked away by Ravenclaw~"
Hermione caught the teasing tone in Professor McGonagall's voice and rubbed her nose. "How could that be, Professor McGonagall? I'll always be a Gryffindor student."
Unable to hold back a laugh, Professor McGonagall nodded elegantly. "Of course you can, Miss Granger. I can't think of any reason to refuse you the pursuit of your feelings."
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