"Tom!" said Luke as he embraced me in a tight hug. I hugged him back with a smile.
"How have you been old man," I said jokingly.
"Hmph! Who are you calling old, kid," he said raising his chin proudly. His actions made me laugh. It brought back the many memories of such conversations.
Hermione hugged her parents tightly for a moment before letting go. "Tom, these are my parents, Jean and Paul Granger. Dad, mum, this is Thomas Knight, my friend and classmate," she said happily. I walked over and shook hands with Paul.
"Nice to finally meet you, Mr Granger, your daughter speaks very highly of you and your no-sugar policy," I said with a chuckle. It was a good icebreaker as Paul laughed before looking at the now embarrassed Hermione.
"Is that so, I'm glad she talks about me. It is a pleasure to meet you as well Mr Knight. Our little girl has mentioned you quite a few times," he said with a smile. I was surprised and looked towards the now completely red-faced Hermione.
"Huh, who would have thought?" I said teasingly. "This is my father, Luke Knight," I said introducing Luke to them. It didn't take long for them to begin to chat which allowed me and Hermione to say our goodbyes. I approached her only to receive a light punch to the arm.
"Must you embarrass me so much Tom?" she said with a pouting face. But it soon turned into a giggle as she hugged me. I reciprocated and leaned into her ear.
"Beware of its gaze, use mirror's," I whispered vaguely. She tried to let go but I held her in place. "I will not be seeing you for a long time Hermione, promise me you will work hard and stay alert while at school," I said solemnly. She was silent for a while.
"I-I promise," she said softly.
"I will see you soon, try not to kill those two idiots while I'm gone, ok?"
She nodded weakly. I ruffled her frizzy hair into a mess before turning around and walking away. Luke and the Grangers were surprised by our little interaction, but I only nodded, said my farewell's and walked away with Luke who had a grin on his face. Paul had an odd smile and Jean giggle just like Hermione would. Me and Luke soon got in the car and drove away.
Hermione stared at Tom's back before raising her left hand to her head. She stomped angrily as she tried to fix her hair while glaring at the car he got into. but all that vanished when she thought about what he said just before.
"What did he mean by that?" she mumbled as she bowed her head in thought. "Once again, Tom seems to know things that don't make sense, and he mentioned school. It might be connected. Knowing him, he should know something I don't. Tch, just like him to keep it a secret.
Let's just hope that he's wrong and nothing will happen at school next year," she murmured in thought with a slight frown. She did not want problems since that would be troublesome, especially with Tom being gone. She once again steeled her resolve to study offensive magic.
The Granger's looked at their daughter with a helpless smile before ushering her into the car and driving away in the opposite direction.
That would help with the situation. This way, she would at least remember my words when the basilisk was unleashed. Naturally, I would get there pretty early into the attacks. But in case I'm delayed, the latest I'll come back is January. Since at that point I'll just blow a hole in the school and steal the key. Time waits for no man. But let's hope it doesn't come down to that.
"I didn't know you decided to start socialising, and even more so with a girl. Finally, I say, you were always such a loner. Let's just hope she's just as studious as you are," he said helplessly. I almost choked on the water I was drinking. Luke looked at me questioningly.
"If only you knew, if you're calling me studious, then I don't really know what you would call her," I said with a chuckle. Luke was surprised when he heard that.
"You aren't lying, are you? As if the one girl you meet just so happens to be just like you," he said sceptically.
"Well, that's how it is, take it or leave it. But moving on to another subject, I have something serious to talk to you and Diana about," I said solemnly. Luke's smile fade slightly and he nodded seriously.
It was a nice calm car ride home; the scenery didn't change since I had left, and everything was the same. The Park near my house was still full of kids, albeit different ones from when I was there last since most of them had grown up by now. there were parents pushing swings and people running around. It wasn't weird since everyone wanted to make the most out of the summer holidays.
We soon arrived back home and upon seeing Diana, I gave her a big warm hug before sitting down at the table. Diana who was informed that I had something serious to say sat at the table with Luke and quietly stared at me. Seeing this I nodded.
'Drak cast that magic concealing spell, I want to use magic,' I said in my head.
[got it]
I pulled out my wand to the surprise of Luke and Diana and cast the muffliato spell. They looked at me questioningly since they didn't see or feel any change.
"Don't tell me your failing classes?" Luke joked. I smiled before shaking my head.
"No, it was a muffling spell, this way our conversation will not be heard by unwanted characters," I explained.
"Why would you need that?" he asked, "there shouldn't be anyone listening in to our house of all houses," he asked sceptically.
"You can never be too safe, plus, what I'll be saying next is incredibly sensitive."