39 Chapter 39: Hogsmeade Date

We're now in the latter half of October. Hogsmeade is the only village in the UK that is solely inhabited by wizards. Students in their third year and above can visit Hogsmeade on holidays, provided they have permission from their guardians. Of course, Leo and Hermione have obtained permission.

Today, Leo and Hermione are going out together to Hogsmeade. It's what one might call a date, but for Leo, it's more of a casual outing since Hermione invited him. On the other hand, Hermione was desperately trying to stay calm.

(Calm down, Hermione Granger. Just as always. It's not just about going around Hogsmeade, entering various shops, shopping, and eating. Haven't we done this before in Diagon Alley and the Muggle town! ...Just being conscious of it being a date makes it feel so different.)

It's about time. She heads from the dormitory to Leo's research room.

"It's Mom!"

On the way, she encounters Ku. She seems to have calmed down a bit as he has grown.

"Good morning, Ku-chan. Where are you going?"

"The library! I'm going to read lots of books and grow up to be able to help my master!"

Perhaps it's because of Hermione's genes, but Ku seems to be growing up to be quite greedy for knowledge. After parting with Ku, she heads for the research room again. With each step, Hermione's heartbeat quickens proportionally.

"Good morning, Leo! Today is a perfect day for a date!"

As soon as she opens the door, she greets him and declares a date. Of course, she didn't intend to say it was a date. She was flustered and inadvertently blurted out what she was thinking.

"Good morning, Hermione. Well then, let's go on our date right away."

Leo uses the word "date" without seeming bothered at all. Hermione is slightly displeased with his reaction.

(I wish he would feel something more. Well, it's just like Leo.)

She regains her composure and decides to set off for Hogsmeade.

Upon arriving at Hogsmeade, the two decide to take a walk around first. The popular pub Three Broomsticks, the prank shop Zonko's, the candy store Honeydukes, Dervish & Banges magic shop, and so on. For starters, they decide to buy various candies at Honeydukes.

"Oh wow, they even have Muggle-made candies here. While the candies in the wizarding world are often quirky and interesting, I feel that Muggle candies are more refined in terms of pure deliciousness. As a Muggle-born, Hermione, did you find the candies in the wizarding world strange?"

"Well yes. They move around, taste weird or have outrageous effects which surprised me at first. But I think both types of candies have their good points."

The two buy recommended candies and souvenirs for Ku before heading to the next shop. Although Hogsmeade is a small village, it was crowded today with many Hogwarts students. The two manage to escape from the crowd and decide to take a break at the popular pub Three Broomsticks.

As they sit down at their table, Madam Rosmerta comes over to take their order.

"Well now, new faces mean you must be new third years. What will you have? Butterbeer is recommended."

"Then, two Butterbeers, please."

As soon as they ordered, the Butterbeers were served. They toasted and took a sip. Although it's called beer, it was sweet and warmed them from the inside.

"Mmm, it's delicious. I like Butterbeer."

"Me too! I might crave this when it's cold."

The conversation continued to flow. As always, they enjoyed talking about magic, trivial matters, and their predictions for tonight's dinner.

"Even if the location changes, I'm satisfied just being like this. So, did you manage to relax?"

"...Yes, I believe so. I felt oddly nervous when I called it a date before we set out. But the truth is, I don't really mind whether it's a date or not, as long as you're by my side. Will you keep going out with me?"

"Of course... Ah, but that's assuming there are no important matters."

"Oh come on. You could at least say 'I'll prioritize you over anything else.'"

The two laughed and continued their conversation. The reactions of the Hogwarts students who were watching varied.

"Can you believe it? They're not dating even though they're like that."

"Then there's a chance for me too...!"

"No way."

"Want to bet on when they'll start dating?"

"Honestly, I can't predict Taylor. How can he be so calm when he's with such a cute girl?"

"You should go to Madam Puddifoot's shop...!"

"This Butterbeer is sweet. Oh, is it always?"

"It was a pity. The one I just served was sugar-free!"

"What...!?"

The Three Broomsticks was bustling today as well.

They spent the remaining time until curfew at the Three Broomsticks. They decided to take their time exploring the rest of the shops until graduation.

"I had fun today. What will we do next? Have dinner? Or go back to the study room first?"

"Hmm, let's go back first. Ku is probably alone and hungry, so let's eat together."

They opened the door to the study room. There stood

"Welcome back, Master Leonard and Mother."

A white girl in a maid outfit. Hermione reflexively closed the door.

"Leo? Who was that just now?"

"Huh? That's Ku. She's grown up today."

"No way! I think she's completely surpassed the level of growth!"

"Really? I thought it was possible in my estimation."

They opened the door again. Indeed, there stood an entity that could only be described as a maid.

Judging from her height, she looked like a girl of about the same age as Leo and Hermione. However, her distinctive green eyes and white hair were still those of little Kuu. If anything else needs to be said, she is an exceptionally beautiful woman.

"I'm home, Ku. You've grown a lot today."

"I'm home... Hey, are you really Ku-chan?"

"Yes. I am Ku, created by Master Leonard. Let me show you the proof."

With that, the maid transformed her entire outfit. When the shape was complete, she had changed back into the small Kuu in a white robe.

"Done! Transformation Complete! Mom, are you surprised?"

While Hermione was stunned, Leo observed the situation.

"I see. The memory continues, but the personality seems to change depending on the form. The larger the volume, the more cells increase, so the intelligence level also increases. Kuu, can you go back to your previous form?"

"Understood, Master!"

Kuu transformed back into a maid. Leo was satisfied with the growth of his pet, but he had one question.

"By the way, why are you dressed like that?"

"I'm delighted you inquired! I'm a newly-formed being, crafted by the esteemed Master Leonard. My sole purpose is to serve him. So, despite my diminutive stature, I've diligently educated myself. Today, I delved into a wide array of books within the library, ranging from house-elf servants to those attending to Muggle nobility. It was there that I reached a realization. If I am to fulfill my role as my master's servant, becoming a maid is the most suitable choice! However, when I rushed back to the study room, I suddenly became aware of my inappropriate size. That's when I decided to transform my appearance to better serve my purpose."

"Hmm... So consciousness affected the body. Then it might be difficult for the magic formula I had prepared to manifest. Well, for now, just keep living as you have been. If anything happens, I'll give orders from here. Now then, Hermione, how long are you going to be surprised? Let's go for dinner."

"So... right. Ku...san? Ahh, what should I call you?"

"You can call me Ku-chan as usual, or feel free to call me whatever you like."

"Hmm... Then let me call you Ku like Leo does. When you're small, I'll call you Ku-chan."

Today is Halloween so a grand party is being held in the Great Hall. But this year more attention was paid to one girl than to the pumpkin-filled party food.

A figure with an inhuman appearance and pure white attire. And she's dressed as a maid of course. Naturally such an existence attracted attention from students, especially boys who flocked around Leonard Taylor who was calmly eating with her by his side.

"Hey Taylor! What on earth is that girl!?"

"You have Granger-san! That's not good."

"That's unfair! Give me a chance too."

"(Unpopular) Men's enemy! Unforgivable!"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please calm down. You're disturbing Master Leonard's meal."

"That's right. Calm down. This girl is Ku."

"Ku-chan!??"

"Yes. She self-evolved and became like this."

"Hey Leonard... no Leonard-kun. She's Ku-san who you created right? Then you can create another one right?"

"Ah! You're unfair just for yourself!"

"That's right that's right! We also... ha!"

The boys realized it. The absolute zero gaze from the girls. Ku had already been evacuated by female students centered around Hermione.

"Despicable."

That one word sank the boys. The short word had a more intense power than various curses. They felt from their words and gaze that they were unpopular.

Leo was satisfied because he was happy that the creature he created was called beautiful.

It was a fun holiday with Hermione's date and the birth of Maid Ku.

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Even as the author, I find myself questioning whether these two are dating yet.

Hermione was excited about the date, but Leo was just his usual self.

Ku has grown and become a maid. Probably someone filled her head with unnecessary things. (The twins, perhaps?)

Ku, having grown, is quite a beauty. Is she on par with Fleur?

Her memory is maintained before and after transformation, but it seems that her sensibilities and such change with her physique.

Ku is scheduled to undergo another transformation.

I've sprinkled in some Rider gags.

So, stay tuned for the next chapter.

In my concept, we're about halfway through with the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The absence of Hagrid means there's no issue with Buckbeak,

and since Hermione isn't using the Time-Turner, the story seems to be progressing quickly.