"Stop running around!" Rimuru followed behind Milim helplessly, watching the girl zip around like a whirlwind with a deeply exasperated look on his face.
"This might be the first time in my life that I've skipped class. There goes my perfect attendance this month," Hermione sighed beside him, her tone filled with grievance. She had no choice but to commit the noble act of truancy just to keep Milim from doing anything reckless—like leveling the entire school.
"By the way, Hermione," Rimuru suddenly asked, "What year are you in now?"
"Second year," Hermione replied. "Which means it's the Chamber of Secrets arc."
"Bestie! Hurry up!" Milim suddenly stopped up ahead, her eyes lighting up as if she'd just spotted something interesting. She eagerly waved for the two to catch up.
"What is it?" Rimuru and Hermione rushed over.
"Alright, children, good morning!" A chubby witch smiled kindly at the gathered students.
"Good morning, Professor Sprout!"
"Welcome to Greenhouse Three, second-years. Everyone gather around," Professor Sprout said warmly. Then she glanced toward the entrance—and spotted three pairs of eyes peeking in from behind the door.
"You there! Who are you and what are you doing over there?" she asked, clearly confused.
"Hermione! Where have you been? Why are you only showing up now?" It was none other than Harry Potter who called out.
"Um, I'm very sorry, Professor Sprout. I'm late," Hermione replied, dropping her plan to sneak off. Now that someone had recognized her, running away would definitely cost points—which would be a permanent stain on her academic record!
"Oh, it's alright," Professor Sprout said kindly. "Just be careful next time. Come in quickly, class is about to begin."
"Bestie, what do we do now?" Milim whispered to Rimuru.
"You two students! Why are you still dawdling? Come in!" Professor Sprout called.
"We'll just roll with it for now," Rimuru sighed. With no better option, they followed Hermione inside.
"Who are they?" Harry asked Hermione curiously.
"They're, uh, some good friends I just met recently," Hermione replied, feeling a headache forming.
"Hi there! I'm Milim, and this is my bestie, Rimuru," Milim greeted with her usual bold enthusiasm. "You're Harry Potter, right? I've heard lots of stories about you!"
"Hello, Miss Milim and Miss Rimuru," Harry greeted politely, blushing a little as he looked at the two beautiful girls.
"I want to punch him," Rimuru thought to himself with a deadpan expression. Why does everyone assume I'm a girl? Just because I'm cute?
"Alright, students, settle down," Professor Sprout clapped her hands. Once the class quieted, she continued, "Today, we'll be learning how to repot mandrakes. Is everyone ready with their earmuffs?"
"Yes!"
"Hermione, is that a mandrake?" Milim asked with interest, pointing at the wildly wriggling plant on the table.
"Yup. It's used to cure petrification, but its scream can be fatal," Hermione explained with a bit of worry. "Though for you two, it probably won't be a problem."
Professor Sprout then began teaching the students how to properly repot the mandrakes. Milim was absolutely fascinated by the shrieking plant. She repeatedly yanked the poor thing out of its pot, shoved it back in, then pulled it out again—over and over—until the mandrake was so exhausted it stopped screaming altogether. It took Professor Sprout herself stepping in to stop Milim from completely breaking the plant.
Thus, Milim and Rimuru ended up sitting through an actual Hogwarts class. It turned out to be surprisingly fun.
"Hermione, your school is seriously fun!" Milim said with bright eyes. "I kinda wanna stay here long-term!"
"If that happens, I bet 100 crystals that Voldemort's going to die in a hilariously miserable way," Rimuru joked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. She couldn't guarantee what would happen to Voldemort, but if Milim really stayed at Hogwarts, she'd bet 10,000 crystals that the entire staff would lose their minds.
"Hello, ladies." A ghost floated toward them, then casually detached his own head, creating quite the eerie sight.
"Hello, Sir Nicholas," Hermione greeted without surprise. But then she noticed Milim watching the ghost with a very excited look, and immediately felt a bad premonition.
Sir Nicholas suddenly felt a chill as Milim's eyes locked on him.
As expected, Milim zipped forward and yoinked his head right off!
"So cool!" she squealed, eyes sparkling as she spun his head around like a basketball.
"Oh no, please don't! Put my head back on! Stop spinning it!" Headless Nick's body stumbled around blindly, unable to see where it was going.
"Milim! That's incredibly rude!" Rimuru felt like divine beasts were stampeding through his mind.
"But bestie~, this head is so fun! I wanna take it home!" Milim begged.
Take someone's head home?! Rimuru and Hermione were at a complete loss for words.
In the end, Milim did return the head. Sir Nicholas, after hastily reattaching it, flew off at top speed—and from that day forward, he never removed his head again in front of anyone. A small victory, perhaps.
Sir Nicholas: I fail to see how any of this is a good thing.
"Hermione~ can we stay a few more days, please?" Milim begged, eyes full of innocent hope. "I promise I won't cause any trouble."
"I don't believe that for a second," Hermione muttered, rubbing her temples. But in the end, she relented. "Fine, but you have to promise—nothing over-the-top."
"Yay!" Milim jumped with joy.
"What a chaotic mess," Rimuru sighed. But as he looked at the smiling Milim, he couldn't help but smile too. If she's happy, that's all that really matters… right?
And so, Milim and Rimuru began their short but wildly entertaining school life at Hogwarts—though the school's peace was most certainly about to end.