Learning that there were proper, systematic study materials, Fleur finally relaxed.

At least now she wouldn't have to worry about having no idea where to start.

She was also genuinely looking forward to the future Arthur had described to her.

"Alright then," Fleur said with a bright smile. "I'll give this career a try."

She looked at Arthur and asked, "Are you free tomorrow? Could you come with me to buy some of the relevant textbooks?"

Arthur thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure."

It had been a long time since he'd gone out shopping properly anyway. Taking the chance to stroll around the Muggle world sounded nice.

Otherwise, he really was at risk of falling behind the times.

But that was tomorrow's problem.

Right now, dinner mattered more.

Arthur handed the plate he was holding to Fleur.

"Could you take this out for me? And help me tell Hermione and the others that dinner's ready."

Fleur nodded, took the plate, and left the kitchen in high spirits.

Just thinking about going out with Arthur to the Muggle world tomorrow made her happy.

Did that count as their first date?

…Probably not.

After all, Arthur would definitely bring Hermione and Ranni along.

But that didn't matter.

If there was no opportunity—couldn't she just create one?

Fleur firmly believed she'd eventually find a chance to be alone with Arthur.

......

Dinner passed in a lively, cheerful atmosphere.

The Granger family—and Fleur, their guest—ate happily together.

Hermione had already explained Fleur's situation to her parents: she would be staying temporarily.

Luckily, Ranni usually lived in Arthur's Zen Garden, and the Granger house was spacious enough to have a spare guest room, so space wasn't an issue.

After dinner, everyone chatted for a while.

As night deepened, Hermione prepared to pretend to go back to her room—while actually planning to sneak off to the Zen Garden to "run experiments" with Arthur.

But the moment she mentioned going to bed, Mrs. Granger grabbed her and dragged her straight into her bedroom.

She said it had been far too long since mother and daughter had talked properly and wanted some private conversation.

As for Mr. Granger…

He was tragically banished to the sofa.

Lying on her bed, Hermione looked at her mother with a hint of grievance.

"Mom, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

Mrs. Granger replied, "I just want to know what you're really thinking."

Hermione blinked.

"Thinking about what?"

Mrs. Granger said bluntly, "About Fleur. Can't you tell she's interested in your cousin? And yet you still brought her home?"

During dinner, Fleur's eyes had practically been glued to Arthur.

It was so obvious that even Mr. Granger had noticed.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Of course I noticed. But what does that have to do with bringing her home?"

Seeing that her daughter still didn't seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation, Mrs. Granger spoke with a tone of exasperation.

"You're creating opportunities for a romantic rival!"

"Correction," Hermione said calmly. "A 'romantic rival' is someone you have conflict with over the same person."

"I don't have any conflict with Fleur. So she doesn't count."

Mrs. Granger felt like she was about to lose her mind.

"That's not the point! The point is she has feelings for your cousin! And you're helping her!"

Hermione waved her hand dismissively.

"So what if she does? Plenty of people have feelings for my cousin."

"As for opportunities—I know Fleur well enough. She's the type who'll create opportunities even if none exist."

"Even if I refused to let her stay here, she'd just find a place nearby."

"In the end, the result would be the same. And I'd only leave a bad impression of myself in my cousin's eyes for opposing it."

At this point, Mrs. Granger realized her daughter either had completely let go—or had fully given up caring.

She asked, "So you're just… accepting the idea of sharing your cousin with others?"

Hermione countered calmly,

"What else can I do? Even Ranni—the official fiancée—isn't anxious. Why should I be?"

Only then did Mrs. Granger remember that her daughter wasn't exactly the primary partner here.

She asked worriedly,

"Aren't you afraid you'll be neglected if Fleur really ends up with him?"

Hermione replied confidently,

"Why would I be? My cousin's first bite was already taken by me. Of course I have a place in his heart."

Mrs. Granger's eyes widened.

She hadn't expected to hear something this explosive.

From Hermione's tone, it even sounded like she had been the one to initiate it.

Hermione also realized what she had just blurted out in front of her mother.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she shrank back shyly.

Mrs. Granger's expression turned serious.

"Hermione Jean Granger—do you even realize how old you are?"

Hermione, startled by her mother suddenly calling her full name, thought she'd said something terribly wrong.

But it turned out her mother was concerned about her age.

"Mom," Hermione said quickly, "don't forget that my cousin's Zen Garden can adjust time flow."

"Counting the time I've spent inside, I'm already close to twenty."

She explained how she'd used the accelerated time in the Zen Garden to study.

With that reminder, Mrs. Granger recalled just how extraordinary the Zen Garden was.

Learning that her daughter had only done those things after reaching adulthood, she finally relaxed.

As for the lifespan consumed inside the Zen Garden, Mrs. Granger wasn't too worried.

After all, with the Philosopher's Stone capable of producing the Elixir of Life, a little lifespan loss wasn't a big deal.

What she was worried about… was something else.

She said to Hermione,

"Try not to stay in the Zen Garden for such long stretches. I'm afraid one day your actual age will surpass mine."

Hermione smiled smugly.

"That's nothing to worry about."

"My cousin recently mastered the power of time. If he wants, he can roll me back to being eighteen anytime."

She briefly described Arthur's control over time—acceleration, reversal, even time travel.

Mrs. Granger was completely stunned.

As for how Arthur had achieved such a thing, Hermione wisely left that part out.

After all, she couldn't exactly tell her mother that she and her cousin had gone to steal things from the Ministry of Magic.

If she did, a scolding would be unavoidable.

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