You decide not to head to sleep just yet. According to Percy curfew isn't for another hour or so anyway, and you're just too awake after the events of the day to get much sleep. So you remain in the common room, with Hermione and Neville staying with you. You three aren't the only ones staying up. There's the twins with another kid, one with dreadlocks, in a corner talking to each other, some older students who seem to be hurriedly completing assignments, judging from how they've several books open around them, and another older boy who is writing out a list of some sort, occasionally staring at another, older one that has 'Quidditch Try-Outs' listed on it.
You and your friends move to sit down on a couch near the fireplace, and silence reigns for a few minutes. You finally decide to break it.
"So. Hogwarts. An interesting place. What with talking hats and warnings about death on the third floor."
This last draws a huff from Hermione, the girl crossing her arms over her chest. "Honestly! That last had to be a joke! What sort of person would keep something guaranteeing death in a school!"
Neville speaks up, a little shyly even after the ride over with Hermione, "W-well, maybe it's something for the upper years that lower years can't handle? Something for seventh year Defense classes or something?"
You and Hermione both pause for a minute before you shrug your shoulders. "I might go poking around anyway later on." Before Hermione can get much further than opening her mouth and looking indignant you continue, "After all, none of us were ordered to stay away from the third-floor corridor. Just told it's out of bounds to those who don't want a painful death. And while I don't want one soon I'm not going to claim to know that I don't want my eventual future death to be a painful one." Also there's that quest. But you don't need to mention that.
Hermione looks at you a bit oddly while Neville nods his head slightly. "That makes sense. I think I might join you for that."
The bushy haired girl rolls her eyes and sits back on the couch, crossing her arms. "Boys!"
Another few seconds of silence until you speak up again. "How'd you two like to start a study group? Or, well... Continue in the case of you and me, I suppose, Hermione. I know a few tricks, Hermione here is scary smart," This is said with your eyes turned toward Neville, though when you continue you're looking at Hermione, "And Neville here is good with practical stuff. And he's been living as a wizard his whole life. He could probably fill in a lot of gaps for us. Keep us from making stupid mistakes."
The two of them nod their heads and Neville asks, "What about others? Susan and Hannah, Ron, Draco?"
The question causes you to pause a moment before moving your shoulders in a small shrug. "I don't see an issue with it. As long as they're willing to work and learn while we're studying. No goofing off and all. There'll be time for games, but when we're studying that's time for study and not games."
The two nod again and everyone falls silent once more.
Until the dam finally bursts for Hermione.
"How did you figure out that rat was an animagus? I know you said you used detect evil but that's a spell from that game, so obviously that's not how. And how did you turn him back into a human? Or stun him? Or close the door with your wand? That's all terribly advanced magic, and I don't-"
Used to Hermione's babble from study groups with her you just reach up to place two fingers over her lips, instantly silencing her, all while you continue to stare at the fire. Neville is a bit less used to it, and is doing his best to not show is amusement at the situation. Or his own curiosity about the answers.
[ ] Make sure your conversation would be secure and explain about being the Gamer.
[ ] Stick with your accidental magic story.
