Hermione POV

If I hadn't been looking at just the right moments, I would have missed it entirely. The first thing I noticed was when Erza set down her bag and the contents shifted enough for the top of a magazine to peek out the top flap. It said "Sorcerer Weekly" in fancy letters. Huh. I've never heard of that publication.

Must be a Fiore exclusive.

I didn't think much more of it at all, and almost forgot about it. And then, halfway through the lecture, Professor Fernandes did something strange. As usual, he was slowly pacing throughout the room as he talked. When he drew near Erza, I just barely heard him stutter slightly, and I caught his eyes widening and his face blushing lightly. What… the hell?

I angled my head downwards and watched out of the corner of my eye. He recovered quickly, his soft baritone continuing unhindered. His eyes swept the room quickly while he continued his walk. Just as he passed Erza, he flicked his wrist, and the magazine flew out of the bag silently into his hand, where he quickly tucked it in his robes. My eyes widened as I saw for just a split second – the cover of the magazine. It looked like a wedding photo – the bride had familiar, long red hair, and the groom had… blue… hair... and something… red… on his face…

Wait.

My brain struggles to try and re-picture what I just saw, coming up with no more information than what I already noticed in that split second. Why couldn't I have been born with a bloody photographic memory?! Glancing at Erza I note that her face is now the color of her hair. I stare at Professor Fernandes as he casually made his way up to his desk. With a skill that would have tricked anyone who wasn't actively looking for it, he slipped the magazine in his desk drawer.

I try to school my face back into something less… suspicious. Rubbing my face with my hand I take a moment to set my quill down. Do I pursue this? I take a moment to glance around the room only to lock eyes with Malfoy, who was wearing the same expression. Did… did he see it too? I blink at him before mouthing the words 'did you see that?'

He nods and looks back at the still blushing redhead. He looks back at me and shrugs in resignation.

I return to my notes, tuning back in to Professor Fernandes' lecture. Maybe I'll let it go.

When Fernandes announced for Erza to come speak to him as everyone filed out of the room, I couldn't help myself. I slipped off to the side into one of the very many convenient alcoves just outside of the classroom. With a flick of my wand, I cast a hearing enhancement charm and lean against the wall.

"Erza, seriously?" Professor Fernandes said blandly. There was a nervous laugh.

"Sorry," she mumbled. I could almost picture her burning face. "I didn't have a chance to stop back at the dorm after meeting with Myrtle this morning," she explained. The professor sighed.

"Right. Well I can't exactly be too mad, I guess," he grumbled. I hear him sit down in the chair.

"I can make it up to you later?" Erza said flirtily. My eyebrows reached my hairline.

"That's kind of how we got into this mess in the first place, hon," Fernandes deadpanned in response.

"Fair enough."

"Now lock this up or something, okay? Not that it isn't adorable that you brought it with you, but we're supposed to stay under the radar," he said. Okay, I definitely can't let this go now.

"alright, alright. I'll lock it back in my trunk," Erza mutters. "I better head to my next class."

I cancel the charm and quickly pocket my wand, turning around to evacuate the area. Only to run into Malfoy. He gives me a look.

"You're not going to let it go, are you?" he deadpans. I just blush. He shakes his head, but has a small smirk on his face. He turns around and head towards his next class, and after another quick glance at the wall, I follow his example.

I think I'm going to need to get that magazine.

To be honest, the fact that Erza and Jellal might end up being the ones to expose their "undercover status" instead of, like, Natsu, is kind of funny to me.