Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 790
"Oh my god, Harry, Ron." Hermione rubbed her slightly sore neck and massaged her legs, which were stiff from the air conditioning. "Um, when did you get back?"

“It’s been a while,” Ron said, then stood up with Harry.

Hermione then noticed that the room seemed to have become much darker.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of the Hogwarts common room, the bright sunlight had long since faded, replaced by a somewhat dim night.

"What time is it for me?" Hermione asked, puzzled.

“Seven o’clock in the afternoon,” Harry said. “Dinner will be almost over.”

"Oh, dinner?" Hermione suddenly noticed that her stomach was growling with hunger.

Hermione rubbed her eyes, realizing that she had been lost in thought for quite some time.

She looked at Ron and Harry with some gratitude, not angry at their interruption.

"I'm sorry, I've been thinking about some things," Hermione said with a smile, having composed herself slightly.

“It’s okay, we just think you’re acting a little strange,” Ron said. “I’ve never seen you so focused before, really, it’s a little frightening.”

Hermione pursed her lips, smiled slightly, and understood Ron's joke. She felt her thoughts were indeed a bit jumbled, completely absorbed in her research on the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Immortality.

"Yes, perhaps I am a little too engrossed," Hermione readily admitted. "But this book..."

“Seriously, Hermione, I really think you should take a break.” Ron plopped down on the sofa, then pulled a candy that looked a bit like a butterfly pupa from his pocket, and handed another one to Hermione. “Here, have one, these butterfly candies are really great.”

"Thank you!" Hermione picked up the candy, unwrapped it, and, ignoring its odd shape, popped it into her mouth—

Hermione was indeed starving.

“Come on, Hermione, let’s go have dinner,” Harry said, standing up. “Let’s go!” Hermione mumbled, chewing on the sweet candy Ron had given her, savoring its unique fruity flavor—

The candies seemed to transform into butterflies, fluttering in Hermione's mouth with the scent of fruit and honey.

"Phew~" Hermione let out a breath—

Countless butterfly-like phantoms flew out of Hermione's mouth and nostrils.

"Come on, boys!" Hermione seemed to have regained some energy after eating the candy. "Let's go eat!"

夜晚
“You shouldn’t have given her that Philosopher’s Stone,” Dumbledore suddenly appeared in the Dark Arts classroom and said to Tyella, who was sitting at her desk grading papers.

The candle on Tierra's desk was the only light source in the entire room.

The dim light source was insufficient to illuminate the entire space.

Tiera raised her head, but didn't say anything. She simply took off her glasses and rubbed her temples wearily.

“She’s inquisitive, and I’m her friend,” Tierra said. “I don’t know what reason could stop her from touching the Philosopher’s Stone.”

"Didn't you consider the dangers?" Dumbledore asked. "I know you're eager to cultivate a second divine being, but..."

"I'm about the same age."

“You are different!” Dumbledore interrupted abruptly.

“It will be the same,” Tiera said slowly. “It will be the same.”

(End of this chapter)