The days at Hogwarts

The two of them naturally started a discussion with questions and answers. The notes on the notebook increased, Hermione's doubts decreased, and the knowledge of a book was absorbed in this way.

This is Hermione's unique way of learning.

Crossing out the last question about the intonation of the transformation spell, Hermione put the book, ink bottle and quill into the small linen bag hanging around her waist. She sighed deeply and said bitterly, "We studied together during the summer vacation, but now you are progressing faster than me."

There is no emotion like jealousy. Although learning makes people happy, the feeling of catching up with someone is not pleasant.

The little witch clenched her fists, her snow-white chin puffed up, and she was a little angry. This person is really abominable. He actually secretly studied without telling her. It was a despicable act of sneaking away.

"And the Oblivion Charm, too. Remember to teach me once you've learned it."

"Yes, I know!" Loren stretched out his hands and pushed her shoulders forward, saying helplessly: "Let's go. If it's any later, I'm worried that Hagrid won't have a harvest this year."

"You're almost two weeks late, why are you in such a hurry?"

Someone felt guilty, so he changed the subject: "By the way, where are Ron and Harry?"

Hermione didn't care: "They went to the stadium for training."

The two walked together towards Hagrid's hut.

It is already autumn, and some plants that cannot survive the winter are no longer lush and green, and are beginning to turn a little yellow in their former green. The little squirrels are running around on the branches, holding food for the winter in their arms, hiding them in tree holes that only they know about...

Loren saw a squirrel throw a nut into a tree hole, and a goblin popped out. "It seems that I haven't seen Dumbledore in the past few days. I don't know what he is doing?"

The basilisk should have been dealt with by Dumbledore, but he was unsure about Voldemort's condition and what information the diary revealed, so he was always worried.

"Maybe it's because there are a lot of things going on recently and the headmaster is too busy, so he doesn't eat in the hall." Hermione looked at the little squirrel, whose tail stood up angrily and its little paws were waving around.

The little squirrel was already fighting with the goblin. Its short little claws had actually made the goblin unable to lift its head, and it was slowly driving the goblin off the branch.

She stared at the two fighting animals, her eyes sparkling. Loren looked at Hermione's sparkling eyes, feeling the fresh breeze of early autumn blowing gently through his heart, slowly eliminating the heat left by the summer.

The outer ring of leaves of the Whomping Willow has turned yellow. It changes its leaves every year, starting with the young ones in spring and falling off in autumn. In winter, it is bare and covered in snow. Compared with the leaves, the branches are more important, and it may not change a branch for several days.

This year is a little different. Harry and Ron replaced several branches for it, and from a distance, it looked like a large piece was missing.

The door of Hagrid's hut was closed. Loren and Hermione walked to the door but didn't hear Fang's cry. They suspected that Hagrid had gone out, so they knocked twice tentatively.

dong dong dong.

"I'm coming!"

Hagrid's enthusiastic and slightly anxious voice rang out, and after the sound of tables and chairs colliding, the door of the cabin was opened.

"Hey Loren, hey Hermione, good morning—"

He was blocking the door in a panic, his burly body hunched over with his waist and neck, and he didn't seem to want to let the two in.

Loren and Hermione looked at Hagrid suspiciously, glancing around the room from time to time.

"Are you raising any dangerous creatures again?" Loren asked.

"Let them in."

Hearing Dumbledore's familiar voice, Loren and Hermione looked at each other and quickly went into the house.

Dumbledore was standing in front of a small wooden table, fiddling with a spider with long, thin limbs, covered in black fur, and eight eyes. Fang was hunched over, watching the giant spider warily.

Compared to the adult Acromantulas they had seen, this one was much smaller and gentler. Even when Dumbledore waved a silver lighter-like object near its eyeballs, the little Acromantula just moved its large claws in front of it casually.

"Well, Loren and Hermione, good morning! Forgive my rudeness, but this is a critical moment and I can't leave." Dumbledore greeted.

Hermione looked at Dumbledore, then turned to look at Hagrid, with a blank expression. So Hagrid was keeping the young Acromantula in captivity in the name of the headmaster.

Some questions popped up in her mind, how to calculate the school rules, how to deduct points...

Loren saw that Dumbledore was holding a Deluminator and seemed to be doing some kind of test related to the eyeball of the Acromantula.

He then remembered that Dumbledore was an excellent alchemist, and his achievements had even appeared on Chocolate Frog cards. This was the first time Loren saw his peers doing experiments, and he stuffed the bottle of potion to Hagrid and excitedly went over to watch.

"Good morning, Headmaster Dumbledore!"

He knew the function of the light extinguisher, which was originally to collect and store light from the surrounding environment and release it when the user needed it. The current experiment was conducted on animals, near the eyeballs. Loren guessed that the purpose of the experiment was related to vision, and it might be to make the target temporarily lose vision.

Hermione followed behind Loren. Although she was not afraid of the giant eight-eyed spider, girls were a little disgusted by this kind of arthropod and did not get too close.

She couldn't understand the experiment and was still confused in her little head.

Headmaster Dumbledore is suspected of violating school rules. How should points be deducted and from which house...

In the magical vision, the Deluminator glowed with a bright white light, mixed with silver and the bright yellow flame of a candle.

As the De-Lighter swung, it pulled at the dark, mottled magic lines in the eyes of the Acromantula. Dumbledore seemed to want to pull out the chaotic, mottled magic lines and only collect specific magic from them.

It should take some time. Loren estimated the progress of the experiment and started to talk about what happened in the castle: "Malfoy told me that there is something wrong with Crabbe. I suspect——"

Dumbledore turned his head to interrupt, looking at Hermione gently, "I think Hagrid needs a student with excellent grades in Potions to help him dilute the anthelmintic to the appropriate concentration. Miss Granger, can you help him?"

Of course Hermione knew that this was an excuse to get her out of the way, but this was Dumbledore, the headmaster of the Wizengamot and the headmaster of Hogwarts. He was gentle and polite, and no one could find fault with him.

Hermione felt dizzy when hearing such a great wizard talking to a little wizard, and she followed Hagrid out to mix the potion in a daze.

Loren found it a little strange. In his opinion, Hermione and Hagrid were both trustworthy people, and this matter was not a secret. Dumbledore's move to send them away was a little strange.

He asked, "Can't Hermione and Hagrid know about this?"

"Hagrid is the key keeper and gamekeeper of Hogwarts. He has been loyal to his duties for decades and has resolutely protected the school even in the most difficult days. I trust him completely. Even if I have to entrust my life to Hagrid, I will not hesitate at all. I believe that you trust Miss Granger so much." Dumbledore sorted out the messy lines of magic.

Loren was stunned for a moment: "But... just now..."

The little eight-eyed giant spider became a little impatient and began to struggle, shaking its two big claws.

Dumbledore casually stuffed the rock cake covered with toffee syrup into the little spider's mouth, and the little spider made a loud squeaking sound, and used its chelicerae and the rest of its legs to fiddle with the rock cake, but it got stuck and couldn't get free no matter what.

In the end, the little eight-eyed giant spider curled up into a ball, struggling to deal with the rock cake while trembling and allowing Dumbledore to manipulate it.

"Trust does not mean being unreserved. Sometimes, maintaining a sense of mystery will allow plans to proceed more smoothly and lead things to better results." Dumbledore answered leisurely.

Loren was silent for a moment, feeling that the principal today was a malicious person.

"Malfoy told me that Crabbe's magical talent and temperament have changed drastically. I suspect that he has been controlled by Voldemort, just like Quirrell last semester. Should we drive Voldemort out as soon as possible?"

Dumbledore had expected this and was not surprised: "For a long time, I believed that a person's extremism and hatred were the result of a bad environment. As I grow older, I see new students joining Hogwarts every year, and I also see students who have grown up in Hogwarts for seven years leaving in batches."

"Just like there are no two leaves or snowflakes that are exactly alike, everyone has their own unique personality and unique ideas. I gradually realized that personal choices are also an important factor that affects destiny."

As Dumbledore spoke, he seemed to see the faces of students passing by one after another, and those who left deep memories on him kept emerging in his mind.

Bill and Charlie Weasley.

Newt Scamander and Leta Lestrange.

And Tom Riddle.

He said with a slightly melancholy tone: "If Crabbe can realize that he is in delusion and obsession, we can all help him get rid of Voldemort. If he himself is unwilling to wake up, no one can help him."

Respect the fate of others and let go of the desire to help others. Loren didn't really want to save Crabbe: "What about Voldemort?"

"Just like Quirrell last year, he doesn't dare to act recklessly in school in his ghost state. He can only use trivial tricks to cause some disturbances. This happens to be a way for him to do some good things." Dumbledore smiled.

What good could Voldemort do? Loren muttered to himself.

As if seeing his confusion, Dumbledore explained: "He and Harry are like these magical threads, tightly entangled together. One day, Harry will need to face Voldemort in person and settle the grudge of that night eleven years ago. Harry needs to grow up as soon as possible, especially spiritually, because the mind is the source of strength."

From what Dumbledore said, he was going to design another copy for Harry to face Voldemort. Loren prayed silently in his heart, hoping that Harry would be fine in the end.

Loren seemed to understand why he had just sent the two people away. When Harry encountered difficulties, he would definitely seek help from people around him, and Hermione and Hagrid would be the first to do so.

He asked, "So, Hermione and Hagrid are kept in the dark to prevent them from leaking the information to Harry?"

Dumbledore did not answer, neither admitting nor denying, but was busy sorting out the magical lines pulled out from the eyeball of the eight-eyed giant spider.

Loren was amused: "Then you're not worried that I'll leak the secret?"

"Harry will be under unprecedented pressure in the coming period. I need you to cooperate with me and help me understand Harry's condition." Dumbledore winked at him. "Consider this an agreement between the two of us."

Loren put away his smile, his expression became serious, and he looked at him with a face full of condemnation: "What are you talking about? Harry and I are close roommates and brothers in life and death. You want me to help you monitor him-"

Dumbledore also stopped smiling and looked at Loren seriously. He had no idea that the young wizard nowadays valued friendship so much.

"You have to pay more!"

"Cough cough!"

Dumbledore coughed violently twice and couldn't even hold the Deluminator in his hand steadily.

Chapter 172 I was wrong. I will dare to do it again.

Stabilizing the magical connection between the Deluminator and Spider-Man's eyeball, Dumbledore's disrupted breathing slowly calmed down, but when he thought of the three words "you have to pay extra", he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Dumbledore suppressed his smile and said, "Well, Mr. Morgan, astute businessman, how much do you think is appropriate?"

"Just give it as you see fit." Loren was straightforward.

"The salary of the Hogwarts headmaster may not be as high as you think. Hmm..." Dumbledore thought for a moment and shook the Deluminator in his hand, "Can I use this to pay the bill?"

"It's just a small work I made to kill time, but the mithril shell is worth some price. Maybe it's not enough to pay you, but I think, considering our friendship, we can try this deal, what do you think?" Dumbledore smiled.

"Hmm..." Loren pretended to hesitate, "Since you say so, I will reluctantly accept this deal."

After saying this, he couldn't help but grinning so hard that his gums were almost exposed.

Dumbledore was in a good mood. He waved his hand and motioned Loren to come closer to observe. "Let me briefly introduce it to you. The Deluminator can collect and store the light sources in the surrounding environment and take them out when you need them. It is also applicable to Muggle lights, flashlights and other light sources."

"Do you know what 'light' means?"

Loren looked at the light source on top of the Deluminator, and thought about the meaning of light: hope, sun, energy...

The more he thought about it, the less sure he was. When he looked directly at the light source, a deep purple shadow was cast. He closed his eyes and asked, "What does it mean?"

Dumbledore replied softly: "Light means direction. When you are in darkness and confusion, light can help you see the way forward and know where you should go."

“My original intention in designing it was to preserve hope when there is sufficient light, and to illuminate the way forward when darkness and confusion come.”

Loren nodded, not quite understanding, and asked, "So what are you doing now? Are you going to add any functions to it?"

Dumbledore pointed to the eight eyes of the little spider and said to him: "The eyes of animals such as owls and snakes glow at night, but it is not their own light. Instead, the unique structure of their eyes can concentrate the invisible light in the environment and turn it into light that we can see, and then reflect it."

"Magical animals are different. Their eyes can really glow. This light comes from the unique magic in their bodies and has strange effects."

"The gaze of the Acromantula can scare its prey;"

"The Kneazle's eyes can detect those who are suspicious;"

"And the basilisk's gaze..."

Loren didn't pay much attention to what Dumbledore said later. He carefully observed the magic threads extending from the eyes of the eight-eyed giant spider. Most of them were dark gray, mixed together in no regular pattern, appearing mottled and mixed.

The Deluminator was combing through these magical threads, grouping together the darkest ones.

“Are these black threads the magic that represents fear and shock?” he asked.

"I think so." Dumbledore operated the Deluminator, and the black and gray magical threads gradually separated, and the combing was almost finished.

After the last few strands of black magic threads were gathered into the Deluminator, Dumbledore closed the lid of the Deluminator, took out a white mouse from his sleeve and placed it in front of the eight-eyed giant spider.

The white mouse first squeaked in fear, but when it realized that the eight-eyed giant spider could not free its feet to chase it, it swung its four legs and ran quickly to the side, trying to escape danger.

Seeing this, Dumbledore turned on the switch of the De-Lighter and released the black magic. The eight eyes of the little spider stared at the white mouse, and the white mouse squeaked and collapsed on the spot, motionless.

"It looks like a success." Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction.

Loren saw that the black magic thread seemed to represent the ability of the eight-eyed giant spider to intimidate its prey. When it was put away, the little white mouse was not affected, but after it was released, the little white mouse was scared and dared not move.

But he was a little puzzled. This was different from his previous guess that it affected vision and blinded people. He asked, "Principal, is there any special use for this effect?"

Dumbledore did not answer. He put the De-Lighter back into his sleeve, reached out and pushed away the little spider that was struggling to crawl towards the little white mouse, and said with a smile: "This is Fawkes's snack. If you don't return it, Fawkes will burn my eyebrows."

After putting away the mouse, Dumbledore turned to Loren and said, "Wait for me in the girls' bathroom on the second floor after dinner. You will know then."

"Basilisk!" Loren exclaimed, and he suddenly realized that this was a look that he had to deal with the basilisk.

Dumbledore just smiled, turned around and went out to say goodbye to Hagrid and Hermione.

……

Noon, Hagrid's Hut.

Hagrid picked out a few pumpkins that were only slightly larger than Yaya but had very hard skins, chopped them into pieces, and put them directly into an iron pot and stewed them with water without adding anything.

"Look, this kind of pumpkin, hey! It's the sweetest." Hagrid smiled brightly.

Ever since he used rock biscuits as a main course to entertain the little wizards, no one wanted to stay in the hut for dinner. Harry and Ron always came at mealtime and left before mealtime, which made Hagrid very depressed.

This time he wanted to show off his skills and let the little wizard know that there were many good things in the forest.