"ROAR!!!"
With a deep, terrifying roar, Hermione felt a heavy weight pressing down on her.
"Ugh!"
She struggled to roll over, only to be met by three pairs of orange-yellow eyes.
They stared down at her with greedy amusement, like a cat contemplating how to torment its prey after catching it.
For some reason, Hermione inexplicably saw a hint of Ethan in them.
No! What time was it to be thinking about Ethan?
Hermione shook her head vigorously, trying to raise her wand, but she found her hand wouldn't move at all!
This three-headed monster was pinning her firmly to the ground with just one front paw, rendering her completely immobile.
Strings of saliva dripped down, sticking to her clothes.
She watched the sharp fangs in front of her slowly enlarge.
In that moment, no matter how brave Hermione was—even having faced a troll before—her mind went blank.
Her body stiffened, her hands and feet turned cold, and she couldn't move.
No, don't... "Alright, time's up."
A clear voice, like spring water, rang out.
It was so gentle, so peaceful.
Completely out of place with the current atmosphere.
However.
As if a pause button had been pressed.
The hellhound's movements suddenly stopped, a hint of regret showing in its eyes.
Then, perhaps because its departure was a bit slow, the side head of Cerberus was unceremoniously smacked.
Only then, whimpering and grumbling, did it move its paw off Hermione.
The darkness blocking her view dispersed.
Light shone down again, and Hermione couldn't help but squint.
In her vision, a figure stood against the light, bending down and extending a hand to her.
A boy with curly black hair and a pale, handsome face.
He curved his clear, deep cobalt-blue eyes, which slowly swirled like stars in the night sky.
He smiled and said:
"Hermione, congratulations on successfully passing the assessment."
"You are the second member of the Enlightenment Society."
With a whoosh.
Hermione felt her cheeks burning, like a boiling kettle.
An indescribable joy swelled in her heart, even bringing tears to her eyes.
Finally, finally!
Her efforts had not been in vain; she had proven herself!
Even though she came from a Muggle family with no previous exposure to magic, she was in no way inferior to anyone!
Hermione sniffled, raised her hand, and took Ethan's hand.
Standing up, she flashed a big smile and loudly declared:
"Thank you, Ethan!"
Even though the young girl was covered in dirt at that moment, it couldn't hide the dazzling radiance on her face.
[You have gained a loyal follower with your exquisite skill!]
["Lamp" doctrine propagation increased!]
["Hatching" painting progress increased by 2%!]
[15% → 17%]
[When the progress bar is full, powerful assistance will hatch]
Looking at the system prompt, Ethan curved his lips in satisfaction.
"Scourgify."
Ethan elegantly waved his wand, and an invisible stream of water enveloped Hermione from bottom to top.
It washed away the dirt and the hellhound's sticky drool.
"Tha-thank you..." Hermione whispered.
Ethan: "Haha, I didn't do anything. You got here by your own ability."
At this, the young girl buried her head even deeper.
Her still messy brown curly hair fell, covering her face.
Ethan didn't notice these small details.
He hummed a cheerful tune and opened the portal.
He waved his wand and lifted Harry, who was sitting dazedly on the ground.
Together with Hermione and the hellhound, he passed through the portal and arrived at the starting point.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
It was so good not to have to run three hundred and sixty miles back the way they came.
The portal was definitely the greatest invention of this century!
At that moment, Hermione, immersed in joy, suddenly remembered something and said anxiously:
"Ethan! I destroyed quite a few structures along the way... that..."
Seeing the young girl's troubled expression, Ethan laughed and said:
"It's fine, don't worry."
"I already carved a repeatable 'Reparo' charm inside this structure."
"If you look closely, you'll find similar charms on the plates in the Hogwarts Great Hall."
"Otherwise, young wizards would probably break twenty plates a day."
Hermione was startled, then realized: "That's right! I even saw that spell!"
She had seen it, even memorized it.
But she had never thought of integrating it and applying it practically.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.
Like an apprentice facing a master, she couldn't keep up with Ethan's thinking.
Fortunately, Ethan didn't mind.
Ethan: "So, congratulations to the first group on completing the assessment! The chosen one is Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor."
The eliminated wizards sat on the ground, covered in dirt and looking disheveled, with some still lying stiffly on the ground.
They all applauded with admiration and respect.
Truly remarkable!
And she was only a second-year.
It was probably impossible for any younger wizard than Hermione to successfully pass the assessment, hmph hmph~
Hermione shyly and proudly raised her chin.
Now, she could also tell others that she was a part of Hogwarts' great talent cultivation program!
At that moment.
Amidst the clamor, Hermione noticed Luna, standing apart from the crowd.
Compared to the other students who had started huddling together to discuss strategies, this girl with long, light golden hair and a perpetually dreamy, dazed expression, was looking up at the sky with her small face.
Hmm?
What was she looking at?
Hermione wondered.
Following Luna's gaze, she looked up.
But within her field of vision, there was nothing but the outer wall of the ancient city and the protruding small platform.
Hermione frowned.
She couldn't help but step forward and instruct:
"You're in the second group, aren't you? The second group is about to go on."
"I think instead of standing around daydreaming and wasting time, you should go discuss strategies with the other students."
Luna patiently listened to Hermione finish.
Then she put a finger to her lips:
"Shh—"
Her bright, clear blue eyes stared unblinkingly at the outside of the ancient city, and she curved her lips, softly saying:
"You'll scare the little elves."
"They love to carry messages and are telling us the words written down by those who came before."
Hermione's frown deepened.
She didn't understand at all.
What little elves, what words from those who came before.
It was utter nonsense.
Seeing that Luna wasn't listening to her, Hermione turned and left.
She thought:
She had assumed that because Luna often hung out with Ethan, she must be very impressive.
But it felt like her nerves weren't quite normal.
She had no threat level at all... Not to mention, she was just a first-year wizard.
Even if she had learned some spells in advance, she couldn't possibly pass the assessment without the help of others.
Thinking of this, Hermione couldn't help but curl her lips.
In the end, only I can keep up with Ethan's pace!
On the other side.
Ethan hadn't seen their little argument.
Like a benevolent old father, he distributed bottles of green Invigoration Draughts—which could restore stamina and spirit—to the unsuccessful candidates.
His heart was bleeding.
Although Malfoy generously sponsored them, these were still his assets!
They were all buddies, why distinguish between yours and mine?
When would he be able to possess vast wealth, to have as much of anything money could buy as he desired?
Ethan smacked his lips, waking from his sweet dream.
He turned, preparing to let the second group begin their assessment.
At that moment, Ethan also saw Luna standing alone to the side.
But he had no thoughts or any sense of urgency.
Just as Luna would unconditionally believe that he would win first place in a challenge with many experts.
At that moment.
Ethan also believed that Luna would definitely pass the assessment.
"Alright, second group, prepare!"
Ethan raised his wand, watching the students of the second group scramble to the starting line.
Only Luna walked over unhurriedly.
When her eyes met Ethan's, Luna gently curved the corners of her eyes.
Then, she took off her black cloak and held it in her hand.
Seeing her strange behavior, the people around her moved back a few steps.
Whatever she was going to do, they didn't want to be affected.
"Second group ready—three, two, one, GO!"
"Bang!"
A burst of sparks shot from the tip of Ethan's wand.
Immediately.
Several spells flew, and the students all dashed forward!
"Impedimenta!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
"Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"
Some worked in perfect coordination; one cast an acceleration spell on themselves and their teammates, while another threw out a series of Impedimenta spells behind them.
Ethan nodded.
Indeed, humans are a species that can think and quickly improve in times of crisis.
Just look.
Only the second group, and they were already coordinating.
However.
Among them, one figure stood out!
Luna, just like Cedric before her, didn't run, but stayed in place!
"Is she crazy?!" Hermione blurted out.
"Cerberus is unbeatable, hasn't she learned anything from the last round?!"
She anxiously raised her wand, wanting to help.
However, Luna didn't intend to confront Cerberus.
She merely chanted a crisp, quick spell, then swiftly threw her cloak upwards!
The next moment.
The cloak stretched and transformed into a long rope, which, under the control of her wand, wrapped around the outer wall of the ancient castle, on the protruding platform!
Everyone was stunned, and Hermione's eyes widened.
Only one thought filled everyone's mind: What on earth is she trying to do?!
Only Ethan, seeing this, his eyes lit up.
As expected of Luna, what a clever stratagem.
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