Pyramid?
Tom narrowed his eyes, his wand tapping his left palm unconsciously, the secret of the deathly hallows seemed more complicated than he had imagined.
The image was obscure and difficult to discern, only barely identifiable as a pyramid by its shape. However, it was truly difficult to determine whether it belonged to ancient Egyptian civilization, Aztec civilization, or Mayan civilization.
"Ugh... This is a headache. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, truly too difficult for anyone." Tom rubbed his throbbing brow. "Forget it, I'll go to Egypt to try my luck during the holidays. Maybe I'll be blessed with good fortune."
For the next few days of the holiday, Tom spent every day in the Restricted Section, vowing to make up for the time he had lost. Harry would occasionally come to find Tom, and even used his invisibility cloak to take him on a tour of Cerberus, Fluffy.
This day, Tom was reading in his dormitory when Draco, accompanied by Goyle and Crabbe, excitedly pushed open the door.
"I'm back. Tom, did you miss me?"
Tom glanced at Draco, then continued to lower his head and flip through his book: "Draco, remember to maintain your persona as the arrogant young master. Also, your dark circles are too obvious. Young people should exercise moderation!"
Seeing Tom bring that up, Draco jumped up in a fit of pique: "Whose fault is this! What did you send for Christmas!"
Tom responded unhurriedly: "But it looks good, doesn't it?"
"It looks good, but..." As if he had thought of something, Draco suddenly fell silent.
This piqued Tom's interest. He tossed the book aside and stroked his chin, carefully scrutinizing Draco: "Let me guess, did you cast yourself as the domineering CEO?"
Draco was expressionless.
Tom became even more excited: "Then who is the delicate little wife? Daphne?"
Draco remained silent.
"Then Pansy?"
Draco lowered his head and eyes.
"Or Hermione?"
Draco's ears turned crimson.
But Tom wasn't going to let him off: "No way, don't tell me you want them all? Is this the rhythm of building a harem?"
Draco frantically waved his hands: "I'm not, I didn't, you're talking nonsense!"
Tom understood and patted him on the shoulder, advising him like an experienced person: "I understand, I understand. You're a man, don't be shy about admitting it, no one will laugh at you. However, brother still advises you: imitating Cheng Ge is easy to get a hatchet, so be careful!"
Draco was completely defeated, and he fled in a hurry with Goyle and Crabbe.
As students returned to school, the STARGAZER gatherings also resumed their normal schedule.
When Tom saw Hermione again, he noticed that she also had huge dark circles under her eyes, the kind that couldn't be hidden.
"How come everyone's dark circles are so obvious? Draco has them, and so do you, Hermione. Could it be that you two have been going on dates without sleeping every day?"
Tom's teasing provoked Hermione's angry blow, a heavy book hitting him directly in the face.
Looking at Tom's reddened nose from the impact, Cassandra quietly said, "Serves you right!" Then she pulled Hermione's hand and asked with concern, "Hermione, what happened? Is there anything we can help with?"
Hermione, with deep fatigue, sighed and confided in Cassandra: "Do you know Nicolas Flamel? I searched through 'Who's Who in Contemporary Wizardry,' 'Great Wizards of the 20th Century,' and 'Studies in Modern magic Development' all Christmas, but I couldn't find this person."
Hermione's voice was not loud, but it caused everyone in the room to stop what they were doing and look at her with an indescribable expression.
"Wh-What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Hermione was puzzled by everyone's reaction.
Cassandra sighed and gently ruffled Hermione's thick curly hair, feeling sorry for her: "You won't find him in these books."
Cassandra's words were like a signal switch, and everyone started speaking up.
"Nicolas Flamel celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, so Hermione, you won't find him in modern Wizard directories."
"That's right, he's one of the greatest Alchemists."
"The Philosopher's Stone was created by him."
"Oh, and he's also Headmaster Dumbledore's good friend, it seems."
Amidst everyone's words, Hermione basically pieced together Nicolas Flamel's situation.
Her gaze swept over everyone, and Hermione asked in disbelief, "So you all know Nicolas Flamel?"
Everyone nodded, and Draco even shouted, "No one in the magic world doesn't know Nicolas Flamel. If only a certain little silly had asked us, she wouldn't have had to work so hard searching through books."
Hermione covered her face tightly with both hands, not knowing if it was out of shame or anger at Draco.
Cassandra glared fiercely at Draco, then gently comforted Hermione: "Don't mind Draco. But Hermione, why are you looking for Nicolas Flamel?"
"That's because..." Hermione was about to explain when she was interrupted by Harry, who pushed open the door and entered.
"Sorry, I'm late. What are you all doing?"
Tom raised an eyebrow at Harry: "Look! The main character is here, why don't you ask Harry?"
Harry was confused: "What's going on?"
"It's about Nicolas Flamel." Tom repeated what he had just told Hermione about Nicolas Flamel to Harry.
"So Hagrid was carrying the Philosopher's Stone at the time! And what was hidden under Cerberus, Fluffy's trapdoor, was the Philosopher's Stone!"
Harry was dizzy from this unexpected discovery.
"Wait... Harry, are you saying the Philosopher's Stone is at school now, and what's with Cerberus?"
Not only Harry was shocked, but everyone present was shocked and couldn't help but ask him questions.
Harry immediately explained a series of events to everyone: Hagrid picking up a package in Diagon Alley, accidentally stumbling into a restricted room during a night stroll and discovering Cerberus, Hagrid letting slip Nicolas Flamel's name, and then asking Hermione for help in finding him.
After listening to Harry's narration, everyone felt that his reasoning was correct and that the Philosopher's Stone was most likely stored in that room.
Just as everyone was still digesting this news and secretly planning whether they could catch a glimpse of the Philosopher's Stone, Harry dropped another bombshell.
"Tom, I just ran into Professor Dumbledore, and he said that the joint trial for Peter Pettigrew and Sirius is scheduled for three days from now."
Draco jumped up upon hearing this: "Harry, wait! Didn't Peter Pettigrew die ten years ago? And what's going on with Sirius?"
Harry looked at Draco in confusion, then turned to Tom and asked, "Why is he reacting so strongly?"
"That's because Draco's mother is Sirius's cousin, which means Sirius is Draco's maternal uncle," Tom whispered to Harry.
"Then... then that means..."
After hearing Tom's words, Harry seemed to have discovered a crucial point and stammered, unable to speak.
Tom mercilessly helped Harry point out the fact he had thought of.
"That's right, you two can be considered relatives by rights, and you are... the younger brother!"
Even though he had a good relationship with Draco now, upon hearing this news, Harry instinctively felt like he was broken.
Finally, Tom pushed the petrified Harry aside and took on the role of explainer.
A few moments later...
"No, I need to go write to my mother now."
Draco, having heard the whole story, hurriedly left, but not before shouting to Harry, "I'm leaving, little brother~"
Harry felt his resentment deepen.
Seeing Draco leave, the others also said their goodbyes one after another. This matter was too big; they had to tell their families as soon as possible.