"ROAR!"
With a deep, terrifying roar, Hermione felt a crushing weight on her body. "Ugh!" She struggled to turn over and met three pairs of orange-yellow eyes.
They looked down at her greedily and playfully, like a cat deciding how to torment its prey. Inexplicably, she saw a resemblance to Ethan in them.
No! What time is it to be thinking about Ethan?
She shook her head and tried to raise her wand, only to find her hands pinned. The three-headed monster pressed her down with one massive paw, completely immobilising her.
Strings of saliva dripped down, sticking to her collar. Those sharp fangs slowly enlarged in her vision. No matter how brave Hermione was, even having faced a troll, her mind went blank. Her body stiffened, hands and feet ice-cold.
"No, do not!"
"Alright, time's up."
A voice like clear spring water rang out. So gentle, so peaceful. Completely out of place with the current atmosphere.
But like a pause button being pressed, the Hell Cerberus froze, showing a hint of regret. Then, perhaps slow to obey, the side head was unceremoniously smacked. The beast whimpered pitifully and lifted its paw.
The darkness above dispersed. Light poured down, making Hermione squint. In her vision, a backlit figure bent down and extended a hand toward her.
A boy with curly black hair and a pale, handsome face. Those cobalt-blue eyes curved like stars flowing through the night sky, clear yet profound.
He smiled. "Hermione, congratulations on successfully passing the assessment. You have become the second member of the Morning Star Club."
Whoosh. Hermione felt her cheeks burning like a boiling kettle. Indescribable joy expanded from her heart, making her eyes red.
Finally. Her efforts had not been in vain. She had proven herself. Even though she came from a Muggle family, she was not inferior to anyone.
She sniffled and grasped Ethan's hand. Standing up, she broke into a huge smile and said loudly, "Thank you, Ethan!"
Though covered in dirt, she radiated dazzling light.
[You have gained a loyal follower through exquisite skill!]
["Lamp" doctrine propagation increased!]
["Breaking Out of Shell" artwork progress increased by 2%!]
[15% becomes 17%]
[When progress is complete, powerful assistance will hatch.]
Looking at the notification, Ethan curved his lips in satisfaction.
"Scourgify."
He gracefully waved his wand. An invisible stream of water wrapped around Hermione from bottom to top, washing away the dirt and sticky drool.
"Th-thank you..." she said quietly.
"Haha, I did not do anything. You got here through your own abilities."
This made the little girl bury her head even deeper. Her messy brown curls fell down, hiding her face.
Ethan hummed cheerfully and opened a portal. With a flick, he lifted the dazed Harry from the ground. Together with Hermione and the Hell Hound, they passed through to the starting point.
Phew. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Not having to run back the original way was really great. Portals were definitely the greatest invention of this century.
Hermione, immersed in joy, suddenly remembered something and said anxiously, "Ethan! I destroyed quite a bit of architecture along the way... that..."
Seeing her troubled expression, Ethan laughed. "It is fine; do not worry. I carved cyclical Reparo spells inside the building long ago. If you look carefully, you will find similar spells on the plates in Hogwarts' Great Hall too. Otherwise, young wizards would break twenty plates a day."
Hermione was stunned, then realised. "Right! I have even seen that spell!"
Though she had seen and memorised it, she had never thought to apply it practically. She felt ashamed, like an apprentice before a master, unable to keep up with Ethan's thinking.
Fortunately, Ethan did not mind.
"Well then, congratulations on the end of the first group assessment! The successful candidate is Miss Hermione Granger from Gryffindor."
The eliminated wizards sat dishevelled on the ground, some still lying stiffly. They all applauded with envy and admiration.
Really amazing. And she is only a second-year. Probably no younger wizard could pass...
Hmph. Hermione shyly but proudly raised her chin. Now she could tell others she was part of Hogwarts' great talent training programme.
Just then, amid the commotion, Hermione noticed Luna standing apart from the crowd. Compared to other students huddled together discussing strategies, this girl with pale golden hair was looking up at the sky with her small face raised.
Hm? What is she looking at?
Following Luna's gaze, Hermione looked up. But within her field of vision, except for the castle's outer walls and protruding small platforms, there was nothing.
She frowned and approached. "You are in the second group, right? The second group is about to start. I think rather than standing here wasting time, you should discuss strategies with other students."
Luna patiently listened to her finish. Then she put her finger to her lips. "Shh."
Those bright, clear blue eyes stared unblinkingly at the castle exterior as she curved her lips and said softly, "You will frighten the little sprites. They love to relay messages, telling us the words written by those who came before."
Hermione's frown deepened. She could not understand at all. What little sprites, what words from predecessors. Complete nonsense.
Seeing that Luna would not listen, Hermione turned and walked away, thinking: I thought someone who often played with Ethan would be impressive. Turns out she seems mentally unstable. No threat at all... let alone being just a first-year wizard. Even if she learnt some spells in advance, it would be impossible to pass without help from others.
Thinking of this, she could not help but smile smugly. In the end, only I can keep up with Ethan's pace.
On the other side, Ethan had not seen the small dispute between the two girls. Like a kind father, he distributed green Pepperup Potions to restore stamina and spirit to the eliminated contestants one by one.
His heart was bleeding. Though they were sponsored by Malfoy, these were still his assets. We are all friends... why distinguish between yours and mine? When would he be wealthy enough to have whatever money could buy?
He smacked his lips and woke from his daydream. Turning around, he prepared to have the second group begin.
At this moment, he also saw Luna standing alone to the side. But he had no thoughts of anxiety. Just as Luna would unconditionally believe he would triumph in a challenge full of experts, now Ethan believed Luna would definitely pass successfully.
"Well then, second group, prepare!"
He raised his wand, watching the students frantically line up. Only Luna walked over unhurriedly. When her eyes met Ethan's, she gently curved the corners of her eyes. Then she took off her outer black cloak and held it in her hand.
Seeing her strange behaviour, people around her moved several steps away. Whatever she wanted to do, do not let it affect them.
"Second group ready... three, two, one, begin!"
"Bang!"
Sparks burst from his wand. Immediately, several spells flew as students ran forward frantically.
"Impedimenta!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
"Mobiliarbus!"
Some cooperated well. One cast speed charms on themselves and teammates while another threw impediment jinxes backward.
Ethan nodded. Indeed, humans were thinking creatures who could rapidly improve in crisis. Look here. Just the second group had already begun cooperating.
However, one figure stood out completely. Luna, like Cedric before, did not run but stayed in place.
"Has she gone mad?" Hermione exclaimed. "The Cerberus is undefeatable... did she learn nothing from the previous round?"
She anxiously raised her wand, wanting to provide rescue.
However, Luna had no intention of engaging the Cerberus. She quickly and clearly recited a spell, then swiftly threw her cloak upward.
The next instant, the cloak stretched and transformed into a long rope that, under her wand's control, wrapped around the protruding platform's parapet on the castle's exterior.
Everyone was stunned, Hermione's eyes widening too. Everyone had only one thought: What exactly was she trying to do?
Only Ethan's eyes lit up brightly upon seeing this. Truly worthy of Luna... what an ingenious strategy.