Neville's voice was calm, but his grip on the Sword of Gryffindor was so tight that the veins in his hand bulged.
Barty Crouch Jr.
The one who had charged forward with a manic grin.
The one who pleaded innocence in the courtroom with a pitiful expression.
Hermione seemed lost in thought.
Ron, picking up on something from Harry's words, asked, "Is something going to happen at Hogwarts?"
"It's possible," Harry replied softly. "Maybe nothing at all will happen. But Voldemort is a cunning bastard, and it's entirely likely something will happen."
"Just in case… it's best to be prepared early."
Ron nodded, raising his hand to touch the Prefect badge pinned to his chest. "Right, got it, Harry."
Harry continued, "On the eighth floor, there's a secret room. If you walk back and forth three times in front of the tapestry where the trolls are dancing, while thinking about the kind of room you need, it will open a door for you."
"If the room is already in use, the door won't open unless you think of exactly what the current user is using it for."
Ron thought for a moment. "I remember, Harry—you once suspected there might be Death Eaters hiding at Hogwarts. You think they're hiding there?"
Harry nodded. "That's right."
"And there's a secret passage there that leads straight to Hogsmeade. Even though the exit is in Aberforth's pub… it's better to be safe."
Ron understood. "We'll check it every day."
"If there's a problem, we'll tell Professor McGonagall right away."
Neville also nodded. "And I'll go straight for Crouch. He's on the fourth floor, right?"
He remembered the forbidden corridor. It wasn't like their first year, when it had just been blocked by an iron gate—bold Gryffindors had snuck past it back then, only to be chased off by a three-headed dog. But this time, Dumbledore hadn't publicly announced its danger; the students had discovered it themselves. No matter what they tried, they couldn't get in.
And those who were caught trying faced severe consequences.
Massive point losses, endless detentions… true punishment.
Harry nodded.
"Harry, can that navigator only take one person?" Hermione, who had been silent, suddenly clenched her fists and asked.
Ron and Neville both looked surprised.
Harry shook his head and looked directly at Hermione. "Of course not. Do you want to come with me?"
"Of course." Hermione nodded firmly.
Before, she had hesitated about going with Harry. Another world, after all—it was a big leap. She'd always felt she wasn't ready, a long-standing habit of doubt that she'd never fully shaken.
But—
The thought flashed through her mind and then lingered, leaving an empty feeling in her chest.
Hadn't she been preparing for this all along?
Twelve "O" grades on her exams—better than most Aurors at the Ministry.
Her combat skills were solid. Even against Ron or Neville, she won more than she lost.
Yes.
Hermione clenched her fists, her expression firm. All these years, she'd only been preparing, but now she could say it confidently and without reservation—she was ready. Maybe not at the level of a professor, but at least ready to stand beside Harry.
If she didn't go now, when would she ever be ready?
Hermione looked at Harry, heart pounding.
She believed she was ready.
But she didn't know if Harry would agree.
"All right." Harry nodded, his agreement simple and straightforward. "Then we'll go together."
Hermione blinked, momentarily stunned.
That was… too easy.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, noticing her expression.
Hermione muttered, "I thought you'd argue with me…"
She had been worried about that for a long time.
"Hermione, you've always been exceptional," Harry said, shaking his head.
Ron watched her with envy.
He wanted to see another world too, but… his position wasn't as flexible as Hermione's. He couldn't just ask. And he had responsibilities—he was a Prefect, and he had a duty not just to his friends, but to all of Gryffindor.
"Bring me back some souvenirs," Ron finally said, after a long pause.
Hermione shot him a glare. "We're not going on vacation!"
"We're going to work."
Harry chuckled. "Don't worry, Ron. I'll bring you back something. I promise you'll like it."
Ron's eyes lit up.
"Hermione, your birthday is September nineteenth," Harry said suddenly.
Hermione tilted her head.
She didn't think Harry would forget her birthday, but why bring it up now?
"Before we leave, we need to learn Apparition with Mr. Scamander," Harry explained. "I'm not entirely sure you can do it yet."
Apparition.
It was Harry's least favorite spell, but he couldn't deny its usefulness.
Especially when going back to that world. If he was going to search for Ciri, he would definitely need a teleportation spell.
It wasn't a particularly difficult spell.
But it was different from others—whether it was Animagus transformation, the Patronus Charm, or even modern spells like Obliviate or Expelliarmus, they all required emotional engagement.
Apparition, while also a deeply mental spell—"I want to be there, so I am there"—required intense emotional control.
The challenge was that it required both emotional engagement and stability at the same time, which made it uniquely difficult for wizards.
Harry continued discussing plans with Ron and Neville, going over various details.
The next morning—
He and Hermione were knocking on the door of Scamander's quarters bright and early.
"Are you sure you're both Gryffindors?" Scamander asked, confused as he opened the door. "It's only seven. The sun's not even up yet."
Gryffindors… working hard?
"Better to be prepared early, leave early, and come back early," Harry said. "Hermione wants to come with me, but her birthday is in September. Can she learn Apparition?"
"Miss Granger?" Scamander looked at her. "You're bringing her along?"
Last night, Dumbledore had spoken at length to Scamander.
About the Wild Hunt—
About Harry and the friends around him—
Scamander had gotten a pretty good idea of what was happening.
"She's brilliant, isn't she?" Harry asked rhetorically.
Scamander seemed to consider inviting them inside, but Harry gestured to the hallway. Breakfast would be better in the Great Hall.
Clearly, once they were done eating, they intended to begin their lessons right away.
Scamander sighed, walking alongside Harry. "The Ministry's rule is that only wizards who are seventeen or sixteen with birthdays before August 31st can learn Apparition. Do you know why?"
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Powerstones?
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