Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Speedrun

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The Mirror of Erised?

Hermione blinked. If she hadn't known Dumbledore would eventually hide the Philosopher's Stone inside this mirror, she'd have forgotten it existed.

The inscription at the top looked like gibberish. But that was only because you read it wrong.

Read it backwards:

"I show not your face but your heart's desire."

Hermione stared at the mirror.

After a moment's silence, she turned to leave—

"I suspect, given your intellect, you've already deduced its purpose."

Hermione's expression shifted. She hadn't sensed anyone behind her.

When did—?

She turned slowly, tension creeping into her posture.

An elderly man with a long white beard stood behind her, watching quietly.

"Headmaster Dumbledore."

Hermione inclined her head slightly, quickly regaining composure. "Fascinating mirror. It shows what people want most."

Dumbledore nodded. "Precisely. Which is why it doesn't belong out in the open. Students with weak resolve could lose themselves in false fantasies."

"So, child—can you tell me what you saw?"

Hermione smiled. "I saw myself going home. I've been away too long. I miss it."

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on her for a long moment before he spoke again. "Hogwarts' rules aren't so strict. You can request leave occasionally. London isn't far."

Hermione smiled but said nothing.

After a pause, she asked, "What about you, Headmaster? What do you see?"

"Me?" Dumbledore chuckled. "I see myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks."

Hermione nodded. "The weather has been cold. Even you feel it."

Dumbledore's expression froze for a split second.

Then he changed the subject. "If you want to read, you can ask the professors directly. No need to sneak in with Harry's Invisibility Cloak. Hogwarts doesn't hinder those who seek knowledge. The Restricted Section exists only to protect students from... temptations they may not resist."

"Oh? You think I can resist temptation?"

Hermione sounded genuinely curious. Old Dumbledore seemed to trust her.

"I believe so."

"No. Rather than resisting temptation, I prefer to dominate it."

"..."

Hermione watched Dumbledore's momentary confusion, then continued. "A few days ago, Harry asked me about Nicolas Flamel. He wanted to know about Flamel's famous alchemical works. I didn't tell him."

"I see you've guessed." Dumbledore nodded, unsurprised.

Hermione shrugged. "Simple deduction."

"It's fine. If he asks again, tell him." Dumbledore turned to leave, then paused. "Oh—try not to skip class so often. I know most lessons are beneath you, but if Gryffindor loses too many points, it's hard for me to make up the difference."

He disappeared up the staircase.

Hermione: "..."

Right. Not even pretending anymore.

You do you, Headmaster.

Still... if he's saying that, then everything really is going according to plan.

Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory.

"The Philosopher's Stone! It's the Philosopher's Stone!"

Harry clutched a book, grinning at Ron. "That's what Gringotts was guarding! Dumbledore moved it to the third-floor corridor!"

He'd cracked the case.

"So?" Ron looked lost.

"The Stone makes the Elixir of Life! Only someone dying would need it desperately. The one drinking unicorn blood is Voldemort!"

Detective Harry declared: "Snape's trying to steal it for him! That troll on Halloween? A distraction so Snape could go after the Stone!"

The logic had holes, but Ron didn't notice. He was sold.

"We have to stop him!"

Ron hesitated. "But... is this really something two first-years can handle?"

"Maybe we should... tell a teacher?"

He'd learned Hermione's signature move.

Harry considered it. "Alright. Let's find Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore!"

Ten minutes later.

The two trudged back, deflated.

"What now? Dumbledore's gone. McGonagall doesn't believe us. Snape's tricked them! He's going for the Stone tonight. We can't let him succeed!"

"We move tonight. Stop his plan ourselves!"

Harry set his jaw.

Ron glanced at him, forced a grin. "You think the two of us can pull this off?"

Harry deflated. His shoulders sagged.

"What if we... get backup?" Ron suggested.

"Who'd believe us and be strong enough to—wait!"

Both their eyes lit up simultaneously.

"Hermione!"

Magical Hermione!

Do you have Voldemort PTSD? Why does everything circle back to him?

Plenty of people want immortality. I do too.

Hermione listened to Harry's logic—full of holes—and resisted the urge to sigh.

Though this time, he'd actually guessed right.

"So... how do you know it's Snape?" Hermione squinted.

Poor guy. Taking the fall for everything.

"I..." Harry lifted his head stubbornly. "I just know."

"You... just... know."

Twenty seconds of silence.

Fine. Whatever.

Night raids on Hogwarts were basically their routine now anyway.

Let's go.

Under cover of darkness, the trio infiltrated the third-floor corridor.

Hermione refused to squeeze under the Cloak with them. She cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself instead.

"Alohomora!"

At the entrance to the forbidden chamber, Hermione unlocked the door without hesitation.

Inside, Fluffy—the three-headed dog—snored peacefully. A self-playing harp sat nearby.

"Damn! Snape's already through!" Harry hissed. "Hagrid told me music puts Fluffy to sleep!"

"We need to—"

Before Harry could finish, Hermione charged forward, jabbed a syringe into Fluffy's neck, and yanked open the trapdoor.

Jumped.

"ROAR!!"

Pain jolted Fluffy awake. Three pairs of eyes locked onto Harry and Ron, blazing with fury.

Hermione! You—!

You started the fight without warning?!

The boys scrambled, barely diving through the trapdoor before Fluffy's jaws snapped shut.

First challenge: Cleared.

"Lumos Maxima!"

Mid-fall, Hermione cast a light charm at the ground below.

The Devil's Snare recoiled from the brightness, retreating into the walls. All three landed safely.

Second challenge: Cleared.

They pressed forward into a cavern.

Winged keys fluttered through the air. A broomstick hovered nearby. A locked door stood at the far end.

"One of those keys opens the door. I bet we're supposed to fly up and catch the one at the top—"

Harry's analysis was cut short.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Hermione levitated a rope. It snaked through the swarm of keys, looped around the target, and yanked it down.

She caught it. Unlocked the door. Strode through.

Third challenge: Cleared.

Three obstacles. Twelve seconds total.

Like a casual stroll.

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