If he chose the first option, Lockhart would resign as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—unable to last a second year. Curse fulfilled.
If he chose the second option, Lockhart would "die heroically"—dead, unable to last a second year. Curse fulfilled.
This was truly...
Shaking her head, Hermione walked to the shattered snake head and flicked her wand.
The ice gradually melted. She picked up several fallen fangs and collected some basilisk blood.
[Magical Creature]
[Basilisk (Collected)]
[Born from an egg laid by a seven-year-old rooster under the Dog Star and hatched by a toad. Resembles a giant serpent. Direct eye contact causes instant death; indirect contact causes petrification.]
Next, Hermione picked up the destroyed diary replica and handed it to Luna.
The synthesis requirements were simple—just two things.
Paper. A fragment of Voldemort's soul.
Paper was everywhere. And soul fragments? The Ravenclaw Diadem in the Room of Requirement had one.
Hermione didn't want this hassle, but there was no choice. With Dumbledore's magical perception, a fake Horcrux remnant wouldn't fool him. The story had to line up.
"Alright, let's leave."
Hermione said to Little V.
"As for cleanup, I'll leave that to Luna. I trust she'll handle it."
She turned to Luna.
Luna nodded in understanding.
Why theorize about conspiracies when you can participate in one?
Seeing Luna's excitement, Hermione recalled what she should have been like originally. It felt strange.
Did I corrupt Luna?
As for Lockhart, he'd completely resigned himself to fate, only hoping Hermione would keep her promise and spare his life and reputation.
After all, compared to this "Witch," he was far too weak. He had no room to resist.
Especially with that even more terrifying guy beside her.
Outside the Chamber. A dim corridor.
"Why send Lockhart to the Ministry of Magic?"
Little V's form was slightly transparent, his tone curious.
Hermione didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked: "What do you think the result was when your original self formed the Death Eaters and went around killing?"
Little V fell silent.
Hermione continued: "Grindelwald's methods were far more sophisticated."
"Build your reputation. Run for office. Seize power."
"If his execution hadn't gone wrong, would it have been your turn to become the Dark Lord?"
Little V looked thoughtful. He had to admit—Hermione had a point.
Though Grindelwald was also a Dark Wizard, his methods were clearly more "civilized" and effective.
At least Grindelwald had once come close to success. But his original self...
Thinking of his original's fate, Little V began doubting those decisions.
"By the way."
Hermione suddenly changed topics.
"Do you know about Ancient Magic? And what major event happened at Hogwarts a hundred years ago?"
"Ancient Magic?"
Little V froze, then fell into thought.
He frowned, seemingly searching the corners of his memory.
"I think... I do have some recollection." He said slowly. "When I was a student, the previous Headmaster mentioned it once."
"But by then I'd already discovered Horcruxes and other Dark Magic, so I didn't pay much attention. Seemed useless."
Little V's tone carried disdain.
In his view, Ancient Magic was outdated—no match for powerful Dark Magic.
"Useless?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Your original self was killed by a rebound from Ancient Magic."
"And I know that magic too."
Little V's head snapped up, eyes filled with shock.
"What?!"
He cried out, unable to believe his ears.
The Killing Curse was rebounded by Ancient Magic?
How is that possible?!
"Tell me everything you know."
Hermione's tone left no room for argument.
Little V took a deep breath, trying to calm his shock.
"Let me think..."
He closed his eyes, carefully recalling.
"Beneath Hogwarts, there's a place... leading to a secret space..."
"According to the Headmaster at the time, something happened there a century ago, but all records were erased."
"I was just obsessed with Dark Magic, so I never went..."
Little V's tone carried regret.
If only he'd valued Ancient Magic back then, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Let's go today."
Hermione decided immediately.
The two slipped silently beneath the Astronomy Tower.
This was an underground hall rarely visited.
"It's down here."
Little V's voice echoed in the empty space.
Hermione looked around but saw no trace of a passage.
Smooth stone walls. Perfectly fitted floor. As if no passage had ever existed.
She frowned slightly, walking to the hall's center, then seemed to remember something.
Hermione raised her wand, pointing at the stone tiles beneath her feet.
"Alohomora!"
Blue light flashed from her wand tip.
A faint mechanical sound came from below, breaking the silence.
Click... click...
The tiles began moving slowly, parting to reveal a dark opening.
A spiral staircase wound downward, disappearing into darkness.
As expected—her memory was correct.
"Let's go."
Hermione stepped forward first, descending the stairs. Little V followed closely.
They walked down for what felt like ages before the stairs finally ended.
A door appeared before them.
Carved with intricate magical runes, it radiated ancient, mysterious power.
Hermione reached out, gently touching it.
Instantly, a powerful magical wave surged from the door, pulling her in.
Her vision went black. When she opened her eyes again, Hermione found herself in a vast hall.
"This is..."
Hermione looked around, surprise flashing in her eyes.
She recognized this place.
The Map Chamber.
The space was enormous, with a soaring dome.
Beneath her feet lay a massive holographic map.
Light points flickered across it—Hogwarts Castle and surrounding areas like the Forbidden Forest and Black Lake, all displayed in miniature.
At the far end of the hall, on a massive wall, four ancient portraits should have hung.
But the frames were empty.
The four Keepers who should have been there had vanished.
On a raised platform in the hall's center sat a book.
Hermione walked forward and opened it.
A long-sealed aura washed over her.
"This is... the missing section of Hogwarts history!"
Hermione's eyes lit up.
She turned page after page.
After a long while, Hermione closed the book, understanding dawning in her eyes.
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