Even stripped of divine power, the ancient runes retained their potent magic. The rune Tom had inscribed within Hermione's eyes, for example, possessed an autonomous activation—an "intelligence boost" of sorts, akin to conjuring Ravenclaw's Diadem at will and placing it upon her head.
It's precisely why I excluded Cassandra from this decryption endeavor, Tom mused. After all, the genuine Ravenclaw Diadem resides within her possession; she has no need for a mere imitation.
Furthermore, among the runes Tom had meticulously researched, this particular one was ideally suited to Hermione's unique talents. Combined with her innate gifts, her learning speed would likely become... alarming, to say the least.
While she would never surpass Tom—his innate magical prowess was simply unparalleled, and his extraordinary learning abilities were no joke—she would certainly outpace the vast majority of wizards. Add to that Hermione's domineering personality, and some professors might find themselves outmatched by her youthful brilliance. Once Hermione Granger graduated and honed her skills, she would undoubtedly become a formidable Death Eater. By then, Fudge would be long past his prime, and retirement would be a far more appropriate path.
However, Fudge remained an "honorary unofficial member of the Death Eaters," and Tom intended to find a suitable position for him, but as for Minister of Magic… Hermione Granger was undeniably the better choice.
...
At Hogwarts, within the Astronomy Tower, Malfoy remained lost in thought, desperately trying to pinpoint where he had gone astray. Shouldn't he, Draco Malfoy, be among the most brilliant of their age? Though he leaned toward melee magic... a melee mage was still a mage! And wasn't wisdom the hallmark of a mage?
"..."
After much contemplation, Malfoy arrived at a singular conclusion: it wasn't that he, himself, was weak, but rather that his opponent was exceptionally strong—and undeniably cunning. What other young wizard boasted fluency in eight languages before even commencing their formal education? Though Draco Malfoy was "incredibly clever," he simply couldn't measure up.
Having swiftly recovered from his bout of self-deprecation, Malfoy vanished without a trace.
"Sigh..."
Harry, standing beside him, couldn't help but sigh. "Well," he conceded, "it wasn't a complete waste of time."
Gazing up at the magnificent starry sky, Harry found his spirits lifting despite recognizing that he had "competed for nothing" this time.
"Forgive me, Harry."
Tom gently flicked Harry's forehead with his finger. "Next time, I shall prepare a task more suited to your abilities."
Once I've completed my research into ancient runes that enhance melee capabilities, of course.
"..."
Harry, rubbing the spot where Tom's finger had touched, flushed with a mix of embarrassment and pleasure.
Cassandra's gaze grew increasingly menacing.
"..."
A chill ran down Harry's spine as he wisely yielded space to Cassandra.
"Very well, let us proceed to the next location," Tom declared, preparing to leave the Astronomy Tower.
"Next… there's someone else?!" Malfoy exclaimed, his spirits soaring. "This time, I, your young master, will most certainly prevail!"
"..."
Hermione and the others behind him edged away from the "madman" Malfoy in disdain.
Even Harry couldn't bear to watch, shielding his face with his hand.
...
Leaving Hogwarts Castle.
Under the cloak of night, the pale moonlight illuminated their path.
"Professor Tom, are we… venturing into the Forbidden Forest?" Hermione cautiously inquired, drawing nearer to Tom.
The prospect of entering the ominous Forbidden Forest so late at night was unsettling. While Tom's presence offered a measure of reassurance, she remained apprehensive.
"Fear not; observe Luna."
Tom gestured towards Luna Lovegood.
Luna Lovegood skipped along with an unburdened gait, her gaze filled with childlike wonder as she surveyed the nocturnal Forbidden Forest. The moonlight lent her silver hair a faint shimmer, transforming her into an ethereal woodland sprite.
"..."
Hermione longed to point out that they were hardly the same. But unwilling to be outdone, especially not in front of Professor Tom, she feigned nonchalance and dutifully followed behind.
"Tom, why did you conceal this place so deep within the forest?" Cassandra, increasingly aware of their descent into the Forbidden Forest's depths, was perplexed. Was Tom, the idiot, simply bored?
Tom offered a sigh of resignation. After all, this location had been Hufflepuff's deliberate choice, and he could not disregard the old man's wish. To alter the site would render this "legacy of Hufflepuff" utterly divorced from its origins.
At least in its present form… at least the location was determined by Hufflepuff.
"Did anyone ever think the Forbidden Forest was this eerie before?" A frigid gust of wind prompted Harry to hunch his shoulders. "I believe I've heard tales of unknown monsters dwelling within the Forbidden Forest, in addition to the standard magical creatures. Surely, that's untrue, right?"
Hearing this, Malfoy attempted to reassure him. "Harry, worry not! Should any monsters reveal themselves, I shall stand as your shield!"
"…"
Harry's face darkened, and he lowered his voice. "Perhaps you ought to step out from behind me first!"
…
With Tom's subtle but palpable aura of power emanating from him, no creature within the Forbidden Forest dared to approach.
Consequently, the legendary "monster" failed to materialize.
At long last, they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
In a small, tree-enclosed clearing, stood an "ancient" oak cabin.
"Whose creation is this? Godric Gryffindor's?" Harry looked at the cabin with a glimmer of hope; after all, Gryffindor was the house he held the most interest in besides Slytherin.
However, Slytherin's haven was obviously situated within the Chamber of Secrets, nestled deep within the castle.
Although, were Gryffindor to be here, he would likely complain. This diminutive cabin simply didn't align with Gryffindor's "macho" image.
"Why don't we simply venture inside and investigate?"
Malfoy strode forward, making his way to the oak cabin's wooden door.
The door itself was adorned with carvings of various magical beings, encompassing both flora and fauna.
Malfoy asked tentatively, "Harry, does Godric Gryffindor harbor an affinity for magical creatures?"
"The door is unlocked; let's enter and take a look."
Knowing that Tom was the one who had built it, Hermione Granger felt no trepidation regarding potential dangers within.
Upon entering, the streaming moonlight illuminated the interior.
The structure's interior was replete with depictions of magical creatures; the walls were adorned with carvings of creatures they had encountered solely within the pages of books. Branches bursting with fresh shoots climbed the walls, extending towards the ceiling. Raising their gaze, they observed that the branches converged to reveal a witch garbed in wizard's robes, her countenance radiating a gentle smile.
Facing the room's center were three stone boxes.
Behind the trio of stone boxes, a wooden platform jutted out from the wall; upon closer inspection, they discovered a yellowed parchment resting upon it.
---