Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 340 Fierce

"I do not know."

Hermione's answer was so concise that Ron, who was completely focused, didn't react for a moment.

"what?"

He asked instinctively, and Hermione patiently repeated,

I said, "I don't know."

Her gaze drifted into the distance. "I had so few clues that I could only look at everything from the most basic perspective."

“Look at the beneficiaries.”

"Now let's look at the victims."

Even if the conclusion I finally reached is unbelievable to myself—

"Because in almost every case, in every charge leveled against her, the beneficiary was someone else, while she was the most certain victim."

"Except for one thing."

Even after Hermione said so much, Ron's expression remained calm, even if it was only on the surface.

"I know what you're referring to."

"But Dumbledore's death was her only exception, and the only exception I've seen."

"The only one."

"She gained the approval of the Death Eaters and the Mystic, but we lost our most beloved headmaster and our greatest fighting force."

"But something still feels off—"

"So I had another idea: what if? What if Dumbledore sacrificed himself willingly? What if he used his life to establish Thea's authority within the Death Eaters, so that they would turn against him at a crucial moment?"

Ron: "!!!"

Hermione's argument continues.

"And once I settled on this line of thinking, all her previous restraint, compassion, and silence had an answer."

"Isn't that so?"

Hermione smiled, but her eyes were filled with sadness.

The two looked at each other in silence, both seeing complexity in each other's eyes.

Ron Yu is.

As a former member of the Slytherin Pure Hatred group, I have suffered too much trauma today.

Hermione remained silent, simply standing beside Ron and watching him repeat his disbelief when he arrived at his conclusion.

"so……"

"Is your plan a test? A verification?"

As if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened, Ron's thinking became clearer than ever before.

"If Thea comes, then your deduction is basically correct; if she doesn't—"

"That doesn't prove my reasoning is completely wrong!"

Ron: "..."

I understand. Just as top students don't allow struggling students to question their expertise, Hermione won't easily overturn her conclusions either.

"This is really... I don't even know whether I should hope your deduction is true or false this time..."

If it's true, then how should they, and even the world, face the hero who was baptized with the most vicious curse in the world?

If it's fake, then what reason could they use to justify Thea's repeated leniency towards them?

Ron was plagued by a headache he hadn't had in a long time, while the culprit simply vanished without a trace.

------

"If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way. Besides, this isn't entirely acting."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Make the news even more outrageous!"

"for example?"

"Just say it: Harry Potter's forced entry into Riddle's old house was because he still had feelings for Black!"

"puff!"

Ron couldn't resist and spilled all the pumpkin juice he had just put in his mouth onto the carpet.

Hermione didn't even blink. "The cleaning for the next three days is up to you!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Seeing Ron choke and cough so hard, and even give Hermione an OK sign, Harry would have definitely looked like he couldn't bear to watch before.

But now—

Yes, he was also stunned by Hermione's bold choice of words.

"...Still feeling something?"

After calming himself down, Harry thought he was being calm as he asked Hermione a question in return.

To everyone's surprise, Hermione didn't even look up, and coldly asked, "Is there a problem?"

Harry: "…………"

Isn't there a problem?

"Cough cough!"

Harry cleared his throat, then, despite Hermione's disapproving look, bravely said...

"I don't think this term is appropriate; it exaggerates the facts and even seriously tarnishes the reputation of the Order of the Phoenix in the wizarding world—"

“Brother,” Harry began, before Ron nudged him in the side, “hasn’t the Order of the Phoenix’s reputation already been tarnished by Malfoy’s efforts?”

Harry: "…………"

Help! Sometimes even the savior feels helpless!

Helpless, Harry continued to be strong: "Hermione, I think—"

Seeing that Harry was about to launch into a long speech, Hermione slammed her pen down heavily, completely overwhelming the two people in front of her with her imposing manner.

"Lingering feelings, lust at first sight, or flying wing to wing—choose one! Or you can choose all of them—"

Seeing Hermione's increasingly fierce style, Harry, with a strong survival instinct, seized the opportunity when Hermione paused.

"Choose one!"

"It's good that you still have feelings for each other!"

"Really?" Hermione asked doubtfully.

"More real than pearls!!!"

Harry looked at Hermione with a determination stronger than if he were joining the Party.

"Ok."

Hermione pursed her lips, looking rather disappointed.

Harry: "…………"

Ron: "…………"

"Now everyone outside knows that you led people to ruin her engagement party. When it comes to the hatred for you, even the mysterious person may not be as strong as hers."

"At this point, if rumors start circulating, no one can tolerate it any longer."

"She will come, for whatever reason."

"And then what?"

While Harry walked away to get some water, Ron quickly moved closer to Hermione, his eyes filled with worry:

"What if she knew it was your idea and the rumor—"

"If we both still have a future, I will apologize to her with a bundle of thorns on my back! Or if she returns it to me as is, I will accept it."

The two were caught up in complicated emotions and didn't notice the sound of water coming from the other side.

Looking at his fingers, which were slowly turning red from the water splashing on them, Harry felt like even breathing was bitter.

Was that really a rumor to him?

No.

That was the coward's exposed belly.