Lake of the Mind

It was not until late at night that Ron and Hermione returned to the Gryffindor dormitory, exhausted in both body and mind.

Anton did not have much time. He had a mountain of things to do himself, so he could only train the two classmates one stage at a time.

In other words, the real trial would begin when they practiced on their own without anyone watching over them, facing the fears in their hearts alone.

Ron looked at Hermione with some relief. He could not imagine how he would have endured such terrifying training if he had been by himself.

There was nothing remarkable about finding the courage to face one's cowardice and fear in a dangerous situation. Finding that courage every single moment to confront fear—that was the hardest thing.

Hermione, too, looked at Ron with a complicated expression.

Facing the fears within one's heart was not a test of intelligence or learning ability. It was an entirely new and unfamiliar realm—the strength of one's heart.

She had always thought she was mentally strong...

Unfortunately, that did not seem to be the case.

She seemed to have known it already when she faced the Boggart in Defence Against the Dark Arts class.

Beneath Hermione's proud, forceful exterior lay a fragile heart, filled with deep insecurity and an overwhelming fear of failure.

"Hey, Ron, Hermione!" Harry sprang up excitedly from the sofa beside the fireplace. Looking at the somewhat bedraggled pair, he asked eagerly, "Why are you back so late? Ron, did you choose to keep studying or have your memories erased? Hermione, what's wrong? Hermione?"

Hermione looked pale. She gave Harry a weak grin, seemingly without even the strength to speak, then turned and headed for the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

Harry froze for a moment, then