The Secret Inside the Ring

The ruined building was empty. Only faint dust stirred in its silent corners.

The cold night wind howled through the gaps in the building, as though it wanted to ruthlessly steal the warmth from every corner.

In a corner concealed by the Invisibility Cloak, the despairing Hermione lay listlessly against the wall. She had no strength left at all.

Sean drew his wand with violent fury and pressed it against her throat. "Miss Owl, I hope you'll remember every word I said when you go back—remember, the one who kills me won't be Herpo or anyone else. It'll be you."

"No, not me..." Tears slid from Hermione's vacant eyes. "I... I just... just wanted to save you..."

"Should I thank you for your kindness, then?" Sean shot her a contemptuous, disgusted glance.

"Kindness is the noblest virtue because it demands the greatest capability! Without the ability to match it, kindness is nothing but a stupid, helpless festering sore! You don't deserve kindness! You're just a murderer!"

Sean vented his rage, then pointed his wand at Hermione's temple. "For fuck's sake! I still have to save you!"

"Then... let me die..." Hermione's heart was utterly dead.

"What does it matter to me whether you die or not? If it weren't for..." Sean gritted his teeth. His other hand rose high, but in the end, he lowered it. "Fuck... I'm giving you one chance now. Extract every memory from tomorrow onward until before you return. Do you hear me?"

Hermione no longer had the will to think about why Sean wanted this. Drowned in endless despair, she merely followed his instructions blankly.

Silver strands were extracted without mercy, while Hermione's tears poured down uncontrollably.

This was a complete extraction. She did not leave herself even the slightest fragment of memory.

Once it