Harry Is My Closest Roommate, My Brother-in-Arms

The first floor of the Castle, the Great Hall.

Hermione was engrossed in a thick book, with her Transfiguration notebook beside her. Every now and then, she would look up from the book and write down line after line of notes on the paper.

Compared to the simplified and revised compulsory textbooks, the advanced knowledge in the elective courses is more profound, and some concepts and definitions are difficult to pronounce.

"Transfiguration refers to any form of Transfiguration that changes the shape of a target, including higher-order Transfiguration, cross-species Transfiguration, and Human Transfiguration. Summoning Charm do not focus on summoning but on using Magic Power to construct objects. Vanishing Spell cause objects to dissipate rather than be transferred to another location."

Hermione first read the concepts in the book aloud, then silently read them in her mind repeatedly. After repeating this several times to make sure she had memorized them, she finally wrote down her doubts and questions in her notebook.

The downside of elective courses is that Professor McGonagall doesn't teach them in regular classes, so she has to learn on her own, finding information to solve her doubts or accumulating knowledge to ask the professor for help later.

However, compared to these two methods, she prefers the other approach.

Through the gaps in her hair, one could vaguely glimpse her fair skin and delicate nose, but what was truly captivating were her eyes, absorbed in her book, focused and earnest, reflecting the beige pages of the book as if they were shimmering.

The Great Hall was large and empty. The young wizards who had breakfast came and went, busy enjoying their weekend and splashing water with pebbles by the Black Lake...

They have a million ways to spend their weekends, but Hermione doesn't care; her world is filled with just one book.

As Loren entered the Great Hall, he immediately spotted Hermione reading a book in the corner. Because it was the weekend and she didn't have classes, the girl's fluffy hair was unkempt and disheveled, almost completely obscuring her head. This messiness added a touch of gentleness to the girl.

Unconsciously slowing his pace, Loren walked behind the girl, craned his neck to look at the question written in his notebook, and whispered, "Are the Vanishing Spell and the Summoning Charm the antidotes to each other?"

He thought for a moment and answered, "It's not really a matter of anti-curse. In fact, there are still differences in the Wizarding World regarding the definitions of Vanishing Spell and Summoning Charm. Just use the concept that's easy for you to understand."

So Hermione wrote a note before the question in her notebook and then asked, "Can the Vanishing Spell be used on people?"

"No, you can't. The Vanishing Spell can only be used on objects that don't have Magic Power."

The two naturally began a question-and-answer discussion, adding more notes to the notebook, reducing Hermione's doubts, and thus absorbing the knowledge from the book.

This is Hermione's unique learning method.

Crossing out the last question about the tone of the conversion spell, Hermione stuffed the book, ink bottle, and quill into the small linen bag hanging at her waist. She sighed deeply and said resentfully, "We were supposed to study together during the summer vacation, but you're already ahead of me."

I don't feel jealousy or anything like that. Although learning is enjoyable, the feeling of chasing after someone isn't pleasant.

The little Witch clenched her fists, her snow-white chin puffed out, a hint of anger in her voice. This person was truly despicable, secretly studying behind her back—a despicable act of sneaking away.

"And the Memory Charm too, remember to teach me after you learn it."

"Yes, I know!" Loren stretched out his hands and pushed her shoulders forward, saying helplessly, "Let's go, if it gets any later, I'm worried Hagrid won't have a harvest this year."

"You're almost two weeks late, what's the rush?"

Realizing he was in the wrong, the person changed the subject. "By the way, where are Ron and Harry?"

Hermione didn't mind. "They went to the field to practice."

The two walked together toward Hagrid's Hut.

Autumn has arrived, and some plants that cannot survive the winter are no longer lush and green, their former green tinged with a hint of yellow. Little squirrels dart from branch to branch, clutching their winter food, hiding it in tree holes known only to themselves...

Loren saw a squirrel throw a nut into a tree hole, which popped out a Gnome: "I haven't seen Dumbledore for the past few days. I wonder what he's up to?"

The Basilisk should have been dealt with by Dumbledore, but he was unsure of Voldemort's condition and what information the Diary revealed, so he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Maybe it's because the headmaster has been too busy lately, so he doesn't eat in the Great Hall." Hermione watched as the little squirrel stood up straight in anger, its little paws flailing wildly.

The little squirrel had already started fighting with the Gnome. Its short paws were so powerful that the Gnome couldn't lift its head, and it slowly drove the Gnome down from the branch.

She stared at the two fighting animals, her eyes sparkling. Loren looked into Hermione's bright eyes, feeling the gentle breeze of early autumn caressing his heart, slowly dispelling the lingering heat of summer.

The outer leaves of the Whomping Willow have turned yellow and withered. It sheds its leaves every year, starting with tender shoots in spring and falling off completely in autumn, leaving it bare and covered in snow in winter. Compared to the leaves, the branches are more important, and it may take several days before a new branch is replaced.

This year is different; Harry and Ron replaced several branches, and from a distance, a large piece is missing.

Hagrid's Hut was locked. Loren and Hermione went to the door but didn't hear Fang barking. They suspected that Hagrid had gone out, so they knocked twice on the spot.

Knock knock knock.

"They're here! They're here!"

Hagrid's enthusiastic yet somewhat anxious voice rang out, and after a series of clattering sounds of tables and chairs, the door to the cabin was opened.

"Hey Loren, hey Hermione, good morning—"

He stood somewhat flustered in the doorway, his burly body hunched over, seemingly reluctant to let the two of them in.

Loren and Hermione looked at Hagrid suspiciously, their eyes glancing into the room every now and then.

"You're not raising some dangerous creature again, are you?" Loren asked.

"Let them in."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's familiar voice, Loren and Hermione exchanged a glance and quickly slipped into the room.

Dumbledore was standing in front of a small wooden table, fiddling with a spider with long, slender limbs, covered in black hair, and eight eyes. Fang, hunched over, watched the Acromantula warily from the side.

Compared to the adult Acromantula the two had seen, this one was much smaller and more docile. Even when Dumbledore waved a silver lighter-like object near its eyes, the little Acromantula only casually moved its large pincers.

"Well, Loren and Hermione, good morning! Forgive my rudeness, but this is a crucial moment, and I can't leave," Dumbledore greeted them.

Hermione glanced at Dumbledore, then turned to Hagrid, her expression blank. So Hagrid was keeping the young Acromantula captive in the headmaster's name.

A series of questions popped into her mind: how were the school rules calculated, and how were points deducted...?

Loren noticed that Dumbledore was holding Deluminator, seemingly conducting some kind of test related to the eyes of the Acromantula.

He then remembered that Dumbledore was an exceptional Alchemy whose work had even been featured in Chocolate Frog Card. This was the first time Loren had ever seen a fellow alchemist conduct an experiment. He shoved the bottled potion into Hagrid and excitedly peered over to observe.

"Good morning, Headmaster Dumbledore!"

He understood the function of the Deluminator; it was originally designed to collect and store light from the surrounding environment and release it when needed by the user. The current experiment was being conducted on animals, specifically near the eyeballs. Loren guessed the experiment's purpose was related to vision, possibly to temporarily deprive the target of sight.

Hermione followed behind Loren. Although she wasn't afraid of the Acromantula, girls are generally a bit wary of arthropods, so she didn't get too close.

She couldn't understand the experiment; her little mind was still full of questions.

Headmaster Dumbledore is suspected of violating school rules. How should points be deducted, and which house should have points deducted from him?

In the Magic Power's vision, the Deluminator shone with a bright white light, interspersed with silver and candle-like bright yellow flames.

As the Deluminator shook, it tugged at the wispy, dark Magic Power threads within the Acromantula's eyes. Dumbledore seemed to be trying to untangle the chaotic, mottled Magic Power threads and collect only the specific Magic Power within them.

"It should take some time," Loren estimated the experiment's progress, and began by recounting what had happened at the Castle: "Malfoy told me that Crabbe is acting strangely, and I suspect—"

Dumbledore turned to interrupt, looking at Hermione with a gentle expression. "I think Hagrid needs a student with excellent Potions Master grades to help him dilute the deworming medicine to the right concentration. Miss Granger, can you help him?"

Hermione knew, of course, that was just an excuse to get rid of her, but this was Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot Hogwarts. He was gentle and polite, and no one could find fault with him.

When such a great wizard spoke to a little wizard, Hermione felt dizzy and confused, and in a daze, she followed Hagrid out to mix potions.

Loren found it odd. In his view, Hermione and Hagrid were trustworthy people, and this matter was not a secret. Dumbledore's act of sending them away was rather strange.

He asked, "Shouldn't Hermione and Hagrid know about this?"

"Hagrid is the keykeeper of Hogwarts, the Gamekeeper, and has faithfully performed his duties for decades, resolutely protecting the school even in the most difficult days. I trust him completely, and I would not hesitate to entrust my life to Hagrid. I believe you trust Miss Granger in the same way." Dumbledore combed through the tangled Magic Power lines.

Loren paused for a moment. "That... but just now..."

The little Acromantula was getting impatient, and began to struggle, shaking its two large pincers.

Dumbledore casually stuffed the Rock Cake, smeared with toffee syrup, into the little spider's mouth. The little spider made a loud 'squeak' sound and tried to pry at the Rock Cake with its chelicerae and other legs, but it got stuck and couldn't break free no matter what it did.

In the end, the little Acromantula curled up into a ball, struggling to deal with the Rock Cake while trembling and letting Dumbledore do as he pleased.

"Trust doesn't mean complete openness. Sometimes, maintaining an air of mystery can make plans run more smoothly and lead to better outcomes," Dumbledore replied leisurely.

Loren paused for a moment, feeling that the principal today was malicious.

"Malfoy told me that Crabbe's magical talent and temperament have changed drastically. I suspect he's been controlled by Voldemort, just like Quirrell was last semester. Shouldn't we get rid of Voldemort as soon as possible?"

Dumbledore had anticipated this and was not surprised. "For a long time, I thought that a person's prejudice and hatred were the result of the bad environment he was in. As I grew older, I saw new students Hogwarts every year, and I also saw students who had been at Hogwarts for seven years leaving in droves."

"Just as no two leaves or snowflakes are exactly alike, everyone has their own unique personality and unique thoughts. I gradually realized that personal choices are also an important factor influencing destiny."

Dumbledore recounted his story, he seemed to see the faces of his students flashing before his eyes, those who had left a deep impression on him constantly appearing in his mind.

Bill and Charlie of the Weasley family.

Newt Scamander and Leta Lestrange.

And then there's Tom Riddle.

He said with a hint of melancholy, "If Crabbe can realize that he is in a state of delusion and obsession, we can all help him get rid of Voldemort. If he himself is unwilling to wake up, no one can help him."

Respect the fate of others and set aside any urge to help. Loren wasn't keen on saving Crabbe either. "What about Voldemort?"

"Just like Quirrell last year, in his Wraith state, he doesn't dare to cause trouble at school, so he can only use petty tricks to stir up some disturbances. In this state, he can actually do some good things," Dumbledore chuckled.

What good things could Voldemort possibly do? Loren muttered to himself.

Seemingly sensing his confusion, Dumbledore explained, "He and Harry are like these Magic Power threads, tightly intertwined. One day, Harry will have to face Voldemort himself and settle the score from that night eleven years ago. Harry needs to grow up as soon as possible, especially in his mind, for the mind is the source of power."

Judging from Dumbledore's words, it seemed he was planning another scenario where Harry would Voldemort directly. Loren silently prayed that Harry would be alright in the end.

Loren seemed to understand why he had just sent the two away. When Harry encountered a problem, he would definitely ask for help from those around him, with Hermione and Hagrid being the first to be asked.

He asked, "So, the reason Hermione and Hagrid can't know is to prevent them from leaking information to Harry?"

Dumbledore neither answered nor confirmed, but continued to comb through the Magic Power lines torn from the eyes of the Acromantula.

Loren chuckled, "Then aren't you worried I'll leak the secret?"

"Harry will be under unprecedented pressure for some time to come, and I need your cooperation to help me understand Harry's condition." Dumbledore winked at him. "Consider it an agreement between the two of us."

Loren's smile vanished, his expression turning serious as he glared at him reproachfully. "What are you saying? Harry and I are Chamber of Secrets, brothers in arms. You want me to spy on him for you—"

Dumbledore also stopped smiling and looked at Loren seriously. He didn't know that the young wizard nowadays valued friendship so much.

"You need to pay more!"

"Cough cough!"

Dumbledore coughed violently twice, and even his hand slipped from his grasp of the Deluminator.