The Troll invasion at Hogwarts did not cause much of a stir within the school.
The young wizards still went about their usual business.
Well, not exactly.
Ron was an exception.
He enthusiastically told every willing listener about his heroic battle against the Troll.
Neville was his most devoted audience.
Each time, he looked at Ron with worshipful eyes, leaving Ron immensely satisfied.
However, Ron knew what he should and should not say.
Whenever he mentioned the crucial part where Brook defeated the Troll, he always brushed over it in a single sentence.
Of course, perhaps he was also worried Brook would steal his thunder.
But he did not say a word about the secret of Brook's Ring Space.
Ron came from a pure-blood wizarding family, so he naturally knew more than most about magical items such as the Undetectable Extension Charm.
He had never heard of an Undetectable Extension Charm item in the shape of a ring.
The one on Brook's hand might very well have been illegal.
He absolutely could not bring trouble upon Brook because of his big mouth.
The Troll incident had also brought the "Golden Trio" back together.
No, there were four of them now.
It was just that Brook was usually busy with matters at the farm.
That left Hermione passively spending time with Harry and Ron.
Ron cautiously sidled up to Hermione.
"Hermione, could I borrow your homework for reference?"
"No. Homework needs to be completed independently so you can truly learn something."
Hermione refused without hesitation.
Ron was a little unconvinced and muttered, "Then why are you willing to help Brook with his homework?"
Hermione: (ꈍᴗꈍ)
She retorted with complete confidence despite lacking any real justification.
"His spells are even better than mine. He does not need homework to reinforce them at all."
Brook really had copied her homework before.
But ever since he had the farm, Brook's workload had greatly increased.
She wanted him to have more time to rest, so she had taken the initiative to help him with his homework.
Since he was copying it anyway, she might as well do it for him directly.
Harry tugged Ron.
Ron, do you have no idea what your place is?
Compared to Brook, you are dreaming.
"Hermione, we are really just making things up when we do our homework. If we could look at yours, maybe we could learn quite a lot. Please cut us some slack..."
Seeing Harry's pitiful expression, Hermione felt she really could not be so blatantly biased.
She huffed, then got up and walked toward the bookshelf. "I am going to find a book to read."
Ron watched Hermione's retreating figure with a miserable expression and sighed.
"Ah, what are we supposed to do? The Potions homework is just too difficult."
Harry patted Ron on the head and said in exasperation, "Are you stupid? Hermione did not take her homework with her."
Ron froze for a moment, then immediately understood.
"Ah! Right! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
The two quickly spread Hermione's homework between them and began copying furiously.
After Brook finished rushing to harvest the peaches at the farm, he finally had some free time.
He busied himself at the farm for a while longer, then headed to the library.
He needed to look up some household magic or magic suitable for use on the farm.
However, just as he reached the library entrance—
Hermione came rushing out in a panic and crashed straight into him.
"Sorry... sorry." Hermione covered her forehead and apologized repeatedly.
Brook found her appearance rather amusing.
"Hermione, what is wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Ah! Brook, I was just looking for you."
Hermione raised her head. When she saw that it was Brook, a flash of delight appeared in her eyes.
"Looking for me? Did something happen?"
"It is not me looking for you. Headmaster Dumbledore is looking for you."
As Hermione spoke, she pulled a note from her pocket and handed it to Brook.
Brook took the note. It read:
"Miss Granger, please help me deliver this note to Mr. Lott.
Mr. Lott, I hope you can come to the Headmaster's office when you have time.
The entrance is at the stone monster in the middle of the third-floor corridor.
Lemon Sherbet tastes quite nice."
Brook's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
He had not expected Dumbledore to want to see him so soon.
He had long coveted Hogwarts' House Elves.
Although he could also order his own House Elf, An An, to do things.
Without Dumbledore's permission, many matters were still difficult to handle freely.
That was why he had deliberately brought out those modern weapons and intentionally left them behind.
It was to draw Dumbledore's attention.
To make him investigate and learn more.
To force him to meet with Brook of his own accord.
Of course, Brook could have gone to Dumbledore himself.
But then the initiative in the negotiations would not have been in his hands.
"Since the Headmaster has summoned me, I will go over first."
"Mhm, mhm." Hermione nodded rapidly.
In her heart, Dumbledore held an incomparably lofty position.
A large part of why she had chosen Gryffindor House in the first place was because of Dumbledore.
She was still quite envious that Brook had received a private summons from Dumbledore.
Brook rubbed Hermione's head, then turned and headed toward the third floor.
He had passed that stone monster many times on his way to class, so he was familiar with the route.
The stone monster before him had an unusual shape, its outline resembling that of a lioness.
Yet its nose and eyes looked more human.
"Lemon Sherbet."
As if activated, the stone monster leaped aside. The wall behind it slowly split in two, revealing a stone staircase.
"Thank you," Brook said softly before stepping onto the stairs.
Before he could even lift his foot to climb, the wall behind him swiftly closed again.
At the same time, the staircase began to rise in slow circles.
"A magical elevator? Interesting."
Soon, the staircase reached the top and came to a steady stop.
Brook stepped off the stairs and arrived before an oak door.
A griffin-shaped door knocker was set into it.
He politely knocked on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore's voice came from behind the door, which opened automatically.
Brook entered the Headmaster's office.
What greeted him was a circular room.
The Sorting Hat rested on a shelf supported by claw-shaped table legs.
Portraits of past Headmasters hung on the walls. They were all asleep at the moment, occasionally letting out soft snores.
The phoenix Fawkes was dozing on a golden perch.
Rather than a phoenix, Brook thought he looked more like a chicken with several curly feathers growing from its head.
A strange instrument on the desk was whirring as it spun, releasing curls of smoke.
And, of course, the two weapons Brook had deliberately left behind were sitting there as well.
"Good afternoon, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Mr. Lott, please sit. Would you like something to drink?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"No, Headmaster."
Brook refused directly.
With drowsing weed in his possession, he naturally knew about Veritaserum.
He would not casually drink anything Dumbledore offered him.
Before you continue