The spider fleeing for its life was like a cold needle, piercing the brief calm. Hermione held Lynn's hand, her fingertips slightly chilled, yet her gaze unusually resolute. The Basilisk—or whoever controlled it—had extended its reach into a safe area. It was both a provocation and an opportunity.
"I'll find Harry and the others and tell them about the spider appearing in the Hospital Wing. It's crucial!" Hermione said quickly, releasing Lynn's hand as she prepared to leave.
"Wait." Lynn stopped her. Leaning against the headboard, his eyes were sharp, as though the tenderness from moments ago had never existed. "Take this." He extended his uninjured left hand, palm up. An exceedingly faint silver-gray starlight, like a firefly, gathered and danced above his palm.
"This is...?" Hermione looked at the tiny glimmer in confusion.
"A Tracking Beacon," Lynn explained. "I left a trace of Star Mark on that spider just now. It can sense dark auras of the same origin. If the Basilisk approaches it again, or if it approaches the Basilisk, the mark will produce a faint resonance. Take it with you. If it suddenly grows brighter or starts flashing violently, it means the Basilisk is active nearby."
Hermione's eyes lit up. This was the most timely tracker imaginable! She carefully extended a finger. The faint starlight drifted down like a living thing, lightly settling on her fingertip and melting into her skin. It vanished, leaving only an almost invisible, cool silver dot behind.
"I can't feel any weight, but I can sense it's there." Hermione tested it, her voice full of delight. "This is so useful!"
"Be careful." Lynn looked at her and said only two words, yet they held a thousand unspoken things.
Hermione nodded firmly. "You too. Get some proper rest and wait for my news!"