Hermione looked at the new wand in her hand, excitement flickering in her eyes.
The wand had actually been classified as a Curiosity!
Not only did it conduct magical power exceptionally well, it also raised all ice magic by one level.
Most importantly, it could be enchanted indefinitely.
Unlimited enchantments meant unlimited growth. The material requirements were rather demanding, but was she really worried she wouldn't find good materials in the future?
The only drawback was that the Philosopher's Stone's freshly replenished energy had been drained dry again.
It looked like she would have to keep squeezing Nick Fury. She knew he must still have more sto... materials.
After disappearing for several days, Hermione finally returned to Hogwarts.
The moment she stepped into the common room, Harry and Ron rushed over.
"Hermione! Where have you been these past few days?" Harry grabbed her arm. "We couldn't find you anywhere!"
Ron sounded just as anxious beside him. "Yeah, Hermione! If you hadn't shown up soon, we'd have thought you'd been petrified too!"
Hermione pushed Harry's hand away. "What could possibly happen to me? I was just taking care of some... personal business."
"Personal business? What's more important than all these petrification incidents at school?" Harry's eyes widened, his voice full of bewilderment. "Do you know someone else was attacked while you were gone?"
"I know."
"You know? Then why were you still running off everywhere?" Harry raised his voice. "We were really worried about you!"
Hermione didn't answer. Instead, she asked:
"Anyway, why the long faces? What happened?"
"The Ministry of Magic took Hagrid away! They said... they said he was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets!"
"It's true! He's locked up in Azkaban!" Ron added. "And Professor Dumbledore's been suspended too!"
"Suspended? Who did that?" Hermione asked,