Inside the abandoned Transfiguration classroom.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the words on the blackboard-The Emperor's New Clothes.
The moment those words appeared, the oppressive atmosphere of failure and humiliation was shattered.
"From now on," Hermione said, tossing aside the chalk and turning around, her eyes startlingly bright, "we stop scouting. We stop trying to infiltrate, and forget about searching for any truth."
"We're not playing anymore?" Ron asked, still somewhat dazed and confused.
"No." Hermione's lips curled slightly, with an indescribable air. "We're changing the game. If we can't find an answer, we'll make one ourselves."
She walked over to the table and tapped the Ancient Runes rubbing Krum had brought back.
"This is our thread. The only genuine magical thread, brought back by Krum."
"Then," she said, looking up at everyone, "we'll use it to tailor Professor Holmes a new suit... that doesn't exist."
Hermione began explaining this somewhat insane plan.
"Step one: invent a theory. An entirely new magical theory that no one can understand. We'll call it... the Black Lake Ecological Resonance Ritual."
She continued, "We'll say these Ancient Runes aren't trap runes at all. They're a musical score. Performing it requires special materials, at a specific time, in resonance with the creatures in the Black Lake."
"As long as we perform it correctly, the Black Lake maze's defense system will clear a path for us on its own. That also neatly explains the clue that 'singing is the key.'"
Harry and Cedric listened in a daze. This line of thinking was far too wild.
"Step two: everyone puts on a performance." Hermione began speaking faster.
"Starting tomorrow, we all act confident, as though we've figured everything out. When we go to the Library, we only borrow History of Ancient Merpeople Vocal Music and Observational Notes