Double the Joy

"Whatever it is, we can talk about it later, Hermione. Right now, there's something I need your help with."

Seeing Hermione open her mouth to speak, Bell hurriedly said.

"The entire volcano has been frozen over now. Such an obvious anomaly is bound to draw attention. I need you to set up an Illusion Barrier to hide what happened here. It would be best to set up a Repelling Jinx as well, to keep anyone from entering."

If the artifact-refining formation drawing away the surrounding heat had only left the mountaintop covered in snow, they could barely have muddled through with the excuse that "the spring of 1998 came a little late." But now that the entire volcano had been sealed in ice and was radiating endless cold outward, there was no way they could bluff their way past it.

"But Bell, I can't set up a barrier that covers the entire volcano in such a short time."

Hermione lowered her head dejectedly.

Bell had finally asked for her help, yet she lacked the ability to meet his request. At that moment, Hermione felt terribly upset.

"There's no need to make the illusion perfect. It only needs to fool Muggles looking from afar. As for the Repelling Jinx, it doesn't have to cover the entire volcano either. Just place it at the few entrances leading up the mountain."

Gently stroking Hermione's hair, Bell offered his advice.

Everything about his Hermione was good, except that she pursued perfection too much and easily got stuck on trivial details. For example, in exams, an overall score above ninety was enough to earn an 'O,' yet Hermione still chased a perfect hundred every time. Before every exam, she would tense herself up far too much, making him worry.

"Phew! That feels good!"