After Draco finished speaking, Hagrid was stunned. " Harry? What's on Harry? Wasn't that kid perfectly fine the whole time?"
He scratched his messy beard.
Hermione paused slightly, supporting Draco's hand; it was a secret she had never been involved in.
Harry, the things on his body, and his connection to Voldemort...
These two are talking again about things only they understand, things that no one else can understand.
She quieted down and didn't press the matter.
Dumbledore simply sighed slightly, "Some things, when the time is right, everyone will understand."
Draco said nothing more, but simply handed the silent Soul-Sealing Jar in his arms to Dumbledore.
" Old Dumbledore, it's safer to leave this to you than to me."
Dumbledore carefully reached out and took the small jar with both hands.
When he touched the cold runes on the jar, a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a gentle smile.
He could clearly sense the dark aura that was firmly imprisoned inside the jar.
Just then, Professor Quirrell, nestled in Hagrid's arms, let out a soft groan, his head moved slightly, and a faint blush returned to his previously pale face.
All eyes turned to that direction.
Quirrell slowly opened his eyes, blinking blankly at first before his vision gradually focused, allowing him to see Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Hermione supporting Draco.
Finally, his gaze settled on the pale-faced Draco, then glanced at the Soul-Sealing Jar in Dumbledore's hand, and instantly understood.
He trembled slightly, his eyes filled with lingering fear, shame, and relief, his lips quivering as he stammered, "I... I..."
"That thing... left my body... right?"
Dumbledore, looking at him with compassion. "Yes, Quirinus, you are free."
Professor Quirrell's body went limp, and he almost slipped out of Hagrid's arms.
Tears welled up instantly in his eyes, and he murmured, "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry to Hogwarts... I almost made a terrible mistake..."
He clearly remembered the greed, fear, and helplessness he felt when he was possessed, and he also remembered how the darkness gradually gnawed at his will.
The thought of aiding and abetting evil and killing unicorns filled him with unbearable pain.
Dumbledore gently raised his hand, a soft white light emanating from the tip of his wand, and slowly approached Quirrell's forehead.
His gentle light fell, soothing Quirrell's flustered mind.
A flash of white light, silent and still.
Quirrell closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was no longer filled with panic and despair, but only with peace, guilt, and determination.
He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Dumbledore: "Thank you... Headmaster! I will always remember this night, and how I almost fell into the abyss."
Dumbledore put away his wand and smiled gently, "Remembering the lesson means the suffering wasn't in vain."
Dumbledore the subject, adding, " Quirinus, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Professor Quirrell nodded.
"Do not reveal a word to anyone about what happened in the Forbidden Forest tonight: the unicorn's tragic death, Voldemort's appearance, or even the truth about your possession."
Quirrell paused for a moment, then understood the principal's intention and quickly and sincerely agreed:
"I understand, Principal! I will not utter a single word to anyone outside, so as not to cause panic among the students and to prevent any unnecessary trouble from spreading."
"That's good!" Dumbledore. "It wasn't that I intended to hide the truth, it's just that the time wasn't right."
"The children of Hogwarts should live in peace and tranquility, without having to bear such a dark and heavy secret so early. Your understanding is the best thing that can happen."
Hagrid, standing to the side, scratched his head. Although he didn't fully understand the deeper meaning, he still nodded emphatically, "Don't worry, Headmaster, we're all very tight-lipped!"
Upon hearing this, Draco couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Hermione thought to herself, "You're the one with the biggest mouth in the whole Hogwarts."
Dumbledore looked at Draco and Hermione with a barely perceptible smile and said, " Hagrid's loyalty has always been more reliable than his words."
After the atmosphere eased a bit, Dumbledore said, "Alright, we shouldn't linger here any longer. Let's return to the castle immediately."
The group returned to Hogwarts Castle late at night.
Hagrid said goodbye to everyone, then turned and left, his massive body swaying.
Dumbledore, accompanied by the still somewhat weak Professor Quirrell, slowly walked towards the Headmaster's Office to handle all the follow-up matters.
Only now did Hermione's mind begin to stir.
"You just... seriously scared me to death."
Draco didn't say much, but simply opened his arms and pulled Hermione into a tight embrace, gently patting her back. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's alright..."
Hermione, embarrassed and annoyed, gently pushed his shoulder:
"What, what are you doing... I was talking about just now, I'm not afraid now!"
But the force of her push was as light as a feather; instead of pushing her away, she snuggled even closer into his warm embrace.
Draco buried his face in the top of her head and said shamelessly, "I just want to hug you, is that not allowed?"
Hermione's cheeks were burning hot, but she still gave in to the patient. "Okay, okay, you can hug me."
As she spoke, she raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist, pressing her face against his slightly cool robe.
Draco held her for a while before softly revealing his thoughts:
"I was actually planning to follow Old Dumbledore's plan, to have Quirrell steal the Philosopher's Stone and Harry confront Voldemort directly, to go through the whole process he had arranged."
"But then I thought, if I just take care of Voldemort, what other trouble could possibly follow?"
"And that opportunity arose when he was sucking the blood of that beautiful unicorn."
"On a whim, I felt there was no need to let such a rare creature suffer for nothing, so I simply provoked him."
Hermione agreed, "I understand... You don't want any more people or living beings to get hurt because of him, and you did the right thing."
"I was hoping to play with him a little longer, but like I said before, this guy keeps going on and on about Avada Kedavra."
" Hagrid is tough and can withstand it, but what if my wife gets hurt? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Hagrid, far away in the cabin, seemed to have been given a clown mask out of thin air.
Hermione's face flushed completely, a mixture of shyness and sweetness. She gently pinched his waist and whispered in response:
"Yes, I know you're the best... and I know you're thinking of me, but please don't let Hagrid hear this."
Draco laughed. "If Hagrid heard this, he might actually think I have a point."
Hermione joked, "Bullshit, if Hagrid heard that, he'd definitely just abandon you because you're so talkative."
Draco tightened his arms, holding her even more securely. "It's okay, even if no one helps me, I can protect my wife."
Hermione's face flushed, and she buried her head in his shoulder, muttering softly, "Who's your wife... don't talk nonsense."
"Then who are you?" Draco asked.
Hermione pinched him lightly. "It's someone who's always worried about you."
Draco paused for a second before saying, "I know. That's why I can't take any risks."
Hermione gave a soft "Mmm" and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go.