Hermione calmed her rapid breathing after the battle with the Troll and quickly reviewed the challenges she had overcome in her mind.
She quickly concluded, "Let me think, the next level should be one designed by Snape."
"His greatest strengths Potions and logical reasoning. Given his personality, he'll likely only set up puzzles and logical tests, so... he shouldn't pose any real danger."
Draco stepped slightly to the side, gesturing for them to go first. "In that case, let's go and finish this final challenge."
As soon as the two stepped into the last Chamber of Secrets, a purple flame suddenly shot up behind them.
The flame core glowed with an eerie, ghostly light, its temperature terrifyingly high, yet it also carried an unnatural chill, instantly sealing off all escape routes.
Almost at the same second, intense black flames also erupted from beneath the stone gate directly in front of them.
Black flames rolled and churned, like a shadow that devoured everything, completely trapping them in this small space.
The entire stone chamber had no windows, no superfluous furnishings, only a stone table in the very center.
On the table were seven small medicine bottles of different shapes arranged in a neat row, with a roll of yellowed parchment pressed down beside them.
Purple and black flames roared on both sides, and light and shadow danced wildly on the walls.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of Potions and magical flames, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it almost impossible to breathe.
Hermione immediately stepped forward, grabbed the parchment, and quickly read the text on it silently.
Her eyes scanned rapidly across each line of clues, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
Within seconds, his tense expression gradually relaxed, and a relieved smile quietly appeared on his lips.
This is a pure logic puzzle, which happens to be her area of expertise.
But after she deduced the function of all the bottles based on the riddle, her relaxed heart jumped up again.
Three bottles contain deadly poison, two are ordinary Nettle Wine, and of the remaining two, one allows you to pass through the black flames ahead and advance, while the other only allows you to retreat to the previous room full of Troll.
Her fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the parchment, her concern turning to Draco:
"We've figured it out, but... the bottle we returned leads to a room with Troll. We only knocked it unconscious and petrified it. What if it wakes up...?"
"It's alright, no need to agonize over which bottle to choose, and no need to go back and touch that stupid thing," Draco said.
As he spoke, he calmly took a small leather medicine bag out of his pocket and poured it onto the table.
Several small test tubes containing various colored liquids, a grinding rod, and a few dried Potions ingredients all rolled out; these were the basic raw materials needed to prepare the potion to clear the level.
Hermione's eyes lit up instantly, unable to contain her excitement, and a bold guess blurted out. "You... you're going to concoct a potion that can pass through the black flames right here?"
"Hmm." Draco picked up a clear test tube, shook it, and looked at her. " Miss Granger, would you like to join us?"
Hermione hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "But... are you sure you can handle it? We know nothing about this flame or the ingredients of the original potion. What if the formula is wrong...?"
Draco chuckled and leaned closer, his expression utterly certain. "Never doubt your husband's abilities—your husband is omnipotent."
Hermione's cheeks flushed again, and she lightly punched him, both embarrassed and annoyed. "Stop blowing!"
Draco smiled even more broadly, his eyes full of doting affection. "So, do you want to pair up together or not?"
Hermione barely hesitated before blurting out, "Yes!"
Draco casually divided the materials into two neat portions, pushed one in front of her, and then started getting restless again. "How about... we take another gamble?"
Hermione's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with vigilance. "No! Absolutely not! You're trying to take advantage of my misfortune, that's... too cunning!"
"That's how cunning they are," Draco chimed in.
He knew Hermione wouldn't fall for it, so he switched to speaking, clearly and patiently explaining the steps to her how to prepare the potion.
"First, add three drops of nettle juice, heat over low heat in a double boiler for two seconds, yes, just like that... Then add two mint leaves and crush them..."
As he spoke, his hands moved non-stop, each step of his practiced movements precise as if from a textbook.
A few minutes later, the two finished the potion at the same time.
The small vial of potion in Hermione's hand shimmered with a soft, pale gold hue, clear and bright—it was practically perfect.
Draco's potion, on the other hand, had a purer color, a more stable aura, and even the texture of the flowing liquid was far superior, clearly indicating a master-level quality.
Hermione held her potion, unable to help but sigh softly, "I really envy your Potions talent... even a casual attempt is so much better than mine."
Draco put down the bottle, gently stroked her reddened nose, and said to her in an unnaturally gentle tone:
"What's there to envy? What's mine is yours, and what's yours will remain yours."
Hermione chuckled at his straightforward yet affectionate remark and nodded, "It seems... that's indeed the case."
The medicine, with a refreshing minty coolness, slid slowly down my throat and into my stomach.
Draco gently squeezed Hermione's hand, their fingers intertwined. The two exchanged a glance and, in perfect unison, stepped forward towards the churning black flames before them.
A strange thing happened—the raging black flames touched them and then gently slid away like water.
The burning sensation was gone, leaving only a light, airy feel brushing against the hem of my clothes.
Hand in hand, the two passed safely through the flames and entered the final Chamber of Secrets.
The place was surprisingly empty, with no traps, no guards, and no complicated arrangements.
The entire room contained only one enormous, ornately carved floor mirror— the Mirror of Erised.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly as she turned to look at Draco beside her, Draco was also looking at her.
"This must be... Professor Dumbledore's challenge," Hermione said softly.
Draco nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the magic mirror. "That's right, we've overcome all the traps ahead. Now, it's time to reap the final rewards!"
Hermione instinctively looked around; the ceiling, walls, and floor were all smooth and clean, and there was nothing there except for the Magic Mirror.
She frowned, puzzled, and asked, "But... there's nothing here except this mirror. Where's the Philosopher's Stone?"
Draco chuckled, reminding her, "Have you forgotten what Harry said before? Old Dumbledore himself cast a spell here."
Hermione froze, then instantly realized, "You mean... the professor hid the Philosopher's Stone?"
"Hmm." Draco raised an eyebrow.
Hermione walked to the Magic Mirror, gently ran her hand over the cool, ornate frame, and analyzed it carefully:
"But where can we hide it? There's nothing in the Chamber of Secrets..."
Draco looked at her thoughtful expression, his eyes filled with a gentle smile, "I believe you've already guessed."