Hermione was struck by his words, and her back tensed slightly.
She clenched her fingers and whispered fiercely, "I'm not shy!"
Even though her back was to Draco, she felt that even without looking, he could see right through her embarrassment.
My heart was pounding so hard it was unbelievable.
Hermione took a deep breath and forced herself to focus her attention back on the Magic Mirror.
But her mind was a jumbled mess, one moment it was the bet, the next it was his teasing remark, and then she remembered his breath when he was close by. She couldn't concentrate at all.
Finally, he could only sullenly and with a hint of grievance hummed, "You... you're not allowed to peek! And you're not allowed to laugh!"
Draco had his back to her, and his shoulders twitched slightly, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.
"I won't laugh, I absolutely won't peek, I promise."
Hermione suppressed all distracting thoughts and focused on only one thing.
It wasn't for myself, nor for wealth, but simply to protect the Philosopher's Stone.
She stood quietly in front of the magic mirror.
A few seconds later, a slightly cool sensation landed on my palm.
The Philosopher's Stone actually appeared in her hand.
She gently gripped the small stone that emitted a faint red glow, calmed her racing heart, turned around, walked to Draco, and silently handed him the Philosopher's Stone.
Draco looked down at the Philosopher's Stone in her palm, showing no surprise, but simply smiled:
"She really got it... I knew it. I didn't expect our Miss Granger to have absolutely no greed in her heart, and not want to use it for profit at all."
Hermione raised her chin high and said proudly, "Of course, I'm not that kind of person."
She urged, "Stop talking nonsense, just prove you can put it back! I'm sure I'll win."
She secretly thought to herself: This time, I should finally beat you, right?
Draco chuckled, took the Philosopher's Stone, placed his palm on the mirror, and softly recited an ancient yet fluent incantation.
Without a bright light or a loud noise, the Philosopher's Stone slowly lit up in his palm, then gently floated back into the magic mirror, as if it had never been taken out at all.
It was exactly the same as Dumbledore's arrangement.
Hermione froze at the sight, her smugness gradually fading until it gave way to utter despair.
She rubbed her forehead and sighed helplessly, "I knew it... I shouldn't have made that bet with you. I haven't won a single time from the start."
"It's okay, anyway... you won't lose out if you lose to me."
Hermione was still in shock, staring at him in astonishment:
"You... you've become as powerful as Professor Dumbledore? No wonder you could easily handle someone like Voldemort."
She stared at him as if she were seeing him for the first time, muttering, " Draco Malfoy, what kind of psychopath are you...?"
Draco chuckled at her words and gently corrected her:
"You can't describe your husband as a freak, you should call him a genius."
"He's a monster!" Hermione scoffed. "Not only is his strength monster, but his mind is super monster too."
Draco explained, "My abnormal strength is so I can protect my wife before she fully grows up."
"As for your thoughts... that's because Hermione, you're too..."
He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence and quickly changed his words:
"Oh wait, I'm not weird at all! Isn't this a normal thing between couples?"
Hermione noticed his unusually flustered expression and a slight smile played on her lips.
However, feeling resentful at losing the bet again, Hermione gently nudged his arm.
You should give it a try!
"I'll see if you can really get it."
Draco shrugged and walked cooperatively to the Magic Mirror. He stood quietly for only a moment before the Philosopher's Stone landed safely in his palm, as easily as picking up a pebble.
Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... how did you manage to get that?!"
Draco chuckled and casually placed the Philosopher's Stone back into the mirror.
"Of course your husband is just like you, otherwise how could you be so head over heels in love with him?"
"Stop talking nonsense! Who said they're head over heels in love with you!"
Draco chuckled softly and took her hand in his. "I wasn't wrong."
As he spoke, he led her toward the exit, his back view showing a relaxed demeanor, as if he hadn't taken the terrifying ordeal he had just experienced seriously at all.
Hermione was being pulled along by him, cursing him for being shameless, but obediently following him forward.
As soon as the two left the Chamber of Secrets, a familiar figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Dumbledore stroked his long silver beard, gazing in the direction they had walked away hand in hand, and sighed softly to himself:
"The dog food wasn't wasted after all..."
These two young people are developing their careers way too fast; I wonder if it's really a good thing.
If Draco knew that Old Dumbledore was secretly spying on him again, he would probably roll his eyes and curse him as an old pervert in his heart.
Two days before leaving Hogwarts, the Great Hall was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and tension.
Harry and Ron caught Draco and Hermione early in the morning and asked them in confusion.
" Professor Quirrell has been acting strange lately?" Harry whispered. "Why hasn't he gone to steal the Philosopher's Stone?"
Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, weren't they being all mysterious before?"
Draco casually adjusted his cuffs and made up an excuse. "The professors are keeping a close eye on me, so I'm not daring to do anything rash. I've been behaving myself lately."
Hermione immediately chimed in, nodding earnestly, "That's right, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick have increased their patrols; he has no chance."
The two of them worked together, convincing Harry and Ron to the point of being completely bewildered.
Tonight is the final banquet of the House Cup.
All the students were secretly anticipating which college's color the Great Hall would be decorated in, and which college animal's giant banner would be hung behind the High Table.
But when Harry, Ron, Lavender, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Parvati, Olivia, the group of little lions, rushed into the Great Hall, the anticipation on everyone's faces froze instantly, and they all collapsed in disappointment.
The Great Hall was completely enveloped in green and silver, with long tables, curtains, and chandeliers all decorated in Slytherin colors.
Behind the High Table, a huge silver snake banner hung imposingly in mid-air.
The Gryffindor group immediately deflated.
"No way..." Ron wailed, " Slytherin is going to take it again this year?"
"I thought we had a chance this time!" Lavender, his face falling.
Neville sighed softly, and Seamus and Dean also looked dejected.
Just as the group of lion cubs were looking dejected, Draco spoke softly, "Don't worry."
"Huh?" Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Hermione added for him, " Draco said... Professor Dumbledore will add the points back."
Lavender immediately covered her face and started to jeer, "Oh dear—he only told Hermione secretly again! Draco is so biased! He made us worry for nothing!"
Parvati and Olivia, who were standing nearby, joined in the laughter and cheers.
Harry stepped forward and asked earnestly, " Draco, are you telling the truth?"
Draco nodded slightly.
"Then... why did Professor Dumbledore do that?"
Draco's reason was beyond doubt. "Because—it's fair."
Everyone collapsed.