After speaking with Professor Lupin, Draco didn't linger and turned to leave the classroom.
Final exams are approaching,
The school announced some exciting news: Hogsmeade would reopen two weeks before Christmas.
This time, Hogsmeade was unbelievably beautiful.
Fine snowflakes drifted down, covering the rooftops. A thin layer of frost covered the windows of Honeydukes, and warm smoke billowed from the Three Broomsticks chimney. Shi's breath dispersed in the cold air.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the snow.
The whole street was softly lit, and the air was filled with the sweet aromas of gingerbread, hot Butterbeer, and candy.
After the Dementor and Troll incidents, the shopkeepers were exceptionally welcoming to the students.
The Flume couple generously gave everyone an Fizzing Whizbees, and Madam Rosmerta provided plenty of hot Butterbeer.
Although Aberforth still had a sour face, he surprisingly didn't chase away the students near the bar entrance.
Newly made prank toys were hanging outside the Zonko's Joke Shop, and more wizards from outside were coming. The streets were bustling with people and filled with laughter, completely shaking off the previous oppressive atmosphere.
The third-grade students were the most satisfied, except for the fact that they were initially quite frightened by the Dementor...
What made them even more relieved was that the Daily Prophet reporting on the matter almost daily, with Lucius Malfoy leading the charge and several Pure-blood and neutral wizarding families following suit.
With Fudge's Dementor decisions being repeatedly questioned, his past transgressions were brought to light.
This led to a further decline in Fudge's credibility.
I think he won't be out of office for long!
"It should have been replaced a long time ago!"
"What do you take Hogwarts for?!"
In the cafeteria, in the corridors, in the dormitories, such discussions were everywhere, and everyone's face showed pride and satisfaction.
Christmas is just around the corner, and the holidays are just around the corner.
A relaxed atmosphere permeated the entire Hogwarts, with people chatting in small groups about their winter break plans.
Draco was the quietest of all.
While Hermione was studying, he was also scribbling and drawing on parchment, immersed in his own world.
He is building his own combat system.
Other people's Incendio, but they are just ordinary flames.
In his hands, after adjusting the incantation and reconstructing the magic path, it can directly condense into a Fire Dragon Attack, the flames solid as scales, roaring as it pounces on the enemy.
In the last Ancient Runes class before the holidays, the students eagerly packed up their books after the bell rang, clearly looking forward to the upcoming Christmas holidays.
Professor Babbling called out to Hermione and Draco, who were about to leave. " Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, don't rush home for Christmas. I have something important to discuss with you."
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes, but still obediently nodded in agreement.
Finally, the day of Hogwarts' holiday arrived. Most of the students in the castle were dragging their luggage and embarking on their journey home, making the corridors unusually quiet. Hermione and Draco arrived at the Ancient Runes classroom on time and quietly waited for Professor Babbling.
When Professor Babbling returned to her office, she went to an oak cabinet and took out an object wrapped in dark blue velvet from the bottom shelf.
When she untied the velvet cloth, the mysterious box was revealed; it was about the size of a palm.
The box is carved from dark Scottish oak and its surface is covered with intricate Runes patterns.
The patterns weren't carved on; rather, they looked as if they had grown naturally along the wood grain.
The four corners are inlaid with four rounded moonstones, and in the center is a protrusion without a keyhole, shaped like an open oak leaf.
"I found this last month in an abandoned Ancient Magic site during my fieldwork in the Scottish Highlands," Professor Babbling said, placing the box on the table.
"It looks like an ancient artifact from a thousand years ago. I've studied the Runes on it for a long time, but I've only been able to decipher the meanings of 'guard' and 'secret treasure.' I still can't find a way to open it."
Draco reached out first, and as soon as he touched the protruding oak leaf, a surge of warm energy rushed up his fingertips.
The next second, the runic patterns all over the box suddenly lit up, Runes the silver light flowed, the oak leaves rose and slowly rotated. With a soft "click," the box automatically popped open.
The box was lined with a layer of animal hide that had long since turned yellow, and a key lay quietly in the center.
Its appearance is very similar to the key to Gringotts, and the handle is made of pure silver.
The surface is engraved with runes of the same origin Runes.
The key teeth were not made of ordinary metal, but of a pale gold color that shimmered slightly, as if they were made with concentrated Ancient Magic. A piece of faded silk rope was tied to the end of the handle, swaying gently in the wind.
"This is..." Hermione instinctively leaned closer, her fingers tracing the patterns on the key handle, "It's exactly the same shape as the Gringotts vault key, only the material and patterns are completely different!"
Professor Babbling nodded. "I think so too. Many of Gringotts vaults use this type of key, but this one clearly carries Ancient Magic and is very likely the key to unlock some unknown secret Gringotts."
As she spoke, she looked at the two of them and asked expectantly:
"I plan to go back to those ruins during the Christmas holidays to see if I can find any more clues."
"This box and key are closely related to Ancient Runes, and you two have performed exceptionally well in this course."
"Especially Draco's sensitivity to Ancient Magic, and Granger's logical analytical skills."
So I'd like to invite you all to come along.
After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell between the three of them.
Snowflakes fell softly outside the window, coating the stone walls of the castle with a layer of white frost, and the Christmas atmosphere grew stronger.
But the mysterious key and the ruins of the Scottish Highlands acted like a magnet, drawing in their curiosity.
Draco turned to Hermione beside him. "So? Do you want to go?"
Hermione's gaze remained fixed on the Ancient Magic key, her fingers curling in a gesture of excitement.
Her fascination with Ancient Magic was ingrained in her very being. From the remnants of Ancient Magic at Hogwarts to the secrets behind Runes, every exploration filled her with excitement.
Moreover, this involves Gringotts ' secret vault, which may contain unknown Ancient Magic texts or long-forgotten historical truths.
Hermione met Draco's gaze, then looked into Professor Babbling's expectant eyes, and said:
"Of course I want to go! Professor Babbling, this is so exciting! We can explore Ancient Magic ruins and uncover the secrets of this key. It's worth giving up the Christmas holiday!"
"Since Hermione wants to go, I have no objection."
Draco looked at the professor, Professor Babbling smiled with satisfaction, put the key back in the box, and carefully closed it. "Then it's settled!"