Draco, fearing that some survivors might still be hiding in the woods, did not choose to escort them himself. Instead, he used Voice Projection Charm to send a message to his mother, asking her to send someone to clean up the mess.
" Merlin!" The old woman looked back at the spot where the fight had just taken place, still shaken. "I've never seen such a vicious villain! And to think that Hogwarts is right next door, how dare he fight here... it's unbelievable..."
"Madam, are you alright? Is anything bothering you?" Hermione quickly took her arm and asked with concern.
"It's alright, it's alright," the old woman patted Hermione's hand, a grateful smile on her face. "I'm Nora Tredwell. Thank you, little ones. If it weren't for you, I probably would have been arrested today."
"It's nothing, madam. Dark wizards are people everyone should kill," Draco replied calmly.
" Nora Treadwell..."
Hermione murmured the name to herself, then suddenly seemed to remember something, her eyes lighting up instantly.
Hermione, unable to contain her excitement, abruptly took a half-step back, her pupils dilated, and asked in a trembling voice:
"You... you really are Mrs. Nora Treadwell?! I've seen your name in ' The A Study of Merlin's Legacy '! You're a leading expert on Merlin's life and legacy!"
Nora chuckled at Hermione's reaction, her eyes filled with affection and surprise.
"Oh? I didn't expect that a Hogwarts student would remember the name of this old woman."
No wonder Hermione was so excited. Nora Treadwell is a renowned scholar in the Wizarding World, specializing in Merlin and his mysterious artifacts, and is considered an authority in the History of Magic.
Hermione suppressed her inner elation, but she tried her best to appear calm:
"Madam, I have been following your research! I would like to ask if there have been any new developments in your research on Merlin?"
As she spoke, Hermione pulled a notebook and a quill pen from her bag, the quill tip hovering over the paper, looking eager to learn.
Mrs Nora was amazed by her thirst for knowledge. "What a clever child! Indeed, I have recently made some new discoveries regarding the mysteries left behind by Merlin..."
Mrs Nora was clearly happy to talk with this clever and studious young witch, and the two began to discuss Magical Theory from Merlin's time in hushed tones, momentarily forgetting their surroundings.
By this time, his men had arrived. Draco ordered them to bind the three unconscious dark wizards with Binding Charm, and then silently led them away from the scene.
After finishing everything, Draco stood aside, waiting quietly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Hermione's excited profile.
After their academic exchange came to a temporary halt, Draco stepped forward and reminded Mrs Nora:
"Madam, these people are clearly after your research on Merlin. You must be extra careful from now on."
Mrs Nora's smile faded, and her expression became more serious.
"You're right, child."
"Things have been a bit turbulent lately... My research seems to have touched on something I shouldn't have."
"Madam, what is the 'mysterious device' Merlin left behind that you just mentioned?" Draco asked the crucial question.
Mrs Nora turned and pointed to the three stone pillars that stood silently, covered in vines. "These are the ones. I gave them a name: ' Merlin's Trial '."
"I think this was some kind of... musical puzzle he left for his Slytherin."
Merlin was notorious for his penchant for creating mystery, but unfortunately, so many years have passed that this ruin has long been abandoned, and these stone pillars have become part of the scenery.
"No wonder you've been so dedicated to Merlin's research..." Hermione exclaimed, her gaze returning intently to the stone pillar. "So there's such an unsolved mystery right before our eyes."
"I'll let you in on a little secret!" Mrs Nora leaned closer to the two of them and said mysteriously in a low voice, "I believe I've found a crucial clue."
"A clue?" Hermione straightened up instantly, her eyes gleaming. "Can we know?"
"Of course, darling."
Mrs Nora smiled and said, "I believe that the mallow is the key element to activate these trials."
Draco muttered to himself:
Activating the trial with herbs? It sounded far-fetched, but he wasn't interested, and it wasn't his area of research anyway.
But Hermione got serious.
Why do you think so, madam?
"This herb is mentioned repeatedly in Merlin's own manuscripts," Mrs Nora explained.
"Through my long-term research, I have confirmed that the fragrant mallow is a 'key plant' that resonates with the magical field of Merlin Trial."
It has a natural affinity for magical nodes and can serve as an energy medium to awaken the magic sealed within the stone array.
"I came here to test this theory, but before I even started, I ran into those bullies..."
Mrs Nora this much.
"Can we participate?" Hermione pleaded eagerly. "We want to see it for ourselves!"
"Of course." Nora nodded with a smile, leading her to the circular platform in the center of the stone circle. Pointing to the spiral vortex mark carved in the center of the platform, she said, "We need to place the mallow leaf in the center of this vortex mark."
She looked at Hermione, her eyes encouraging. "Child, wouldn't you like to verify my theory for yourself?"
"Of course! I'd be more than happy to!" Hermione replied without hesitation.
Nora pointed to a tent not far away:
"The mallow leaves are in the box inside the tent. Go get them and try placing them on the mark."
"OK."
Hermione skipped happily toward the tent.
Draco watched her skipping away, a slight smile playing on his lips. He suddenly thought Hermione's excited expression was really cute, like a silly roe deer discovering something new and exciting.
Soon, Hermione returned, carefully holding a silvery-blue, velvety hollyhock leaf.
She excitedly walked to the center of the stone platform and solemnly placed the leaf in the center of the swirling mark.
The moment the leaf touched the mark—
"Buzz--"
In an instant, it seemed as if green light flowed inside the stone, and the dim swirling patterns were illuminated inch by inch, emitting a soft and steady emerald green glow.
"It's lit up! It's lit up!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise.
"My God! Do you see that? The vines! All the vines have disappeared!" Mrs Nora exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the stone pillar.
The two looked in the direction of the sound.
Sure enough, the withered vines that had been entwining the stone withered and fell off, revealing the original bluish-gray stone.
"Besides the glowing, it seems... nothing else happened?" Hermione, recovering from her initial shock, looked at Mrs Nora with a puzzled expression. "What should we do next?"