At this moment, she even felt a glimmer of unprecedented understanding of some of Draco's extreme ideas about changing or even "overthrowing" the current corrupt system of the Ministry of Magic.
If this system is so corrupt that it so easily devours innocent people, does it really still have any value in being maintained?
Noticing Hermione's sudden pallor and the intense emotions churning in her eyes, Draco tightened his grip on her slightly cold hand. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. And..."
"This rotten Ministry of Magic won't have many more good days. Sooner or later, we will change all of this."
At this moment, the story told by Jackdaw took on a clearer shape in their minds:
This is no longer just a tragedy of a lovelorn man risking his life for love, but also a double miscarriage of justice caused by blood prejudice, bureaucratic indifference, and perjury.
A ghost seeks the truth about death, perhaps also to save the soul of the girl who fell into hell because of him.
"Lead the way, Mr. Jackdaw." Hermione steadied herself, her voice regaining its firmness, even carrying a hint of determination. "To that cave. We must find out the truth."
Draco nodded to Jackdaw.
Thus, led by the ghost Richard Jackdaw in a rather gruesome head-lifting manner,
Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger turned and headed northeast of Hogwarts Castle toward the deep and unknown Forbidden Forest, determined to explore a long-forgotten mystery of death and uncover a buried, cruel truth.
Upon entering the Forbidden Forest, the light quickly dimmed.
Draco lit the " Incendio " at the tip of his wand, the flickering, dim light dispelling the heavy shadows around him.
The two people and the ghost walked along the barely discernible path.
Jackdaw floated in front, holding his head in his hands so that his "vision" could simultaneously cover the front, back, left, and right.
As they walked, he reminded them, "Keep an eye out as you go, and see if there's a uniquely shaped stone 'bird bath tub' in this area. It should be somewhere around here."
"Once you find it, just say 'Open Sesame' to it to open the entrance to the secret cave."
Draco and Hermione looked around and nodded to indicate they had taken notes, but Hermione still pressed for details.
"Besides the bird bath, are there any other landmarks or features along the way that we should pay attention to, so we don't miss them?"
"Yes, and there are several other obvious landmarks." Jackdaw turned his head, seemingly trying to recall.
"We'll first pass through a place that's naturally formed like an archway by huge tree roots and rocks,"
"Then you'll hear the sound of water, pass a small waterfall, and further on is a small, tranquil lake nestled in the woods. Once you see the lake, you've almost arrived."
"OK, I understand."
Hermione silently memorized the route.
They continued on their way.
The road beneath our feet became increasingly rugged and uneven.
Jackdaw suddenly stopped, turning the head he was holding to the bushes in front of him, and nervously warned, "Watch out! There's something ahead... it looks like a spider!"
Draco reacted with lightning speed; almost at the same moment Jackdaw spoke, he waved his wand. " Specialis Revelio!"
An invisible wave swept across the bushes, instantly revealing the magical outline of a hidden figure within.
Seemingly startled by the spell, a spider the size of a hound suddenly leaped out of the bushes.
Baring its fangs and brandishing its claws.
Draco quickly sized it up by the firelight, his tone slightly disdainful. "Tsk, look at this ugly thing, it's not Acromantula, I wonder what mutated it."
The spider didn't care about mutations; without saying a word, it pounced directly at Draco, who was closest to it, its sharp mandibles gleaming coldly in the firelight.
"Since you have no connection to Hagrid and no powerful backing, why do you dare attack me, young master?" Draco's lips curled into a cold smile, his wand pointing steadily at his target. "Then let me reduce you to ashes! Incendio!"
A burst of blazing flame erupted from the tip of the staff, instantly engulfing the attacking spider.
The spider hissed sharply amidst the flames, its carapace crackling as it burned, but its ferocity remained undiminished. Despite the excruciating pain of being burned, it continued to drag its flaming body toward Draco!
"Watch out!" Hermione, already poised to strike, quickly cast a spell and Depulso!
The powerful suction force abruptly pulled the burning spider off its path in mid-air, hurling it like a burning pebble against a nearby rock.
With a muffled thud and a burnt smell, the spider crashed into the rock wall and remained motionless.
With the crisis averted, Draco put away his wand, turned to look at Jackdaw, and spoke with a hint of surprised admiration:
"I didn't expect that your warning, given that you're willing to risk your life, would be so timely and useful. Tell me, what other 'surprises' await us on this road?"
"I... I don't know." Jackdaw shook his head, clutching his chest. "The last time I came here, it was quiet, no spiders, no danger at all. Maybe... these spiders have multiplied here over the years."
The two people and the ghost had no choice but to continue their journey with even greater caution.
They hadn't gone far, and without even needing Jackdaw to warn them again, Draco and Hermione stopped at the same time.
In the middle of the road a few meters ahead,
A colossal black shadow lay silently there, completely blocking the way.
The torchlight barely illuminated its chilling silhouette; it was a giant spider, several times larger than the one from before, like a small carriage lying across the road.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Despite her many dangers, the instinctive human fear of multi-legged giants made her hold her breath for a moment.
She moved closer to Draco and chuckled, "Now... I kind of understand why Ron was so afraid of spiders."
Because of the scene before them,
It's definitely enough to give you nightmares!
Draco felt her approach and gently put his arm around her shoulder in comfort, "What Ron's afraid of? It's nothing. If he saw this guy in front of him, he might wet his pants right there."
Hermione was both amused and exasperated by his words, and her tension eased slightly, but looking at the huge dark shadow, her worry remained. "This is not the time for jokes, Draco."
"It's too big; forcing our way through could be dangerous. Is there another way to get around it?" She turned to Jackdaw.
Jackdaw, floating in the air with a bitter expression, said, "I only took this one route! It was the shortest shortcut!"
Draco clicked his tongue, stared at the giant spider's shadow for a few seconds, and then suddenly made an unexpected move.