"The first painting has actually been waiting here for a long time," Bakar said, gesturing to the surroundings of the Chamber of Secrets.
"It's hidden in the stone wall of this Map Chamber, waiting for someone with discerning eyes to truly 'see' it."
"The second painting is Overlook Mine north of Hogsmeade." He moved his finger northward on the map.
"That was the place where she first witnessed the backlash of power, causing disaster; grief and regret solidified into the image."
"The third painting lies deep within the ancient Goblin cave on the west coast." The light spot jumps to the west side of the map.
"That was the place where she made a pact with the Goblin and created the Repository vessel, and it was also the starting point of all the tragedies."
"Find all three paintings and reposition them in their original positions on the stone wall. At that time, the complete Pensieve will appear."
"Only by fully witnessing that long-buried past and truly understanding the price of power and the essence of balance will you be qualified to enter my final trial."
After he finished speaking, the three picture frames flickered and then fell silent.
"I understand, Professor," Draco replied solemnly.
Draco, having already made up his mind, nodded firmly and said, "Understood, Professor. We will definitely retrieve the Triptych."
Bakar nodded, but said nothing more.
Meanwhile, in Professor Babbling's office.
Beside the desk, Hermione and Professor Babbling were engrossed in a pile of yellowed ancient books and scrolls.
The two had just worked together to decipher several Ancient Magic texts, and their faces were filled with excitement and radiant joy.
"Fantastic!" Hermione put down her quill, her eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge. "These records are enough to fill a huge gap in the history of Ancient Magic!"
"What an amazing discovery, Miss Granger," Professor Babbling said with a genuine smile.
"Your talent is astonishing; these intricate runes seem to come alive in your hands."
Hermione was just about to be modest,
Just then, a steady footstep came from the end of the corridor, breaking the silence of the room.
Draco appeared in the doorway, standing against the light.
In his dark hand, he tightly gripped an object that gleamed with a faint silver light; it was the first panel of the Triptych.
" Draco, what are you holding in your hand...?" Hermione looked up at the sound of her voice, her gaze drawn to the object in Draco's hand.
"I found it." Draco walked straight to the table and placed the painting of memories on the table piled with ancient books.
"The first panel of the Triptych."
Professor Babbling paused slightly, then bent down to examine the painting closely. When she saw the flowing scene within, her eyes instantly blazed with the fervor and excitement characteristic of a scholar:
"This is... an ancient memory vessel? And it's so well preserved! My god, the magical fluctuations on it..."
"By the way," Draco said casually, arms crossed, a smile playing on his lips.
"While you were engrossed in your books, I had already completed the trials of Rookwood and Fitzgerald on my own."
"What?!" Hermione jumped up from her chair, the movement so violent that she almost knocked over the high-backed chair behind her.
"You completed... the second and third trials? In such a short time, while we were studying these books? All by ourselves? Draco, you're insane!"
Professor Babbling's reaction was equally intense.
" Draco, this... this is almost impossible speed! You actually completed both Guardians' tests without us noticing?"
Seeing the two men's expressions, as if they'd seen a ghost, Draco felt a surge of smugness.
He slightly raised his chin, enjoying the thrill of this intellectual and physical superiority, as if he weren't the one who had just been pondering philosophical questions in front of the Pensieve.
"It's nothing serious," he shrugged, trying to sound casual. "As long as you find the right approach, those so-called 'difficult situations' are nothing more than simple puzzles."
He immediately stopped laughing and his expression turned serious:
" San Bakar has told me that the Triptych must be found before the final trial can begin."
"And I've already got the first one." As he spoke, he pointed again to the silver-gleaming canvas on the table.
" Triptych..." Professor Babbling murmured, her gaze once again drawn to the mysterious memory stone on the table, but this time, she focused more on its contents.
After trying to calm her inner turmoil, Professor Babbling's thirst for knowledge only burned brighter:
What exactly is recorded in the Pensieve of the Trials? The historical truth that the Four Guardians did not hesitate to erase?
Draco lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the first painting on the table. He gathered his thoughts and told them everything he had learned from the two trials.
As Draco finished speaking, Hermione and Professor Babbling fell silent.
"Incredible..." Professor Babbling murmured softly after a long while, "If all of this is true, it's enough to rewrite the entire History of Magic... Our past understanding of Ancient Magic was simply laughably naive."
"We can't afford to delay any longer." Hermione forced down the turmoil in her heart and quickly regained her composure.
The confusion in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented determination and resolve.
" Draco, you're right. Ranrok men have already made their move, and time is of the essence. Where are the remaining two Triptych? We must find them immediately, uncover the whole truth, and then... stop them from repeating their mistakes."
Draco suppressed that fleeting hint of smugness:
"Following Professor Bakar's guidance, one image is hidden north of Hogsmeade, Overlook Mine, the site where the disaster first occurred; the other is a Goblin cave deep in the west coast, the place where the evil pact was made."
"I must go with you," Professor Babbling said almost immediately, having recovered from her initial shock and replaced it with a strong sense of scholarly responsibility.
She quickly and carefully closed the several ancient books on the table, pushed them aside, and then decisively picked up her wand.
"This history is too important, and too dangerous; I must witness it with my own eyes to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
"Then let's go." Draco had no objection and instead picked up the first panel of the Triptych on the table.
Without another word, the three moved with lightning speed, their figures disappearing instantly into the deep stone corridors of Hogwarts, rushing off towards the direction Overlook Mine.
The mountain path leading to the Overlook Mine becomes increasingly steep, and the originally rugged trail is gradually replaced by exposed, jagged rocks.
The wind carried the smell of earth churning after the rain, but even stronger was the pungent smell of burning metal.
Draco walked at the front, the Triptych in his hands burning hot, as if drawn by some invisible force.