"Alright," Draco said, a genuine hint of fatigue on his face. "If there's nothing else, we should rest now."
"We've been running around all day trying to complete this trial, and if we keep talking, I might fall asleep standing up."
The four guardians nodded in understanding upon hearing this.
"Go back and get some rest," Rackham said kindly. "But Draco, if you have any questions in the future, feel free to come to the Map Chamber and discuss them with us."
"I will!" Draco nodded with a smile. "After all, there are many secrets about Ancient Magic that I still need to learn from my predecessors. I can't rely on brute force alone."
A hint of relief flashed in the eyes of the guardians.
They saw a young wizard who was both capable and humble, just as they had hoped.
The four of them waved in unison, their figures gradually fading into the dim light of the Chamber of Secrets, as if offering a silent blessing.
The three left the Map Chamber, and the heavy stone door slowly closed, restoring tranquility and peace to the interior.
It was nearly midnight when we returned to Hogwarts Castle.
After such a thrilling day, all three of them were starving and exhausted.
The three of them went to a corner of the Great Hall to enjoy a late-night snack.
The steaming hot food chased away the chill.
Professor Babbling said while eating, "I'll come to you again if there's anything related to Ancient Magic, Draco."
"No need, Professor," Draco refused without hesitation. "One 'highlight moment' is enough."
Hermione, listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh.
She knew Draco's aversion to trouble, but she also knew that when it really came down to it, he would never stand idly by.
She swallowed the food in her mouth, wiped her mouth, and "agreed" on Draco's behalf. "Next time something really happens, just come to me directly, and I promise I'll 'bring' him over."
"Anyway, he has plenty of ways, and..." She glanced at Draco, her eyes gleaming mischievously, "He definitely wouldn't want me to go on this risk alone, would he, Draco?"
Draco rolled his eyes at her, but didn't deny it.
Professor Babbling smiled knowingly as she watched the young couple's tacit interaction; she knew Hermione was telling the truth.
Having such a strong and reliable lover by her side is truly Hermione's good fortune, and also Hogwarts ' good fortune.
"Then I'll wait for this 'hypocritical' savior."
After finishing their late-night snack, the three went their separate ways.
Professor Babbling returned to the teachers' lounge, while Draco and Hermione walked side by side toward the Room of Requirement.
Draco closed the door, turned around and stared at Hermione, the weariness on his face fading, replaced by a dangerous smile.
Hermione felt a little uneasy under his gaze and instinctively took a half step back. "What... what are you looking at?"
Draco moved closer, forcing her against the wall, his arms bracing on either side of her body, forming an ambiguous encirclement.
"Just now outside, who... without my permission, promised Professor Babbling that they would be available at my beck and call to handle those 'troublesome matters' from now on, hmm?"
Hermione's cheeks were burning, but she tried to play dumb:
"Really? I... I just meant, if you don't want me to risk it all alone... then, then you have to come with me... That... that logic makes no problem, right?"
"The logic is sound," Draco said, hooking a stray strand of her brown curls between his fingers.
"But shouldn't the person involved be consulted before agreeing to anything? Especially after they've worked themselves to the bone for some heartless bastard?"
Hermione knew he was teasing her, so she could only respond by acting cute.
She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "Okay, okay, I know I was wrong... Draco is the best, the most amazing, you worked so hard today... Next time, next time I'll definitely ask you first, okay?"
Draco's heart fluttered at her sudden display of affection and her soft, sweet voice.
His intention was just to tease her and enjoy the feeling of her relying on him, but he didn't expect it to work so well.
"That's more like it." Draco snorted with satisfaction, picked her up, and carried her towards the bed.
"Remember what you said. Now, it's time to make up for it—sleep with me. You've really worn me out today."
"Who's messing with whom!" Hermione protested softly in his arms, but her arms obediently tightened around his neck.
Draco gently placed her on the soft bed, then lay down himself and naturally pulled her into his arms.
Hermione adjusted herself into the most comfortable position in Draco's arms, resting her head on his arm and her cheek against his chest, and sighed contentedly.
"Today... I'm so tired."
She closed her eyes and murmured.
"Okay, go to sleep," Draco said.
He was indeed exhausted. The continuous fierce battles, the massive consumption of magic power, and the high tension in his mind made him feel sleepy as soon as he relaxed.
Neither of them spoke again, they simply nestled together, feeling each other's heartbeats; the only sound in the room was their breathing.
Before long, the two, exhausted from a long day, fell into a deep sleep in this warm and safe embrace.
Outside the window, the night sky above Hogwarts was ablaze with stars, and the castle stood serenely, as if nothing had ever happened.
The next day,
Hermione's biological clock is like a precise pocket watch, always waking her up precisely at the first light of dawn.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
What came into view was Draco's sleeping face, so close to my eyes.
He was still fast asleep.
Hermione simply lay on her side, quietly watching him.
My heart started racing again in the quiet morning light. I watched her for a while, but gradually, a mischievous thought quietly emerged.
He usually makes me blush, it's rare to see him so unguarded...
Hermione carefully extended her slender fingers and gently pinched Draco's nose. She held her breath, her eyes fixed on Draco's face, anticipating his reaction.
Draco's breathing became labored as his nose was pinched, and he frowned, showing signs of discomfort.
Then he instinctively opened his mouth, trying to continue breathing through it, which looked rather comical.
Hermione almost burst out laughing.
She suppressed a laugh, leaned closer, and used her other hand to cover Draco's mouth.
Now, the breathing passage was completely blocked.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Draco's body twitched unconsciously for a moment, then his tightly closed eyes snapped open!
The pupils of the newly awakened person still held a trace of sleepiness.
When he saw Hermione's mischievous appearance, the confusion in his eyes disappeared, and a helpless smile appeared on his face.