The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 353 The Truth Revealed, the Whole Story

Hogwarts during the holidays.

Even though many students choose to go to Hogsmeade, the castle is still exceptionally lively.

……

Gryffindor Common Room.

With a flash of orange-red light, Hermione appeared out of thin air.

"Merlin's beard!" Ron exclaimed from a corner of the lounge.

But after he clearly saw the figure that had suddenly appeared, he unconsciously murmured:

"They're not even married yet, and Phoenix is ​​already hers?"

Ron's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. His unconscious remark drew a disgruntled snort from many girls in the lounge.

As the main character in the incident, Hermione didn't have time to deal with these things. After confirming that she was in Hogwarts, her first thought was to seek help from someone.

Without any delay, Hermione carried Clift out of the common room.

……

Eighth floor corridor.

Hermione stood before the portrait of the Fat Lady, momentarily hesitant. Time was of the essence, and she was unsure who to approach.

Before leaving the common room, she intended to find Dumbledore. But then she remembered the news from the Daily Prophet that morning; the headmaster should still be at the International Confederation of Wizards.

A few seconds later.

The hesitation in Hermione's eyes vanished, replaced by a resolute expression.

"Crepe, take me to the castle's underground corridor."

……

At the same time.

The Slytherins, hidden beneath the castle, suddenly noticed something strange. The Gryffindor girl who had stormed in alone a year ago was back again…

But unlike last time when people just watched the spectacle, today many people spontaneously made way for each other.

Putting aside yesterday's ball, the phoenix in the other party's arms alone already says a lot.

Many people may not recognize Dumbledore's phoenix, but Cribb, with its orange and red stripes, is familiar to many Slytherins. After all, with the widespread use of telescopes, the grand occasion of the Quidditch World Cup has been preserved and treasured.

Hermione returned to the castle's underground area, and after a brief adjustment period, headed towards the Potions Department office.

As for Ke Ruibo, she held him tightly from beginning to end, showing no intention of letting go.

……

Inside the castle, Hermione knocked on the door of Snape's office.

Meanwhile, in his hut in Hogsmeade, Voldemort also made his request.

"...In all the incompleteness, I saw completeness. So, do you still have your die?"

Upon hearing the word "dice," Ino paused for a moment, but after a brief thought, a look of realization flashed in her eyes.

The root of the problem has been found.

Clearly, during the summer of his first year, he had been holding the life-saving dice in his hand to avoid being alone with Voldemort.

"The stuff is still here!" After thinking for a moment, Ino still took out the dice from the lining.

Given the current situation, Voldemort clearly came prepared. If things don't work out, there's no guarantee there won't be a second or third attempt.

Ino took out the dice and placed them flat in his palm, while Voldemort seemed somewhat excited.

His scarlet eyes grew even brighter. His eyes, like two red magic lamps, were fixed on the dice in Ino's hand.

"Yes! That's it... I knew it, behind every complete thing there must be a complete set of rules, hahahahaha..."

Sitting on the sofa, Voldemort suddenly burst out laughing.

There was relief and sighs in the laughter, but more than anything, it was a feeling of getting what one wanted.

……

moment.

The laughter gradually subsided, and Voldemort's gaze was no longer fixed on the dice. He slowly raised his head, adopting a gentler expression.

"Then! If you can, please generously give me the dice. Galon, gold, potions, or whatever else you like, you can ask for anything."

Upon hearing Voldemort's suggestion, Ino decisively shook her head:

"I'm sorry, but I haven't found anything more precious than it so far."

To be honest, if Voldemort wanted the divination sieve, it was possible to trade it for it if the conditions were right.

But the one in his hand was not only for saving his life, but also a coordinate leading to the world where Hans was, and a chance for him to be the protagonist of the story again.

Even a perfectly intact magic stone wouldn't necessarily be enough to qualify for such an exchange.

On the other side...

After his suggestion was decisively rejected, Voldemort did not show any anger. Instead, he calmly spoke again:

"You're unwilling? Then forget it. Transactions are always based on mutual agreement, not coercion."

"However, I hope you can take me to the place where it was discovered. And your previous promise still stands; you can still name your terms. I don't think you'll refuse this time!"

Voldemort's voice was melodious and rhythmic, and so far, even when rejected, he had maintained his manners.

To be honest, for a moment, Ino really considered giving in; he didn't want to provoke Voldemort in this state.

In fact, Voldemort's two proposals, though seemingly easy, were actually asking the impossible.

Should he take him to the place where the dice were found? If all the Horcruxes have been collected, Ino wouldn't mind bringing Voldemort into the Sanctuary for another rule-based kill.

But it's clear that, including Harry, there are only six in total.

In the years since he came to the wizarding world, he was no longer living alone under a bridge; whether it was Hermione, Draco, Snape, or other friends...

He can't afford to gamble, and he's even less willing to gamble.

Because it does no good at all, except to needlessly create a deadly feud with the rational Voldemort.

……

Faced with Voldemort's proposal, Ino experienced for the first time what it meant to be caught in a dilemma.

Meanwhile, Voldemort, seeing Ino deep in thought, didn't rush to urge him on, but instead leisurely opened the paper bag beside him.

He took out the candy he had just bought and began to eat it slowly and deliberately.

Time passed, second by second.

As Voldemort picked up the third candy, Ino slowly spoke:

"If you don't mind, please wait here for me for a moment, senior."

After he finished speaking, he disappeared from the spot.

……

The instant Ino disappeared, Voldemort, who had been leisurely, suddenly sat up straight.

The smile that had been on his face since he entered vanished completely. His previous relaxed and carefree expression was replaced by a serious, thoughtful look.

His scarlet eyes narrowed slightly as he carefully examined everything around him.

half an hour.

Ino reappeared on the sofa, and rhythmic applause filled the room.

"Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Your excellence has exceeded my expectations!"

Voldemort clapped his hands in amazement.

Unlike the ready-made props from the Ministry of Magic, no one knew better than Voldemort himself how strong the binding force of the Anti-Apparition barrier he personally set up was.

Even if Dumbledore himself came, he would have to sit here obediently. The only way to leave this room was to walk out on his own two legs.

In response to Voldemort's praise, Ino did not respond. Instead, he took a few things out of his pocket and placed them on the coffee table in front of him.

Three gems, and another wooden die.

Unlike the previous irregular polyhedral sieve, the current die is a standard hexahedron with the numbers 1-6 clearly engraved on it.

……

After arranging everything, Ino smiled and looked at Voldemort.

In fact, both the divination dice and the few scattered gems originally belonged to him.

However, rather than simply taking it out of his pocket, returning to the Sanctuary in front of Voldemort was the most sensible approach.

Magic can restrict phoenixes, house-elves, and even blue lanterns, but it cannot restrict the unique nature of the Sanctuary.

A subtle display can also be quite effective.

In comparison, compared to Voldemort's confident expression upon entering, Ino preferred Voldemort's current expression, which conveyed doubt and seriousness.

"Excuse my bluntness, but I still cannot meet your request, senior; we cannot go to that place. However, there are a few things here that we can exchange."

(End of this chapter)