Hogwarts: This fairy tale is too eerie

Upon hearing this, Hermione paused, startled.

Vague memories of being alienated surfaced in her mind, and she belatedly recalled how she had lost control and shouted, which led to all of this.

With a loud "boom!"

Thor was puzzled to see Hermione's face turn as red as an apple again, as if she wished she could disappear back into her textbook.

...Could there still be any remnants of the illusionary entity?

Saul was filled with awe.

"I...I believe what you say! So there's no need for proof..."

Hermione blushed, lowered her head, and stammered, clutching her dirty robes tightly in her small hands.

She felt she had already caused a lot of trouble for others, and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed in the infirmary and frantically punch her pillow!

As she said this, a look of melancholy appeared on Hermione's face.

Anyway, Thor's previous words were probably just to comfort himself.

Just like a teacher writing in a student's report, "Your child's grades are average, but they are lively and lovely."

"I won't compete with Thor anymore, I can't beat him anyway..." Hermione muttered to herself, as if trying to convince herself.

At that moment, an invisible force suddenly and gently lifted her lowered head.

Her gaze was drawn unconsciously to the toad in front of her, wearing a golden crown.

"Croak, croak!"

The toad puffed out its chest and croaked, its chest heaving, and its small golden crown reflected a crystalline light under the lamp.

Hermione could actually detect a hint of human arrogance in that pockmarked, ugly face.

...Isn't that Neville's Rafer? She'd always been curious why a toad would wear a crown on its head.

"Waaah, Lai, Laifu...!"

Behind him, Neville's anxious and frightened sobs rang out, as if the great demon Thor was about to devour his toad.

Amidst a sea of ​​doubt and inquiry.

Thor smirked, cradling the toad wearing the golden crown, and proclaimed loudly:

"I sincerely present to you the golden ball, symbolizing the most precious thing in the world, Mr. Frog—that is, Miss Hermione Granger standing before me!"

"..."

A dead silence.

Only Thor's voice, tinged with excitement, echoed in the dilapidated classroom.

The students stared blankly at Thor, their movements frozen in place, like they were playing a game of "Red Light, Green Light".

"Was he... was he talking to Neville's toad?" Ron muttered in shock, concluding, "That guy really is insane!"

It took Professor McGonagall a long while to come to her senses, and she glanced suspiciously at Neville's Raeford—

She often saw it in various corners of the school, as if this toad would never learn to stay obediently by its owner's side.

I've never heard of it having any special features.

"Alright! Mr. Green, Miss Granger needs rest right now! Stop making a fuss—"

Before he could finish speaking...

Suddenly, a deep and loud "quack" sound rang out in the classroom!

Like the beating of a drum, it startled everyone!

"Look! Neville's Raeford!"

Ron yelled, pointing his finger and staring wide-eyed in disbelief!

In Thor's hand, the toad wearing a golden crown opened its mouth wide, and a bubble escaped from it!

Above, letters floated, swaying precariously:

【continue】

His small, beady eyes stared solemnly at Hermione before him, exuding a kingly majesty!

？ ！！

—Did the toad really "talk"?!

"W-How is this possible?! It's just an ordinary toad!"

"Navie, is that toad some kind of magical creature? That's amazing!"

Neville was overwhelmed by the barrage of questions and shouted, "I...I don't know either! Rafer hasn't said a word before!"

They wouldn't even speak to him, they barely acknowledged him at all!

They often disappear after running away!

...Although sometimes a few acorns or other small, unidentified fruits would appear on my bedside table.

Professor McGonagall was also stunned, staring in surprise at the toad that was blowing bubbles, and her hand holding Hermione's stopped in her tracks.

What I want to offer you is the most precious thing in the world: the thirst for knowledge.

Thor's voice rang out, and the noise immediately subsided.

He looked at Hermione, whose hair was disheveled and whose robes were covered in dust and soot. With a wave of his wand, she was clean and refreshed, and her brown curly hair fell smoothly down.

"Strength can enable people to climb to the top, but only the endless thirst for knowledge can lead people to new heights."

"Miss Granger, if I'm not mistaken, the Sorting Hat considered sorting you into Ravenclaw during the Sorting Ceremony, didn't it?"

—Actually, this "guess" comes from memories of a past life.

Upon hearing this, Professor McGonagall turned her head sharply, her eyes shining as she looked at Hermione.

"......Um."

Hermione nodded slowly, and under the gazes of many, she began to feel a surge of heat rising to her cheeks.

Simultaneously.

A strange emotion slowly swelled within her, gradually brightening her gloomy face.

"See, I told you so," Thor laughed. "And me? The Sorting Hat clearly stated that I'm not suited for Ravenclaw."

"..."

Hermione looked up in surprise, her eyes gradually brightening!

In silence.

The toad prince croaked again, exhaling another bubble from his mouth:

That's right.

This is the golden ball I've been searching for; it's the most precious thing in the world.

"Ha!"

Hermione gasped, her thick brown hair standing on end in surprise and joy, her little face flushed!

—It's true! Everything Saul told her was true!

This isn't just comforting words; it's the absolute truth from the bottom of my heart!

Because Hermione had a gut feeling.

If Thor was lying, then this strange creature in front of him would never agree.

"Snap!"

At that moment, as if some kind of shackles had been broken, Hermione suddenly felt genuinely relaxed.

Perhaps it was because she was all alone in a completely unfamiliar world, and this was the first time she had received recognition.

Hermione sniffed hard, and the gloom on her face vanished!

She raised her little face, flashed a big smile at Thor, and said loudly and cheerfully:

"Thank you, Saul! I was so incredibly stupid before! I was always comparing myself to others, and I forgot what's most important!!"

"Thank you for making me realize this again!"

Her voice echoed in the classroom, leaving the other students staring at her in disbelief.

Hermione's eyes sparkled, and she seemed to radiate a dazzling light!

This image overlapped with his previous one of holding his books with his head held high and acting as if no one else was around, but now it exuded a more genuine confidence and less of a feigned arrogance.

"What happened?"

Ron was dumbfounded, only to see that Thor had made the "know-it-all" lady smile again with just a few words.

Is this what they call "talk therapy"? Coach, he wants to learn it too!

the other side.

Professor McGonagall was moved again.

Watching the two little ones smile at each other, it felt as if I had returned to my youthful days when I was constantly troubled by friends and studies.

...As expected, Thor is still a good kid at heart!

It's all the Green family's fault for corrupting him!

"Let's be friends again, Thor!"

Hermione smiled and stretched out her hand straight to Thor.

Saul raised his hand and shook it: "I thought we were already friends, Miss Granger—"

"Don't call me 'Miss Granger'! Just call me Hermione! Or I can call you Saul, right?"

"Haha, of course... Hermione."

Saul's eyes crinkled into a smile as he solemnly shook hands with Hermione.

"Oh my~ This must be what they call the 'beginning of friendship'~" The Fire Demon poked his head out and said with a grin.

Thor remained noncommittal, feeling a warm feeling welling up from his heart.

For example, during the summer vacation, when welcoming Hermione into the mansion, a ray of positive sunshine was also welcomed in.

"It feels like it somewhat makes up for the fact that that mansion has never been visited by people my age," Thor thought to himself.

He had a feeling that the mansion would become increasingly vibrant with life.

Just then.

You've felt the bond of friendship with Hermione Granger!

[The abilities of the fantasy form "Ms. Butterfly," the "Know-It-All," have been slightly enhanced!]