Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 88 The Second Attack

"Fred, George, are you alright?"

Harry's face was filled with worry. Snape and Professor McGonagall's attitude had made it very clear, and even he himself vaguely felt that the twins' actions had gone a bit too far.

As Professor McGonagall said, Roger Davis of Ravenclaw is still in the hospital.

"It's nothing, at least everyone was happy just now, and that's enough for us!" George turned slightly to look at Fred. "Don't you think so, Fred?"

"Of course!" Fred bent down slightly and placed his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Listen, Harry, we're Gryffindor!"

"Gryffindor has always been free!"

"Bringing you joy, that's our freedom!"

"But we've lost another 200 points..." Hermione frowned, speaking very seriously. "The holidays are almost here, and we have no way to recover our points!"

"Alright, Hermione," Ron interrupted her impatiently. "Let's not talk about scores now. Even without losing those 200 points, do you think we still have a chance?"

"Ron!" Hermione turned and glared at Ron, and Harry and the twins quickly stepped between them.

The two have been having a very tense relationship lately, often arguing over a few words. For some reason, Ron always seems to contradict Hermione, which infuriates the little witch.

Harry was caught in the middle and quite distressed. He didn't want to see his two best friends fighting, but he had no idea how to mediate.

That's due to differing perspectives.

Hermione felt that the current rules at Hogwarts were correct, and that they should focus their energy on studying, preparing for the final exams, and if they had free time, they could also preview the coursework for the next school year.

Ron, on the other hand, was thinking about how to help Harry find the mastermind behind all this, rather than preparing for final exams weeks in advance.

For some unknown reason, Ron harbored a great deal of hostility towards Ike and was always speaking ill of him. Hermione would always defend Ike in these situations.

Then, another argument ensued.

"Alright, alright, calm down." Fred and George each grabbed one of them, coaxing Hermione and Ron to walk in opposite directions. Harry stood there, looking left at Hermione, then right at Ron, and after a long while, he finally ran towards Ron.

As a friend, Harry felt that at this time, the vulnerable Ron needed him more than the strong Hermione.

The farce in the Great Hall came to a temporary end, and just as the twins had predicted, the whole castle was talking about it all day long, and the low pressure that had been hanging over Hogwarts eased considerably.

The little lions are indeed naturally optimistic; even coming in last place in the Academy Cup doesn't stop them from seeing their twins as heroes.

At least, the twins did something many people wanted to do but didn't dare to.

This alone is enough to make them the pride of Gryffindor.

Perhaps it is the pride of everyone except Slytherin.

The atmosphere in Ravenclaw was more cheerful, especially among the younger students, and the common room was unusually crowded. People chatted in small groups, a first in almost a month.

The Hufflepuffs did the same, even throwing a small celebration right next to their kitchen. Gryffindor, needless to say, was even more lively, with the twins contributing their treasured butterbeer and leftover firework, making the entire Gryffindor tower bustling with activity.

Even though Percy was trying his best to maintain order and loudly exercising his duties as prefect, he couldn't interrupt the cubs' joyful celebration.

In this atmosphere, no one paid any attention to Percy, who was eager to show off his presence as soon as he was discharged from the hospital.

Just as no one noticed, Hermione quietly left the common room.

Pushing open the door to the common room, the plump lady in the portrait was nowhere to be seen; perhaps she had wandered into the common room to join the celebration.

Hermione thought to herself, and she felt that this was probably how it should be.

Walking down the empty corridor, Hermione's mind went blank, and a strange feeling suddenly enveloped her.

A gentle evening breeze stirred, and the moonlight outside and the flickering torches on the corridor walls distorted her shadow, making it slightly warped.

Meow~

A sudden meow startled Hermione, who was lost in thought, and she suddenly remembered that Mrs. Lorris had been discharged from the hospital.

He started running in a panic, through the corridors and staircases, and only stopped after a while.

Hidden behind a stone pillar, Hermione, panting heavily, cautiously peeked out, leaning on her knees. Not seeing Mrs. Lorris or Filch, she felt a little relieved.

Only then did she look around and realize that in her chaotic running, she had ended up on the right-hand corridor of the fourth floor.

Not far away, the wooden door remained closed.

It was like revisiting a familiar place, and Hermione couldn't help but relax a bit. She walked a few steps to the door, reached out and pulled, but it wouldn't budge.

"The Arahomon Opens!"

A flash of light appeared on the wand, and the wooden door opened with a click. The inside was empty, with only a lone trapdoor panel on the floor.

I pulled it open and looked inside; it was completely dark.

Hermione had no intention of going down. She didn't think the Devil's Net was still below her. Although she had learned the Shock Absorption Charm, this height was not dangerous.

Somewhat disappointed, he closed the trapdoor, took a few steps out of the room, and left with only a soft sigh.

For some reason, Hermione's mood improved. The little witch patted her cheeks and decided to go back.

Just like the professors said, Hogwarts is not safe now.

Just as she left the corridor, Hermione suddenly shrank back in. She peeked out from the corner of the wall for a quick look, then immediately hid again.

"What is he doing here?"

After thinking about it, I decided to follow them quietly.

It's highly suspicious for someone to be wandering around a castle at a time like this!

And so, one in front and one behind, they unknowingly walked through the entire fourth floor.

Hermione's doubts deepened; she couldn't understand what this person was trying to do.

Just browsing? Obviously not!

Ike was also puzzled; he couldn't figure out what Hermione was doing following behind him for so long.

"So, how long are you going to stay with me, Hermione?"

At the end of the corridor, Ike stopped and suddenly asked.

Hermione was startled again, and after a while she came out from behind a stone pillar with a very serious expression.

"What are you up to, not in the dorm so late?"

"You're the same way." Ike said helplessly, taking a few steps toward Hermione, but Hermione retreated like a frightened kitten.

Seeing Hermione's wary expression, Ike suddenly didn't want to say anything more and sighed softly.

"Go ahead and follow if you want..."

They went down the stairs and walked the entire third floor one after the other. When they had walked halfway down the second floor, Ike suddenly got a little annoyed.

"How long are you going to stay with me?"

Hermione didn't speak, her right hand gripping her wand tightly, seemingly wary of something.

Ike sighed again: "Hermione, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, her left hand suddenly lashed out, and Hermione felt as if she had been hit by a car, being pulled straight to the side and falling to the ground. Looking up again, she saw a red light and a green light connected, making a crackling sound that was quite jarring.

Following the red light, one could see Ike holding a wand in his right hand, his expression serious, his hair and clothes billowing behind him as if blown by a strong wind. On the other side of the green light, however, stood a blonde, bespectacled stranger with a ferocious expression, her hand gripping her wand tightly, as if using all her strength.

The crackling sounds echoed down the corridor as the two sides remained locked in a stalemate, neither showing any sign of backing down.

The classic red and green clash, Ekko looks completely relaxed.

After all, from Hermione's perspective, he was on the right!

(End of this chapter)