The sky was still very gloomy, as if it was going to rain at any time. A thin layer of mist has risen from the sea, and the air at the seaside has become increasingly moist and sticky, almost giving people the illusion that it has been drizzling.
When Maka came to the beach, another sea breeze happened to spread out from the sea, and it also brought a slight coolness.
Except for the lighthouse not far away and the pier further away, there is nothing nearby on this stretch of coast. Therefore, at the moment, in front of the numerous reefs, a few figures are even more eye-catching. They don't even need to have the ability to sense, they can be seen with just a glance.
Hermione's condition didn't look good. Even if she was just facing this way at the moment, Maka could feel it from the slightly drooped back of her shoulders. She seemed to be tightly bound by complex and contradictory emotions. .
This was probably the reason why she fled to the beach and failed to see him right away... because she wasn't ready yet.
However, it was impossible for her to sort out her thoughts and resolve the emotions in her heart - Maka knew this deeply, so he came.
"Hermione."
Amidst the sound of waves lapping against the rocks, a familiar...yet slightly unfamiliar voice suddenly interspersed in, causing Sirius, Ron and others who were standing around Hermione to become stunned. Then everyone looked back at the same time after a moment of stiffness.
Except Hermione.
Maka gave a smile to the faces that had become more determined after being tempered. After nodding in greeting, she again focused her attention on the person who, even though she was immersed in confusion, still had her spine straight. , The stubborn back is always highlighted.
"Hermione, did you cut your hair?"
no answer.
Not only did Hermione not answer, but even with the exception of Sirius, the eyes of the other friends who had turned to look this way also contained various complex and unspeakable flavors that were definitely not close to each other.
Maka, who had already learned a lot about the situation from Sarah before coming here, can naturally understand the reason. To a certain extent, at this time, Ron and others have not shown any warning or hostility in their eyes, which is probably a very rare thing!
After all, even if Sarah had reservations just now, the faint magic fluctuations emanating from Ron's alchemical prosthetic limbs could not escape Maka's perception - it seemed that the few of them had experienced that in the disaster area on the other side. Each battle was much more tragic than what Sarah had described.
But they...especially Ron, when facing Maka who woke up inexplicably during the funeral, the alienation they showed was still not as good as the feeling of trust hidden deep in their hearts. brought about hesitation and confusion.
In this regard, I believe Hermione is the same! Although she still has her back turned to this side and refuses to look back, the more she does this, the more it proves that her inner struggle is actually even worse than that of Ron and others.
"Okay!" After a pause for a few seconds, Maka said with a smile and a sincere tone, "If you don't want to look back, just don't go back! It's okay. But I still want to say something... I'm back, I'm sorry, It makes you, all of you worry.”
Hermione still didn't speak or make any move. She just stood by the rock like a statue untouched by external objects.
Only the sea breeze kept blowing and fluttering her hair, which had become a little short but still fluffy, as if she was trying her best to tell Maka who was watching her that she was deeply depressed and couldn't throw away the hair. of longing.
"Well," Maka paused again, and then said, "Then let me go see Harry first! I heard from Sarah that he was seriously injured in the previous battle with Hale... Rules of the Sword of Gryffindor Maybe I can help deal with the remaining power and help him recover faster... "
"Don't you think you owe us an explanation?"
Finally, at the moment when Maka moved her steps, Hermione finally spoke. Although she still hasn't turned around to look at Maka, her voice blew past Maka's ears along with the salty sea breeze.
It was slightly cool, with a hint of awe, and the accusation seemed to be overflowing, but after all, it could not hide the trembling hidden in it.
And it was at that moment that Maka moved her right foot first and then stopped again.
"I know I owe you more than one explanation."
He smiled bitterly and shook his head, but in any case, Hermione was finally willing to speak, which was a good thing.
"But to be honest, there are some things that I haven't figured out yet; and there are some things that I'm afraid I really can't explain to you."
Hearing Maka's words, Hermione probably couldn't bear it anymore and turned her head sharply. She glared at Maka fiercely, turning only half of her body to express the lingering obsession in her heart, and the scowl on her face explained her annoyance at the moment.
"What do you mean?" she said loudly.
But here, facing Hermione's anger, Maka sighed.
"It just so happens that there is one thing that no longer needs to be kept secret. Let me talk about it as an example for you!"
After saying this, Maka sorted out her thoughts a little, and then seemed to be immersed in some unforgettable memory, telling Hermione and others word by word like a story.
"It was when we were still in school together at Hogwarts Castle. One night, I gently knocked on the door of Ravenclaw Tower—"
This was the first time that Maka fully told everyone about the secret of entering Rowena's secret room and accepting the inheritance to become the so-called "candidate".
From the time he first obtained the Scroll of Truth and came into contact with the runes of rules, he revealed his doubts and confusion when facing Rowena Ravenclaw's prophecy of disaster, and his anxiety when he and Professor Dumbledore tacitly agreed to keep it secret and planned an action together. and uneasiness, the thrill and caution when digging and collecting items that are the embodiment of evil, the shock and confusion when meeting Rowena's husband and knowing part of the truth...
Each of those intricate and bizarre experiences, full of danger and terror, were turned into words and presented one by one in front of several friends and Sirius.
Until the end, the meteorite and Haierbo arrived as expected, Hogwarts Castle was reduced to ruins, and Maca's slowly speaking speed made the whole story seem to have come to an end.
But that was not the end after all, or in other words, it seems more like a real beginning now.
"... What exactly is the 'disaster' that Rowena refers to? At the time, I thought it was probably this, right? But obviously, now it seems that it is nothing at all!" Maka frowned. He frowned and said slowly, "After some time, I finally found the seventh magic item that contains the rules of mortal sin. It was under the ruins of the school castle and in Hufflepuff's secret room. box."
"A box that must never be opened, but will definitely be opened..."