Christmas is coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke up from a dream to find that the surrounding area was covered with several feet of snow and the lake was covered with hard ice. The Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs, making them chase Quirrell around and smash into the back of his hood. Malfoy was somewhat shocked when he heard the news. In a sense, this could be regarded as a slap in the face of Voldemort.
"It's no wonder that the last of these two brothers lost an ear, and the other died directly. It's no fun to directly offend the Great Demon King." Of course, this is just a joking thought by Malfoy. Naturally, everyone should meet death, or that includes those who hinder his goals. Professor Snape is a good example, not because the undercover identity was exposed, but just to change the ownership of the Elder Wand, Voldemort can strangle a capable general at least on the surface.
Thinking about it, Malfoy looked up out the window.
Several owls flew through the snowy sky to deliver the mail. They had gone through all kinds of hardships, and they had to recover their strength under Hagrid's care before they could continue to take off. As Christmas is approaching, the owls are also very busy, and there are too many greeting letters.
Malfoy also received a letter from home, Narcissa asked him to come home for Christmas.
Compared with going home, Malfoy actually finds the school's collection of books more attractive.
"But let's go back, there is still a place we must go." Malfoy thought of a plan he had already made.
Flicking across the pages, Malfoy, who was sitting in a corner, was flipping through an ancient book. The yellowed paper gave people the illusion that they would crumble to powder when touched.
"The ** area not only has black magic, but also black history." He gently closed the book, and the gilded title on the cover of the book had already peeled off, and a few large characters could be vaguely seen: "The History of Black Magic You Don't Know"
While silently digesting the huge amount of information in the book, Malfoy suddenly heard a middle-aged woman's voice: "What are you looking for, kid?" It was the voice of Mrs. Pince who managed the ** area.
"Nothing" This is a boy's voice.
Through the gap between the bookshelves, Malfoy saw Harry looking around, now being questioned by Mrs. Pince.
"Then you'd better get out. Go—get out," ordered Mrs. Pince.
Harry glanced helplessly between the gaps in the bookshelves, and he saw Malfoy too. However, it is obvious that one of the two has permission and the other does not, and the treatment is completely different.
Harry hated himself for not being smarter and making up a lie, such as coming to find a classmate or something to fool him, but soon realized that he had a bad relationship with Malfoy, and if he was exposed, he might even be detained by the academy. point.
Harry walked out of the library while thinking wildly, hoping that Ron or Hermione would find some new clues, but he couldn't expect much.
The matter started after the Quidditch match. Hermione said that she saw Snape curse at Harry's broom. Harry himself said that he saw Snape's leg injured. The three-headed dog that contacted Hagrid, they deduced that Snape had bad intentions for Harry, and seemed to be going to steal something important, so they were bitten.
In addition, sh grid said that he missed his mouth a few times. From this they learned that these things were related to a man named Nicole Flamel.
But it seems that all clues stop here.
In the Gryffindor lounge, Hermione buried her head on the dining table, and Ron was fiddling with his old and dilapidated wizard's chess board. Obviously, they still got nothing.
"I was kicked out by Mrs. Pince," said Harry dejectedly.
"I suspect he might be a Muggle after all." Hermione let out a feeble groan. "Otherwise there's no way he'd be found anywhere."
"He is not in "Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century", nor is he in the "List of Famous Contemporary Magicians". In addition, his name cannot be found in "Great Discoveries of Modern Magic" and "Research on the Development of Modern Witchcraft". "Hermione stretched out her fingers, counting the information she had checked.
"He's driving me crazy." Hermione scratched her unkempt hair, making an annoyed expression.
"I think Mrs. Pince must know." Harry continued.
"But we can't ask." Ron broke in. "We'll ask Snape and he'll know. It's not safe."
"You'll keep looking while I'm away, won't you?" said Hermione, "and if you find anything, send an owl to tell me."
"You can also ask your parents if they know about Flamel," said Ron. "It's safe to ask them."
"Pretty safe, because they're both dentists," said Hermione.
"I have a suggestion, why don't we ask Malfoy? He has the qualifications to check the ** area." Harry said hesitantly.
"Harry, are you crazy? He's a Slytherin! Snape is their Headmaster." Ron slapped the table and stood up and continued, "And I don't think he'll tell us, do we, Hermione?" Ron turned to look at Hermione.
"I don't know." Hermione looked a little unnatural. Apparently she hasn't told both of them that she's actually on good terms with Malfoy now.
"I don't think he's a bad guy, maybe we did something wrong in the car," Harry said.
"You can go if you want, I don't want to apologize to him." Ron smashed the chess piece hard on the chessboard, making a loud noise.
Hermione and Harry looked at each other, apparently deciding not to continue the subject.
"So you came here to ask me?" Malfoy took his eyes off the book and looked up at Hermione.
"You must know who he is, right?" Hermione looked at him expectantly.
"Is this person important to you?" Malfoy asked knowingly.
"Very important." Hermione nodded affirmatively.
"But I don't think I'm obligated to tell you." Malfoy's voice suddenly turned cold. "If you ask for advice in private as a friend, I think I'd be happy to help you, but those two friends of yours obviously won't be willing to accept my kindness. Don't you think it's unfair to me?"
"It's not like that, Harry even proposed to ask you." Hermione explained.
"So? What about others?"
"Ron doesn't agree, he seems to have a problem with you, and Harry can't keep going." Hermione's voice quieted down.
"Then I think it's okay if I don't help, maybe they won't believe me when they know I told you." Malfoy stared at Hermione quietly.
"No, that's not the case." Hermione shook her head in denial.
"Well, let me tell you now, Nicole Flamel, the only creator of the Philosopher's Stone, the greatest alchemist, and Dumbledore's friend, is this enough? Are you satisfied?" Malfoy said: "Then, Miss Grundy, this is the ** area, I think you can leave as soon as possible."
"Why did it become like this?" Looking at Malfoy's indifferent eyes, Hermione felt inexplicable sadness in her heart, and the clues she heard just now did not make her happy. She walked out of the library numbly. The cold wind that blew slightly did not make her feel cold, because her heart was even colder at the moment. She began to examine her friendship with the three of them, but it was a mess of threads.
Looking at the back of Hermione gradually going away. Malfoy let out a long breath.
This friendship should not have existed in the first place. Malfoy, who was on the train, just wanted to try to see if he could change history, but he also failed. Afterwards, he decided not to offend the river, but was moved by Hermione's courage to apologize. After another encounter in the library, he couldn't bear to look at the sad Hermione, so he comforted her and took her to Hogsmeade secretly. However, conflicts between colleges and friends still lie among them, and no one is spared once it breaks out.
"Sooner or later we have to face it, so let's end it earlier." Malfoy knew very well that even if he didn't take the initiative to provoke this time, similar things would definitely happen in the future. A hurdle that must be faced.
"Whether a friendship ends or a new life is up to you," Malfoy thought. "Let me be the villain this time."
Hermione returned to the Gryffindor lounge with a blank expression, the warmth from the fireplace made her feel better. She saw Ron and Harry happily playing wizard chess.
"I know who Nicolas is." Hermione said calmly.
"Oh, Harry, I ate your horse." Ron was about to take Harry's horse. The two who were playing chess suddenly reacted. "What did you say? Do you know who he is?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Hermione, you are so cool." Ron praised.
Hermione still maintained the calm tone just now: "He is the only known creator of the Philosopher's Stone, the greatest alchemist, and Dumbledore's friend."
"The Philosopher's Stone!" Ron exclaimed. "No wonder Snape wanted to get his idea. Anyone would have figured it out!"
"What's that?" Harry asked Ron.
"My twin brothers used to talk about this stone, and they said they wouldn't come to class again if they got it and they'd have gold they couldn't use up. Oh, and they said it made an elixir of life, Make the person who drinks this medicine never die."
"It all makes sense then," said Harry. "Nicole May and Professor Dumbledore are friends. He asked the professor to leave the Philosopher's Stone here for a while. The three-headed dog must be one of the guards. Snape tried to steal it but failed. Instead, Got bitten."
"Hermione, you are a great hero." Ron praised Hermione again.
Hermione smiled unnaturally.