This Hogwarts is not normal

Chapter 1340 I Need Your Help

Hermione?

Hermione, who had her eyes tightly closed, suddenly opened them and saw Vincent's anxious face, just as she had expected.

"So early, has something happened?"

She opened her mouth, wanting to say "It's nothing," wanting to say "I just suddenly wanted to hear your voice," wanting to say any lie that could cover it up, but she couldn't say it.

“I…” Her voice was a little hoarse, “I just did something, something I promised you I wouldn’t do.”

Vincent breathed a sigh of relief and waited quietly for her.

Hermione dared not meet his eyes; she knew there was no blame in those deep blue eyes, which only made her feel more guilty.

"Draco Malfoy was seen in Hogsmeade during the day."

Her voice was soft, like that of a child who had made a mistake. "He came out of the alleyway that specialized in liquor, carrying a long, thin object wrapped in silk. I guess it was sherry, Professor Trelawney's favorite sherry."

She paused, then cautiously glanced at Vincent on the projection screen; his eyes were gentle.

“That night, I looked at the new Marauder’s Map and saw that he went to Professor Snape’s office, and then… then I followed him.”

She looked up, hoping to see reproach in his eyes, but all she saw were those gentle eyes, which instantly brought tears to her eyes.

“He got the Veritaserum from Professor Snape.” Hermione leaned against the door, slowly slid down, and curled up to sit on the floor.

Her voice became even softer, as if each word required immense courage: "I thought he would go back to his dorm to sleep. I was about to turn around and go back, I really was, but just then, he came out again."

She hugged her legs tightly, her voice trembling slightly, "He tampered with the bottle, adding three drops of truth serum."

The tears welled up in her eyes under the bright light of the projection screen. "Before this, he apologized many times. He probably didn't want to hurt anyone; he was just afraid. He was afraid his parents would..."

She couldn't continue and buried her head in her knees.

“Hermione,” Vincent’s voice was also soft, “you did very well.”

Hermione looked up, her vision blurred by tears, and saw the tenderness on his face that she knew so well, yet couldn't bear.

"You're trying to say you did nothing, just watched, and then left, right?"

Her tears finally fell.

“Don’t feel sorry for me.” Vincent’s voice was even gentler. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You could have done something, but you promised me, and you did nothing but watch. So, you did very well.”

"But...but I promised you I wouldn't go..."

“That doesn’t matter.” Vincent’s lips curled up slightly. “The Hermione Granger I know wouldn’t turn a blind eye to anyone who is suffering, even if that person is Draco Malfoy.”

Hermione shook her head, tears still streaming down her face.

“You have the ability, you want to help, but you force yourself to do nothing. I know this feeling because I have experienced this torment more than once.”

Hermione's heart skipped a beat.

She gazed at Vincent on the projection screen; he seemed so close, yet so far away.

Hundreds of miles apart, separated by an unfathomable darkness.

She suddenly wanted to hug him.

It wasn't a restrained hug, but the kind where you buried your face in his neck and let your tears soak his collar; it was the kind of hug where you could feel his heartbeat and confirm his real existence.

Hermione's fingers curled slightly, as if she were trying to grasp something.

But then she suddenly relaxed, because she had to restrain herself; Vincent already had enough on his shoulders, and she couldn't add to his burden.

She tried hard to control her facial expressions, attempting to firmly seal away her true thoughts.

She thought she was hiding it well, and to those who didn't know her, she certainly was.

But in front of her was Vincent, who understood her as well as she understood him.

“I have a plan.” Vincent’s expression was serious, and she knew he wasn’t joking. “The complete prophecy, right? Voldemort wants it, so give it to him.”

Hermione's eyes widened.

"Professor Dumbledore and I decided long ago to find a suitable time to announce the prophecy that Voldemort treasured."

Vincent continued slowly, "Now, the perfect time has come. Today, or tomorrow, Professor Trelawney will drink sherry laced with truth serum. Under the influence of the truth serum, she will answer all of Malfoy's questions, but unfortunately, she will not be able to give Malfoy the answers he wants."

He leaned forward slightly. "So, I'd like to have someone else drink that wine."

"Change it to someone else?" Hermione frowned. "Who?"

Vincent looked at her, his gaze both gentle and firm. "Me."

"Are you crazy?" Hermione's voice suddenly rose. "That's truth serum! If you drink it, you'll—"

“Nothing will happen.” Vincent’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Have you forgotten? I’m a natural Occlumency master. Not even Snape’s Veritaserum or Voldemort’s Legilimency can touch me.”

Hermione opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

“I will transform into Professor Trelawney's appearance, drink that bottle of sherry laced with truth serum, and then wait for Malfoy to come and question me. I will tell him the complete prophecy, and he will think that he has pried the secret out of Professor Trelawney's mouth and successfully completed his mission.”

“But,” Hermione’s mind raced, “what about the real Professor Trelawney? You’re not going to…”

Vincent smiled and shook his head. "Of course not, Hermione. I need your help."

Hermione's heart raced, and her eyes held a hint of anticipation.

He figured it out.

He figured it out anyway.

"During the Malfoy operation, I need your help to stall the real Professor Trelawney. Any excuse will do. Ask her to interpret the prophecy orb or discuss divination papers. You need to stall her as much as possible."

She looked at Vincent, and her eyes welled up with tears again.

The two looked at each other across the projection screen and remained silent for a few seconds.

Tears still clung to Hermione's long eyelashes, but suddenly, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "I promise you, I will definitely hold off Professor Trelawney."

I knew you would.

She sniffed and wiped away the tears on her face with the back of her hand, a gesture that was somewhat childlike.

When she stood up, although there were still some tear stains on her face, she was no longer the girl who had been huddled behind the door, but the Hermione Granger that Vincent knew—a girl who seemed soft but was incredibly strong inside.

She suddenly smiled, the same smile he remembered. "Then... goodnight?"

"Good night."

……

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