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Chapter 323: The Room of Requirement
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 18:12:59 +0000 UTC"No need to exchange anything! I can make this decision myself! When Professor Snape gave me the notes, he already said that whoever can complete it will receive the honor."
Hermione bit her lip lightly, her expression stubborn.
"Don't be so quick to refuse! You'll see, it'll help you." Ino explained with a smile before asking, "But I'm more curious right now—how much time did you manage to reduce for the Felix Felicis?"
"The cost increased by thirty percent, but the time was shortened by one month. It'll be ready just in time for the second task."
As if she had anticipated the question, Hermione answered without hesitation.
For some reason, upon hearing this, Ino began to worry about Snape's private stockpile. Maybe Hermione, being Muggle-born, wasn't too familiar with the rarity of certain potion ingredients, but Ino knew all too well that brewing Felix Felicis was practically burning through money.
On the other hand, Hermione didn't seem to care much about that and continued, "But I hope to reduce the cost in the future. There's just no time to consider those factors now..."
But halfway through her sentence, her voice gradually faded, eventually falling completely silent.
Even though she didn't say it, Ino could guess what she wanted to say. To be honest, even though the plot had changed, Hermione's personality hadn't. She was still as persistent as ever—once she set her mind on something, she had to see it through to the end.
"Hermione, listen to me—"
"No, you listen to me first!" Hermione interrupted him decisively.
She knew Ino could guess what she was thinking, but she could also guess what Ino was about to say.
"Ino, there are some things you can't take lightly! In 1452, during the Triwizard Tournament hosted by Beauxbatons, a champion died during the fight with a Graphorn, and two professors were injured. In 1530, during the Triwizard Tournament hosted by Durmstrang..."
Hermione recited the history of the Triwizard Tournament like she was quoting from a book, more specifically, the history of injuries and fatalities. Almost every hundred years or so, there would be some accident in the tournament.
"Ino, believe me! Even if you don't end up needing Felix Felicis, take it with you just in case."
Finally, Hermione raised her head, her gaze unwavering as she spoke each word clearly.
People are not made of stone—they have feelings.
As Draco had pointed out before, the fact that Ino had been using the two-way mirror so frequently over the past month and a half already gave him a pretty clear answer.
Ino thought back carefully, wondering when his opinion had changed. Perhaps it was when Hermione waited alone at the Astronomy Tower, or maybe it was when she kept pulling potions out of her pockets like a little hamster…
But regardless, now that his mind was made up, he decided to accept Hermione's kindness.
"Alright, I'll bring the Felix Felicis with me."
At his straightforward answer, a joyful smile immediately spread across Hermione's face.
"What about Harry?" Ino suddenly grew curious. Although the "Golden Trio" wasn't as close-knit as in the original story, Hermione was too kind-hearted to simply ignore Harry.
"Harry?" Hermione paused, then responded with a bit of frustration, "He has Professor Snape! I wanted to ask for a bottle of ready-made Felix Felicis for you before, but the answer I got was that I had to brew it myself."
"That's no big deal!" Ino waved it off with a laugh. "Perhaps in Professor Snape's eyes, Harry needs the Felix Felicis more than I do."
He wasn't surprised at all by Snape's choice. In the entire story, the two people who cared most about Harry were probably Snape and Sirius Black.
But fate had its twists and turns, and these two just happened to be at odds.
As for Harry's situation, Ino didn't plan on meddling any further—his earlier casual question was already more than enough.
...
Time passed pleasantly in the Room of Requirement.
As the saying goes, "Great minds think alike; foolish people each have their own way of being foolish."
Undoubtedly, both Ino and Hermione were great minds.
Although some things remained unsaid, once Ino accepted the Felix Felicis with a clear conscience, there was already an unspoken understanding between them.
"Wait here for a moment!" Ino glanced at the potion brewing in the cauldron, then disappeared from the room.
Moments later, he reappeared, holding an ornate diadem in his hand.
"The legendary item, Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem!" Before Hermione could ask, Ino explained in advance.
"Oh my gosh! It really exists! I thought it was just a legend."
Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined that the diadem's legend was true.
"It is real! The legend is true too!"
Ino handed the diadem to Hermione, then said seriously, "But you can only wear it for fifteen minutes each week, and only while I'm watching."
The diadem's power was undeniable, but that was exactly what worried him. Everything came with a price, and such intense mental clarity could easily lead to addiction.
"Alright." Hermione took the diadem, examining it closely. The brilliant blue sapphire in the center reflected a unique light under the candles.
"Can I put it on now?" she asked.
"Of course," Ino nodded slightly.
But he quickly noticed a change.
The moment Hermione put on the diadem, it was as though she had become a different person. Her appearance remained the same, but her entire demeanor suddenly became regal and aloof.
It was an astonishing transformation, as if Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem was meant to be worn by a woman.
"This feels amazing!" Hermione said, gazing intently at her outstretched hand while wearing the diadem.
After a while, she slowly lowered her hand and directed her gaze toward the cauldron in front of her.
Although she made no visible movements, Ino could tell that she had entered a deep state of thought.
What surprised him the most was just how well Hermione seemed to harmonize with the diadem, almost as though it had been made for her.
It reminded him of the Sorting Hat's hesitation when placing Hermione—she had been torn between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
It seemed that for some people and events, once a choice had been made, fate would take them further and further away from what could have been.
...
Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
After taking off the diadem, Hermione looked exhausted. She wasn't just physically tired—her spirit seemed drained as well, as though she might collapse at any moment.
Seeing this, Ino immediately stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It seems like fifteen minutes is still a bit much for you."
"I'm fine!" Hermione said, closing her eyes once she felt his support on her shoulder.
After a short rest, Hermione opened her eyes again.
"Ino, I think I just heard Rowena Ravenclaw's voice."
