Chapter 330: Thoughts and Intentions

Hermione seemed to have noticed Ivan's abnormality, and she stared at him again for a while.

When Harry and Ron talked about Bulgarian Seeker Krum, she clearly sensed that Ivan was distracted. Although he didn't say anything, but since she knew him well, Hermione clearly picked up on Ivan's mood swings and general thoughts. He didn't seem to want her to know about Krum.

This was very suspicious, was the seeker a girl? And if so, why didn't Ivan want her to know he existed?

As soon as the thought occurred to her, Hermione shook her head and almost laughed at her ridiculous thoughts.

Viktor Krum was clearly a male name, she was immediately relieved. No matter how Ivan knew him, and no matter what secrets there were between them that he couldn't tell her, since Ivan didn't want to say, then there was no need for her to keep questioning....

After all, she believed in Ivan completely and unconditionally.

Hermione didn't think much of it. In fact, if she knew Ivan's plans and worries, she would laugh at him for thinking too much.

Let alone dating anyone, she didn't even know who Krum was now.

Hermione didn't know that the affair was related to her, nor that there would be unspeakable resentment between her and Krum in the coming semester.

In Ivan's plan, the Yule Ball should reach an unprecedented level and have an unprecedented impact on Hogwarts history.

"This map carved behind the stone is too strange. Since Slytherin intentionally left it in the subway ruins, it means it must be very important." Feeling Hermione's eyes, Ivan said stiffly, "What message could he be trying to convey?"

"There could be something in this temple that Slytherin would care a great deal about." Hermione also redirected her attention to the map, following Ivan's line of thought, "He didn't take it off because he was hasty or for other reasons."

"Good thinking, Hermione, that's a strong possibility. There is something in the temple that Slytherin was meant to receive." Ivan admired, "I don't know what it is, but it's certainly very valuable."

If Slytherin was interested in it, then the item must be of great importance.

Considering Herpo the False's status, Ivan could imagine his most precious collection. He had many legendary magical objects in his mind that he had seen in magical history books.

"Besides that, I think there is another possibility." Ivan lowered his voice and continued, "You know, what I told you before..."

"You mean?!" Hermione raised her eyebrows.

She thought of Ivan telling her that he had brought the books on dark magic from the Black family's collection, including books on Horcruxes.

Although she believed Ivan, this topic was too sensitive.

Hermione, in particular, had just had a fight with Ron a few months ago. Ron thought he should tell the professors to stop Ivan from studying Dark Magic, but he had no proof.

At Harry and Hermione's persuasion, Ron finally had to stop.

The incident was over, but then the truth came out, and Hermione knew that Ron's conjecture wasn't just nonsense. On the contrary, everything he said was true.

As he said, Ivan was studying evil black magic.

Hermione concentrated and told herself not to think nonsense.

Ivan had promised her that he would not use black magic to do evil things and change her way of thinking.

She used these black magic books as a reference to study and create corresponding white magic.

And indeed, Hermione fully believed in Ivan, but to avoid unnecessary disturbances, she still didn't tell Harry and Ron for the time being.

It wouldn't be too late to tell them when the time was right.

"Yes, that's it. In those books, I learned the steps and methods for making Horcruxes." Under Hermione's reluctant eyes, Ivan looked at Harry and Ron sitting at the foot of the bed, still concentrating on the Quidditch game, and then whispered, "At the same time, I've seen the monster and the dark magic carved into the rock walls to make it. That magic is very similar to the way the Horcrux is made. Many Spells are exactly the same."

"Oh my god, how can that be possible? what are you saying?" Hermione stared at him.

"There is still speculation that the monster is most likely immortal," Ivan said. "Perhaps Slytherin left this map to tell us that only in this ancient temple could it be completely eliminated."

"What exactly should we do?" Hermione asked unconsciously.

Because she was too agitated, her breathing was a bit ragged.

"I don't know, this is all speculation. But I think it should have something to do with the dark red badge I finally picked up. It didn't show up until after the monster disappeared." Ivan thought and said, "I gave it to Dumbledore, and he might find some clues."

"In that case, we should find the location of the temple as soon as possible and tell Dumbledore." Hermione nodded, looked carefully at the stone again, and asked softly, "Do you know where it is?"

"I've just been looking at it. I don't have any impression of the place marked on it." Ivan shook his head.

For a moment, neither of them spoke again. They rearranged the broken stones, and the map above became more and more complete.

"I have an idea!" Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Although a bit stupid, we can try to compare this map to the map of ancient Greece. There are oceans, forests, and deep canyons. The terrain is also very peculiar. There aren't many places to meet these conditions..."

"It's really a good idea. You can give it a try." Ivan nodded. "Also, we should continue to gather information about Herpo the Foul.

If possible, he would also like to find out the specific location of the body and brain of the monster that Slytherin took, and be prepared for it. This matter might have something to do with vampires.

But now that Dumbledore knew about it, he would definitely be prepared.

Considering the gap between his intelligence resources, if Dumbledore wanted to investigate, he would definitely find the remaining hidden parts of the monster before he did.

What Ivan needed to do now was to engrave this map in his mind as soon as possible.

"The direction of this dotted line must lead to the right path. It seems to go through a subway passageway in the middle." Ivan's fingers groped forward along the back of the stone and he said softly, "Only this direction is positive, and no other is possible. Although it is not clear what is drawn ahead, there must be risks."