Chapter 429: The End of Gryffindor's Trial

In the Temple of the Centaurs, Voldemort's roar still echoed in his ear.

Ivan came to and felt pain throughout his body as if he was about to be torn apart.

He felt as if he had been in the illusion for centuries, but in the real world only seconds had passed.

The Philosopher's Stone floating in his chest glowed faintly red, blocking Voldemort's approach.

What had just happened in the illusion was affecting the real world.

The smell of the evil god had disappeared, and the indescribable monsters he had created had vanished as well.

Only Voldemort's black smoke was pervasive, but it was also a spent force.

This battle had just rapidly consumed Voldemort's strength regained through the vampires' care over the past few months.

He was still very weak, relying only on the blood magic of the unicorns to build up some strength.

After seeing Dumbledore, he was ready to flee.

But just then, the power of the ancient evil creature that had been fighting him suddenly disappeared.

Voldemort roared and flew toward the altar, ready to take the Philosopher's Stone.

"Accio Philosopher's Stone!" Ivan shouted, raising his wand with the last of his strength.

This time, unimpeded by the evil god, his magic worked.

The Philosopher's Stone slowly floated past Voldemort and flew swiftly towards him.

"NO!" Voldemort shouted. "Caresius, stop him! STOP HIM!"

His current body and dark magic could not touch Ivan under the protection of the pure magic of the Philosopher's Stone.

Not far away, Caresius and the rest of the vampires were fighting Dumbledore.

Voldemort's piercing roar was falling, and the space next to Ivan's body twisted, and the figure of the vampire appeared eerily.

After fighting the indescribable creatures of the evil spirit and Dumbledore, he now looked nervous.

But his breathing was fairly steady and he had no scars on his body.

Caresius held up his wand and looked at the flying Philosopher's Stone.

Ivan's heart sank sharply. He was powerless and Dumbledore was still being stalked by five vampires.

No one could stop Caresius from getting the Philosopher's Stone. After all these efforts, Voldemort succeeded.

Just as he thought, the magic Caresius was about to cast suddenly stopped.

The pause was short, probably only for a second, without any sign.

In fact, apart from Ivan, who was just below, no one noticed anything unusual.

Ivan clearly saw that the wand Caresius was waving had visibly stopped for a second.

It was a crucial second. Under Voldemort's roar, the Philosopher's Stone flew into Ivan's hand.

Instantly, the glowing red mist spread outward with Ivan at its center, and the two broken pieces of the Philosopher's Stone fused together.

Ivan didn't have time to think about what was happening, he felt a powerful magic burst forth.

Under the influence of this magic, the curse left by Voldemort on his body quickly dissipated.

"Remember, you owe us one!" Caresius' low voice rang in Ivan's ear.

He shook his black cloak, and his body disappeared from Ivan's side again, leaving a swirl of dark magic in the air.

Ivan couldn't believe it. This vampire was helping him. Wasn't he Voldemort's ally?!

This was the last thought on Ivan's mind. He didn't understand what was happening.

In the dim light, he saw Caresius appear at the altar and pick up the statue of the evil god.

Voldemort was still roaring and Ivan could not hear what he was saying.

He only felt heavy black smoke rushing towards him, and he collapsed under the heavy impact.

This time, Ivan did not feel the darkness, nor did he enter the absurd and strange dream.

He regained consciousness and found himself lying in a space filled with golden red light.

The light was coming from two different sized objects in the sky, slowly merging, becoming one.

It was the Philosopher's Stone. Its light was like the sun at noon in winter, warm to the body and very comforting.

If it were possible, Ivan would have wanted to stay here forever.

He didn't know how long he had been here. He felt the cold water dripping on his face.

Drop by drop, as if someone was crying.

Ivan heard a low cry, but he didn't know who it was.

He blinked and saw a pair of glowing brown eyes.

How strange! They looked like Hermione's eyes.

It must be an illusion, how could Hermione be here?!

But it was true that Ivan missed Hermione very much and wanted to see her.

This separation of over a month felt more like lasting a century.

He subconsciously reached out and hugged Hermione tightly, in a moment of softness.

It was all so real! If it wasn't a dream, how good it would be!

The next second, Ivan heard Hermione's muffled scream and blinked hard again.

In front of him, Hermione's surprisingly smiling face gradually appeared, with tears.

"Ivan, you've finally woken up!" said Hermione.

Being suddenly surprised by Ivan, she looked very embarrassed.

But soon she was immersed in the joy of Ivan's awakening. She leaned over and hugged him tightly.

"What the hell is going on?!" Ivan stared at Hermione.

Feeling the girl's warmth and heartbeat, he realized he wasn't dreaming.

He hugged Hermione tightly and didn't let go.

He couldn't tell why this feeling was so good!

It took them a long time to slowly pull apart.

"Hermione, why are you here?" Ivan asked hurriedly, "Where am I now?"

"This is your own bedroom. Mrs. Mason just came downstairs." Hermione said with pleasure.

"I got a letter from Dumbledore yesterday. He asked if I would like to come and look after you. He thought it would be best if you had someone accompany you now. Your parents agreed, and I happen to have time, so..."

Hermione turned red and her voice became lower and lower.

Ivan already knew what she meant. His heart was full of joy and happiness that she could come to be with him.

"What's wrong, why am I in my own house?" she asked quietly.

"Well, Dumbledore said in his letter that other professors intended to send you to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Illness and Injury, but he thought it was better if you came back here." Hermione and Ivan broke off, "Of course, you've been checked, and you're not in trouble now - the curse is broken!"

Ivan felt the Slytherin locket on his chest was obviously much heavier, and opened it.

The restored Philosopher's Stone was silently placed inside, with a soft glowing red light, like the purest of gems.

Just by touching it with his hand, he could feel the magic.