0082 Adventure

"Hey!" Hermione stood in front of the mirror and called out to Harry and Ron in surprise. "Come look at this!"

Harry and Ron exchanged glances, then quickly walked to Hermione's side.

"Look at me in the mirror," Hermione exclaimed. "I'm holding certificates for all O.W.L.s!"

"O.W.L.s? What's that?" Ron looked at Harry in confusion.

"It's a very important exam we take in fifth year."

"But she's only a first-year!" Ron said, feeling completely bewildered.

Harry didn't know how to respond and could only shrug at Ron.

What else would you expect from Hermione...

Next, Harry followed Hermione's gaze into the mirror, and the scene inside made him hold his breath.

He saw himself wearing Gryffindor Quidditch robes, with a man and a woman standing beside him with their arms around his shoulders.

The man, like him, had messy hair and wore glasses.

The woman had dark red hair, and her eyes were green, just like his own.

Harry instantly recognized the two people in the mirror.

"Dad? Mom?" He whispered.

However, the scene in the mirror wasn't over yet. He also saw Adrian, who was watching him from a distance with a look of pride—the person he respected most...

And his friends, Ron and Hermione, they all stood behind him...

Everything looked so wonderful.

"Ah!"

A startled cry brought Harry back to reality.

It was Ron, who was staring intently at the mirror, exclaiming excitedly: "I see myself as Head Boy! And the Quidditch Team Captain!"

"I know!" Hermione suddenly spoke up. "About this mirror."

"What is it?" Harry looked at her.

"Look at the text at the top." Hermione pointed to the top of the Erised Mirror.

Ron looked in the direction Hermione indicated. "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru... oh, Merlin, whose name is that? It's so long."

"Read it backwards!"

"Oh."

Ron finally discovered the secret of the string of text and read it backwards: "I show not your face but your heart's desire?"

"A mirror that sees through your heart," Hermione explained with certainty. "Absolutely no mistake. I want certificates for all O.W.L.s, and you want to be Head Boy, or the Quidditch Team Captain?"

"Actually, those two aren't mutually exclusive," Ron said after a moment's thought.

How unfortunate, he had thought it was a mirror that could predict the future.

As for Harry, he naturally agreed with Hermione's theory. But even if it was just an illusion, it wasn't bad. Harry couldn't help but look at the mirror again.

Just then, a voice sounded from behind them: "Ah, Miss Granger, a very reasonable deduction."

The three spun around to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the classroom door, calmly watching them.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione instinctively hid her wand behind her back.

"Good afternoon, you three," Dumbledore slowly approached. "Have you by any chance seen a dismantled suit of armor?"

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore... it was an accident..." Ron said weakly.

A glint of amusement flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. "Of course, of course. Causing disturbances in the corridor. Ah, given your honesty, Mr. Weasley, I won't deduct any points."

The three immediately breathed sighs of relief, especially Hermione.

"So," Dumbledore turned to the children. "You've discovered the secret of the Mirror of Erised?"

Harry nodded, unable to resist another glance at his parents in the mirror. "The Mirror of Erised? It shows what we desire most in our hearts, doesn't it?"

"Precisely correct, Harry," Dumbledore said. "If we were in class, I would award you points."

"What a shame," Hermione muttered.

"If you're interested, you may look at this mirror a bit longer. It will remain here until Christmas," Dumbledore said kindly. "Fascinating, isn't it? However, I must go repair that poor suit of armor now. Goodbye, you three."

When Dumbledore reached the door, he suddenly stopped. "Oh, and remember to close the door when you leave."

Their gaze followed Dumbledore until his figure disappeared.

A moment later, Harry gestured to the others.

"Let's go, Ron, Hermione," He said calmly. "I think we should be able to finish our Defense Against the Dark Arts homework before dark."

"Aren't you going to look a bit longer?" Ron wondered.

"We can always come back to see the mirror," Harry said. "Professor Dumbledore said it would stay here."

Throughout the day, Adrian had taught several classes in a row. By the time he returned to his office and sat down in his chair, he was already quite exhausted.

Being a professor was truly tiring... Judging from the classroom reactions, everyone seemed quite satisfied with his Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. This relieved Adrian's mind considerably.

But... What was Quirrell up to?

Whatever it was, it certainly couldn't be anything good.

As Adrian pondered, a plate appeared on his desk with a small piece of pie and a steaming cup of tea. Only then did he remember that at noon, he had asked Tata to bring his lunch to his office.

It seemed Tata had completed the task successfully. Adrian rubbed his temples, picked up his fork, and casually looked out the window.

Without realizing it, the sky had already grown dark.

'Oh right, the plantation'—he hadn't visited it today.

He wondered how Lupin was taking care of the batch of black root grass...

Adrian hastily put the last piece of pie in his mouth, took the thick robe hanging on the coat rack, and entered the portal on the wall.

At this time, the plantation was growing dark, just like the outside world.

When Adrian passed by the Tree of Wisdom, he noticed it looked somewhat different.

"Lumos Maxima!"

A broad area of light emanated from Adrian's wand, illuminating a small area including the Tree of Wisdom.

"Ding!"

A strange sound came from the Tree of Wisdom, and a leaf floated down from the branches. Adrian instinctively reached out and caught it.

Under the light of his wand, the entire leaf was transparent like crystal, with something flowing within its veins.

"Eldra."

[Name: Leaf]

[Description: Contains pure soul power.]

'Soul power?' Adrian felt puzzled. 'Could this be a product of the Tree of Wisdom absorbing a fragment of Voldemort's soul?'

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