Mysterious Journey

Chapter 622: Settling Rewards

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Meanwhile, in the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle.

The night was growing deep, but the core members of the strategy group gathered in the hall had not dispersed. They were still waiting for the results of Hermione, Hannah, and Luna's assessment. The girls' time this time was longer than ever before.

This meant that they were very likely to have gone further in this assessment than anyone else, perhaps even…

Ding ding ding—

Just then, outside the entrance hall, the four giant hourglasses, each containing gems of different colors, symbolizing the house points of the four houses, suddenly shook, emitting a series of crisp, tinkling sounds.

The young wizards turned their heads in unison, looking in astonishment at the house hourglasses making the noise.

In the giant hourglasses of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, beautiful diamonds and rubies fell like rain, clattering against the gemstone piles below, creating a pleasant, melodious sound.

"What, what's going on?"

Marcus Flint was slightly stunned, watching as Gryffindor's score rapidly increased, seemingly about to surpass Slytherin, his face filled with countless question marks, his mind subconsciously flashing through all sorts of shady scenarios.

Could this be the reason Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had higher scores than them?

Because every night, in the quiet hours, these two houses secretly received a little extra credit?

On the other side, the Ravenclaw girl prefect, who was already at the bottom, also had a strange expression. If the points were awarded for the three young witches' actions, then why hadn't their hourglass moved at all?

Luna Lovegood was clearly a pure-blooded Ravenclaw little eagle!

Even if there was no hope of overtaking this year, a slight increase would at least prevent them from constantly being ridiculed by the other three houses.

As for the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students, although they were overjoyed, they didn't immediately cheer and celebrate, as the points had come too suddenly. It would be awkward if it was just a magical malfunction.

Before the young wizards could fully recover, Harry Potter and the others, sitting on the edge of the hall, suddenly stood up excitedly, waving vigorously towards the stairs outside the entrance hall, and shouted expectantly.

"Hey, look, Hermione and the others are back!"

"And Elena too! That means…"

With Harry, Draco, and the others' reminder, the students gathered in the hall shifted their attention from the hourglasses.

Percy Weasley took a deep breath, looking expectantly at the four girls approaching.

"Hermione, how was your assessment progress? Do you know what's going on with the house points?"

The hall instantly fell silent. All the wizards in the strategy group looked nervously and expectantly at the four girls walking into the hall. Although they had some guesses, the answer would only be revealed when the girls spoke.

"We…"

Hermione glanced at Elena beside her, answering with a complex tone.

"I guess you could say we passed? Professor Dumbledore awarded each of us thirty points as a reward based on our performance. According to the professor, all students who pass will receive a certain amount of points as a reward."

"Wait, what about Luna? Why hasn't our Ravenclaw score…"

Penelope Clearwater, the next Ravenclaw girl prefect, frowned and couldn't help but interrupt.

Facing this future prefect, Luna Lovegood sighed helplessly, taking the initiative to explain.

"The professor said that because I haven't completed the official Sorting Ceremony yet, the points can't be redeemed immediately. After formal enrollment in September, the points I earn this year will be added to the house I'm sorted into…"

"Miss Lovegood, Slytherin is always your warmest home! You are a born Slytherin!"

Before Luna could finish speaking, the Slytherin girl prefect's eyes suddenly lit up. She eagerly stepped forward, warmly taking the somewhat bewildered little moon's hand, and said softly with a smiling face.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the test. We have already prepared a celebration feast for you in the common room. Stay with us in Slytherin tonight. Elena should have told you, our house's buffet is amazing!"

"Miss Dath, that's a bit much, isn't it? Let me say something fair…"

Percy Weasley frowned, cleared his throat, and reached out to stop the Slytherin girl prefect's actions.

"Everyone knows that Luna's study arrangements this year are all based on the Gryffindor House's schedule, and Hermione is responsible for guiding her in school life and learning. These are the professors' decisions!"

"Cough, to be fair, Weasley, let me say something from a neutral perspective…"

Looking at the bewildered Luna, Cedric Diggory helplessly patted Percy on the shoulder.

"I think Professor Dumbledore is right, just like you always thought Elena belonged to Gryffindor, but she still firmly chose Hufflepuff. The important thing is Luna's own decision. Everything will ultimately depend on the Sorting Ceremony next semester. Don't forget, Hannah and Elena are both Hufflepuffs…"

"Cedric, I used to believe that, but since this year began! Hey, Hufflepuff!"

Percy Weasley slapped Cedric's hand off his shoulder, saying unhappily. Since the great melee with Slytherin shortly after the start of this year, a very strange atmosphere had clearly appeared in Hufflepuff. They still looked honest and simple as usual, but they always suddenly erupted at crucial moments, and Gryffindor had suffered many silent losses in this regard.

Cedric Diggory chuckled, choosing not to continue arguing with Percy Weasley. Instead, he turned to look at Elena and the girls beside her, asking curiously.

"So, dear ladies, what are the next two trials? Can you tell us now?"

"I'm sorry, Dumbledore asked us to keep the specific content secret. However, there is a reference…"

Hannah shook her head, hesitated slightly, and stepped forward amidst everyone's expectant gazes.

Bang!

A heavy tome was slammed onto the long table in the center of the hall.

The students now noticed that Hannah Abbott had been holding a huge book, which looked like a thicker version of the *History of Magic* textbook. The only difference was that this book seemed to be bigger and heavier.

"Although we can't reveal it directly, Professor Apocalis has specially compiled a detailed summary of the must-know points, which covers the knowledge that may be used in the subsequent levels for each grade. It should be able to help everyone…"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Staring blankly at the thick tome, the hall fell into a brief silence as if a collective Petrification Curse had been cast - Fred Weasley and George Weasley's faces were instantly filled with resistance.

"Um, is there any other news besides that..."

Marcus Flint's cheeks twitched, forcing out an ugly smile.

"Elena, we specially prepared a buffet feast for you to celebrate. Today is such a day to celebrate…"

"Okay, okay, I really can't do anything with you guys."

Looking around at the little wizards in the hall with expectant faces, Elena sighed helplessly.

"I can secretly tell you a little bit of insider information, but you have to keep it a secret for me. You must not say that I revealed it to you, otherwise the professors may change the rules again and no longer allow me to help you."

"Of course, rest assured!" Percy Weasley nodded seriously.

"That's right! Whoever leaks the information is the enemy of all the students!" Marcus threatened, scanning the hall.

"Hufflepuffs never betray friends, you know that!" Cedric chimed in.

"Don't worry, Elena, we'll just say this is the result of our thinking." Penelope smiled slightly.

"Well, of course I believe everyone, after all, we're a team!"

Elena narrowed her eyes happily, the little ahoge on her head waving excitedly.

"First of all, for the first trial, I suggest you remember to collect branches of plants when passing through. These task items will significantly reduce the difficulty of the second trial. Of course, remember to be gentle, or they might get angry…"

"...The giant chessboard in the third trial, after a chess piece is knocked down, it will bring attribute enhancement effects to other chess pieces on the same side. Also, killing the opponent's chess pieces will also gain attribute improvements - however, this mode will only take effect in the chess state."

"The fourth trial, oh, this trial is not difficult. You just need to believe in your teammates, believe in the works of other students… Theoretically speaking, even if it doesn't work once, try a few more times, you can always draw a magic potion that is easy to crack and pass successfully…"

"And as long as you pass the fourth trial, I can give you a little help. If nothing unexpected happens, I can definitely let everyone reach the last trial smoothly. As for the last trial… I'm sorry, I can't say either."

"The only thing I can reveal is that each team that completes the clearance will earn a certain amount of points for their house based on their performance. Of course, the bonus will also be issued…"

Amidst Hermione's, Hannah's, and Luna's disdainful and complex expressions, Elena raised her finger, explaining the exclusive secrets bit by bit.

Due to the request of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Apocalis, after clearing the dungeon, they had to be on the same side as Elena, temporarily cooperating with this white-haired little dumpling's actions until more than 60% of the students in the school completed the assessment.

According to the customs of this land, when most people are immune to a phenomenon, they can provide protection to others who have not experienced these trials, so that other students will not feel psychological burden because of the assessment content.

And as compensation for concealing important information against their conscience…

Professor Dumbledore and Professor Apocalis offered a condition that Hermione, Hannah, and Luna could not refuse.

...

A moment later, Hogwarts Great Hall.

The little wizards, having finally collected valuable information, dispersed contentedly, returning in groups of three or five to their respective common rooms, replenishing their energy, and preparing for tomorrow's dungeon clearance plan with full confidence.

"Eh, Elena, where are you going?"

Hermione Granger reached out and accurately grabbed the white-haired little dumpling beside her who was about to slip away, asking with a smile that was not a smile.

"That, um… I plan to take Luna to the Slytherin common room for the buffet…"

Elena froze, explaining quickly with a wry smile.

"No need, I can find my way."

Luna Lovegood blinked, interrupting seriously.

"I can go by myself, I'll bring you back whatever you want to eat later. According to the previous agreement, you need to accept justice in the Gryffindor dormitory, so I suggest you'd better not continue to act."

"Han, Hannah, why don't we go back to Hufflepuff House, I haven't been with you for a long time..."

"Don't worry about that, Elena. I'm sleeping with Hermione tonight, Professor Dumbledore has already agreed."

Hannah Abbott smiled sweetly, revealing two cute dimples on her delicate face.

"After all, we finally passed such a wonderful assessment, I think we still have a lot to talk about tonight, a lot of things to do, after all, whether it's your self-directed fake death, or the later battle, it's very interesting…"

"Okay, Elena, you promised this yourself –"

Hermione reached out her finger and fiddled with the little ahoge on the white-haired dumpling's head, saying leisurely.

"We cooperated with you in the play, you let us handle you. If you disagree, or break the contract temporarily, Professor Dumbledore has promised to personally take action to catch you and petrify you. You're so smart, you definitely won't break the contract easily, right?"

"But I apologized, Hermione, I don't want those hundred times, let's call it a tie..."

"No, a hundred times is a hundred times! If I lose, I'll do what I say! I'll never go back on my word!"

Hermione's face turned slightly red, biting her lip, she said firmly.

"Anyway, these two things can't be confused, since you fell into our hands today, absolutely… hum hum…"

"Wa, wait a minute… Hannah, Hermione, do you remember that I just healed all your wounds tonight? Actually, I was forced, my heart has always been very resistant, you must listen to my explanation."

"But, why do I feel like, Elena, you seem to be quite happy all the time..."

Luna Lovegood tilted her head, asking softly.

Hearing Luna's question, Hermione and Hannah looked at each other and nodded in unison.

"Oh? So you're still very happy?"

"Luna, go quickly and come back soon, we'll wait for you to come back together... set, tle, the, re, wards!"

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A combined two chapters! Seeking tickets~
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