Chapter 373: Confessing to Hermione

John didn't want to keep hiding everything from Hermione anymore, so he used a statement closer to the truth to describe his thoughts and actions.

Hermione listened, then fell silent for a moment, softly sighed, and leaned her head on John's shoulder.

"Come on, just be honest... Does Harry have some special secret?"

"Um......."

As soon as she said that, John was left completely silent.

He didn't expect Hermione's intuition to be so sharp that she could hit the nail on the head with a single sentence.

Hermione buried her head in John's embrace and began analyzing on her own.

"We're still missing the last Horcrux."

"But so far there's been no clue about this Horcrux; I only heard the Headmaster mention it."

"So if the Headmaster has a lead, why isn't he sharing the information with us?"

"The answer is obvious, because this Horcrux isn't as easy to destroy as the others, or rather, it can't be destroyed easily and without sacrifice..."

"Combined with Nagini's existence, it proves a Horcrux can be a living thing..."

"In other words, this Horcrux is likely someone we know..."

"For example... Harry...?"

Listening to Hermione's analysis, John was also dumbfounded.

"Hey, I got that answer from Dumbledore with great effort, and you figured it out yourself?"

Hermione seemed to have guessed it already, burying her face in John's chest, her voice muffled.

She could guess Harry's situation, so naturally she could guess his fate.

They had known each other since first year, shared adventures and experiences for many years as friends, but now being told he was destined to die filled Hermione's heart with helplessness and sorrow.

John gently stroked Hermione's back, feeling her shoulders tremble slightly.

Since she had already guessed it, John no longer hid it, whispering: "Exactly, Harry is the last Horcrux."

"But don't worry yet; things haven't reached the worst point."

Hearing that, Hermione finally lifted her little face and looked at John.

"Do you and the Headmaster have any solution?"

"It's not really a solution, just a chance."

John gently patted Hermione's head to comfort her.

Then he repeated everything he had heard from Dumbledore to Hermione.

After hearing John's account, Hermione's brows gradually relaxed, but her eyes still held deep worry.

"So that's why you're publishing these articles."

"You want to downplay the savior's false reputation so Harry can make a choice based on his true heart in the future?"

"Exactly." John nodded, his eyes deep, "I and Dumbledore have agreed that everything will be left to Harry to decide."

"No matter what he chooses, we'll support him."

"Voldemort is not unbeatable."

"Even if he keeps coming back to life, we can defeat him each time."

"So Harry doesn't need to choose that near-suicidal path."

Hermione fell silent for a moment, then suddenly lifted her head, a flash of determination in her eyes: "Then I want to help too."

"You're already helping." John affectionately pinched her cheek.

"As for Harry, I'll leave it to you to give him more brainwashing."

"The rest I'll handle."

Regarding John's arrangement of treating her like a child, Hermione frowned dissatisfiedly but still nodded.

Then she buried her face in John's embrace again.

Not knowing what she was thinking, after a while she let out another muffled sound.

"... We'll always be together, right?"

"Huh? Why ask that? Of course we'll always be together."

John said somewhat strangely.

Hermione didn't answer, just rubbed against John again.

Over the past few months, a series of mishaps have filled Hermione with unease; she fears losing anyone important.

Especially John.

That's why she asked that.

"All right then." Hermione's voice was muffled, with a hint of coquettishness: "You're supposed to marry me, so you can't go back on your word."

John froze for a moment, then let out a light laugh, his fingers gently combing through her fluffy hair.

"Do you realize you're basically setting a flag?"

"The more you say things like that, the more likely something will go wrong."

Hermione lifted her head, glared at him: "No nonsense!"

John laughed, raising both hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, I won't say it."

Only then did Hermione settle back into his embrace, unconsciously tugging at his shirt hem, as if truly afraid he'd disappear.

Xiao Hange Dun, the abandoned Li De Er Lao Zhai.

After Malfoy Manor was destroyed, Voldemort took the Death Eaters and moved to this remote stronghold.

As early as two months ago, he learned from the news that Grindelwald and Dumbledore had colluded in an act to lure him out.

He was so angry back then he nearly blew up the whole house.

The base was gone, the core Death Eaters were almost wiped out, and all Horcruxes were completely destroyed.

Voldemort simply hated those two old things, and he hated Snape's betrayal even more, as well as Meilik who repeatedly ruined his plans.

But Voldemort being Voldemort, he quickly turned his anger into motivation and began scheming again.

He realized that taking them on head‑on meant facing Dumbledore and Grindelwald, and even John.

Even if he possessed the Elder Wand, he had no chance of winning.

So during this period, Voldemort remained in hiding.

He even considered waiting until Dumbledore and Grindelwald died before emerging.

But first, his pride would not allow him to do that.

Second, if he backed down, the Death Eater force he had built on fear and violence would likely collapse instantly.

He had to act quickly to reestablish his authority.

Voldemort stood by the window, looking out at the desolate courtyard—a rare moment of peace for him.

"Master, the person has been brought."

At that moment a knock sounded, and outside came the respectful voice of the Death Eaters.

"Bring him in." Voldemort said indifferently.

As the door opened, three Death Eaters carried in a man.

The man was covered in wounds, obviously having suffered much torture.

The Death Eaters roughly threw the man to the ground; he struggled to lift his head, his eyes full of fear.

Voldemort slowly turned, his scarlet eyes coldly sweeping over the man's face, then broke into a smile.

"Hello, Mai Ke Xiansheng."