Hermione was already very familiar with Regulus Black, and she knew her way around the Room of Requirement from her many visits.
She had just parted ways with Harry Potter and the others when she went straight to the Room of Requirement to report her success to Regulus Black.
Regulus Black was seated across from "Zero" at a chessboard. The Chinese chess pieces on the tea table moved under the guidance of their wands.
"This time, I really owe you one, Hermione. Only you could get through to them. There's no one else I could have entrusted with this task."
Zero stood up from across Regulus, picked up a silver teapot, poured a cup of black tea, and handed it to Hermione to quench her thirst.
"Thanks, Zero! But Regulus, this tea tastes a little different."
The little girl picked up on the unusual flavor, but didn't mind and finished the cup without hesitation.
"I added a relaxant to the tea—it helps ease mental tension."
Regulus Black poured himself a cup as well and sipped it slowly, signaling for Zero to refill Hermione's cup.
"After the exam today, I went to Hagrid just like you said, and everything turned out just as you predicted. Harry Potter really did come to ask Hagrid about 'Fluffy'..."
Hermione began to recount everything that had happened. She wasn't sure how much Regulus Black already knew, but she believed he should hear it all. To her, the assistant professor was the one person worth sharing secrets with.
"...I never imagined that just after we left Professor McGonagall, we'd run into Professor Snape. And the most surprising thing was that he didn't scold us. He simply gave us a warning and left—that's so unlike Snape."
Hermione gave an embarrassed smile. Speaking that way about a professor felt improper—even though she had learned such expressions from Regulus Black. As a proper young lady, saying things like that didn't feel ladylike.
Regulus Black merely smiled and then took out a ring.
"Hermione! Promise me... you'll never leave me!"
He knelt on one knee before her chair, holding out a ring and gently placing it on the ring finger of her right hand.
Was this... a proposal? Little Hermione instantly blushed. Even though she really liked the assistant professor... even though she'd imagined growing up and marrying him someday... even though she dreamed about him every night—sometimes sweet, sometimes... indescribable.
But in real life, the assistant professor proposing to her—she was only 11... no, 12 now! Still, wasn't it way too early? She was too young, and her body wasn't fully developed—it wouldn't be able to handle it.
Her eyes dazed and her face flushed, Hermione fell into a spiraling state of wild thoughts.
Regulus Black, on the other hand, sat back in his seat and continued his chess match with Zero.
"Master, if you tease Miss Hermione like this, she might hold a grudge for the rest of her life."
Zero moved a knight across the river, only for it to be immediately captured by Regulus Black's elephant.
"But I was being completely sincere! There's no reason for her to hold a grudge over something like that, right?"
Regulus explained casually. While teasing little Hermione was quite amusing, he had always kept a strict line. After all, the deeper the love, the deeper the potential resentment—so he absolutely couldn't give it a chance to turn into hate.
After spacing out for a bit, Hermione finally snapped back to reality. Seeing the "proposal" assistant professor quietly playing chess again, she began to think maybe she had misunderstood... That thought alone made her blush all over again—this time from sheer embarrassment!
"Regulus! This is...?"
Hermione raised her right hand. The silver ring on her middle finger had an ancient design, yet upon closer inspection, it was clearly newly made.
Two runes were engraved on the ring, occasionally flashing with a faint magical glow.
These two runes came from the Diablo universe. Regulus Black had been deeply invested in that game and was very familiar with it. He had always wanted to recreate everything related to the game in real life. It also helped strengthen his "golden finger" system—his limited cheat ability—making it as complete as possible. The runes were just one part of that plan.
02# Eld: +75% damage to undead, +50 accuracy against undead, -15% stamina drain, +7% chance to block (when equipped on a shield).
14# Dol: 25% chance to make monsters flee on hit, +7 life after each kill.
These attributes originally depended on the equipment slot in which the rune was embedded to take effect. However, in the runes recreated by Regulus Black, the corresponding properties remained unchanged, but there was no longer any limitation regarding the slot where they must be embedded—nor was there the usual restriction where only partial effects would activate based on the item type.
"The runes on this ring can damage undead creatures, increase accuracy against them, reduce stamina consumption, raise block chance, cause enemies to flee when hit, and restore life to yourself or others."
Regulus Black briefly explained the properties. Little Hermione's jaw almost dropped—this was a true magical item!
This was completely different from flying brooms, Quidditch balls, or other gear, which typically had only one simple function. This item, however, contained only two runes and yet boasted six different properties.
"While wearing this ring, just speak the names of the runes out loud to activate their effects. Remember: Eld and Dol!"
"Eld, Dol!"
Hermione repeated them seriously and was even about to wave her wand, perhaps trying to get a feel for it.
"You don't need a specific wand movement for this rune to work—just point at the target."
Regulus Black quickly stopped the little girl. Who knew what effect these two runes would have on his undead body? If the creator of the item were accidentally killed by his own work... it would be a disgrace to the entire Black family.
Hermione was overjoyed. Today she had received a proposal ring from the assistant professor—no, wait! A magical artifact. If Regulus didn't plan to take it back, then wasn't that basically the same as giving it to her? That thought made Hermione giggle inwardly with delight.
"You'll have to think on your feet for the rest, but I trust you can handle it. Just remember to keep encouraging Harry Potter."
Hermione stayed with Regulus Black for quite a while longer. As curfew approached, he told her to go ahead and return to Gryffindor to meet up with the others.
"Regulus! Will you be coming too?"
Hermione asked just before stepping out. After all, this wasn't the same as in the original story, where the Gryffindor trio chose to go on their own. This time, Regulus Black had asked her to help keep an eye on Harry Potter. Naturally, as a little girl, she hoped for more support—that's why she asked.
"Of course! I promise I'll be there soon. But for now, the stage is yours."
Regulus Black was definitely planning to face the trials as well—he had already made arrangements with Dumbledore that any damage to the trial areas wouldn't be his responsibility. How could he possibly miss such a great opportunity?
Hermione arrived at Gryffindor Tower, gave the password, and entered—only to see a toad lying on the couch.
"Trevor!"
Hermione immediately recognized Neville's pet. She then spotted a chubby boy sitting in the common room. Hearing Hermione's voice, he stood up.
"You're trying to sneak out again, aren't you? I won't let you do that! Hermione, you're not even a Gryffindor anymore—why are you still looking for Harry Potter?"
As a Gryffindor, Neville naturally placed the honor of his house above all else. Even though Harry Potter had the title of the Chosen One, he had cost Gryffindor a massive number of house points. When Neville saw Harry and Ron come back looking suspicious earlier today, he knew they were planning another nighttime escapade. The term was almost over, and no matter what, he had to stop them. He couldn't let Gryffindor lose any more points—even if they had no chance at winning the House Cup now.
"I won't let you go. You'll bring ruin to Gryffindor House."
Just as Neville was finishing his speech, Harry and Ron happened to be coming down from the dormitory.
"Neville, I'm really sorry!" Hermione pulled out her wand. "Petrificus Totalus!"
Neville's whole body stiffened and he collapsed stiffly to the floor.
"Sometimes, you're scarier than Snape," Ron muttered, swallowing hard as he looked down at the fallen Neville.
"Save it—let's go!" said Harry, holding the Invisibility Cloak in one hand and a small music box in the other.
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