Currently, at the Sprout estate, Ciel had just returned after handling the Blood Soul Thorn branches when he saw Professor Sprout looking hurried, preparing to leave. Seeing him, Professor Sprout hastily explained:
"I have to leave immediately. Something major happened in Knockturn Alley—huge impact. Dumbledore has important matters to discuss with me. The Herbology exam is approaching soon, and with this happening at such a critical time, the examination will likely change. This summer has truly had too many unexpected incidents."
Ciel naturally knew exactly what had happened. At this moment, he remembered tomorrow's meeting with Hermione and mentioned it to Professor Sprout, "Aunt, I also need to go out tomorrow. Meeting a friend. If I return a bit late, don't worry."
Professor Sprout, originally hurried and preparing to leave, suddenly brightened, immediately stopping, "A friend?! Boy or girl?"
After hearing Hermione's name, Professor Sprout's smile became even more brilliant, "Oh my! Miss Granger? She's an excellent student with exceptional character and a rare intelligent mind. And from my experience, she'll definitely be a beauty in the future. Ahem, Ciel, you don't need to hurry back. I know several restaurants in London suitable for young wizards and witches dining together—need recommendations? You can use my card for direct entry without reservations; they're all run by Hufflepuffs."
Ciel's expression showed bewilderment, "Uh—Aunt, our meeting isn't a date. We have academic questions to discuss."
Professor Sprout's face was full of smiles, "Discuss away, discuss thoroughly, discuss in detail. Don't worry, I'm not that old-fashioned."
Ciel could only smile ruefully. If not for Professor Sprout's urgent time constraints, he suspected his aunt would already be thinking of children's names.
Finally, after another owl flapped its wings, delivering a letter urging Professor Sprout, she reluctantly left the estate. He finally exhaled deeply.
Then, everything experienced that evening churned through his mind. Though his gains were abundant—one Blood Soul Thorn branch sufficient to significantly advance the Patronus tree seed towards Legendary tier—reviewing the entire process, it relied mostly on leveraging situations and luck.
If not for making a huge commotion causing the Blood Soul Thorns to fear Dumbledore's imminent arrival, if not for his use of Grønir's Blade with White Eagle swordsmanship being mistakenly identified as Inquisition knights—forget obtaining this branch, he'd probably already be fleeing for his life.
Still insufficient strength. With enough power, why need to leverage situations? I myself would be the strongest force.
His eyes flickered. Planting progress, especially Divine Joy Flowers, must accelerate. Moreover, ancient plants encountered seem increasingly numerous. Even encountered Blood Soul Thorns. Might encounter more in the future. Can't expect them to scare themselves to death every time, right? This ancient herbology book needs thorough study—might find some countermeasures.
Then he opened the thick ancient herbology book obtained from the Moser Club, carefully reading from the beginning.
Meanwhile, at the Weasley's Burrow, Mr Weasley was dressing hurriedly to leave. Mrs Weasley's face showed complete annoyance, "Again? Another late-night overtime? Shouldn't the Ministry provide overtime pay?!"
But she was helpless, only able to watch the haggard Mr Weasley disappear from view.
Just then, silently, Ron's figure appeared behind her, nearly startling Mrs Weasley, "Ron? It's so late, and you're not sleeping. What are you doing?"
Ron's expression showed a fleeting unnaturalness, but immediately he said, "Tomorrow I want to go to London alone. Um—Harry's birthday is coming soon. He's my best friend, and I heard he's treated terribly at his aunt and uncle's—this birthday will probably be awful. I want to pick a small gift for him. Just go alone—is that all right, Mum?"
These words made Mrs Weasley's eyes redden, seemingly recalling poor Harry's circumstances, "That child has lived dependent on others all these years. Really don't know what Dumbledore was thinking. All right, I agree, but you must return on time. Also—"
Mrs Weasley searched her purse, finding two Sickles, "This is money for buying gifts. And..." Guilt flashed through her eyes, "Ron, if you want to buy something for yourself, buy it. Don't worry about home—your father will definitely get substantial overtime pay this month."
Ron looked at these two Sickles, his lips moving twice, some impulse brewing in his chest. But moments later, he still gritted his teeth, accepting the silver coins, his face flushed as he returned to his room.
Lying in bed, eyes closed, appearing asleep—but his fingers unconsciously rubbed a rough metal ring. Simultaneously, a voice echoed in his mind:
"Ron, you did very well. Now we have funds to purchase some magical materials. Your magical strength will grow faster."
Hearing this voice, Ron exhaled softly, his heartbeat involuntarily accelerating. Strangely, originally every night he'd dream of some temple. Each time approaching closer in dreams, upon waking he'd gain increasingly profound magical mastery.
But after that terrible storm, he never dreamed of the temple again. Ron felt quite disappointed then, like losing some divine favour. But soon his disappointment vanished—because his pet rat Scabbers actually brought back a ring one day.
Inexplicably, seeing that ring, Ron felt a peculiar attraction, like it was born to belong to him. This is my precious—only I can possess it.
Ron subconsciously wore the ring—perfect fit. Moreover, a faint voice sounded in his mind, calling him "the chosen boy".
Initially Ron was startled, remembering his parents' teachings about not easily contacting talking magical items. But gradually, Ron couldn't suppress his curiosity—especially that phrase "chosen boy" made his heart race. Could I also possess some quality like Harry, inherent from birth?
Just as this thought flashed through his mind, that voice immediately responded, "Of course, Ron Weasley, you're born extraordinary. Growing up in such a poor family, as the least noticed son—these are all Merlin's trials for you. But your extraordinariness is already destined. Otherwise, how could temples favour you? How could you so coincidentally obtain me? Many great wizards pursued me, but none succeeded. They all lacked this peculiar vision to discover me, whilst you, my friend, are unique."
"What's Harry Potter? I think you've contacted him—you've surely discovered he's nothing remarkable, not like legends say, possessing inherently powerful magic. He's just an ordinary child with good luck, whilst you are far more special than him. You're the truly chosen one."
Gradually, under such relentless persuasion, Ron lowered his guard, beginning to converse with this voice calling itself "Nagini" in the ring, eventually considering it a trusted friend, even practising special magics under its guidance.
Today when seeking money from Mrs Weasley, Ron wasn't buying Harry birthday gifts. He hadn't even written Harry letters this summer, still bitter about Harry's "betrayal".
He did this because Nagini mentioned knowing special formulae for brewing potions beneficial to Ron—requiring some startup funds.
But now, recalling Mrs Weasley's searching motions in her purse and her guilty eyes, Ron's heart filled with waves of regret. He suddenly wanted to return these two Sickles.
But Nagini's voice sounded again, "No, Ron. You've done nothing wrong—why feel ashamed? You've always been too hard on yourself. At your age, having a little pocket money—isn't that normal? Mr and Mrs Weasley are naturally noble wizards, but regarding you all, they're inadequate. If unable to provide, unable to let you live comfortably—or normally—why have so many children?"
"You're still a child—why always sacrifice your feelings? Wearing brothers' old clothes, using their old textbooks – even the wand is secondhand. Not even having one new wand of your own—is that reasonable? Perhaps you could try not always being so accommodating, be better to yourself, starting with these two Sickles?"
Ron was gradually persuaded, though some unease still churned in his heart. Two Sickles felt somewhat hot in his pocket.
But then Nagini's next words made Ron completely determined, "Think of Ciel Sprout. That badger you despise. He never relinquishes any resources—look how much he occupies in Hogwarts greenhouses, the entire Sprout family's resources squandered by him alone. With such talent and qualifications, he can achieve considerable success under such resource supply. If you had such resources, your achievements would already be unimaginable."
"Ron, will you let two insignificant Sickles mean next school year you're still trampled under Ciel Sprout's feet? Take it; exchange it for things increasing your strength. Then, there are thousands of ways to make money—you'll become a millionaire, returning these two Sickles to your parents a thousand, ten thousand times over!"
Ron took a deep breath, gripping the two silver coins tightly, stuffing them into his pocket. Countless emotions flashed through his eyes, fists clenching tightly.
Throughout, he never noticed his pet rat Scabbers staring straight at him whenever "Nagini's" voice sounded in the ring.
A sleepless night. Ciel closed the thick ancient herbology book, gently shaking his head. How to counter Blood Soul Thorns wasn't mentioned. Thinking about it makes sense—if countermeasures were so easily found, how could renowned heroes die beneath Blood Soul Thorns?
Heroes famous in ancient times were conservatively estimated at Legendary tier with secondary sublimation, even tertiary sublimation—standing at the same level as Hogwarts Four Founders, Dumbledore, and Voldemort. Whether strength or combat experience, all first-rate. Even if outmatched, many escape methods existed, yet they were killed by Blood Soul Thorns—proving how difficult this plant is to handle.
But regardless of plant type, as long as they are growing on land, theoretically all are affected by fertility goddess Demeter's magic. Could Blood Soul Thorns sending one branch searching for Ed Robinson be because her bloodline legendarily descends from Demeter? Then fertility goddess Demeter definitely knows this plant's weaknesses. Perhaps at the next oracle reception, I can try asking.
But this returned to one problem—language. He needed to learn at least one language, possibly communicating with Demeter before the next oracle. Otherwise, waiting for another oracle would take even longer.
Thinking this, his eyes showed anticipation. Wonder what magical linguistics discovery Hermione will bring me.
Then he changed into clothes suitable for the non-magical world, heading towards the square agreed upon with Hermione. Almost simultaneously, Hermione—dressed splendidly, waiting here early—already saw him, excitedly waving.
Seeing Hermione now, he was somewhat surprised, understanding why in the original story's ball, after Hermione properly dressed up, so many people were amazed. She probably looked just like that now.
After Hermione saw his surprised reaction, her lips couldn't help curving upwards, seemingly in excellent spirits, "Near this square is a delicious dessert shop. Shall we talk there? I can't wait to tell you my discovery."
After Hermione proposed this, he also nodded. Then the two walked together into a street-side dessert shop.
Shortly after they entered, behind a phone booth across the street, Ron finally emerged in shock, his mind full of disbelief.
Originally following Nagini's suggestion to visit a magic shop outside Diagon Alley for needed materials, Ron never dreamed he'd see this scene on the street—Ciel and Hermione on a date? Hermione even dressed up elaborately, appearing a hundred times more radiant than usual?
Instantly, countless emotions surged through Ron's heart. He stopped, slowly entering an alley beside the dessert shop, his eyes showing unusual intensity.
After temple gifts and Nagini's guidance, I've even experienced several Nagini-simulated combats in my mental world. I'm no longer the same, am I? Now I'm incomparable to soft, privileged types like Ciel. This time, someone else needs to fall.
(TL NOTE: The raw names this entity 'Nagini' – the same name as Voldemort's Horcrux snake. This may be an author typo. I will update if confirmed.)