Starting at Hogwarts, Logging into Elden Ring Chapter 25: Mental Power Unleashed, Hermione’s Resolve

As Arthur pushed his ntal senses further, he realized sothing was wrong.

He was sitting by the Black Lake, fishing, when he sensed two tentacles carefully removing the bait from his hook underwater.

"No wonder I haven't been catching anything lately! Uncle Mo was right—when fishing, you can't spoil the fish, damn it!"

With that, Arthur cast a Bubble-Head Charm on himself and, to Hermione's shock, leapt straight into the lake.

Beneath the surface, he finally saw the culprit: a giant squid. Its body was larger than a double-decker bus, with eight shorter arms each three or four ters long. The thieves were its two main tentacles, each over ten ters.

Arthur had recently swapped bait for dragon at when the fish wouldn't bite—and it had lured this clever creature. The squid was intelligent enough to pluck the bait free before eating it.

"You dared steal from ? Fine—then I'll take you instead!"

Furious, Arthur cast Arc of Brilliance, slicing off the two tentacles in an instant.

But the squid valued its life. Instead of fighting, it spewed a cloud of dark ink and shot into the depths.

With Hermione still waiting on shore, Arthur didn't pursue. He rembered the rfolk living down there—he could ask them about the squid later and ambush it in its lair.

On shore, Hermione saw him erge dragging two massive tentacles.

"Cousin! Why didn't you say anything before suddenly diving in?" she scolded.

She wasn't worried about danger—knowing him, he never acted without certainty. She was upset that he had startled her and splashed her in the process.

"Sorry! I was just too mad—sothing was stealing my bait." Arthur chuckled, ruffling her hair.

Hermione finally noticed the tentacles.

"rlin's beard! What creature are those from?"

"A giant squid. Smart one, too. Knows how to steal bait. I lopped off its arms and it fled. Looks like tonight's supper is sorted."

"Wait—supper? You an… midnight snacks?" Hermione caught the word.

"You sneak out at night?"

"Hermione, let explain—" Arthur began, but she cut him off.

"The worst part is—you went for midnight snacks and didn't invite ?!"

"Huh?" He was stunned.

This was the sa girl who had once lectured Harry, Ron, and Neville for almost being caught out after curfew. And now, hearing he had snuck out, her only complaint was that he hadn't brought her along?

"I don't care! From now on, whenever you sneak out for food, you're taking with you."

"You're… not angry? About sneaking out?" Arthur was baffled.

"Why would I be? Did you get caught?" she countered.

"Of course not! At Filch's level, he'd need a few hundred years of practice to catch ."

"Then that's fine. If you weren't caught, then it doesn't count as sneaking out. But rember—you must bring next ti."

Arthur could only nod, thinking: Ah, so that's why she was sorted into Gryffindor. She might act like a goody-two-shoes, but deep down she's as daring as they co.

That midnight, Arthur carried a golden British Shorthair into Hogwarts' kitchens.

"Alright, Hermione, you can change back now."

The cat leapt onto a chair and transford into Hermione, cheeks flushed. Being carried in his arms like that was a first.

Of course, this wasn't her Animagus form. It was Arthur's Mimic's Veil. Hermione had been nervous about getting caught, so he lent it to her—turning her into a harmless pet cat. Nobody would think twice about a stray cat roaming the castle.

Truthfully, Arthur had only done it as an excuse to cuddle a cat. If he'd really wanted to stay hidden, an Invisibility Charm would have sufficed. And with his ntal sense covering a hundred ters, it was easy enough to avoid Filch.

"Phew! My first ti sneaking out—this is exciting. What if soone cos in?" Hermione whispered.

"Relax. The school never actually banned sneaking out—otherwise they wouldn't leave the whole castle to just Filch."

Arthur summoned the elf, handed over the tentacles, and chatted with Hermione while they waited.

Before long, brought out a platter of grilled delicacies. Arthur praised her work:

"Excellent as always, . Interested in working for ? I'll pay you ten Galleons a month."

lit up, then quickly grew anxious.

"Oh, sir! thanks you for wanting her. But doesn't need money—just promise you won't abandon , and she'll be happy."

"Cousin, what's going on?" Hermione asked, confused by the elf's ekness.

She'd never dealt with house-elves before. Arthur explained their forced servitude, the indoctrination, the punishnts.

Hermione's face darkened.

"That's awful! How can wizards treat them like this?"

"It's history," Arthur said calmly. "The elves were conquered in ancient wars. If they had won, we'd be slaves."

"But can't wizards at least treat them better?" Hermione pressed, upset.

He sighed. "Wanting change isn't wrong—but we can't do it now."

"I still want to try. Cousin, will you help ?" she asked, unusually stubborn.

Seeing her determination, Arthur chose to guide her.

"Then you need strength first. Grow until no one can ignore you. Imagine if you had Dumbledore's influence—then even your wildest ideas would be considered."

Hermione thought about it, then asked, "What should I do?"

"Set a small goal first—beco Minister of Magic."

She rolled her eyes. "Be serious!"

"I am serious. Make a na for yourself, prove your worth at the Ministry, earn the people's support. Then, as Minister, you could change the elves' fate with a stroke of the quill."

Hermione fell silent, mulling it over. The plan… made sense.

Arthur didn't interrupt, just kept eating. Heh. Looks like she really is entertaining the idea of becoming Minister. Then I can say I'm the man behind the Minister of Magic.

Eventually she snapped back to reality, only to find half the food already gone.

"Cousin! Leave so for !"

She grabbed the platter and stuffed her mouth full.

"Slow down, I'm not stealing it," Arthur teased.

Hermione glared, swallowed, and declared:

"I've decided. I will beco Minister of Magic—and you're going to help !"

"Of course, I'll help. But first, let's get you through Hogwarts. Don't run too far ahead."

Arthur's smile was indulgent.

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