Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 582 Borrowing The Philosopher's Stone

Twenty minutes later, they returned to the desolate Common Room.

The Common Room was quiet and dimly lit. The flames of the fireplace were the sole source of light.

They sat in a plush armchair, feeling exhausted and helpless.

Nearby, on a table, the badges of "Support Cedric Diggory!" that the Creeveys had been trying to improve shone in the firelight, and it felt as though a long time had passed since they were here looking at them, attempting to enhance the badges.

The scene they witnessed tonight was so shocking. They still had images of roaring dragons in their minds.

"Karkaroff knows about the dragons. We must inform Cedric about this. That's only fair!" After a while, Harry said softly, "He surely doesn't know about this. We can't leave him alone..."

"You're right, Harry," Hermione said. "But let's just focus on how Ron can overcome the first task and try to keep him alive until Tuesday night."

"I can't do it," Ron said hollowly. "I can't do it. I can't beat those beasts."

Evan, Harry, and Hermione exchanged looks. Ron was not in a good state at that moment.

They thought that after seeing the dragon's appearance tonight, he would be mentally prepared and play better in the tournament.

But observing Ron's demeanor, it seemed as though the dreadful dragon had already defeated him even before he faced it!

Evan had helped him back to Hogwarts, and it was evident that Ron's legs were weakening and stumbling all the way.

Charlie was right. It would be too challenging for Ron to face the dragon now!

"Be brave, Ron!" Hermione said, turning to look at the pale Ron. "Sirius mentioned that by relying on the Conjunctivitis Curse, you can temporarily blind the dragon and then approach and retrieve what it's guarding."

"Easy to say, it's a dragon, not a big lizard!" exclaimed Ron, clenching his fist. "You just saw it. They can breathe fire at a distance of twenty feet, and the Hungarian Horntail can even do it at forty feet, which is longer than the spell's range. How could I approach them and use the Conjunctivitis Curse? Furthermore, even if I use it, it may not necessarily work. I am too weak, and the dragon will surely resist my spell."

There was a long silence, and Harry and Hermione couldn't think of an easy way to approach the fire-breathing dragon. It was already terrifying to watch it from afar.

As Evan anticipated, Ron now needed courage, followed by the strength to defeat the dragon.

"I can't do it, I don't want to die," Ron said weakly. "I should withdraw from the tournament, or flee Hogwarts and get away."

"Don't talk nonsense, Ron," Harry said quickly.

"That's impossible!" said Hermione. "Professor Moody mentioned that once your name is expelled from the Goblet of Fire, you have a contract with the Triwizard Tournament and must participate in the competition."

"These people want to kill me. I can't just die like this!" shouted Ron, seeming desperate. Then he slumped back into the armchair, helpless.

There was another moment of silence, and Ron said softly, "There's only one way... only one way... if..."

"If what?"

Evan noticed Ron looking at him at that moment, his eyes shining.

"If Evan lends me the Philosopher's Stone, I can defeat the dragon with its power!" Ron said quickly.

Evan was frozen for a moment and looked at Ron's serious face to make sure he wasn't joking.

He didn't expect Ron to make such a request and try to borrow the Philosopher's Stone!

But in the end, would he lend it or not?!

Evan thought for a moment and then said simply and directly, "I understand what you're thinking, but even if I lend you the Philosopher's Stone, you wouldn't be able to use it. The magic within it cannot be directly absorbed by a wizard. The Philosopher's Stone was created by ancient sorcerers through alchemy to provide powerful magic to magical objects. It doesn't directly enhance a wizard's power."

He briefly explained the principle of the Philosopher's Stone, hoping Ron would understand.

But seeing Ron's eyes, Evan knew that what he had just said was in vain.

"Evan told me before. The last time he used the Philosopher's Stone at the World Cup, he nearly died," Hermione quickly said, "Don't dwell on it anymore, Ron, the Philosopher's Stone can't help you at all!"

"Really?" Ron said, with a forced smile on his face, looking at Evan and Hermione suspiciously. "But last term, Professor Lupin and Sirius clearly stated that the magic within the Philosopher's Stone greatly enhances wizards' power. With its aid, a wizard could accomplish many unimaginable feats. Evan, you also mentioned that. That's why we went to the Centaur colony to search for the Philosopher's Stone, right?"

"I thought so back then, but evidently it wasn't the case," Evan explained patiently. "I can't harness the magic within the Philosopher's Stone. It didn't enhance my strength as much as I thought."

"So, how do you explain your magic skyrocketing over the past two years?" Ron inquired.

Not caring about Harry, he pushed him aside and voiced all the doubts in his mind.

The atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. As Evan gazed at Ron's face, he felt a twinge of annoyance. Ron's doubts and distrust were all too evident.

"I told you. My magic increased due to the Potion Salazar Slytherin gave me a thousand years ago. It helped me rapidly advance my magic!" Evan hesitated for a moment and continued, "The formula for this Potion has long been lost and is impossible to replicate."

He didn't mention that his magic surged rapidly with the aid of Slytherin's Locket.

The Locket was a potent magical object that had saved Evan on numerous occasions but had failed to aid Ron. Moreover, Dumbledore had warned Evan not to disclose it to anyone, not even those around him.

A magical object capable of swiftly enhancing wizards' magical power was akin to the power of the Deathly Hallows. If this knowledge came to light, Evan would never live in peace in the future!

Nevertheless, Evan wasn't obligated to explain anything to Ron, let alone lend him the Philosopher's Stone.

He assisted Ron simply because they were friends by a thin thread and for the sake of Harry, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys. Ever since Ron yelled at Hermione in the Common Room, Evan had a negative impression of him.

It wasn't that Ron lacked merit, but at times he could be truly vexing, like in that moment...

It wasn't clear if he was asking for help or if he felt jealousy and skepticism.

If it hadn't been for knowing that Hermione would never abandon Ron, Evan wouldn't have bothered risking his life facing the dragon.