Hermione, uncertain, questioned, “That’s all? Don’t we need to pay anything? Or do anything else to prove our worth before entering such a clandestine organization?”

Cassandra answered Hermione’s query, “What you need to do is to give other members help when they need it and complete various tasks assigned by JoKer. JoKer rarely assigns tasks, and they are within our capabilities. Only JoKer knows who we all are.”

Despite Cassandra’s explanation, Hermione frowned, contemplating for a while. Eventually, she shook her head, stating, “I’m sorry, I refuse! This is just too suspicious for me. I know all of you need to keep your identity a secret, but it’s too much of a risk for me.”

This time, Cassandra didn’t hold back as Draco did earlier.

Reflecting on Draco’s previous encounter, Cassandra realized that certain decisions should not be rushed. Refusing to join the Secret Hallows was a loss for the wizarding world, not the Secret Hallows itself.

Cassandra responded cunningly, “Have you made up your mind? Is this your answer?”

Hermione nodded solemnly, expressing, “I figured it out; I believe you are all very skilled wizards, but I just want to be my ordinary student safely.”

Cassandra acknowledged that Hermione’s response was a refusal but refrained from further persuasion. She stated, “Well, you can leave now!”

As Hermione was about to turn to leave, Cassandra intercepted her from behind and cautioned, “By the way, don’t mention us to other people if you don’t want them to vanish or lose their memory for good! You can come here; this is JoKer’s will, but not everyone is qualified to know our existence, so it’s not necessarily a good thing for them. You are a smart girl. I believe you know what I meant by those.”

Hearing Cassandra’s advice and warning, Hermione nodded.

Simultaneously, she reaffirmed her decision to distance herself from this organization. “Don’t worry; I won’t say anything to anyone. I want to keep my life after all.”

However, a deep interest lingered in Hermione’s heart, especially regarding the mysterious figure, JoKer.

Shaking her head and forcing herself to leave the turmoil in her mind behind, Hermione hastily exited the Room of Requirement.

Draco, who had witnessed the encounter, couldn’t help but comment, “It’s over like this? Are we no longer going to persuade and chase her?”

Cassandra responded indifferently, “There’s no need. When she really has a difficult problem to solve, she will come here on her own.”

In the following days, everything at Hogwarts seldom returned to the semblance of a typical school.

Except for a certain Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who remained unreliable.

While a group of students had been doubting his capabilities of actually teaching them, the others were still blinded by his fame and his eloquent speech, which made them believe that every single mistake he made was meant for them as study material.

Meanwhile, Wentworth remained immersed in his fascination with ancient magic patterns. However, mastery in this field required more than just hard work; extraordinary talent and guidance from renowned teachers were indispensable.

Dumbledore, being naturally adept in this subject at Hogwarts, stood out. His formidable expertise was not acquired through tricks or shortcuts, but it came from his innate talent as a Grindelwald and his studies of Spells.

Wentworth realized he didn’t have enough influence to persuade Dumbledore to grant him a private study space.

Consequently, he reluctantly sought help from Lupin once again.

Since the previous semester, Wentworth had visited the Shrieking Shack less frequently after revealing all the common spells Lupin knew.

Even though Lupin’s proficiency in ancient magic symbols was not up to Wentworth’s expectations, it surpassed Wentworth’s own understanding.

After all, Lupin had previously served as the President of the Hogwarts Student Union.

In the meantime, Hermione had been feeling restless. “It’s been weighing my mind. Did I actually make the right choice by not joining their organization?”

The discovery of a mysterious organization within Hogwarts heightened her sense of insecurity. “I believe Ron would only mock me if I decided to tell him about this; what should I do?” She contemplated, repeating the question again and again while staring at Harry and Ron.

Contemplating whether to share this revelation with Harry and Ron, she was interrupted one day when the trio was walking down the corridor after a meal.

“Wait a moment!” Harry abruptly halted Hermione and Ron, listening intently to something in the empty corridor.

Witnessing Harry’s peculiar behavior, Hermione and Ron exchanged puzzled glances before inquiring, “Hey, Harry, what are you doing?”

Harry responded by pressing his ear against the wall, prompting Hermione and Ron to question, “Didn’t you hear any strange noises?”

Unable to detect any unusual sounds, Hermione and Ron exchanged baffled looks.

“We didn’t hear anything, Harry. What did you hear?” Hermione inquired, attempting to understand Harry’s concern.

Looking more surprised than ever, Harry exclaimed, “You really didn’t hear anything?” Both Hermione and Ron shook their heads in confusion.

Undeterred, the trio followed the direction of the mysterious sound Harry had heard. Suddenly, Hermione exclaimed, “Look over there!”

Turning their attention to where Hermione pointed, Harry and Ron observed spiders scurrying along the Hogwarts corridor, seemingly avoiding something ominous.

“Oh my goodness!” Ron exclaimed, collapsing onto the ground in shock. Concerned, Harry and Hermione rushed to help Ron, only to find him pointing at the wall with a horrified expression.

Glancing at each other, Harry and Hermione turned to see a line of large letters, dripping with blood, on the Hogwarts corridor wall: “The secret room has been opened, the enemies of the descendants, beware.”

Beneath the ominous message hung Mrs. Norris, Filch’s cat.

Stunned, Harry and Hermione stood frozen, unable to comprehend the gruesome scene.

Simultaneously, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, and despite Hermione’s silent scream, it was too late.

Amidst the echoing screams resonating through Hogwarts, an increasing number of students flocked to the scene, confronted by the horrifying sight that unfolded before them.

Harry and his companions stood frozen, resembling suspects caught at the scene of a crime.

As discussions buzzed around them, a sudden exclamation emerged from the Slytherin crowd. “Harry!”

Draco swiftly approached, embracing Harry and attempting to lead him away from the chaotic scene. “Are you all right, Harry? Have you been hurt somewhere by Filch?”

“I didn’t think you would actually turn out to be a pure-blood supremacist. There are other ways of showing it rather than like that,” In a hushed tone, Draco whispered into Harry’s ear, accusing him of supporting pure-blood supremacy and creating a commotion.

Pushing Draco away, Harry anxiously denied any involvement: “I wasn’t, and I didn’t do it!” It was at this moment that Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker, arrived on the scene.