Witness to Love

"Congratulations, Hermione, you're a qualified Master Alchemist now," Yvonne said teasingly, turning to the witch.

"I'm a long way from being a master alchemist…" Hermione shook her head, pleased but not complacent.

She was well aware that she was able to do so within half a year, not because of her talent, but because of the memories she had received from Ivan, as well as the Ravenclaw Corona.

"By the way, did you ask Majka to let me know you're back because you wanted to give me this surprise?" Ivan asked curiously. When he read the little witch's letter, he thought it was because something had happened at home, so he rushed back.

As soon as he said it, Ivan regretted it. He suddenly realised that his words were rather insensitive. Perhaps the little witch had only come to see him.

Luckily, Hermione didn't seem to care. She shook her head and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Of course not. I have something else for you…"

"You have to keep your eyes closed until then!" Hermione added after a pause.

What could possibly require such secrecy?

Ivan couldn't help but be curious, but Hermione didn't seem to have any intention of letting him know.

"All right… all right!" Yvonne said, closing her eyes in anticipation of her mysterious reaction.

There was a loud metallic noise, and a moment later Ivan felt Hermione's body slowly moving towards him, reaching out to put something cold around his neck.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Ivan asked, glancing down at the witch's approval.

A familiar, crescent-shaped pendant hung from his chest, glowing with a faint magical light.

Ivan was stunned. Wasn't this the crescent moon pendant he had sent back at the fourth year dance?

Just as Ivan was about to open his mouth to ask, the message in the system inventory stopped him.

[Magical Item: Crescent Necklace

Magic: Extreme

Hosts: Ivan Hales, Hermione Jane Granger

Description: This is a magical object made from a large amount of precious metal and enchanted several times. It contains pure and powerful magical power and can provide shelter to the bearer.

Note: This pendant is imbued with each other's expectations and is a testament to your love…"

Yvonne looked at the list of items in surprise, then jerked her head at Hermione.

"I modified it according to your method, in the hope that it would protect you in my place…" the little witch stammered, her fair cheeks turning pink.

She had been concerned for Ivan's safety ever since she read about the Battle of the North American Magic and French Association in the Daily Prophet.

It was especially unbearable for Ivan to risk his life against Grindelwald and the Saints while worrying about nothing but staying at school or at home.

However, Hermione knew that she would not be of much help to Ivan if she were to join the Swift Response Unit, and thus came up with the idea of learning Alchemy to modify and create protective props.

Despite Ivan's skill in alchemy, which allowed him to create many powerful protective magical tools at will, there was one exception to this rule: the crescent pendant that Ivan had given her two years ago…

It just so happened that she had read in an alchemy book that a pair of alchemists had infused their love for each other into the same magical object, giving it immense power.

With this in mind, Hermione volunteered to study emotional magic with Ivan during the summer holidays, in an attempt to replicate the process.

In order to successfully modify the necklace, she even had the courage to consult Ivan's mother, Alicia, and spent the better part of a year strengthening her alchemy skills.

Ivan wasn't aware of all the twists and turns, but he was touched when he read the instructions on the inventory and quickly figured out what was going on.

"What is it, Ivan? Did I make a mistake?" Hermione asked when Ivan did not respond for a long time, afraid that she had made a mistake and damaged the precious treasure.

"No, I just wanted to say thank you… Hermione!" Yvonne said, touched, and pulled the little witch into her arms, kissing her before she could react.

Taken aback by Yvonne's directness, Hermione's brown eyes were squeezed tightly shut, and she was visibly nervous, but then she relaxed, and their lips met, as they felt each other's passionate love.

Sometime later, when Hermione was beginning to lose her breath from the deep kiss, Ivan finally released her and they stared at each other for a few minutes before Hermione finally said, "That's all I want to give you. If there's anything important, you can go now."

"I can't do that. I've been free lately, and since I'm back, I should spend more time with you." Ivan could hear the resentment in the little witch's voice, and responded with amusement, temporarily pushing the idea of meeting up with Fran and the others out of his mind.

In any case, things could be pushed back until tomorrow. Let them all wait.

"Then, my little princess, I have a surprise for you as well. Would you like to see it?" Ivan asked, extending his right hand in invitation.

"Of course!" Hermione nodded happily and squeezed Ivan's hand without hesitation.

The next moment, a scarlet flame ignited in the alchemy room, and the two figures disappeared into thin air.

This so-called surprise was, of course, a spur-of-the-moment thought by Ivan, who had acquired the world's coordinates after branding the Aurors of the International Confederation of Wizards.

Visiting Iceland to see the sheer beauty of the Serialan Falls, climbing Mount Everest to see the beauty of the mountains… it was not until late in the evening that they returned to the house and had dinner with Isiah and Granger.