Humanity…
Why did it need to progress?
Hearing Tver's question, the three of them were briefly stunned.
"To make more money?" Draco guessed.
Harry said firmly, "I think it's to make life more convenient!"
Hermione stayed silent for a long while before shaking her head, looking lost.
"I can't be sure."
Human desire was too varied, too complicated.
Some people chased eternal youth.
Some chased perfect love.
Some… chased domination over the world.
In her high position, Hermione had heard of, and even personally witnessed, more desires than she could count.
Under their confused gazes, Tver raised one finger.
In that moment, it was as if they had returned to the past, to the days when he was still teaching them as students.
"Because we are unwilling to accept regret."
His calm voice echoed through the hall. The four founders watched the confident Tver with pleased expressions.
"Whether good or bad, it all comes from being unable to accept something left undone, and wanting to work hard to make up for that regret."
"When a family member suffers from a terminal illness, people support using magic to treat disease, trying to save the lives of those they love."
"When long-distance travel wastes more than ten hours on the road, people hope for a more convenient magical method."
"It is that unwillingness, again and again, that brought humanity from slash-and-burn farming to skyscrapers, shaping the world we know today."
"Yes, I admit that magic has also brought many problems and much suffering."
"But it is precisely because these new problems and pains exist that humanity keeps thinking about the road ahead, keeps searching for that one ultimate answer."
At last, Tver looked seriously at Hermione, Harry, and Draco.
"This world has never been perfect. Faced with flaws that keep appearing one after another, what we truly need to do is provide answers, not rely on someone else to hide them away."
"Even if…" Hermione said with difficulty, "the answers we give are wrong?"
Tver chuckled softly, pleased by Hermione's quick, sharp reaction.
"There was never any absolutely correct answer to begin with. What seems right now may become an obstacle to progress in the future. Don't be afraid of change. Always keep the resolve to reform."
"Perhaps this world, terrible as it seems now, is already better than what it used to be."
Hearing that, Hermione wanted to plead with him again, but as she looked at Tver, she suddenly did not know what to say.
The professor was right.
If every time a crisis appeared, they rushed to ask the professor to clean up the mess…
How would they ever learn to think about solving problems, or about solving them in their own way?
Seeing her distressed expression, Harry and Draco could only comfort her with their eyes.
"We've faced plenty of difficulties over the years. As long as we work together, we'll always find a way."
"I believe in your wisdom," Draco said, lifting his chin slightly. "Of course, I also believe in my own."
Only then did Hermione manage a faint smile.
"All right, all right."
Helga, looking heartbroken for them, served them some sausages.
"Look at how tense and exhausted you all are. Time is stopped here, so there's no need to rush. Fill your stomachs first and have a proper rest."
The three of them had long been starving.
After thanking her, they nearly wolfed down everything on their plates.
Harry suddenly raised his head, still chewing a large mouthful of bacon.
"So, if we just stay here, then… wouldn't the outside world never be in danger?"
"Are you willing to abandon Ginny and your children?" Draco said irritably.
Harry shrank back, then lowered his head and hurried to keep eating.
The living room quieted at once, leaving only the clink of cutlery against plates and the sounds of eating.
The four founders, Tver, and Cynthia sat in relaxed ease, forming a sharp contrast with the three who were devouring their food.
Then Hermione set down her knife and fork, picked up her cup, drained the milk in one go, and wiped her mouth hard with a napkin.
"I'm full!"
"Huh?"
Harry and Draco, their mouths stuffed with food, stared at her in surprise.
They had not planned to stay here forever, but was there really any need to hurry this much?
What answered them was Hermione's intensely pressuring gaze.
The two exchanged a look, silently lowered their heads, and stuffed the last bit of food from their plates into their mouths.
"We're full!"
They spoke in unison.
"There are guest rooms upstairs. Go wash up and get some proper sleep."
As Cynthia spoke, she prepared to rise and take them upstairs.
But Hermione shook her head, her eyes fixed on Tver, who was still enjoying his cake.
"No need. We can still hold on, and there are many things waiting for us to do."
Watching her behave almost as if she were sulking, Tver could not help smiling and set down the cake in his hand.
Understanding was one thing, but resentment still existed.
"Then I'll see you out."
Tver stood.
He walked ahead, with Cynthia at his side.
Hermione stared at his tall back, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes dazed.
Harry and Draco exchanged frantic looks, but in the end, they arrived at a result that left both of them despairing.
Have you thought of anything?
No. You?
Me neither.
They reached the estate gates.
Tver stopped and turned back to look at them.
"This gate will remain here for now. You can come back at any time, or place someone here…"
Before he could finish, Hermione strode out, deliberately turning her face aside.
"Hey!"
Harry and Draco could not stop her, so they could only give Tver and Cynthia apologetic smiles before hurrying after her.
Tver stood with his hands behind his back, watching them leave.
When Draco looked back reluctantly, he even smiled and waved at them.
But as they prepared to Disapparate…
His smile gradually vanished, and his calm eyes slowly deepened.
"Isn't it a little too cruel to entrust something this important to them?" Cynthia asked softly.
She had always been by his side, so she knew very well that although Tver sounded decisive, he had been quietly watching over them the entire time.
Otherwise, he would not have sent her to stay near Hermione, ready to help at any moment.
But she also knew that with Tver's wisdom, he must have anticipated the possibility of something like this.
If so, what exactly are you planning to do?
A trace of curiosity entered Cynthia's eyes.
"This world is cruel to everyone. If they enjoy the glory and praise that come with their positions, they should shoulder the responsibilities that come with them."
Tver spoke slowly, his voice so low it was almost impossible to hear without listening carefully.
"I thought I was bringing peace, but I didn't expect that some things were destined to happen."
"And some people…"
Tver watched the instant they disappeared, a flash of vicious light passing through his eyes.
"Are destined to die."
…
End.