Chapter 159: Taking Her to See the Great Demon Lord

Ma Jun could be considered an old hand at traversing dimensions, with his actions across multiple realms essentially foolproof and airtight.

Except for the very beginning—where he was tricked by Xiaohua in the Infernal Affairs and The Tuxedo realms, leaving him with a do-or-die situation—he had approached his subsequent dimension travels with absolute confidence. Thanks to his foresight, he had managed to keep every single development firmly in his grasp.

Yet this time, something had occurred entirely outside of Ma Jun's expectations, proving to be rather tricky to handle.

This unexpected complication was brought about by Hermione.

Ever since the start of the holiday break, Hermione had frequently visited Ma Jun's manor on one pretext or another. He, in turn, had wholeheartedly played the part of a qualified teacher, diligently imparting every bit of magical knowledge he could possibly pass on.

Aside from studying diligently, Hermione rarely expressed her personal feelings, and otherwise managed to avoid putting Ma Jun in overly awkward positions. Moreover, the latest she would ever stay was right after finishing dinner before leaving.

Today, however, was the fourteenth of August. As usual, Hermione stayed for dinner with Ma Jun, but suddenly mentioned that she wanted to leave a bit later and wished to watch a movie in the small private screening room.

"I've never watched a movie in a place like this before. It must feel so much better than a regular cinema!" Hermione had said back then with an expectant look.

Ma Jun had originally intended to refuse, because a little later—precisely at eight o'clock—he needed to Apparate in order to deal with Voldemort!

However, Hermione had pitifully tugged at Ma Jun's clothes and acted coquettishly.

He had never seen her behave in such a manner before, and falling victim to this beauty trap, he had helplessly agreed.

Yet, after finishing the movie with the young girl, her excitement only grew more intense, and she chattered incessantly to Ma Jun about how utterly wonderful the film had been.

Upon returning to the living room, Hermione expertly located Ma Jun's collection of stored wine and intended to have a few glasses.

Before Ma Jun could stop her, Hermione had already downed three or four cups, her cheeks flushed as she pulled Ma Jun to drink with her.

Seeing that the appointed hour was fast approaching, Ma Jun decided he had to leave first, while Hermione was already somewhat intoxicated.

Due to the warm weather, Hermione was dressed in cool, breezy attire, radiating the very essence of youth. Her ruddy cheeks and moist lips were filled with temptation at every turn.

"Professor..." Hermione gazed at him with melting, misty eyes as she sat on the sofa, wrapping her arms around Ma Jun's arm. "Tonight... tonight I might not be able to go back. If my parents see that I'm drunk, they'll definitely scold me. I... I... can I... stay? Can you... keep... me company..."

Feeling the softness pressed against his arm, Ma Jun's breathing grew slightly heavy. He had never claimed to be a paragon of virtue. However, regarding women, out of all his realm travels, he had only taken Mu Jianping as his partner due to a political marriage.

In all other instances, he was merely dragged by Qian Xuduo to frequent houses of pleasure for amusement.

As for Hermione, he had never harbored any covert designs toward her.

Although in his previous life, out of his fondness for Harry Potter, he had once fantasized about having a clever girlfriend like Hermione, after experiencing rebirth and wandering through multiple dimensions, these fictional heroines no longer appeared any different from ordinary women in Ma Jun's eyes. Usually, he preferred to be direct, paying to satisfy his desires rather than wasting time playing games with emotions.

Yet right now, with a willing morsel delivered right to his doorstep, Ma Jun would hardly be a man if he claimed he didn't want to push her down and take a bite.

"My dear girl, today really is terrible timing, though! I'm about to go complete a grand show, and by the system's definition, secure the ownership rights of this dimension!" Ma Jun thought to himself with considerable helplessness. "You just had to pick today of all days to deliver yourself to my door—Professor, I truly have no choice but to miss out even when I can't bear to!"

Feeling deeply regretful, Ma Jun secretly indulged his hands a bit while staring into Hermione's intensely amorous gaze, and spoke with sanctimonious righteousness, "Hermione, I can't do this. Your parents will worry. I'll step out for a little while, and later on, once the alcohol wears off, I'll send you back!"

"No! Professor!" Emboldened by the wine, Hermione tightened her grip around Ma Jun's arm even more fiercely. "You are so dazzling, I'm afraid that the moment I let go, I'll never be able to hold you again. When I came today, I already told my parents I wouldn't be returning."

With things having reached this point, besides marveling at how bold Western women truly were and taking even greater pride in his own charm, Ma Jun suppressed the lingering doubts in the back of his mind. Then, without hesitation, he planted a kiss on the young girl's lips. ( Lao Cheng has no spoilers here; pay attention to "the lingering doubts in the back of his mind.")

"Alright, I suppose I can satisfy you for a moment first!" Ma Jun said with a beaming smile, his large hand feeling the soft and resilient curve of Hermione's backside as his voice filled with tenderness. "However, Professor really does have a very important matter to attend to and must leave right away!"

Overflowing with excitement, joy, and delight that could hardly be contained, Hermione tightly embraced Ma Jun, tilting her head up to gaze at his handsome and aggressively masculine face. "I feel so happy, Professor. Wherever you go, I want to go too. Right now, I can't bear to be away from you even for a quarter of an hour!"

Ma Jun turned his head to glance at the mechanical clock on the wall. Half a day earlier, this clock had been synchronized with the rest of the Order of the Phoenix members and the several Aurors led by Qian Yaoduo, and its minute hand was now slowly pointing toward the twelve.

Just a few seconds remained until eight o'clock in the night!

Not a single second could be delayed, because the entire plan was proceeding according to a strict schedule.

To prevent Voldemort from discovering them and setting up an ambush early, everyone had agreed to rush over the very moment he was resurrected, thereby surrounding and launching a coordinated attack.

If Ma Jun missed tonight's grand production, seizing the dimension would require him to orchestrate several major events in the future, cultivate a villain anew, and eliminate them all over again!

Time was pressing, leaving Ma Jun with no alternative but to say, "I can take you with me, but once we reach the location, no matter what you see, do not panic and do not run around blindly. I will ensure your safety. You just need to stand quietly to the side and watch!"

"I'll listen to whatever you say, Professor!" Hermione replied decisively.

"Very well!" The timing was precisely right. Ma Jun no longer concealed anything; without even drawing his wand, he gathered Hermione into his arms and initiated Apparition.

In the original storyline, Dumbledore possessed sufficient strength to Apparate while carrying Harry, and with Ma Jun's power, doing so was even more effortless.

At the exact same moment, within a secret stronghold of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore and several others also swung into action.

Meanwhile, Qian Yaoduo, representing the Ministry of Magic and following Ma Jun's instructions, led ten subordinate Aurors in performing Apparition as well.

...

In the stifling, sultry darkness of the night, everything was silent. The sharp crackling of burning firewood carried clearly across a great distance, and a dense, unpleasant scent of potions lingered heavily in the air.

This was a graveyard. A barefoot man clad in black robes narcissistically stroked his own body, his right foot treading upon a unconscious, glasses-wearing boy lying on the ground.

Nearby, illuminated by the firelight, the silhouettes of two men stretched long and thin across the ground, their facial features obscured by the flickering, waxing and waning flames.

The barefoot man threw his head back and laughed uproariously, his laughter filled with madness and bizarre menace.

The next instant, countless figures materialized out of thin air, and the barefoot man's laughter came to an abrupt halt!

"Long time no see, Voldemort!" (To be continued.)