As the magical door opened, the final obstacle between Lewis and the Scholar's Moonstone was gone. The two of them stepped into the passage beyond, and the moment he entered, Lewis immediately sensed something different. The previous corridors and chambers had clearly been man-made, their walls lined with carved stone bricks and slabs, but this passage was entirely natural. On both sides stood raw rock walls, and the entire path seemed to be a hidden rift within the mountain itself. The ravine stretched long and deep, and near the end, parts of it were even submerged in water, suggesting it was connected to an underground stream. They followed the rift all the way to its end, and what awaited them there perfectly embodied the phrase: after winding paths and apparent dead ends, a new world reveals itself. At first it was narrow, barely allowing passage, but after walking a few hundred steps, the space suddenly opened up.
What lay before them was not a man-made settlement, but a vibrant natural sanctuary hidden within the mountain. Tonks was instantly captivated. This could hardly be called a cave—it was more like a secluded valley. Moonlight poured down through a massive crack overhead, illuminating the hidden world below. A stream formed by underground water wound through the valley, and lush vegetation thrived along its banks and across the rock walls. Valley lilies, lilies of the valley, and countless flowers were scattered among shrubs and grasses, while vines like ivy climbed along the stone surfaces. At the center of it all stood a massive oak tree atop a small mound. Bathed in silver moonlight, its ancient branches stretched outward, birds circling its crown while insects fluttered near its roots. The entire place radiated harmony and tranquility.
"An ecosystem hidden within a mountain… fascinating," Lewis murmured as he observed the surroundings, nodding in approval. "No wonder the ancients chose this place to store the Scholar's Moonstone. This is the perfect embodiment of natural vitality."
"You know who built this place?" Tonks asked curiously.
"Of course," Lewis replied. "Its history is older than you think. The ones who first discovered this valley and established this site were likely the ancient Celts." From the carvings in the ruins to the natural sanctuary before them, all evidence pointed to that conclusion. In the age of the ancient Celts, wizards were not yet called wizards. Their belief system was what later became known as Druidism, the precursor to modern wizardry. Many traditions in both the magical and Muggle worlds of Britain originated from that era. The Celtic calendar, for example, divided the year into thirteen months, each associated with a tree—a tradition still reflected in wandlore, where wand woods are chosen according to similar principles. The word "Druid" itself meant "one who knows the oak," or more poetically, "oak sage." They revered nature, and the oak tree was their sacred symbol. That was why such a tree stood at the heart of this hidden valley. This place was likely a sacred site for Druidic rituals and gatherings, with the oak as its core, and the Scholar's Moonstone as the treasured relic they worshipped.
After taking in the scenery, Lewis stepped forward toward the oak tree. Within a hollow in its trunk rested a glowing blue-green sphere, radiating a soft, ethereal light. This was the very object both he and the poachers had sought—the Scholar's Moonstone. Lewis reached out and picked it up, immediately sensing a gentle, harmonious energy flowing through it. It seemed deeply connected to the moon above and the surrounding natural world, and if properly guided, it could likely produce extraordinary effects. "As expected of a sacred relic of the Druids," he said quietly. Under Tonks's watchful gaze, he stored the Moonstone away.
Once everything was done, Lewis turned to her. "Tonks, you're not going to reveal this place, are you?"
"Of course not," she replied with a shake of her head. "You called me your sister, didn't you? Then I'll keep your secret. I'll tell the Ministry I discovered the poachers in the forest near Irondale and managed to eliminate them. As for why they were here, I'll say I have no idea."
"Thank you, Tonks," Lewis said with satisfaction.
She shook her head again. "If anything, I should be thanking you. You saved me, and most of the work in dealing with them was yours. I was just assisting."
"That's not true," Lewis countered. "Without you, I couldn't have taken down Pickle Curtis alone. And you helped me erase their memories, hid my involvement, and kept the Moonstone a secret. I won't forget that."
"But the main credit is still yours," Tonks insisted. "By rights, you should earn at least a Second Class Order of Merlin for this. Instead, I'm taking all the credit… I owe you one."
"Come on," Lewis waved it off. "Between us, what's there to fuss about?"
"You're right," Tonks smiled warmly. "Between us, it doesn't matter."
After helping her secure the prisoners and evidence, the two parted ways at Irondale. Lewis returned to the Leaky Cauldron via Floo powder, while Tonks headed to the Ministry to request reinforcements and handle the aftermath. Lying on the bed in his room, Lewis finally relaxed as the tension left his body. He began to review the gains from this journey. First were the spoils: the griffin beak, the key ingredient for the Potion of Eternal Eagle Bearing, was now in his possession. Once he gathered the remaining materials, he could begin brewing it. It seemed he would have to make a trip into the Forbidden Forest next term after all, despite his earlier plans to avoid trouble. Plans rarely survived reality.
The second prize was the Scholar's Moonstone. It was mysterious and valuable, though for now, he wasn't sure how to use it. Still, it was far better in his hands than in those of poachers. Then there was the financial gain. Previously, he had earned seven hundred Galleons from selling second-hand items, which had taken an entire term of effort. Now, in a single night, he had acquired nearly a thousand Galleons from the poachers. Combined with what remained from before, his total wealth had reached over fifteen hundred Galleons—a considerable sum. According to Tonks, even Aurors only earned around 140 Galleons a month, and as a trainee, she received just 100. That was considered a high salary for such a dangerous profession, while most Ministry employees earned about the same. Lewis's current wealth was nearly equivalent to the Weasley family's annual income. Though the official exchange rate for Muggle-born wizards was five pounds to one Galleon, the true purchasing power difference was closer to twenty to one. Fifteen hundred Galleons equated to roughly thirty thousand pounds, or three hundred thousand yuan in the 1990s—enough to buy multiple properties in a major city.
With such wealth in hand, his future in the magical world would undoubtedly be far more comfortable. With that thought, Lewis slowly drifted off to sleep.
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