"Why did you all force me to do that? You're right, I did all this!"

Hearing Ron's decisive admission, Hermione, who was originally standing next to Ron, subconsciously took a few steps back, covering her mouth with her hands, with a look of disbelief on her face.

Then, without waiting for Hermione or Luna to ask again, Ron began to tell the story himself:

"That day, I accidentally discovered that Ginny secretly handed a diary to Wentworth. Of course, I later found out that it was actually Cassandra who had taken the Polyjuice Potion."

Hearing this, Hermione, who was standing aside with a look of horror on her face, suddenly had an idea in her heart and felt that this plot was a little familiar!

Ron went on to say:

"So, I followed Wentworth and finally found the diary that Wentworth had hidden!"

As he spoke, Ron took out Tom Riddle's diary from his arms, pointed at the diary in his hand and said:

"I never thought that the key to open the secret room is actually such a diary?! Not only that, this diary also has extraordinary power. It can make me stronger!"

Hearing Ron's words, not only did Luna frown, but even Hermione beside her noticed something was wrong. Hermione beside Ron tried to reach out and take the notebook from Ron's hand, saying, "Really? Can you let me see what's so special about this notebook?"

Seeing Hermione reaching for the notebook in his hand, Ron hurriedly took a step back and said angrily:

"Go away! Get your dirty hands off me, you filthy Mudblood!"

Hearing Ron's words, not only Hermione was stunned, but even Ron, who said this, stood still for a moment, with a bewildered look on his face, muttering softly:

"No...no...that's not what I meant...that's not what I wanted to say...I didn't mean that!"

Hermione, on the other hand, looked at her friend with tears in her eyes and said with a sad face: "Ron, I didn't expect that even you would think this way. I really... I really didn't expect that you would be such a person?!"

Ron waved his hands quickly and said, "No, no, you misunderstood Hermione, I really didn't mean that. I... I don't know why I said that, but that's really not what I meant!"

Seeing Ron frantically explaining to Hermione, Luna on the opposite side was silent for a moment, then pointed at the diary in Ron's hand and said:

"I think it must be the diary that's causing the trouble. It might be a magical item that can affect people's minds unconsciously!"

"I think this is the reason why Wentworth hid it instead of keeping it close to him!"

After hearing Luna's words, Hermione seemed to have made up her mind. She faced Ron, stretched out her hand, and said:

"Ron! Give me the diary! As long as you give me the diary, I will help you explain to Dumbledore! Just like you said just now, this was not your intention at all. You were controlled by this weird diary!"

However, to Hermione's disappointment, Ron held the diary tightly. No matter what Hermione said, Ron refused to give up. Finally, Ron suddenly smiled bitterly and said:

"In fact, I don't know whether I am being controlled by this diary or whether all this is because I want to do this..."

Hearing Ron's words, Hermione widened her eyes and looked at her good friend. Suddenly, she realized that the friend in front of her who she had been with day and night was so strange!

Ron on the other side continued, "In fact, when I first instructed the Basilisk to take action against Colin Creevey, I kept telling myself that it was because Colin's actions had disturbed Harry's life and made Harry unhappy, and I was doing this to help my friend."

"But, deep down inside, I was asking! Why! Why is Harry so popular? Why is this?!"

Seeing Ron suddenly roaring and his eyes gradually turning red, Hermione subconsciously took a few steps back and whispered, "Ron, don't be like this, we are friends!"

Hearing Hermione's words, Ron suddenly laughed out loud, "Hahahaha". While laughing, Ron pointed at Hermione and said:

"Friends? We are friends? Yes, we are friends! I, Ron Weasley, am so lucky to have so many outstanding friends!"

"Harry Potter! My savior friend! Hermione Granger! My academic friend! Draco Malfoy! My rich second-generation friend!"

At this point, Ron suddenly stretched out his hand, pointed at himself, and said angrily:

"What about me? What kind of friend am I to you? I am just a nobody! My existence is just to better highlight your excellence!"

Hearing Ron's words, Hermione quickly took two steps forward and said with tears in her eyes: "No, Ron, it's not like that. Everyone treats you as their best friend! No one has ever looked down on you! You're just overthinking it! No, it's not your fault. It's the diary! It was the diary that influenced you, Ron! Listen to me, hand the diary to me, and I'll give it to Dumbledore!"

However, as soon as Hermione finished her words, Ron looked at Hermione warily and said, "You want to take my diary?"

Before Hermione could explain again, Ron hurriedly put away his diary, still chattering:

"Impossible! I won't let you take my diary away! This is my hope. Do you understand?! This is my strong hope!"

"Excellent people will only be with excellent people. I want to be an excellent person, a person who is better than all of you!"

"Hermione, just wait and see! Whether it's Harry Potter or Draco Malfoy, I will surpass them. As long as I have this diary, it will be easy!"

Hermione stared at Ron in front of her blankly, her face ashen as death, and said: "Ron, you have changed!"

Ron said excitedly:

"I've changed? Of course I have! With the help of this diary, I've become stronger!"

Seeing Ron with a crazy look on his face, Luna quietly gestured to Hermione, then slowly reached out for her wand.

Hermione looked at the familiar stranger in front of her and asked with a sad face:

"How did a diary turn you into this? What did that diary teach you?"

Ron heard Hermione's doubts, but suddenly smiled strangely: "Guess!"

"Expelliarmus!"

(End of this chapter)