Hogwarts: Starting with full Unforgivable Curses

"Which issue of 'The Voice of Hogwarts' is it? If this article really exists, I'd like to find it and read it; maybe it can help my magic studies."

Hibiscus raised her head slightly, her tone casual: "I don't quite remember which issue it was... but The Voice of Hogwarts is in the periodicals section of the library. We can just go there and look for it ourselves. We'll find it eventually if we look through it slowly, won't we?"

“Interesting.” Draco chuckled coldly from the side, his voice so low that only Harry and Cedric could hear him. “It seems this half-French wizard isn’t entirely useless; at least he can remember some useful information.”

Harry glanced at Draco discreetly but didn't reply—he knew Draco had always been prejudiced against Beauxbatons students, especially Fleur, whom he always felt was too flamboyant. For Draco to say something like this now was already a rare "acknowledgment."

Ignoring the hushed conversation among the others, Dylan first turned to answer Fleur's question: "You're right, I did indeed submit a paper to Hogwarts Voice about interdisciplinary magical learning, which explained in detail the principles and applications of this method."

Then, he changed the subject and returned to the previous topic: "However, the focus of our discussion now is how to achieve the effect of a 'powerful blood-replenishing potion' with a relatively simple healing spell. This casting technique is actually quite complex and requires a deep understanding of multiple magical disciplines."

"For me, the core of this spellcasting technique is potion science, and only secondarily is charm science. I combine the knowledge of these two magical disciplines, and then use the spell 'Heal as Before' to present the final healing effect."

"It's also combined with Charms?" Claudia Larosh, another warrior from Beauxbatons, couldn't help but ask, his tone full of curiosity. "Dylan, is there really such a close connection between Potions and Charms? At least in my opinion, Potions is more directly related to the study of magical creatures and herbalism, since many potions' ingredients come from magical creatures and herbs. As for Charms... it feels a bit far removed from Potions, and it's not easy to connect them."

“Mr. Laroche, perhaps we can start with a simple assumption,” Dylan said, looking at Claudia. “Normally, how long does it take for a wizard to see the effects of a potion?”

“I think it should take effect immediately,” Claudia replied almost without hesitation. “Just like you mentioned, using White Dictamnus Essence to treat ‘split’ type injuries only takes a few seconds to reconnect the separated body parts; the effect is very rapid.”

Dylan nodded and continued, "So, how long do you think it usually takes for a spell to take effect after it's been cast?"

“It usually takes effect immediately…” Claudia paused mid-sentence, a look of sudden realization flashing in her eyes. “You mean, ‘instant effect’ is the connection between Potions and Charms?”

“This is just one of their many connections,” Dylan said, waving his wand gently. A series of bright green words appeared out of thin air, arranged neatly like an unfolded parchment.

He pointed to the floating writing and explained, "This is a relatively obscure potion recipe called 'Petrification Potion.' This potion has a very special effect; after drinking it, the user will immediately fall into a state of complete paralysis, as if they have been petrified. Later, with the advent of the Body Binding Charm, this petrification potion, which needs to be brewed in advance, gradually became obscure because it was not convenient to use, and very few people brewed it anymore."

Dylan picked up the bottle containing the petrification potion and continued, "While researching this potion, I discovered something very interesting—the full-body binding spell can actually be seen as a spell version of the 'petrification potion.' The core effect of both is to restrict the target's ability to move, but the methods of implementation are different. One works on the body through the ingredients of the potion, while the other directly binds the body through magical energy."

"There are many similar potions and spells, such as the 'Joy Potion' and the 'Happiness Spell.' The former produces a pleasant mood through its ingredients, while the latter directly affects a person's mood through magical energy. Another example is the 'Awakening Potion' and the 'Revival Spell.' The former can quickly awaken a person who has fallen into a coma, while the latter can also restore consciousness to a comatose person through magical energy."

When we cast these spells or take these potions, we are actually utilizing the hidden connections between them…

Seeing the thoughtful expressions on everyone's faces, Dylan continued, "If you are perceptive enough, you will be able to feel the effects of potions or spells first from your heart—the energy fluctuations will spread rapidly from the heart to your limbs and bones, eventually covering your entire body. This way of sensing allows us to grasp the interaction between magic and the body more accurately."

"So, the effect is perceived starting from the heart and then rapidly spreads outward?" Viktor Krum of Durmstrang was the first to grasp the key information. He leaned forward slightly and asked with a hint of urgency, "How acute does this perception need to be? Does it require special magical assistance, or simply rely on one's own magical talent?"

Dylan didn't answer directly. Instead, he changed the subject and asked Viktor, "Mr. Krum, do you know a spell called 'Night Vision Charm'? This spell is very useful in dark environments and can greatly enhance a wizard's night vision."

Dylan knew very well that the Night Vision Charm was far more than just "seeing in the dark"; it essentially enhanced sensory perception.

When Voldemort first taught this spell, he simply said it was a magic used by ancient wizards to travel. However, as Dylan delved deeper into the study of war magic, he discovered that the Night Vision Charm was actually a branch of war magic.

The so-called "traveling at night" should more accurately be called "marching at night." In war, wizards needed to rely on this spell to move in the dark battlefield while sensing the movements of the surrounding enemies.

Thinking of this, Dylan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Voldemort was indeed rarely telling the truth.

Since he could use the techniques of war magic to create the "Dark Magic Mark", how could he not know the true origin of the Night Vision Charm?
It's just a deliberate concealment, to prevent others from accessing the core knowledge of war magic.

Durmstrang was deeply influenced by war magic, and this influence has not completely disappeared even after so many years.

Upon hearing the words "night vision spell," Viktor nodded without hesitation, admitting, "I know this spell. Many Durmstrang students do too. It's one of the basic components of our wilderness survival course."

"Can I try it?" Viktor's gaze fell on the petrification potion bottle in Dylan's hand, his eyes full of inquiry. "I want to personally experience the difference in perception between the petrification potion and the full-body binding spell." Dylan looked at Viktor's serious expression and had a vague guess in his mind. Combining this with Viktor's previous sharing of "using blood to heal wounds," he was most likely interested in bloodline magic.

In the bloodline magic system, the soul, blood, and body are the three core elements, which are interconnected and mutually influential, and none can be omitted.

While researching bloodline magic, Dylan also discovered an interesting pattern: if blood is considered as a bridge connecting the soul and the body, then the heart is the starting point of this "bridge." Blood flows from the heart, carrying the energy of the soul to nourish the body, while simultaneously feeding back the body's state to the soul.

Viktor, who possessed magic related to blood, became particularly enthusiastic upon hearing that "the heart is the starting point of perception," clearly wanted to take this opportunity to discuss topics related to bloodline magic.

Viktor offered to try the full-body binding spell, giving Dylan a chance to test the waters.

If Viktor truly wanted to study blood magic out of his own good, he would naturally be willing to share his insights. However, if Voldemort was manipulating him from behind the scenes, he could also detect the anomaly through the energy interactions during the spellcasting process.

Upon hearing Viktor's request, some people tensed up and shouted almost simultaneously, "Viktor! What exactly are you planning to do? The petrification potion is risky, and the full-body binding charm is no joke. How can you just try it?"

Viktor, however, seemed unconcerned. He shrugged lightly and said casually, "Weren't we here for magical exchange? I just want to know more about magical perception. Otherwise, do you really think we're only here to participate in the Triwizard Tournament? Dylan, give me that petrification potion."

Without hesitation, Dylan handed over the petrification potion bottle, while whispering a reminder: "Mr. Krum, if you want to perceive the magical effects more clearly, you can try changing the casting location and technique of the Night Vision Charm."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands: "You can break your usual spell-casting habits. First, draw a clockwise circle around your heart. The size of this circle is about the same as your fist. After drawing the circle, hold your wand horizontally close to your chest and gently flick it upwards towards your heart. After casting the spell, your perception of the magical fluctuations in your heart will be at least three times clearer than usual."

After Viktor Krum took the petrification potion bottle, he first gave Dylan a meaningful look, his eyes showing both curiosity about magic and a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

Without further hesitation, he raised his wand and cast the Night Vision Charm on himself, as Dylan had instructed.

With the tip of his wand, he drew a clockwise circle around his heart, roughly the size of a fist. A pale silver magical aura slowly emerged along the circle's trajectory. After drawing the circle, Viktor held the wand horizontally close to his chest, aimed it at his heart, and gently flicked it upwards. With this action, the pale silver aura instantly merged into his body and disappeared.

“This feeling…it’s so intense!” Viktor’s eyes immediately lit up with surprise. He subconsciously raised his hand to his chest, his voice filled with excitement. “It’s like being back in the Quidditch arena. All the surrounding sounds become blurred. The roar in my ears and the cheers of the audience are not as clear as the sound of my own heartbeat. This feeling of heightened senses is so much stronger than when I use the Night Vision Charm!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Viktor unscrewed the cap of the petrification potion and tilted his head back to drink a mouthful of the pale gray liquid.

Almost the instant the potion entered his mouth, his raised arm suddenly froze in place, and even the expression on his face froze. He had clearly been completely affected by the petrification potion and lost control of his body.

Seeing this, Dylan immediately raised his wand, aimed it at Viktor, and clearly uttered the universal antidote: "Stop Curse!"

A soft white light shot out from the tip of the wand and landed on Viktor.

A few seconds later, Viktor's stiff body gradually regained its ability to move. He lowered his arm, placed the petrification potion bottle on the table, and kept his palm pressed against his chest, carefully feeling the changes in his body.

"It's amazing! I can clearly feel the effects of the medicine first acting on my heart, and then spreading rapidly from my heart to every corner of my body. If I hadn't used a special technique to enhance my perception just now, I would never have been able to experience such a detailed process."

"Can it really feel like that?" Harry frowned, a strange expression on his face. "Why is it that the potions I drink at the hospital only make my mouth and stomach feel uncomfortable, and I never feel that sensation spreading from my heart?"

“If you’re curious, you can try the petrification potion on the table and experience it for yourself,” Draco suggested coolly, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery. “However, I think there might be something wrong with your own perception. You should probably go to St. Mungo’s Hospital for a proper check-up to see if there’s a problem.”

Dylan kept a straight face, trying hard not to smile. Answering Harry's question was actually quite difficult.

After all, under normal circumstances, few potion masters would bother to adjust the taste and mechanism of action of a potion while ensuring its effectiveness. This is especially true for potions at Hogwarts Hospital, which are mostly mass-produced and focused solely on efficacy, without considering the user's experience. It's quite normal for people to feel stomach discomfort.

“Alright, let’s continue the experiment.” Dylan finally suppressed a laugh and steered the conversation back on track. He raised his wand, pointing the tip at Viktor. “Mr. Krum, we’re going to try the full-body binding charm next. Are you ready?”

Viktor immediately straightened up and nodded seriously: "Of course, I'm ready." (End of Chapter)