The Return to Hogwarts

"There are several reasons. First, the effectiveness of these three spells is crucial. Second, as I mentioned before, the barrier to entry for using these three spells is not as high as you might imagine. In fact, you could say that once you find the knack, even an OWLS-level junior wizard can basically use them."

This was hardly something to be thankful for. Many young wizards shifted their hips, looking around nervously as if their classmates might suddenly jump up and unleash an Unforgivable Curse on them.

"And the most important factor--"

Professor Blaine said,

"The three Unforgivable Curses share a common characteristic, which is also reflected in many spells defined as dark magic. Like the Patronus Charm for dealing with Dementors—can anyone tell me the trick to the Patronus Charm?--"

The Patronus Charm is a rare and profound spell, but since Professor Blaine's big commotion at the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff last school year, most young wizards have come to know this spell.

"They are happy memories--"

Harry raised his hand, and he got the chance to answer the question.

"The power of the Guardian Charm depends on the pleasant memories that come to mind when you recite the incantation. The more vivid the pleasant memories, the stronger the Guardian Charm you unleash."

Draco Malfoy curled his lip in disdain.

"--Many advanced spells utilize the power of emotions,"

Amosta nodded approvingly at Harry, adding five points to his score, then asked him to sit down before continuing.

"The three unforgivable curses: the key to using these spells is the malice in your mind. The stronger the malice in your mind, the more powerful the spells. Understand me? Wizards' pursuit of spell power is almost absolute, and these spells will lead you to become increasingly cruel, until your mind is filled with cruel thoughts. They will drag you into the abyss—"

Professor Blaine's calm words carried a chilling undertone.

"Many forms of dark magic work this way, using immense power to tempt the user into corruption. Unless you possess a strong will and mental fortitude to resist the temptation, being overly curious about these types of magic is indeed unwise."

"Oh, Professor Blaine forgot to mention something!"

The bell rang, and Professor Blaine, with his admirable virtue of never going over time, immediately left. Professor Moody, however, assigned them a series of assignments. Hermione frowned, watching the doorway.

"He told us that there was an ancient technique that could effectively resist the attack of the Imperius Curse, but he didn't say, 'Oh, I have to go to the library!'"

"Then you need to get the note first--"

Ron walked over carrying his schoolbag and said,

"You're looking for magic that can resist the Imperius Curse, but those kinds of spells are probably all in the forbidden section. Hey, by the way, what was wrong with you this morning? Harry told me you thought Professor Moody's punishment of Malfoy was wrong?"

Cough cough--

Harry was pondering whether to ask Hagrid if there were any magical creatures that were small and didn't look as unappealing as earthworms or spiders when he suddenly heard Ron mention it. He immediately stopped thinking, coughed heavily twice, and looked embarrassed.

Hermione glanced at Harry sideways and gave a soft snort.

“Mr. Longbottom—”

Hermione was about to pick up her bag and leave when Professor Moody suddenly called out to Neville, who was walking towards the door.

"I assume you're free before lunch. Would you like to come to my office? We can have a cup of tea—"

Neville, who had been looking absent-minded, suddenly shuddered when he heard Professor Moody's husky voice again, uttering that strangely gentle tone. He looked helplessly at his three most familiar classmates in the classroom.

Hermione stared at Professor Moody, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

“It’s alright, Miss Granger. I’d like to invite Mr. Longbottom for a cup of tea. I have a few books that I think he might be interested in—”

Moody was indeed incredibly perceptive. He glanced at Hermione a few times with his magic eye, smiled at her in a friendly manner, then patted Neville on the shoulder and, ignoring Neville's pleading eyes, led him out of the office.

"A few books might Neville be interested in?" Ron suddenly asked. "Do you believe me?"

Harry hesitated for a moment. Instead of answering Ron's question, he frowned.

"You've all figured it out, haven't you? What exactly happened to Neville?"

"What?" Ron asked, puzzled.

Neville is terrified of the Cruciatus Curse—

Hermione glanced at Ron, shook her head somewhat helplessly, and then, pursing her lips, said worriedly,

"He seems to have been exposed to this spell before. His problems are already quite obvious, aren't they? Someone in his family has been tormented by the Crucifixion, and probably suffered extraordinary harm."

“His grandmother?” Harry blurted out, but then shook his head. “Impossible. Neville said that during the summer holidays, his grandmother refused his request to go to a Quidditch match, which means she’s perfectly fine. I remember Neville had a very kind uncle. Does anyone remember Neville’s uncle’s name, Alge?”

"No matter who it is--"

Hermione struggled to hoist the schoolbag onto her shoulder, giving Harry and Ron a look that was both stern and warning.

“Neville certainly doesn’t want others to pry into his affairs, so neither of you are allowed to ask him that question!”

After saying this, Hermione hurriedly left. She had a divination session before lunch and didn't have time to linger there.

"Oh, she thinks we're all idiots!"

Ron said unhappily.

Harry saw Neville again at lunchtime. He was alone, not chatting with those around him about current events, Professor Blaine's unique teaching methods, or the unusual Defense Against the Dark Arts class that morning. Instead, he was engrossed in reading several books. He seemed much calmer than he had been in class that morning, but he hadn't fully recovered; his eyes were red.

"Are you alright, Neville?" Harry asked as he walked over with Ron.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Neville replied. “I’m fine, thank you. I’m reading the book Professor Moody lent me.”

Neville revealed the book's title: "The Amazing Aquatic Plants of the Mediterranean and Their Characteristics".

“It seems Professor Sprout told Moody that I’m excellent at herbalism,” Neville said—a hint of pride in his voice that Harry rarely heard before. “Professor Moody thinks I’ll like this book.”

Just as Ron was trying to hide his disappointment at being excluded from gym class, Harry was certain that Neville was also trying to hide something from them—it was definitely about his family, but Harry remembered Hermione's warning and didn't ask any questions.

"what happened?"

After sitting down, Harry habitually looked at the faculty and staff table, only to be surprised to find that many people were missing. Professor Dumbledore was not there, nor were Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and several other professors. Professor Blaine was also absent, while Snape shamelessly remained in his seat.

The sudden absence of so many professors during lunch or dinner was unprecedented for Harry since he entered Hogwarts. He couldn't help but wonder if something unexpected had happened at the school. He immediately looked at Neville and asked anxiously.

"With so many professors absent, have you heard any rumors?"

They weren't there when I arrived—

Neville shook his head innocently.

Meanwhile, on the third floor of the castle.

Amosta, whose expression was calm as he was adjusting the surveillance camera in his office, suddenly frowned. He dropped what he was doing, jumped out from a pile of parts, and strode to the door. Before anyone could knock, he opened the door.

"Everyone?"

Looking at the group of professors, including Headmaster Dumbledore, blocking his doorway, Amosta asked seriously,

"What major event has occurred?!"

Chapter 523 Inspiration

2023-10-08

Standing at the door of his office was Headmaster Dumbledore, followed by Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall, and other faculty and staff. They had all come to his office door in unison, a sight even Amostella had never seen before.

"What happened? What major event has occurred?"

In that instant, many thoughts flashed through Amosta's mind, but none of them could explain what could be so serious as to have so many professors blocking his door at the same time.

"Don't be nervous, Amosta—"

Dumbledore, his silver beard flowing, chuckled and said...

“Felius, Minerva, and we have come—oh, why don’t we go in and talk?”

Amosta saw the urgency in Professors McGonagall and Flitwick's eyes, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, it's lunchtime now, how about we have a private dinner?"

Amostha welcomed his colleagues into his office. He waved his wand, and a large pile of panoramic telescopes and parts lying on the office floor automatically flew into a storage box with expanded space. His office clearly didn't have enough seats for guests, and just as he was about to make a few chairs, Dumbledore withdrew his intrigued gaze from the alchemical tools and smiled.

"No need to trouble yourself, Amosta, we can handle it ourselves--"

So each professor took out a magic wand and, in their own way, pulled out chairs from the void that were more suited to their own habits.

The coffee table in front of the sofa hopped gracefully to the professors, and after Amosta made everyone a cup of tea, she waved her wand to open the curtains and windows, letting in fresh air and comfortable sunlight.

"So--"

Amosta didn't sit on the sofa; instead, he slumped onto the armrest and asked, puzzled.

"What's going on?"

“We heard it from the little wizard, Amosta—”

Professor Flitwick was the most excited of them all; he stood on a bench and asked in a shrill voice,

"You invented a new way to help young wizards learn spells, didn't you? Miss Petit told me in her spells class that she learned magic in your mind's eye and mastered the Stun and Disarming Charms in just three hours. It's incredible! She said your method can pinpoint where her problems lie!"

"It should have the same effect on Transfiguration, right, Amosta?"

Professor McGonagall also said with great interest,

"Transfiguration is a branch of spells. If we can learn spells in this way, it will surely be useful for Transfiguration as well. Would you be so kind as to show us your ingenious ideas, Amosta?"

"Oh, is that what you're talking about?" Amostella finally understood, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought the Ministry of Magic was planning to disband Hogwarts!"

"You know, Amosta, our energy is limited!"

Professor McGonagall's tone was urgent.

"We don't have time to give every young wizard ample instruction in those magical arts, but some students—well, Mr. Longbottom for example—really need a lot of practice and instruction to keep up. I've heard that your method allows you to teach many young wizards at the same time; perhaps we could learn from it—"