The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 186 Ancient Magic

Muggle Research Classroom.

Professor Bubbaje felt a little bitter. Having taught at Hogwarts for many years, she knew that this year she had encountered two people who actually taught classes.

Yes, real classes, not those little wizards who just wanted to get a certificate.

"Professor, I think some people are doing something dangerous. It's like two people who have a long-standing grudge. Our best approach is to separate them rather than bring them together for a face-to-face conversation."

After Hermione raised her hand and received agreement, she shared her thoughts.

Although she was ostensibly speaking to the professor, everyone present was no fool and could tell who she was referring to.

Especially Daphne, although she was in class, her expression was as if she was waiting to see a show.

But this emerging contradiction did not stump Professor Bubbaji in the slightest.

After skillfully changing the subject, she moved on to something safer—Muggle phone calls.

……

At the same time.

After washing up, Ino ran to the ancient runes classroom early in the morning.

The professor in charge of this course is Bathilda Baburin, an exceptionally low-profile professor.

There are even rumors that she possesses a magical bloodline, which is why her appearance hasn't changed much despite teaching at Hogwarts for many years.

But Ino didn't care about any of that; he only cared about the content of the lessons and the interesting magical knowledge.

Unlike other courses, ancient runes are a truly unpopular subject, with only two classes a month, and the content is pitifully simple.

Just like now, a month has passed since the start of the school year, and all the young wizards have only learned about the history of ancient runes.

Perhaps because it was still early, the large classroom was empty, which gave him time to review the previous lesson.

Runes, also known as runes in ancient times, are a magical script and are considered the origin of ancient magic.

But as time went by, ancient runes were gradually replaced by Latin, and ancient magic was replaced by modern spells.

Ino was engrossed in her textbook and didn't notice the classroom gradually becoming more lively.

Until Professor Babling's voice rang out in the classroom.

"Children, please concentrate! Today we will officially begin learning ancient runes!"

Professor Babling wrote a strange symbol on the blackboard: a vertical line with two horizontal lines extending diagonally upwards to the right of it.

"This is the first letter of the ancient runes, pronounced 'f,' and its original meaning is livestock, herd, success, wealth, prosperity, and abundance..."

Professor Babling was explaining new content on the podium.

Below, Ino, unusually, drifted off into thought. He was thinking about the Charms class two years ago, or more precisely, the Levitation Charm from two years ago.

That unlucky guy, Balfeo, mispronounced the last note of the Levitation Spell and was gored to death by a bison that fell from the sky.

Coincidentally, that note is also 'f'.

It seems that no matter how modern magic changes, it cannot escape the shadow of ancient magic.

Similarly, Ino also came up with an improved Illusion Charm. He changed "Illusion Stalking" to "Illusion Concealment," which resulted in a comprehensive upgrade to the invisibility ability.

Although I figured out some of the problems, even more problems arose as a result.

"Professor!" Seizing the opportunity, Ino raised her hand to ask a question when Professor Barbling stopped.

"Ancient runes possess magic. I'm curious whether it's the magic inherent in the runes themselves, or the magic bestowed upon them by wizards? Actually, last summer, I secretly learned ancient runes and also used them to improve a spell."

Seeing Professor Babling's encouraging look, Ino immediately used the modified Illusion Charm.

"As you can see, the Disillusionment Charm has changed. I mean, was this spell altered by me, or by ancient runes?"

"A brilliant question!" Professor Barbling nodded approvingly, then looked at the blackboard. This time, instead of using chalk, she took out her wand and wrote the same rune again, the tip of which touched the blackboard.

"Do you see the difference? You all should too, feel it carefully." Professor Baburin looked around.

The seven or eight students in the classroom were also attentively trying to understand the difference between the two runes on the blackboard.

"This is a magical script!" Ino exclaimed, expressing his feelings. The runes written with a magic wand on the blackboard gave him a mysterious and unpredictable feeling.

Professor Babling didn't answer directly. Instead, she waited a moment, and after seeing the other young wizards' expressions of sudden understanding, she continued:

"Back to your question, you can think of ancient runes as magic wands. Although they have magic power, a wizard is still needed to unleash their power."

"That's why Hogwarts offers this course. Charms teaches you how to use a wand, while Ancient Runes teaches you how to use runes."

As Professor Babling spoke, she drew her wand and pointed it at herself, and under everyone's gaze, her figure gradually disappeared.

Looking at the familiar scene, Ino realized that he had underestimated magic and the Hogwarts professors.

The world of magic is not just about the main characters in stories.

After a brief disappearance, Professor Babling reappeared in the classroom.

"Rick's 'The Book of Invisibility' explains 'concealment' so thoroughly that it has a powerful self-concealing magic effect."

Professor Babling chuckled softly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and said seriously:

"The most important point about ancient runes is profound understanding! You'd better remember this sentence. Without a thorough understanding, you won't be able to use them. Just like this 'f', once you understand it thoroughly, you can make the simplest amulets."

"Only after you have a deep understanding of its meaning, content, and metaphors can you truly use it; otherwise, whether you recite or write it, it will not be able to generate the corresponding power."

Listening to Professor Baburin's explanation, Ino gradually understood the essence. It was like an alternative manifestation of "knowledge is power." The 24 ancient runic letters combined with the "empty stone" could display powerful energy.

However, this power requires a certain understanding to use, and this understanding is a key to connecting the magic within the body.

Without this key, ancient runes are to young wizards what a Muggle holding a wand is—merely a small stick.

In Norse mythology, Odin hung himself on a tree for nine nights, not to gain the power of runes, but to gain the wisdom of runes!

That seems to make sense; you can only use something if you understand it.

At that moment, he thought of Rowena Ravenclaw, the symbol of the raven, a scholar-like woman who became a legendary wizard and the founder of Hogwarts.

While Ino's thoughts were wandering, Professor Babling was explaining the meaning of 'f' in detail in class. How much she could understand was entirely up to the little wizard.

Time ticked by, and the ancient runic lessons were drawing to a close.

"Here's an assignment for you: before the next class starts, everyone should hand in a handwritten 'f'. It can be parchment or a talisman; it's up to you."

After saying that, Professor Babling turned and left without any hesitation.

The young wizards in the classroom were all smiles, probably because the assignment on a single letter made them realize they had chosen the right course.

(End of this chapter)