A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

“Magical creatures, magical creatures…” He always remembered what Lady Rowena Ravenclaw had said.

However, he had no idea how to do it.

Now I finally have an idea: combining the understanding of the two Ironclad Curses might be able to achieve a level seven spell.

He wasn't sure if that would be the case, but it was worth a try.

The power of a level seven spell is secondary; Felix estimates that even if it were stronger, it wouldn't surpass the ancient magic he already possesses. But perhaps he could take this opportunity to glimpse the true nature of the Ironclad Spell.

That's right, it's the real thing.

He had always been curious about one thing: would modern magic, in its final stages, still have so many limitations on spellcasting? Or, to put it another way, would the ultimate goal of modern magic be to turn magic into the instinct of a wizard?

Just as he told the young wizards at the Spellbook Club, "Maybe we're just rediscovering our spellcasting instincts."

Just like simple magic such as flashing lights or flowing water, Felix can now do it simply by thinking about it.

This process required no spells; he simply 'wanted' the cup, so magic accomplished it for him, much like a young wizard who, when faced with danger, uses his powerful emotions to do all sorts of incredible things.

However, Felix's magical instincts are stronger, so he doesn't need to amplify his emotions.

He once read a sentence in a book: "The magical outbursts of the little wizards may not be very powerful, but each one is a magnificent feast of compound magic. In the moment when magic bursts forth, they are omnipotent gods."

……

Felix pondered the matter and concluded that the reason he could learn the same spell in two different ways was probably because he had always been in a state of "blind men and elephants," only touching a corner of the truth of magic.

It's like two people climbing a mountain. They start from the same point, then choose different paths, and finally meet at the summit. Looking out from the top, they realize there's more than one path. Or perhaps they meet halfway up the mountain and work together to complete the final leg of the journey.

He wrote down these speculations and kept them in his Think House. These things were utterly fantastical to the young wizard, comparable to "The Adventures of Mick the Wizard of Oz." But for the older wizards who delved into magical theory, they were an absolute treasure.

The day before school started, Felix said goodbye to Mrs. Maxim. The students from Beauxbatons would not be going to Hogwarts until October, and he promised to host a welcome party for them then.

He first went to Diagon Alley to entrust the company's affairs to Lupin, and then returned to Hogwarts before Lupin drew his wand and cast a curse on him.

Returning to his long-missed ancient rune office, he felt surprisingly relaxed. He pulled a silver pocket watch from his pocket, let Niffler Valen emerge from it, and said with a smile, "This is your new home."

The Niffler, with a Merlin badge around its neck and an hourglass in its hands, kept looking around. Was it implying, "Can I dig here to find treasure?"

Felix glanced at it, and a quill on the table suddenly jumped up and transformed into a small stool. Valen reflexively straightened up, waved his hand, and sighed.

Chapter 348 Dumbledore at Seventeen

The next day, a heavy rain fell at Hogwarts. The rain extinguished the morning mist in the Forbidden Forest, but it also made everything in sight gray.

Sniffle curled up in its cradle covered with fine sponges and velvet. Ever since it learned yesterday that it would be staying at Hogwarts for a long time, it refused to go back into the pocket watch's compartment. Instead, it took advantage of Felix's inattention to move its own bed out and hide the silver pocket watch. Felix held it upside down and went through its collection again but couldn't find where the pocket watch was.

Of course, he didn't look for it seriously. He couldn't keep keeping it indefinitely; he had no choice before because he was away from home.

However, at some point, its collection had become even richer—a silver fork, which must have been Beauxbatons' cutlery; a gleaming crystal ball, which Felix recognized from all angles as the one from Nick's old house—it had been covered in dust when he first saw it, but now it was spotless.

When Felix looked at Valen, it carefully breathed on him and rubbed the surface of the crystal ball with its little hands, making the clouds and lightning inside brighter. Besides this, there were some other odds and ends, probably collected while Felix wasn't looking: a thermostatic locket, a badger-shaped magic lamp, a tinderbox, a gray hourglass, and a gold necklace—oh, Felix knew this one; he'd modified it from Galleons. The reason was to see just how dark the goblins of Gringotts really were, how much sand they'd mixed into the Galleons, and well… he suddenly had a strong urge to rob the goblin race.

He remembered reading a book about ancient fairies, which described in detail the extravagant lives of the ten major fairy families. The details were so vivid that it was as if the wizard who wrote the book had read it from inside the fairy cave.

In his description, these fairy families were all comparable to the Malfoys of the wizarding world.

It's hard to say who the wizard who wrote the book was more hostile to, but Lucius Malfoy certainly wouldn't want this analogy to spread.

The Quidditch World Cup ended a week ago, and Lucius has remained silent throughout. Felix isn't in a hurry either. These pure-blood families even choose an auspicious day to send invitations, let alone someone who has submitted and pledged allegiance to him from now on.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Magic, under pressure from public opinion, has not given up on tracking down the escaped hooded wizard, so this matter will likely be delayed for some time.

However, Felix only plans to wait until Christmas this year. If Lucius still hasn't responded by then, he'll come knocking on his door to collect the debt.

Right now, Niffler Valen has his eye on an Ouroboros Ring that's on his workbench, and he also has a genuine fondness for the Memory Stone Basin that radiates a soft, silvery glow, though Felix taught him a lesson last night.

In summary, the new lesson is about how its little pocket is used to hold its favorite things, while other less precious items are kept in its office, which is also its home and treasure trove.

From this, it learned a lesson: the cunning Niffler has three burrows...

Also, you can't steal other people's things, otherwise Felix will use magic to seal its little pouch and give away the treasure in front of it. If you behave well, there will be extra rewards.

After several days of legal education and coercion, Niffler Valen raised three pink fingers and swore an oath in the name of his two younger brothers.

"Boom!"

A bolt of lightning ripped through the gray sky, illuminating Felix's figure standing by the window. The sniffler Valen raised its head, twisted its body, and climbed onto Felix's shoulder, looking out at the thick curtain of rain with him.

They listened to the torrential rain, the fine, dispersed rain mist hitting their faces, cool and refreshing.

Felix tilted his head slightly, pouted, and said, "Don't wear that necklace anymore, it's too ugly." Sniff also pouted, her bright black eyes showing disdain for his taste.

11:00 AM.

At this time, the Hogwarts Express should have already departed from King's Cross Station, billowing steam and heading towards the Scottish Highlands.

Felix appeared in the headmaster's office, where Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore were sitting on the sofa discussing the reception arrangements for the four magic schools during the Tournament.

"...Mrs. Maxim and her students live in a carriage and can be settled on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Durmstrang's people will come by boat and be accommodated nearby at Black Lake..." Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, "But the other two schools are more difficult to arrange. Although Vagado doesn't mind living in the Forbidden Forest, they can transform into small animals themselves—"

“Minerva,” Dumbledore said, rubbing his forehead with his hand, “Ilfamoni can use the Portkey to cross the continent, posing as a tour group. We can arrange for them to arrive near the Quidditch pitch. As for Vargado, they won’t be here until later…”

"Later than scheduled?" Professor McGonagall asked. "A few days later?"

“That’s the problem,” Dumbledore said, gesturing for Felix to find a place to sit down, “They’re planning to walk all the way here.”

Professor McGonagall looked at him in surprise. "Albus, what are you talking about? They're in Africa!"

“Yes, I know. I’ve been there a few times, and I especially hope to try my hand at being a dream messenger—” Dumbledore said with a smile, “to tell the young wizards in their dreams that you’ve been accepted, and to leave them a notification slip.”

“Dumbledore—” Professor McGonagall looked at him sternly.

“Oh, right…where were we? The people of Waggadu treat this road as a test, it’s a long-standing tradition, but it’s unprecedented from Africa to England.”

Professor McGonagall's expression turned serious. "Albus, this shows that they take this competition very seriously. I can almost imagine the hardships these kids went through on the way. Compared to them, our students can't even recite spells properly."

“Minerva, don’t underestimate yourself,” Dumbledore said with a smile. “I’ve always thought our students are just as good. Don’t you think so, Felix?”

Felix looked up and smiled, then interrupted, "Albus, I just got back from Beauxbatons. Their students already knew about the tournament and are doing intensive training during the summer break."

“Uh…” Dumbledore was speechless. He looked at Professor McGonagall, and sure enough, she said angrily, “Look at you, Dumbledore! While other schools are preparing, what about us? We’re having a happy summer vacation, and the students don’t even know that their Quidditch match this year has been canceled.”

"Minerva..."

"...I told you about this a long time ago, but I couldn't find you anywhere. You're just a hands-off manager." Professor McGonagall's chest heaved, clearly furious. The thought of Hogwarts students being hung up and beaten made her heart ache.

Felix, who was watching the commotion, turned his head away guiltily. He thought of Lupin, whom he had also entrusted with a lot of work.

'Does Remus feel the same way as Minerva?'

“Minerva,” Dumbledore had to reassure the vice-principal, “I’ve made arrangements. Felix came here today specifically for this.”

"Really?" Professor McGonagall looked skeptical.

“Of course,” Felix nodded. “During the holidays, I suggested to the headmaster that some spells be included in the required knowledge list. Albus said he would consider it further, but he should have agreed now?”

“That’s not it,” Dumbledore said helplessly.

“But I think this is a good suggestion,” McGonagall said, looking at Felix. “I’ve always thought the young wizards are too lazy, Felix. We can talk about it and finalize this when we have time.”

Dumbledore interrupted their conversation, saying bluntly, "I'm going to give the Duel Club more functions. It will become a special elective course, with the instructors rotating. And Felix, you'll have to dedicate more time to training the warriors."

"Why me?" Felix asked curiously.

“Your strengths are unique, and those amazing teaching tools…” Dumbledore blinked. “They are of great help to the warriors. Didn’t you ask me for my opinion? I think the Memory Stone Basin is far from being used to its full potential; it has surpassed the Pensieve.”

Felix pondered the principal's words, "You mean—"

“I can offer a memory of myself at seventeen,” Dumbledore nodded slightly, “containing my own combat wisdom.”

Felix was taken aback. Wizards' memories are their most precious treasures, and many people keep them a closely guarded secret. Although he knew that Dumbledore would definitely erase irrelevant memories and even take precautions against others prying into them, this trust came too suddenly.

Seeing Felix staring blankly at him, Dumbledore smiled slightly: "Do you think I'm some old-fashioned relic living in the last century?"

Felix regained his composure. "It's just a bit of a surprise, Headmaster Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall was very interested in their conversation, and after learning about the function of the Mind Stone, she immediately decided to join in. "We can also find other professors—"

“No, Minerva,” Dumbledore shook his head firmly and said in a deep voice, “Don’t bother the other professors. We can’t force them to make decisions, or even mention them.”

Professor McGonagall opened her mouth, but Dumbledore's attitude was so firm that she didn't object. "Very well, I'll go and help Philius set up the Great Hall," she said, and walked out of the office.

“Principal, what prompted this decision? To be honest, I was quite surprised,” Felix joked when only the two of them remained in the principal’s office.

"Because Dumbledore received a letter from..." The Sorting Hat on the partition suddenly cracked open and spoke out.

But when Dumbledore cast a solemn gaze upon it, it immediately shut its mouth and began to softly hum the Sorting Hat song prepared for the year.

"Brave Gryffindors, from the desolate swamp,"

Beautiful Ravenclaw, from the tranquil riverside,

The merciful Hufflepuff came from the open valley.

The shrewd Slytherins came from that quagmire.

They share a dream, a wish; a dream, a wish... They share a dream, a wish..."

The Sorting Hat didn't seem to have finished writing the lyrics yet, or was doing its final rehearsal, constantly repeating the last line. But the singing was really awful. Felix had listened to it for seven years during his school years and for another two years after graduation, and he was getting tired of it. If only it would just shut up and let him do his research.

Ignoring the Sorting Hat, Dumbledore simply raised his voice and explained, "Remember the Christmas gift you gave me during my first year here, '99 Inventions That Changed the World'? I gave it to a friend, and we talked about it, and you came up in the process."

Chapter 349 Adapted from True Story

Felix nodded slightly. He knew Dumbledore had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. If you added in his admirers, even ten Lockharts combined wouldn't be a match for him.

Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if Dumbledore seemed so busy because he was hiding in his office writing letters to pen pals all over the world...

Ahem! We can't think like that. The headmaster should be doing something important, like analyzing Tom Riddle's childhood. He could even write a paper like "The Influence of Childhood Environment on Key Life Choices of Wizards: A Brief Analysis of Some Points".

Felix took out the stone basin from the ring, and the two entered the inner space, which was a white world surrounded by mist.

Dumbledore looked around with interest and exclaimed, "Only you in this world have this ability. Judging from the magical traces left behind, they are exquisite, yes... exquisite."

Felix asked, "Can't other people do it?" He himself didn't feel anything; he just thought of it and made it. Moreover, at the time, he thought it was a defective product and couldn't compare to the original Pensieve, so he never paid much attention to it.

Its uses were only gradually discovered later.

Dumbledore said, "Let me tell you what I can see: ancient runes, alchemy, the Firming Charm, the Unseen Stretching Charm, Transfiguration, memory magic... It's quite peculiar; I seem to see solid magical nodes..."

He stretched out his hand, his slender fingers touching the air, and the surrounding clouds immediately churned.

"What is this?" he asked curiously.