A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

"Yeah, that old guy! I didn't believe him when he told me, but I never thought you actually went back to Hogwarts."

“I like the atmosphere at school,” Felix said.

“Yes, that’s one of the reasons I stay at the examination board. They are the hope of the British magical world, although most of the time these young people are a headache.” The old man rambled on for a while. “And old Vera, he gets angry with me every time I mention you, but I clearly see your books on his desk…”

Felix suppressed a laugh and didn't reply. Old Vera was the grandfather of one of his students, Clémi Vera, a very stubborn old man.

He is also the vice president of the Ancient Rune Association and has always been critical of Felix's 'practical ancient runes'.

Chapter 155 Interesting Research

More and more young wizards gathered in the courtyard, looking at the examiners with awe.

Several seventh-grade students gasped in surprise when they saw Machiban's wrinkled face.

"She's here again!"

"It's pretty much the same people."

“To be honest, every time I come here, I get stared at like I’m a troll,” Toford muttered.

Felix smiled and said, "These people are in a hurry."

Chapter 156 End of the School Year

Before he knew it, Felix had finished reading the entire content.

"Professor?" Hermione looked over.

She interrupted the screen playback and began discussing some theoretical questions.

"I read in the book 'Wands and Wizards' that 'wands have a life of their own.' How should this statement be understood?"

"Well... I don't have in-depth knowledge in this area, so I can only give a general overview."

“Of course,” Hermione said with a blink, her tone relaxed.

“Every wand is unique. Even if they are made of the same materials and are exactly the same size, they will produce completely different effects in the hands of different people.”

"Is it because of the wand's owner?" Hermione guessed.

“Indeed, I personally believe that the wand displayed in the shop is only half-finished; it desperately yearns to become complete.”

Hermione looked up at Felix; that was a novel perspective.

Felix explained, "The properties of the wand wood, and the properties of the magical creature from which the wand core comes from, already give wands an extremely rich variety of characteristics, but there is another characteristic that cannot be ignored: the wand's owner himself."

"Rather than saying that the wand is alive, I prefer to believe that the wand becomes complete and can exert its true power only when the characteristics of the wand, the core, and the owner are combined."

"So, this supports the theory of 'the wand choosing its wizard'? In order to be complete, with the wand and core fixed, it is more willing to choose an ideal master who is compatible with it?" Hermione said, following his train of thought.

“This is just one person’s opinion,” Felix said modestly, before adding…

"Moreover, for a young wizard, obtaining a suitable wand is only the first step. The wand and its master will work together, learning from and helping each other in the days to come, constantly cultivating this tacit understanding."

"We can understand it this way: every wand has a different experience."

“But, Professor, I’ve heard that some wands betray their masters?” Hermione asked cautiously.

Felix's expression turned serious. "This is a rare occurrence. Even wands with bad reputations or those that are rather eccentric won't become estranged from their owners after one or two failures. And the rivalries on campus certainly don't reach this level..."

“But this situation must exist, right?” Hermione pressed.

"Indeed. I think the reasons are varied: some are due to a poor relationship between the owner and the wand; some are due to the wand being inherently sensitive and admiring the strong; and some are due to the impact of 'failure' on the owner being too great, which deepens the rift."

"However, in terms of the core material alone, unicorn hair is indeed more loyal, while dragon heartstrings seem too active; they may 'temporarily' submit to powerful enemies."

"temporary?"

"For example, if such a wand is forcibly taken away by an enemy, but you retrieve it in time, you can still use it normally."

"This, this is..." the little witch said in surprise.

“Miss Granger, what we’re discussing is too far removed from your world,” Felix said, ending the conversation.

In fact, Felix believed that the conditions for changing hands of a wand were extremely demanding, including at least one condition: "utter defeat in a hostile confrontation," a conclusion he drew from some dark wizards.

That's how Felix got his stockpile of spare wands.

Even so, these wands can only be used temporarily to deal with wands that are not one's own, and will ultimately have various limitations in spellcasting.

The examples of Ron and Neville suggest that there might be instances of 'voluntary transfers,' but he had never experienced it firsthand.

“Granger, let’s discuss your modification of the beaded pouch. I originally thought you would finish it next school year.”

……

Felix's new book is also on the agenda. In order to expand his influence, he chose to complete two books at the same time. One is aimed at young prospective wizards, which mainly uses a lot of dynamic pictures and is supplemented by vivid and interesting storylines.

One book is a popular science book for adult wizards, using the most rigorous logic and language to explain the most basic and fundamental technologies in the Muggle world.

After completing part of the manuscript, Felix had the illusion that he was explaining addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to someone with intellectual disabilities, which made him want to give up at one point.

However, some of the readers he selected did give positive feedback.

As Belby looked at the manuscript, the first picture was of a kettle boiling over, with steam constantly billowing from its spout; the second picture showed a pipe extending from the kettle, through which steam flowed to a windmill at the other end; and the third picture showed the windmill spinning rapidly, propelled by the steam.

The next image is a hand-drawn version, which looks more abstract: a giant kettle is mounted on a train, connected to the wheels via pipes, making the train move...

To make the whole process more straightforward, Felix deliberately marked the color of the steam very conspicuously, making it look like a train carrying a menacing kettle monster, constantly spraying venom.

"This is the steam engine Muggles talk about? They use this to power their trains?" Belby exclaimed excitedly. "You know so much, Felix!"

Three days before the end of the school year, Felix received an invitation letter signed by the "International Wizarding Federation," an organization similar to the United Nations, except that its members are the magic ministries of various countries.

Why did they come looking for me?

Felix opened the letter, and after a moment looked up. "So it's an invitation from an organization under the International Confederation of Wizards to attend a meeting in Paris. The Muggle Problems Research Group? Tsk tsk, never heard of it before. It must be a newly established group from the last few years..."

From the rather formulaic language in the invitation letter, Felix could tell that this research group was employing a strategy of casting a wide net and catching as many fish as possible; perhaps even the most well-known Muggle experts would be invited.

The next day, he took the opportunity to ask Professor Bubbaji, and the feedback he received was as he expected: she had also received an invitation.

“You too?” Bubbaji stared at him, his eyes wide. “Oh, of course you deserve it. I mean, you’re too young, I didn’t think of that before.”

"Professor Bubbaji, do you know anything about this so-called research group?"

“I do know a little,” Bubbaje said. “It seems to be an issue spearheaded by the U.S. Ministry of Magic, dealing with crises and all. It’s all old news, you know, they’re always sensitive about Muggle issues.”

Felix nodded thoughtfully.

The two then agreed to meet in Paris and went their separate ways.

He also wanted to see how "experts" from other countries viewed the Muggle issue.

For the next two days, Felix dealt with various chores: assigning holiday homework to young wizards, bidding farewell to Belby with other professors, applying to Dumbledore for permission to stay at school, and attending the school's dinner party...

At the station, the young wizards boarded the train with great excitement, while Felix watched silently from a corner.

The most conspicuous thing was Marcus Flint's tall figure; he had been avoiding him ever since the exam.

Next is Kremi Vera, who wears large glasses. She immediately finds Felix after the exam, hoping to maintain contact with him after graduation and receive his ancient magic guidance.

Several other graduates expressed similar sentiments, and Felix did not refuse.

In addition, the young wizards who had left an impression on him that year appeared one by one:

Abbot Balker, Percy, Penelope, Jeffrey, Pete Selton, Warren Pardis, the twins, Cedric, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood...

He also saw a somewhat dejected Draco Malfoy. Felix remained silent, knowing that Lucius had struggled several times but had still been ousted from the school board, and his son was inevitably affected.

Felix watched the Hogwarts Express roar away.

As the train disappeared from sight, he turned and left the platform.

Chapter 157 The Beginning of the Holiday

During the holidays, Hogwarts was quiet, and the plants in the courtyard grew lushly, like a series of richly colored oil paintings.

But without the chattering students carrying their books, the scene always felt somewhat lifeless.

This made the ghost, who was originally very inconspicuous, suddenly conspicuous. Felix could always catch a glimpse of the silvery-white transparent shadow flashing by in the corner of his eye on his way to the library.

Besides these ghosts who have long resided at Hogwarts, some professors also stayed behind. These included Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Sybil Trelawney.

The empty school led to more frequent interactions among the professors, and during one small gathering, a tipsy Trelawney insisted on making a prophecy for Felix.

"It's ominous, I've seen something ominous..."

Felix watched her quietly, while Trelawney stared wide-eyed at a sherry bottle, examining it closely.

“Sybil, you’re drunk.” Professor McGonagall’s face was flushed; she had also had some wine.

“No, I didn’t! I saw… a huge black dog! With a black army that blotted out the sky, completely enveloping you.” Trelawney put her arm around McGonagall and tapped Felix’s chest with her other hand, hiccuping as she said, “This is a turning point in your life. For details, please pay 3 Galleons.”

Professor McGonagall mouthed, "Before starting this job, you were a fortune teller." She waved her wand and tossed Trelawney onto the sofa, whereupon a small blanket flew over and covered her.

A big black dog? Felix thought for a moment, was it Toothpick or the Cerberus Louie?

I did have the idea of ​​going to see Cerberus with Hagrid, but I didn't tell anyone.

Professor Flitwick used magic to transform the cups into various small animals, and soon Professor McGonagall and Felix joined in. They played a game of tabletop Quidditch using their wands.

As he emerged, a summer breeze carrying the rich fragrance of osmanthus blossoms swept by, clearing Felix's eyes.

A week into his holiday, he returned to his cottage in London a few days ago. After visiting a few ordinary friends, he went back to Hogwarts.

At this moment, he arrived at the top of the spiral staircase on the west side of the castle and stood at the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room.

A bronze eagle door knocker blocked his way; apart from that, there was no doorknob or keyhole.

This is the entrance to Ravenclaw College's unique common room. Instead of a password, there's a riddle on the door knocker. If you answer it correctly, it will make way and welcome you inside.

Felix gently knocked on the door knocker, and the eagle's beak immediately opened, but instead of emitting a cry, it spoke in a gentle, musical voice: "Which comes first, tomorrow or an accident?"

Felix said seriously, "It depends on how much preparation you do today."

"That makes sense." After the voice finished speaking, the door opened.

The Ravenclaw lounge was empty. Felix surveyed the round room, its interior decorated in a fairytale style, predominantly in blue and bronze tones. Stars were painted on the dome and dark blue carpet, and brightly colored silks hung on the elegant arched windows.

Felix went to the window, where the view was excellent. From this vantage point, he could clearly see the school's Black Lake and Forbidden Forest, and in the distance, he could see the surrounding mountains.