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Chapter 148: A Few Matters
Chapter 148: A Few Matters
Chapter 148: A Few Matters
As the students left the classroom in small groups, they tirelessly discussed the intriguing and fascinating experience they had just undergone.
For instance, a pair of Ravenclaw girls—
"To be honest, at first, I really wanted to leave. It was so gloomy there. But now, I'm starting to miss it."
"Me too! That little skull was so adorable!"
"...When's the next class on magical literature?"
"Let me check... It's on Friday."
"Do we really have to wait that long?"
"Well, I actually think we're quite lucky. Just sixth-year students get practical lessons..."
"Haha, who made us have an abundance of time and knowledge? I must tell students from other years!"
Their voices gradually faded away.
Percy and Penelope, avoiding the crowd, had mixed expressions on their faces as their once-hidden romance was now exposed. Especially Percy, who kept furrowing his brows.
"If it's discovered, then it's discovered. What's the big deal?" Penelope said, looking at him.
"Penelope, with three younger brothers and a sister at school, any gossip spreads to our parents' ears," Percy said, "Especially Fred and George, they'd be more than happy to assist with this."
Percy seemed quite vexed. While he did write letters of complaint often, he believed they were justified, like the recent one, "Mom, Fred and George were using fans to make the school ghosts parade. They lost fifty points each and got three weeks of detention..."
He could imagine how the twin brothers would grin and speak to him—
"Oh, Percy~ Our model student has finally lightened up~"
"We must inform Mum of this good news!"
"And then there's Bill and Charlie, you've surpassed them."
"How could we forget little Ron and Ginny?"
Penelope wore an expression of shock and stammered, "Your... your parents will know?"
"No need to worry," Percy muttered, "At most, they'll prepare gifts for you during the holidays and invite you over..."
Penelope's eyes widened.
During lunch in the Great Hall, Felix Harp chatted with Nearly Headless Nick and Professor Kettleburn, exchanging conversations that helped clarify misunderstandings. They all claimed friendship with each other and thus finalized the consensus on the "Ghost Redemption Incident."
Before long, these words would spread throughout Hogwarts. Eventually, the fervor would die down, and fewer people would pay attention, everything fading like receding tides.
The truth of the matter would submerge in time, occasionally resurfacing like a similar flower.
The following time passed swiftly, Hogwarts moving forward like a well-ordered machine. Professors and students were components of this colossal entity, pushed forward without any unexpected disruptions.
It was only until the Easter break that a few matters managed to leave an impression in Felix Harp's mind—
He hinted to Dumbledore about Dobby's awkward situation, and the old man understood his implied message. He didn't rush to clear Hagrid's name. The diary, still emanating a strong dark aura, remained locked in the Headmaster's office.
"Felix, you're doing the right thing," the old man said, though he was unaware of Felix's plan to Confund Lucius.
His assistant had completed the first set of runic circuits but was still struggling to restore the bead pouch.
The snake-skin from the Basilisk was continuously treated with magic to tan it. The process was extremely slow, but Felix wasn't willing to compromise. He planned to use both the Basilisk skin and dragonhide to craft a magical cloak along with an underlayer.
Finally, Peeves had returned to normal. Others told Felix because he hadn't encountered Peeves recently.
Aside from these matters, Berby mentioned during a casual conversation that he and Professor Snape had completed the first round of improvements to the Wolfsbane Potion, reducing the cost to a third of its original, albeit at the expense of a significantly worse taste.
"Sounds good. Perhaps you two might share a Merlin's Order of Valor," Felix suggested.
"I don't think so. Just look at the recent newspapers! All this talk about 'Lycanthrope's Blessing' and 'Lycanthrope Registry Amendment.' Only registered and supervised werewolves have the right to buy Wolfsbane. The Ministry is using my potion to control scattered werewolves..."
"It might not be all bad, as long as their list..."
"Hmph! Leaks have happened more than once. Many werewolves would rather hide their identities than use the potion, not to mention they can't afford it."
Berby was quite dissatisfied with the Ministry's approach.
...
In the latest Dueling class, young wizards learned a new spell, "Petrificus Totalus," which tightly bound their opponent's arms and legs, leaving them stiff and rigid, fallen like a plank of wood.
Felix explained, "The Full Body-Bind Curse is in the book 'Curses and Counter-Curses'—Wonderful."
"The spell is quite simple, even younger students can learn it..."
At this point, Harry and Ron looked at Hermione; she had used this spell to petrify Neville back in their first year.
"Of course, personally, its effect is not as immediate as Stupefy, nor is its power as strong. For instance, at your level, if you point your wand at me and cast this spell, I might just stiffen slightly. However... it's sufficient for handling school troubles. Completely adequate."
Felix and Snape collaborated to conjure hundreds of cushions in the Great Hall, ensuring the students' safety while practicing.
"Ron! You're supposed to fall onto the cushion!" Hermione scolded Ron, who landed rigidly on the floor.
After the spell wore off, Ron grimaced, "Easy for you to say. Can you adjust your landing when you're hit?"
Hermione nervously changed the topic.
Felix and Snape watched the young wizards practice, discussing with each other.
"Tsk tsk, even with such a simple spell, half of the students haven't mastered it," Snape muttered, radiating a sense of low pressure.
"But they're improving quickly, aren't they? Seeing clumsy students excel under your guidance, Severus, doesn't that give you a sense of accomplishment?"
Snape shot him a harsh glare.
Felix counted on his fingers, "Disarming, Protego, Silencio, Petrificus Totalus. Berby also taught them the heightened senses charm and the banishing charm in Dark Arts Defense class."
"Combined with the prank spells they already know, that's quite a repertoire."
Snape's gaze rested on him, "Are you suggesting—"
"Emphasizing other aspects, like footwork and situational assessment, especially real combat."
"I have no objections, Felix." Snape's voice was faint, his expression elusive.
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