A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 216: The Reason for the Escape?

"You've considered this quite thoroughly. What surprises me the most is that you managed to be patient and revised it seven times," praised Felix Harp.

The twins grinned mischievously, "It's all thanks to you. You always give us a bunch of suggestions for improvements, making us feel like it's not good enough yet."

Felix looked at them, "What's your plan then?"

Fred said, "Right now, we're just promoting it within the school. Many people seem interested in buying."

Felix pondered for a moment, "Doesn't the production process consume a lot of time? Your OWL exams..."

Fred pleaded, "Professor, please don't make it hard for us. We still have enough time."

George added, "Yes, we've dropped some electives and even a few required courses—"

"Astronomy—"

"History of Magic—"

Felix gave them a reproachful look.

"You can't force us, after all, we haven't neglected what we should have learned. Professor Flitwick even praised us," Fred defended himself and George.

Felix couldn't really argue with them. Moreover, he truly believed that confining the twins wasn't a good choice. Providing them with a broader stage, watching them dance upon it, perhaps that was what he should do.

With a thoughtful expression, he said, "Rein it in a bit this year. After the exams, I mean the OWL exams, I'll take you to see something."

As Harry and the others stared in astonishment, the twins winked at them and departed, extending their antics.

Just before leaving, Fred patted Ron's shoulder, "Silly Ronny, you can jot this down on parchment: The assessment item is a pair of alchemical love mirrors, starting price—three Galleons, subject to change."

Ron turned to Harry, "Did you hear that?"

"Of course," Harry replied, still thinking about those love mirrors. Lost in his thoughts, he caught sight of the girl who made his heart race.

Autumn Zhang and her friend appeared. They glanced around, and several students were already sitting in corners of the area, engraving magical symbols onto parchment with magical puppets.

Her friend gestured towards Cedric's figure, whispering to her.

Professor Hagrid was surrounded by three to five students. He was shaking his head at a crucifix-shaped amulet, while the student next to him wore a disappointed expression.

Autumn Zhang approached Hermione, "Hello? We're here for the assessment."

Hermione had just finished recording a form; she wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Oh, please wait." She pulled out a fresh piece of parchment and smoothly said, "Names, year, and house."

"Autumn Zhang, fourth year, Ravenclaw."

"Marietta Edgecombe, fourth year, Ravenclaw."

Hermione jotted it down on parchment, "The assessment you're participating in is... Harry?"

Unintentionally, Harry leaned closer. Stammering a bit, he said, "I came to take a look, Hermione, to see if I could help..."

"I'm alright," Hermione didn't notice his expression. She looked at the two opposite her and they quickly responded, "Essays, both of us have essays."

"Place your essays on that large table over there, next to the quills and inkwells. The results will be announced in a week or two."

Once Hermione finished speaking, Harry offered, "I'll take you over there."

Autumn Zhang glanced at him and nodded. The three of them walked away together.

Hermione vaguely heard Harry mumbling his self-introduction...

Around eleven o'clock, a group of third-year Slytherin students arrived—Draco Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, as well as Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron walked over excitedly and taunted, "Didn't expect to see you here, Malfoy. Are you eager to show us some marvelous ancient magic? After all, you are a Malfoy!"

Draco glanced at him contemptuously, "Weasley, wherever Potter is, you're there too. Are you his lackey?"

Ron's expression turned astonished; he looked at Crabbe and Goyle, "Hey, guys, does Malfoy really see you like this? He doesn't even have friends?"josei

Impatiently, Pansy said, "Just register us already. I'm not interested in your clownish remarks."

Ron's face turned red, "Sorry, you might have to write it yourselves." He pushed a stack of parchment into Malfoy's arms.

On the other side, Daphne walked up to Hermione, "Hey, Gryffindor girl!"

Hermione stared at her, "Is that you?" Her voice sharpened, full of aggression as she said, "I didn't get a chance to ask you, do you like your magical puppet?"

During the first Ancient Runes class at the start of the school year, the two had competed for the same puppet design, and Hermione had gotten there slightly faster.

Daphne proudly said, "Sorry, I found an older student and exchanged with her."

Hermione fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke up, "My magical puppet is even more powerful!"

"Nonsense!"

"Wanna give it a try?"

"Sure, you think I'm scared of you!"

...

Felix Harp wiped off the sweat that had formed. He had spent the whole morning evaluating dozens of peculiar alchemical creations, and except for a few that passed, the rest left him speechless.

For instance, there was a small vial emitting a strong, pungent odor. The student who submitted it claimed it contained a magical protection charm that could repel rampaging werewolves.

But Felix, after confirming multiple times, found it contained nothing more than a layer of pus from bubotuber tubers. It was quite dangerous stuff, so he confiscated it immediately.

Cedric finally finished his work. Felix looked over his results and couldn't help but admire, "You've mastered fifty-two runic symbols, impressive. You learned all of this on your own?"

Cedric said, "I consulted older students; they gave me some pointers."

...

It wasn't until around two in the afternoon that Felix watched the last student leave. He turned to Harry and Ron, "You've worked hard." The two bid him goodbye wearily; they needed to catch up on sleep.

Hermione, as the assistant for the Ancient Runes class, stayed behind. The two of them stared at the pile of essays. Felix sighed, "It's quite an extensive workload. We'll continue tomorrow."

"Professor, should I come tomorrow morning?"

"No, I have something in the morning, I need to visit St. Mungo's."

"The magical hospital?" Hermione looked at him anxiously. Was the professor sick? Even Madame Pomfrey couldn't help?

"I'm visiting two friends," Felix said briefly.

Hermione nodded, and then remembered her earlier question, "Professor, do you know how Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban?"

Felix thought for a moment, "I'm not entirely sure. He comes from the ancient Black family and was even a Death Eater. He might have possessed some highly secretive magic, which he could have employed."

"But why did he wait for over a decade to escape?" Hermione asked perplexedly.

That question made Felix fall silent, "Indeed, why did he wait for over a decade to escape? Did he only find the opportunity then, or were there compelling reasons for his prison break?"

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