A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 133: Helena's Decision

Felix Harp bid his polite farewell and left.

During the afternoon class, he found himself unusually distracted.

"Please turn to page 147 of your books. Let's take a look at how ancient wizards perceived the concept of 'existence'," the professor announced.

"Professor? We covered this part in the previous lesson..." a young wizard raised his hand.

Felix Harp displayed a surprised expression as he glanced at his textbook. "Indeed, that was my mistake, and I must apologize. This also goes to show that professors are human and can make errors..."

"Alright, let's turn to page 152. Today, we'll be discussing ancient runic inscriptions related to 'hope'," he continued.

Down in the audience, the Weasley twins exchanged a glance, and Fred winked at George: 'Professor Harp making a mistake in class, that's quite rare.'

George mouthed silently: 'We're witnessing history.'

Fred pinched George's thigh to stifle his laughter.

After the class ended, the twins gathered around Felix Harp.

After answering a few questions, Fred curiously asked, "Professor, is there anything we could help with?"

"What?"

"Oh, Professor," George said playfully, "we thought you might be facing a slight predicament, something you can surely handle, but maybe we could lend a hand."

Felix Harp smiled and responded, "Mr. Weasley, I don't really... well," he looked at the two of them, then asked thoughtfully, "Could you get a hold of a magical camera?"

He knew that young wizards had a kind of underground network similar to a flea market, where various intriguing little items could be found.

"Professor, would a Muggle camera and developing potion do the trick? The effect is the same," Fred suggested.

"Exactly," George explained, "A first-year named Creevey bought developing potion from us last year. Though he had his own camera."

Felix Harp pondered for a moment and then said, "That will do."

In less than two days, he received the camera, film, and developing potion.

He readily paid the remaining balance.

Over the next week, as Felix Harp chatted with Helena, they deliberately avoided mentioning the conflict from that night.

Felix Harp shared interesting stories from the outside world, even including his secret travels during that year.

"You really got caught by Dementors in the American magical black market?" she asked in astonishment.

"I wouldn't put it that way. It was more of a fortunate coincidence that I crossed paths with them. I had planned to slip away with the crowd—since we were all wearing disguises, Disapparating once outside was easy."

"And then?" she inquired, intrigued.

"Seven Dementors fixated on me, pursuing me..." Felix Harp said with a regretful expression, "I had no choice but to take them down."

It was his first real combat situation using his lightning-fast strategy. To enhance his cognitive speed, he had taken a dose of a particular potion, which had given him a week-long headache as a side effect.

"Such a pity..."

"What's a pity?" Felix Harp asked.

"It's a pity I can't use magic, and I've lost most of my memories related to performing magic. I only have particularly vivid memories concerning my death..." she said with sorrow, "Being a ghost isn't complete; I have either vague or no resonance with other memories. It's like experiencing a stranger's life..."

At that moment, he finally made up his mind.

Felix Harp said, "Helena, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

Felix Harp hesitated for a moment, then took out the camera. "May I take a photo of you?"

Helena looked at him in surprise, hesitated for a moment with modesty, then agreed with delight.

Felix Harp took several solo shots of Helena and, finally, a picture of the two of them together.

"It might take a day or two for the developing potion to take effect," he explained.

Felix Harp gazed at the smile on Helena's face, his heart churned. She noticed his expression and gradually calmed herself. "You're not talking about this, are you? This thing that's troubling you, Felix?"

"Do you know about the Room of Requirement?"

"Uh, well..." she nervously smoothed her hair, "I know. It's an experimental chamber my mother created. I used to go there often as a child, though my mother preferred not to be disturbed. But I always defied her."

"Have you been there after, let's say..." he paused, "becoming a ghost?"

"No, never," she said tersely.

Felix Harp understood; perhaps out of guilt or self-punishment, she intentionally avoided that place.

He spoke softly, "Inside, I found something left by Lady Ravenclaw. It might be about you."

"What—what are you saying?" She flew over quickly, her eyes locked onto his, as if discerning whether this was some cruel joke.

Felix Harp looked into her eyes calmly, his demeanor completely serious.

Helena believed him.

She asked urgently, "What is it? What did she leave behind?" Her translucent, pearl-white form hovered in mid-air, her hands reaching for Felix Harp's shoulders, only to pass right through.

An icy chill that seemed to pierce his bones caused Felix Harp to shiver involuntarily.

"It's a memory," he said softly.

...

In the following days, Helena avoided him.

Felix Harp understood her feelings well; the uncertainty was uncomfortable. Who could guarantee that Lady Ravenclaw's memories were specifically meant for Helena?

Could memories be awakened in a ghost?

Once awakened, would the ghost remain rational?

And if rational, would the desired outcome be achieved?

Despite the high probability of these questions being answered with a 'yes,' no one could be sure until the truth was revealed.

During this time, Felix Harp developed seven photographs. Through the influence of the developing potion and his magical adjustments, Helena appeared lifelike in the pictures—beautiful, elegant, with a faint smile.

Finally, on a weekend morning, she sought out Felix Harp.

"Take me there," she said calmly.

"You've decided?"

She nodded solemnly, ready to accept whatever the outcome might be.

In front of the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor, Felix Harp and Helena stood in silence.

A large blue door materialized slowly. Helena looked at him, and Felix Harp, holding the handle, pushed the door open.

Felix Harp entered the room once more, this time with Helena by his side—or rather, he was the guest now.

As Helena stepped into the Room of Requirement, the entire space became vibrant.

Tiny voices emerged from all directions. Even without changing perspective, Felix Harp could sense an immense magic awakening.

The furnishings in the room disappeared one by one, the space expanded, until it turned into a boundless, pristine world.

Sky and earth seemed to lose their boundaries, leaving only Felix Harp and Helena in existence.

Not far from Helena, magic surged and formed the silhouette of a woman.

From illusion to reality, she emerged from nothingness.

After a thousand years, Rowena Ravenclaw opened her eyes.

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