A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 187: A New Semester

The following day, while Felix Harp was dining in the Great Hall, he overheard the various bits of gossip being discussed among the young wizards.

"Harry faced off against a Dementor in a fierce battle, keeping it away from the carriage doors. The sky was filled with a blazing red light; I saw it even from two compartments away."

"Indeed, it's almost unimaginable!"

Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff student, piped up, his head poking out from his seat, "There's nothing strange about this. Remember, Potter defeated the Dark Lord as a baby. When he first arrived, I couldn't quite understand what the fuss was all about. 'The Chosen One' sounded no different from me—short stature, looking a bit underfed, and his grades were only average..."

He rattled off a list of shortcomings, then dramatically paused, his gaze fixed on his two companions. "And now look at him! The truth has finally emerged!"

"Goodness gracious, that's how it is." His two friends chimed in, wearing expressions of sudden realization.

Felix felt the urge to chuckle. He quickly finished his pie and arrived at the Ancient Runes classroom, flipping through his class schedule for the year.

Among the third-year wizards, there were hardly more than ten who hadn't chosen his course, which strangely elevated his elective to the status of a required subject.

Professor McGonagall had put quite some effort into getting Ancient Runes onto the timetable.

Ultimately, Ancient Runes for the third-year students were scheduled for the last period on Tuesdays and Thursdays, extending even half an hour past the regular dismissal time.

Soon, the seventh-year students began to gather.

Percy, Penelope, Wood, Geoffrey, and that Ravenclaw girl who had an affinity for carrying around a little skull in last year's Arithmancy class...

Among these faces, Felix noticed one that shouldn't have been there—Marcus Flint.

He had graduated this June, yet here he was again in the Ancient Runes classroom. There was only one reason for this: he had been held back a year.

Last academic year, he had failed both of his Advanced-level courses—Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes—with a score of zero in all of the exams, not even passing one. It was a matter of pure-blood pride, his father having pulled some strings with the board of governors to get him held back.

"P-Professor." Marcus, towering and bulky, saw Felix wave at him. His face contorted into a grimace as he laboriously made his way over, almost step by step.

Everyone was watching the spectacle, especially Oliver Wood, who had eyes gleaming with excitement. He and Marcus were far from friendly; they were the respective Quidditch team captains for Gryffindor and Slytherin and had clashed plenty off the pitch.

"You..." Felix looked at Marcus, momentarily at a loss for words. What to say? At the very least, his performance in Ancient Runes was better than his Care of Magical Creatures grades. This indicated he invested more effort in his own subject.

Had Felix not relaxed the course selection criteria last year, would Marcus have managed to graduate with only one subject?

Regarding this speculation, Felix was none the wiser.

He rummaged beneath the lectern and pulled out a piece of parchment, handing it over to Marcus. "This is your used answer parchment; I didn't erase your information. All those wrong answers from before are still there."

Marcus took it, mumbling as if he wanted to say thanks, but ended up choking on his own saliva.

"Off you go. I'll be checking regularly. If your grades don't meet the requirements, I'll halt all your activities—" Felix calmly looked at him, "including Quidditch."

"Yes, Professor." Marcus replied with a crestfallen expression.

In contrast, Wood seemed as if he were celebrating early, letting out a loud, triumphant whistle.

Felix gave him a sidelong glance. "You too, Wood. You and Flint are in the same boat."

And so, a second mask of torment appeared in the classroom.

The other students giggled on the side.

Soon enough, the class officially began. Felix looked at the students before him. "During the previous academic year, you had a relatively easy time, and I am more than willing to let you experience the mysteries of Ancient Runes."

The faces of the male and female wizards in the audience grew solemn, aware that typically such words were followed by a "however."

"However, this year is your final year at Hogwarts—Wood, stop grinning at Flint—I continue, you are facing the wizarding world's ultimate examination. I need not elaborate on how significant this examination is."

"Next, I will explain in detail our curriculum for this academic year..."

During the final question segment of the class, Penelope Clearwater raised her hand and asked, "Professor, will we have Ancient Runes practicals this year?"

"Yeah, Professor. Last year, we shattered little skulls, chased off dark crows, defeated enchanted puppets, unraveled devil's web traps, and finally collected all four keys. But there are still many unexplored places," a Ravenclaw girl beside her said, counting on her fingers.

Jeffrey, the Slytherin prefect, calmly suggested, "Professor, I believe we could determine the participants of the Ancient Runes practical based on their performance."

Wood glared at him immediately, and even Marcus seemed a bit off with his expression.

Felix pondered for a moment. "Very well, I will open the classroom on weekends for interested students to explore. But in the classroom itself, don't expect too much."

The first class ended hastily, and the students streamed out.

"Harp, Professor?" Percy stood before Felix.

"Is there something you need, Weasley?"

Percy hesitated a bit and said, "Well, it's about my brothers... Fred and George. They're in their fifth year now."

Felix patiently awaited what he had to say.

"Uh, it's a crucial year, as you know, OWLs exams... At home, they hope they could focus more on their studies and gain a couple more qualifications."

"Harp, you could be more straightforward."

Percy's breath caught, and he gathered his courage to continue, "I-I've heard that you're quite supportive of their pranks. They're escalating them more and more... I was hoping you could talk to them."

Felix looked at him and softly said, "Weasley, perhaps you're hoping I won't offer them any help?"

Percy struggled, "I have considered that."

The empty classroom fell silent. Felix tapped his fingers on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

After a pause, Felix looked up. "I cannot make decisions for them, Weasley."

"You should understand that even without me aiding them, their minds will still be on this. I can't exactly tie them up or... cast a Confundus Charm?"

Percy's face paled, and his lips stammered.

"However, I do have a suggestion." Felix said slowly.

"What is it?"

"Join them."

"You're joking!" Percy's eyes widened, "I can't stand their pranks... It's not my cup of tea."

"No, I don't mean you should engage in their research. What I mean is, understand them. Understand what they're doing, what they're researching, where their time is spent, and why they find it endlessly fascinating. When you know every aspect of their actions, you'll always find an appropriate way..."

Felix looked at him. "I heard you're aiming to work for the Ministry of Magic? This might be a meaningful practice. You can write a relevant thesis."

Percy left in contemplation.

Meanwhile, Harry looked furious, with Hermione trailing behind him.

"Harry, I wasn't intentionally keeping it from you."

"Hermione, you knew all along that my dad knew Professor Lupin, and even that small rat Peter! You knew everything but never told me. I was telling you—Wait, where is she? Hermione?"

Turning a corner, Harry turned back to continue, but Hermione's figure had mysteriously disappeared.

He exchanged a glance with Ron, and just then, Hermione rushed in from another corridor, a delicate golden chain hanging from her chest.

"Hermione, I wasn't done talking—"

Impatiently, Hermione cut him off, "What are you waiting for? We're going to be late for Transfiguration, hurry up."

She rushed ahead, taking several steps before realizing they were still rooted in place. With a serious expression, she scolded, "What are you both waiting for?"

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