A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 97: Exchange

Observing Felix Harp's pensive expression, Professor Flitwick explained, "Slughorn was the former head of Slytherin House, and like Professor McGonagall, he taught Potion-making."

Felix nodded, though he hadn't interacted with this Potion Master before; he'd only heard the name, and it didn't quite click for him at the moment.

Flitwick continued, "It's said that he's thoroughly enjoying his retirement. Of course, he had high standards for quality of life even when he taught at Hogwarts."

"Professor Flitwick—"

"Felix, you can call me by my name." Professor Flitwick waved his hand. "We are colleagues now, aren't we?"

"Well... alright, Felius," Felix said.

"Same here, Felix. We don't need to be so formal in private," Professor McGonagall added.

So, Felix addressed her, "Minerva," and the Transfiguration professor smiled warmly in response.

Then, he turned to Snape. Snape stared back with an emotionless expression, his gaze as though fixed upon a stone.

But Felix was most familiar with him. He drawled, "Ah, Severus..."

Snape's lips quivered in irritation.

Flitwick suddenly found great interest in the view outside the window, while Professor McGonagall surveyed the room's decor with intrigue.

Amusement danced at the corners of their eyes.

The awkward atmosphere didn't linger for long. A graceful woman with a handsome face approached.

"A small glass of Gorge Water—"

"Mine," Professor McGonagall's voice declared.

"A glass of Shimmering Berry Soda with ice and an umbrella—"

"Ah, thank you, Rosmerta," Professor Flitwick smacked his lips.

"A glass of still water—"

Snape silently took it.

Ms. Rosmerta looked at the newly arrived Felix, "This guest, what will you have? Oh, wait, you're Felix Harp?"

Felix gazed at her with confusion.

He had indeed visited the Three Broomsticks during his school days, but apart from ordering drinks, he'd never spoken to her.

Rosmerta looked at him. "Mr. Harp, you have no idea how famous you were during your school years. Many people sat here discussing your exploits..."

Felix self-deprecatingly quipped, "Let me guess, not in a flattering way?"

"No, many people admired you." She didn't elaborate, just smiled lightly. "After all, good and bad reputation are inseparable companions—invite one, and the other tags along. What drink would you like?"

"A glass of Butterbeer, that's what I'm accustomed to."

Flitwick extended an invitation, "Why not join us for a drink as well, madam, and sit with us?"

Rosmerta looked at the scattered tables in the tavern. "Sure, thank you."

In no time, she returned, handing Felix a glass of Butterbeer.

Rosmerta settled in the empty seat next to him, with a glass of gin in front of her.

This lady, graceful in her mannerisms, took a few sips and reminisced, "Running this pub all these years, my greatest joy has been eavesdropping on conversations. Of course, not eavesdropping in the sneaky way, but in these situations, they don't discuss secrets..."

"We understand your meaning."

"Indeed, generations of young wizards come and go, and only the most outstanding ones leave behind names that are truly memorable. Let me think... in recent years, the most famous is certainly Mr. Harp, but there are a few others as well..."

Rosmerta mentioned a name, "Bill Weasley, he should be from your year, right?" She looked at Felix Harp.

"That's right."

"I remember, he got twelve O.W.L.s, and that was a topic of great conversation back then," Rosmerta said, "And his brother, seems he was the captain of the Quidditch team, then went off to work with dragons."

Professor McGonagall's face tightened; she had always been bothered by this fact. "He should have made it to the national team. Charlie had the potential."

"But that wasn't what he wanted, Minerva," Flitwick said. "As professors, we should be proud of him."

"I do—" McGonagall's face flushed as she stammered, "I just feel regretful that there haven't been promising talents for the national team these few years."

She had always been a Quidditch enthusiast.

"There's also a girl named Tonks. Her Metamorphmagus skills are quite remarkable," Rosmerta continued, "Now that I think about it, many of them are Gryffindor students."

Flitwick interjected a bit awkwardly, "Actually, Tonks is from Hufflepuff House, but what I want to say is... Ravenclaw also has many exceptional graduates."

Rosmerta blinked, "Of course. They excel in various fields and are truly exemplary."

Snape huffed, "Ms. Rosmerta, I must remind you that Slytherin House has the fewest members and yet has won the most House Cups."

"Severus! Last year's House Cup went to Gryffindor, and it's highly probable this year as well—" McGonagall retorted with defiance.

Snape made a low "tch" sound.

Seeing that the Heads of Houses were about to argue, Rosmerta quickly changed the subject, "Each House has many outstanding students, that's a fact. By the way, what were you all talking about just now?"

Flitwick helped smooth things over, "We were discussing Damocles Belby. Severus, you've probably seen the formula for the Wolfsbane Potion?"

"I've seen it. Clever concept, though I don't find researching such potions particularly useful."

"At least it solves the problem of werewolves, doesn't it?"

"From a political perspective—yes. It fills a gap," Snape said with his customary sarcastic expression, "But unless the price of the potion drops below seven Galleons, a simple chain is more practical."

In the wizarding world, werewolves were practically synonymous with poverty, and nobody wanted to hire them. So werewolves either lived in seclusion or associated with the dark side.

In other words, at the current cost, not many werewolves could afford it.

"In terms of its current effects, the Wolfsbane Potion can only ease the pain of the transformation during a full moon, allowing the werewolf to retain their sanity. But it can't cure them. And yes, it's indeed costly," Felix said, recalling information he'd learned from his correspondence with Damocles Belby.

McGonagall clicked her tongue, "But it's still something. If back then—" She glanced at Snape and stopped mid-sentence.

She thought of her former student, Remus Lupin. He too was a werewolf, but his relationship with Snape was far from good—it was actually quite terrible.

Though curious, Rosmerta wisely didn't press further. The conversation continued, and after a while, she got up to attend to other customers.

For the next while, the professors discussed their respective classes.

Felix spoke about the recently concluded Dueling lessons, expressing disappointment in the overall skill level of the young wizards. He said, "The Disarming Charm isn't actually that difficult, but there are very few who have mastered it."

After detailed inquiries from Flitwick, a different perspective emerged.

"Felix, perhaps they simply haven't grasped the concept of dueling. If you ask me, pick any senior student and you'll be surprised at the number of minor hexes they know."

Felix was taken aback for a moment; this perspective hadn't occurred to him. During his school days, he had no interest in insignificant hexes with little practical use.

"Are you suggesting that they don't use the Disarming Charm because they don't know it?"

"Or perhaps they don't value it. After all, the effect of that spell doesn't appeal much to young wizards," Flitwick, an experienced Charms professor, understood the mindset of young wizards well. "Only those hexes with exaggerated and amusing effects are their favorites."

Flitwick counted on his fingers, "Trip Jinx, Jelly-Legs Jinx, Tickling Hex, Gum Blasting Hex, Booger Hex... there are too many to list. Despite school rules forbidding them, these hexes have been passed down from one generation of young witches and wizards to the next."

Felix realized, "Maybe I should inform the young wizards about the distinction between dueling spells and minor hexes. Severus, what do you think?"

Snape didn't speak, but his silence indicated agreement.

Subsequently, Flitwick asked Felix if he would join the next Dueling class.

"I was a Dueling champion in my youth as well." He said a bit sheepishly, "Don't worry, it's just one class. I just want to share my experiences with the young wizards."

Felix looked at Flitwick and happily said, "Of course, Felius."

McGonagall couldn't help but interject, "If you don't mind, Felix, I'd also like to demonstrate the applications of Transfiguration in dueling to the young wizards."

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