A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 221: The Gift of Divination?

"Let's hurry and find the right magical runes," Hermione reminded them, "This class is very important. If you can find suitable magical runes, I can give you extra lessons..."

"You've mastered all these runes? These aren't theoretical runes, but practical ones!" Ron exclaimed in surprise.

"Don't be silly, there's no way I've mastered them all," Hermione said, "But I've definitely learned faster than you!"

After that, Harry and Ron became much more enthusiastic. And it wasn't just the two of them; other young wizards were also intrigued by this novel way of teaching.

Daphne Greengrass twirled around a slender, agile magical rune symbol in emerald green. "I feel like it's trying to communicate with me, but I can't quite hear it."

"That's enough of a demonstration," a Gryffindor next to her said irritably, showing no results so far. "Move aside, please."

Neville reached out his round hand toward a fiery red magical rune. "Step aside, Lumberton," Draco said, accompanied by two cronies. He greedily eyed the rune, which seemed to be the brightest of all symbols.

Neville recoiled a step but then stood his ground. "I was here first," he muttered.

"What did you say? I didn't quite catch that. Maybe you'd like to experience the power of the Leg-Locker Curse again?" Draco threatened in a low voice.

"What's going on?" Felix Harp suddenly appeared, as he had been keeping an eye on Neville.

"Nothing, Professor," Draco said with an air of self-importance, "Lumberton might not have performed well in Potions class; he's just crying a bit."

Neville clenched his fist, stubbornly stating, "I'm not crying." Tears were welling up in his eyes.

"Malfoy, come with me," Felix said, leading Draco out of the classroom.

"Professor Harp," Draco said somewhat flustered. He wasn't afraid of losing points, but he dreaded copying two thick books again; the lesson from last year was still fresh in his memory.

But he heard Professor Harp ask calmly, "Malfoy, tell me, does bullying the weak bring you happiness?"

"I, I..."

"The fact is, ever since your last detention, I haven't heard you use that word again, have I?"

Draco wanted to be defiant, but he felt his thoughts were already transparent. "No," he said softly.

That word was "Mudblood."

"That's good, isn't it? I've always thought you were a smart student. I knew that from the moment you came up with the idea of using a scarf to drag a Dark Magic item."

"I believe you're capable of much more, Malfoy. Show me."

When Draco returned to the classroom, Pansy Parkinson immediately approached. "Draco, did you lose points or get detention?"

"No," Draco said bewilderedly, "The professor praised me."

In the afternoon, the magical runes club recruitment poster that had been hanging on the bulletin board for weeks was finally replaced with a long list of names.

"Only seven in the first batch."

A young wizard muttered, "Hermione Granger, Fred Weasley, George Weasley—three from Gryffindor alone."

"That's normal. Granger is the assistant for Runes class. Rumor has it she's proficient in not just one practical rune, but over a hundred, and she can easily break the armrest off a solid wooden chair. And those twins, have you heard about the Mirror of Erised?"

"Ah, well, I've already reserved mine, but I won't get it until Halloween."

"That was quick! I'm still hesitating!"

"First come, first served."

"Who else is left?"

"Hufflepuff only has one, Cedric Diggory, and he's truly outstanding. Besides that, Ravenclaw has two, and Slytherin has one—it's that Head Boy with the last name Jeffrey, the rather haughty one."

On the third-floor staircase of the castle, Felix Harp was conversing with a girl who had wild, golden-blonde hair. Her wand was tucked behind her left ear.

Luna Lovegood handed him two pieces of parchment.

"What's this?" Felix asked as he took them.

"It's my essay, but I've only written two feet worth. It's not enough words."

"You want me to help you pass with a shortcut? You're not old enough for that," Felix said with a chuckle.

"No, it's just that I was worried you might feel bad if you couldn't recruit enough people, so I wrote a little something. I went to see on the test day, there were a lot of people, so I didn't go in." Luna shook her head and explained, "I also suggested to Ravenclaw students to sign up."

Felix looked a bit puzzled. "I've heard more than one Ravenclaw student say that a second-year student was going around promoting the Runes Club."

"That's right, that's my nickname, Loony, but I don't really mind."

"Thank you, Miss Lovegood."

"We're friends, aren't we?" She looked at him as if confirming.

"Yes, Luna."

Luna smiled. "By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you..."

Felix looked at her attentively. "As long as I know."

"The other day, I met a professor who kept inviting me to be her assistant."

Felix suspected he had misheard. This approach sounded all too familiar. Which professor was trying to follow his footsteps in finding a shortcut?

"Who invited you?" he asked.

"I don't even know her, I've never seen her before." Luna tossed her hair casually.

"Well, you can at least describe what she looks like, right?"

"She was wearing a very pretty pair of insect glasses, and she had a shiny, transparent cloak on, and her wrist had more bracelets than I do," Luna described earnestly, emphasizing, "Many more!"

Upon hearing these descriptions, Felix couldn't help but think of Sybill Trelawney. But Luna's portrayal of Trelawney seemed overly positive. Was it safe to say they both were Ravenclaws...

Felix stared at Luna, and inquired tentatively, "How did you two cross paths?"

Luna Lovegood was only a second-year student. In theory, she wouldn't have any contact with Sybill Trelawney.

"That day, I was leaving classroom seven, thinking I had nothing to do. So, I wandered around the castle and came across a very interesting portrait of a knight on the eighth floor. He was looking for his lost horse, and we chatted for a bit. He told me there was a free performance to watch in the tapestry room on the North Tower."

"Are you talking about Trelawney? I didn't know she had a penchant for performing," Felix found it hard to believe, but indeed, Trelawney's residence was at the top of the North Tower, connected to her Divination classroom.

Luna nodded and then put on a slightly fearful expression. "It's, it's not clear... Dear, please don't press me. I can't say!" Then she added solemnly, "It's that kind of performance. Honestly, I'm not very good at it."

Felix's expression remained stern. "And then what happened? Did she spot you for sneaking a peek at her... her performance?"

"No, apart from her looking somewhat excited—maybe I interrupted her state—she later said I might have some sort of inner eye and invited me to be her assistant."

Felix inquired, "Have you heard of Divination class?"

"Yes," Luna blinked her pale eyes, "Yes, one of the elective courses for third years. But I didn't plan on taking Divination."

"Why not?"

"I prefer stargazing. A centaur friend of mine taught me astrology and gave me some dittany and flobberworm mucus. When heated, they attract a group of smoky creatures that twist into various shapes to make prophecies." Luna explained.

Observing smoke shapes, basically? Felix guessed.

"And, I've already decided to take Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures next year. Their schedules might clash."

Felix wondered about the irony of a young girl who wasn't keen on Divination getting recruited as an assistant by a Divination professor. The intricacies of Luna Lovegood's encounters never ceased to amaze.

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