A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 225: Ferenz's Advice

Harry took his seat, the recent events making him feel like he hadn't woken up yet, or like he'd somehow jumped ahead to April Fool's Day. But the twins and Wood had already closed in, their faces mirroring the seriousness of Professor McGonagall's expression, and they had overheard the argument between them.

Though he hadn't caught every word, the sporadic mentions of "Quidditch" and "training" were enough to send shivers down their spines.

Harry explained the trouble he had encountered, and while Wood's face darkened, he still offered comfort, "It's alright, you come back before dark, and we'll continue the training. Your position as a Seeker isn't that crucial, so the impact won't be too significant..."

He finished with a somewhat grim joke, "Black couldn't have spent over a decade in prison to get a bad eyesight, mistaking me for you, could he?"

The twins erupted into carefree laughter, attempting to envision Wood's burly figure as Harry was definitely not an easy feat.

However, Harry didn't share their lightheartedness. He realized all too clearly that Sirius Black, the escaped prisoner who had spent twelve years behind bars, had been disturbingly close to him.

"Perhaps, I should put more effort into my dueling system essay," Harry mused, patting his bag, which held the beginning of his paper.

As the weekend approached and Halloween drew near, the festive atmosphere grew stronger.

Felix Harp rose early, examining the paper in his hands.

"...The above explanation suggests that we may have found a new method for treating memory impairment. It could be more targeted than existing potions and spells, but the catch is finding a way to establish a stable connection with the patient's memories. Not the kind of brief and malicious intrusion seen in Legilimency, but a cooperative form of information exchange.

Simultaneously, for cases of severe memory damage (extensive and permanent injury, shattered memories), simple bonding spells are inadequate. We need to consider providing memories with a stable structure..."

Felix nodded in satisfaction. "The entire paper is theoretical deduction, but it subtly alludes to the most crucial part - the Mind Room magic and the stable structure of memories."

"Let's float it out and gauge the response. Hmm... I could publish it in a monthly edition of the 'Prophet,' which carries some influence. Although it's not directly related to their field, the incubation period for brewing ideas is longer."

"I estimate it might not spread within the therapist community until mid to late November. Something purely theoretical like this will surely elicit diverse opinions. By then, the situation with the Lumbatons might be hard to conceal, but I can conveniently use this as an excuse to avoid higher-level involvement from the Saint Mungo's administration. No one would be foolish enough to reject a potential Order of Merlin medal-worthy achievement."

He tucked away the paper; a few adjustments to the wording and it would be ready to send.

Felix sat on the couch, contemplating how to simplify the treatment plan. Dumbledore had given him this advice. Whether it was the Mind Room magic or the memory nodes inherited from Lady Ravenclaw, both were invaluable knowledge. He wasn't that reckless to reveal them so easily, and besides, not many would be able to learn them.

"Simplifying the Mind Room magic is relatively straightforward; I know it inside out. As for memory nodes..." Felix thought for a moment, deciding to present his own interpretation of a stable memory structure derived from Lady Ravenclaw's legacy. He had employed this on magical puppets, granting them relatively stable personalities and habits, even enabling them to rehearse plays on their own.

Inside a glass container on his workbench, an eight-eyed giant spider cleared its throat impatiently, "Hurry up, hurry up! I can't wait any longer."

Felix turned around, "Are you sure you won't reconsider? I can grant you a vacation and ample food..."

"Stop talking, just stop!" The eight-eyed spider replied irritably, "Let me go back."

"Very well." Felix extended his hand, and the glass container on the workbench flew into his palm. With a crisp snap, it shattered, and in a hazy blue light, the giant spider's size continually diminished, soon shrinking to the size of a fingertip.

Felix carefully placed it back into a small glass vial, and a faint voice emerged from the vial, "Your magic has progressed again. I don't feel anything different. Perhaps, I mean just perhaps... I might occasionally assist with your experiments." Felix smirked, putting the vial into his pocket.

Checking the time, he Apparated to the castle's entrance. Two minutes passed, and just when he thought Luna might not show up, she bounded into view.

"Felix, I've prepared some buttered peas, Ferenze would like them." She pointed to a crookedly woven basket.

Felix wasn't exactly familiar with centaur tastes, and he didn't particularly like this scent, so he changed the topic, "Let's go, we'll meet your friends."

They descended the slope, passing by the greenhouses and the Whomping Willow. Hagrid's hut appeared in the distance, but they didn't approach it. Instead, they took a turn, entering the Forbidden Forest.

Passing through a barrier of trees, they soon arrived at a clearing. The ground was covered in moss and various wildflowers, and a few rocks had been meticulously arranged. It was evident that this was Luna's secret haven.

Luna retrieved a whistle from her pocket and blew into it with puffed cheeks. The sound was subtle, blending perfectly with the surrounding "rustling" of the wind. Felix could tell this was a magical item.

Soon, the sound of galloping hooves reached Felix's ears, and a young centaur appeared. He had white hair and the body of a silver-maned horse.

Felix deduced the centaur was "young" from his human face. The centaur cautiously peered at him through the branches, half of his body concealed behind a tree trunk.

"Little Luna, is this your teacher?" the centaur asked. Felix's refined attire assured him of Felix's teaching position.

"Yes, come on over. I've prepared new treats for you to try!" Luna cheerfully replied.

Ferenz emerged from behind the tree trunk, stopping a couple of meters away from Felix. He maintained a stern expression, saying, "Hello, I'm Ferenz."

"Oh, hello. I'm Felix Harp," Felix replied courteously.

"Listen, wizard. We generally avoid dealings with humans, especially adult wizards. If not for Luna wanting me to meet you..."

Felix chuckled, "I know centaurs can be exclusive, but I believe you might be an exception. Also, I've come here to discuss some rather serious matters with you."

Ferenz eyed him, saying, "What matters?"

"Do you know Sirius Black?"

"Heard the name. Dangerous individual," Ferenz replied casually.

"Exactly. He's escaped from Azkaban. The Ministry and Dementors are furious. By the way, have you encountered Dementors?"

Ferenz replied stiffly, "I haven't, but some of our people claim to have seen their shadows."

"That's it," Felix said, "The Forbidden Forest isn't entirely safe. And forgive my bluntness, but if Dementors were to go out of control, I doubt you'd have an effective way to counter them."

Ferenz pawed the ground, his face twisted in anger, but he knew Felix was right.

Felix continued, "Allowing a student near the Forbidden Forest is risky, and it goes against the school rules. My suggestion is to exercise caution until the Dementors are removed."

"Are you trying to prevent us from meeting?"

"I have no intention of ruining a friendship. Someday, Luna might look back on this as a wonderful memory. Ferenz, do you know Hagrid?"

"Know him," the centaur replied.

"That's good. I don't think Hagrid would mind hosting you. Perhaps, meeting behind Hagrid's hut near the pumpkin patch could work."

Ferenz remarked, "Hagrid might be mightier than centaurs, but I doubt he can handle Dementors."

Felix shook his head, "Ferenz, you don't understand. Hagrid is a wizard. No matter how he appears, he is undoubtedly a wizard. His capabilities surpass yours and your community's combined."

"Maybe he can't directly fight Dementors, but he can surely hold on until reinforcements arrive. Besides, we're discussing the worst-case scenario, and such occurrences of Dementors going out of control are rare."

Reluctantly, Ferenz agreed. He stepped forward, extending his hand to shake Felix's.

"It's clear you don't hold bias against centaurs, Mr. Harp," he said.

"Oh, of course not, Ferenz. Do you know the location of the acromantula nest?" Felix inquired.

"I do," Ferenz hesitated, pointing in a direction, "Their nest is to the west of our settlement. We had a confrontation with them years ago. Their hunting grounds won't cross the borders we've drawn."

Felix roughly calculated the positions of the centaur settlement, the spider nest, and Hogwarts. He suddenly realized that the centaurs had separated the acromantula swarm. Even if mischievous young wizards were tempted, traversing hours of rugged terrain was a challenge, and they might be detected and turned back by centaurs.

For the next while, Luna remained in good spirits, but conversation between Felix and Ferenz was sparse. Ferenz shared "morning tea" with Luna, the buttered peas. Luna also wanted Felix to try them, but he politely declined.

Before departing, Ferenz hesitated and said, "Perhaps you're right."

"What?" Felix asked.

"Danger lurks close...," the centaur said uneasily, flicking his silver tail, "Our people have sensed it too—subcurrents are swirling, darkness looms."

Felix grinned, "Perhaps this heralds the return of a long-disappeared Dark Lord?"

Ferenz stared at him, surprised, and slowly said, "I'm not that accurate with predictions. Centaurs observe the stars and glean important insights, but it's only a vague response."

Felix reassured, "I'm not a seer, but I know more than the average person. With enough information, you naturally see farther. It's the principle of arithmancy divination."

Exiting the Forbidden Forest, Luna mused, "Were you discussing a mysterious person? Is he coming back?"

"It's a possibility." Felix didn't delve into it; she was only a second-year.

After seeing Luna off, Felix turned back into the forest. Following Ferenz's guidance, he walked for about fifteen minutes before resorting to his broomstick, zooming low over the terrain.

His objective was clear: the acromantula nest.

Three thousand words, a hefty chapter!!!

By the way, I forgot to mention that the out-of-universe rating for this book has reached level three. Monthly fan titles will be distributed, and there are also event posts in the comments section. If you're interested, take a look.

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