A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 378: Gathering Insights

As Professor McGonagall finished speaking, Felix noticed that Snape's expression suddenly turned peculiar. Snape struggled to appear nonchalant as he lightly said, "We must take them seriously, those dark magics..."

He released his grip, allowing the parchment to slip from his fingertips.

"Those things hidden beneath dangerous emotions, intangible and ever-changing, always defying expectations... If Hogwarts students remain unprepared for this and when the need arises, they will find themselves like a bunch of headless flies."

"When the need arises!" Moody repeated loudly, his nose, missing a piece, pointed at Snape. "Is it about facing the need, or using it? Do you think I've been up to for the past two months?"

Snape and Moody locked eyes.

After a moment of silence, Flitwick anxiously interjected, "I believe we all agree on one thing, Phileas, and that is not to teach students dark magic—"

Snape glanced at him.

"You're right."

"Exactly!" Flitwick seemed encouraged, speaking with some enthusiasm. "But we also can't pretend students don't see it. Dark magic constitutes a significant category of magic, and at certain times, in certain scenarios, they hold advantages."

Professor McGonagall impatiently cut in, "You've confused me, Phileas, do you or do you not agree with Ifaemoni's proposal?"

Felix suddenly spoke, "Professor Flitwick should be thinking along the same lines as I do—accept Ifaemoni's proposal. They have only two intentions, firstly to test the preparedness of the Hogwarts champions before the other three schools arrive."

"Not just them, all five schools will be doing the same. By referencing past tournament information, one can deduce there's an option for uniting the weaker side against the stronger one. Furthermore, now that five schools participate and the champions have increased to three, the situation has become even more complex. Therefore, each school wants to understand its position to formulate suitable strategies."

Several professors nodded, indicating their agreement.

"What about Ifaemoni's second intention?"

"Of course, it's intensive practice of dark magic," Felix said, "Ifaemoni isn't as repulsed by dark magic as we are. However, I must remind you all that their course is named Dark Magic Defense, not Dark Magic!"

"This means, most of the magic on this list, their students won't know!"

"Are you suggesting, Felix, that we can discern which dark magic Ifaemoni has chosen by having our students practice against each other?" Professor McGonagall inquired. Moody's magical eye kept moving, as if in rapid thought.

"That's right," Felix glanced at the parchment in his hand, "There are probably fifty dark magic spells here, diverse in type and focus. Except for Durmstrang, the students of the other schools can't possibly master them all. The best strategy is to pick out the useful parts. Schools like Beauxbatons might even reject dark magic, just like Hogwarts."

McGonagall furrowed her brows, pondering as she said, "Among the five schools, Beauxbatons' attitude towards dark magic is indeed similar to Hogwarts. That possibility you mentioned does exist. As for the other three... Durmstrang, needless to say, their students have mastered most spells on the list. Ifaemoni will selectively choose. The only uncertainty lies with Castelobruxo..."

"What are your thoughts on Castelobruxo?"

Felix shook his head gently, "I don't know much about it. Some of the information is hearsay, not reliable evidence."

McGonagall looked up at the other professors and came to a decision. "Alright then, I will agree to Ifaemoni's request." She looked at everyone, "Can we find alternative spells to replace some of these obscure magical effects?"

"Of course," Flitwick squeaked, "For instance, these corrosive dark magic spells could be substituted with softening charms. They can soften the scales of magical creatures or even hard stones."

"Feasible," Moody said in his rough voice.

"I have no objections either," Felix said, "Additionally, we can shift our perspective—not necessarily imitation, but finding defensive methods. Take 'Blood Trace' for example. If students are conscious of evading tracking, they can easily bypass that layer of danger."

...

After the meeting concluded, the professors dispersed in various directions.

Felix, along with Snape, visited Professor Flitwick's office. Flitwick brought out some biscuits and tea. Amidst the munching and sipping, they dissected a significant portion of the list of dark magic spells.

Among the three, Flitwick was a master of curses with vast knowledge. His expertise spanned beyond just dark magic, whereas Snape seemed to have a particular fondness for it. This inclination had subtly shown in his remarks during the meeting.

As for Felix, he had spent some time studying dark magic, but he couldn't match the quantity covered by the other two.

In fact, his strategy was quite similar to Ifaemoni's—only choosing what was suitable.

The Cruciatus Curse was a prime example of potent dark magic, and it happened to be one of his specialties. Its power had reached a certain limit, and aside from the Ironskin Charm having the potential to surpass it, most spells on the list could at best match the Cruciatus Curse.

The next day, on a weekend, Hogwarts' champions gathered on a makeshift practice ground between the Quidditch pitch and the Forbidden Forest. Students from both schools would practice and spar with magic here.

However, this had little to do with Harry and his friends.

Professor McGonagall prohibited them from participating. She only gathered a dozen or so candidates from sixth and seventh years, ignoring those too young for consideration.

"Why weren't we invited?" Ron complained.

"Because we're not really champions, and apart from the bit of knowledge Professor Moody taught us, we lack experience in dealing with dark magic," Hermione exclaimed loudly, also warning the restless students around them.

"Who says so," Ron muttered, "As long as you find Professor Harp's memory in the Room of Requirement, choose 'The Black Market,' you'll find a room full of dark wizards—and every encounter ends in chaos."

More than just Harry and Ron felt indignant.

Neville, the Weasley twins, Susan Bones, and Eddie Carmichael were all present. They stayed in the shade of the trees, watching the older students from both schools and Ifaemoni's champions practicing, with professors offering guidance.

"You all look like abandoned little puff puppies," a drawn-out voice came from behind them.

Harry felt a wave of disgust as he turned to glare at Draco Malfoy, unsurprisingly accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle. But there were two other people with Malfoy as well, the Greengrass sisters.

To some extent, Astoria, as the younger sister, was more famous, especially when her hobby involved riding a large serpent by the shores of the Black Lake.

Harry hadn't talked to her, but Hermione had. Strangely, she could somewhat be considered Daphne Greengrass's friend, or rather, rival? Harry didn't really understand; whenever the two met, they argued, yet never quite came to blows.

Hermione's perspective on Astoria was that of a spoilt little girl coddled by her family, mentally immature. The only thing that could be considered a virtue was her lack of bias against Muggle-born wizards.

"Granger, I challenge you on behalf of my sister, to a duel!" Astoria pointed at Hermione and shouted.

Her arrogance was quickly quelled by Daphne patting her head.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Harry said with a stern face.

"Don't make me sound like you lot," Draco sneered, "If I want to watch, I'll go watch openly, not hide here like a bunch of wronged babies..."

He stopped speaking because everyone's eyes were shooting daggers at him. Several had even drawn their wands, looking at him with ill intent.

"Let's go," Draco Malfoy said, "Let's go greet my Ifaemoni friends!" He led the Slytherin students proudly toward the practice area.

"I have a good relationship with Viktor. The Greengrass family has a prominent standing in the American wizarding world..." His smug voice drifted from afar, worming into their ears, causing an itch in everyone's hearts.

The remaining people exchanged glances. Suddenly, Fred said, "We know people from Ifaemoni too."

"That's right," Harry immediately chimed in.

"Well then..." Ron looked at everyone eagerly.

"Shall we take a look?" Fred ventured.

"Good idea," George responded without hesitation.

After a moment of silence, the group walked in orderly steps toward the practice ground.

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