A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chemistry... a word both unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar, as if it were a memory from a past life, Felix thought.

Where could he have possibly learned about this concept? Recollecting his years in primary school wasn't a pleasant memory for Harry. Aside from Dudley's pranks and humiliations, there wasn't much he wished to recall.

Fortunately, he retained some bits of content from experimental classes. Chemistry, he reckoned, was about manipulating substances, right?

He picked up "The Unreliable Alchemy" feeling a bit bothered and glanced at Hermione. "I've already gone through it, Harry," Hermione remarked, gesturing to a pile of books, picking out "The Dispute of the Fifth Element" based on her interest.

"Miss Granger, I suggest starting from Chapter Seven. The discourse about the influence of magic on matter is remarkably captivating, one of the most convincing I've come across in recent years," Felix suggested.

"Ah, thank you, Professor," Hermione beamed.

"And what about us?" Harry inquired, feeling the need for some guidance as the book in his hand was no thinner than Hermione's.

He randomly flipped through the pages, finding only a picture resembling the wizards on the wall of the Black family home, all with rolled-up hair and clothes reminiscent of courtly nobility.

Felix glanced at Harry and Ron, wearing a friendly smile. "Start from the preface. My experience with books tells me that foundational knowledge is paramount."

"Once you finish this, move on to 'Nine Schools of Alchemy.' It'll give you the basic understanding of alchemy. After that, write a comprehensive paper; alternatively, you could use a knowledge map... Later, when you read 'Comprehensive Alchemical Methods,' or 'The Dispute of the Fifth Element,' you won't struggle to understand."

Two throaty sounds resonated as Harry and Ron exchanged glances.

"Divination class assignment?"

"Let's just keep making it up."

They swiftly grasped each other's meaning, pulling out a parchment from their bags. They barely skimmed the introduction; Harry furrowed his brow.

"I am a wizard obsessed with alchemy. Remember this name, Crofts Alberth Adrian. It will forever shine in the realm of alchemy, brighter than Nicolas Flamel, because I will be the first to conquer the Philosopher's Stone."

"Maybe some say Nicolas Flamel was the first alchemist to unveil the secret of the Philosopher's Stone, but I believe it's a misconception. If he truly produced the Stone, we wouldn't be unaware... and I would immediately seek him out to be my mentor. But the fact is, he's long gone."

Harry heard Ron mutter, "It's because of people like you that he hides." He smirked, finding it reasonable, and they continued reading.

"Throughout history, there has never been a shortage of alchemists claiming they've created the Philosopher's Stone. It's like those wizards who claim to have legendary wands, boasting invincibility, yet always disappearing from our sight. Adrian's assessment is: honor is the reward for hard work, who would willingly give it up? Similarly, we can speculate that those who purportedly extended life, defeated death—if they truly succeeded, why hide? Is it because they've contracted incurable Dragonpox?"

"Next, I'll introduce my own experiences. I, Crofts Alberth Adrian, alchemical genius, graduated from Ravenclaw at Hogwarts. After graduation, I spent a considerable amount of time traveling, visiting renowned alchemists, gathering their thoughts, rectifying their mistakes, and finally compiling them into my first book. I'll dedicate it to my alma mater, the greatest wizarding school—Hogwarts. If future students see this, they should learn about my outstanding achievements from my other books..."

Harry felt this 'Adrian' sounded too much like Lockhart. He wanted to ask Ron's opinion, and Ron whispered, "I suddenly want to see if this person has written a second book. I mean... accidents happen. Maybe our genius friend ran out of inspiration or met a Hungarian Horntail while on the road."

...

Felix scrutinized his spells—the Iron Armor Hex, pondering how to merge them. It had been over two months since his return from Beauxbatons, and the Beauxbatons version of the Iron Armor Hex had successfully reached level six.

It seemed to have undergone a transformation, shedding the battle scars on its surface, becoming smooth and shiny. Its color shifted to a beautiful blood-red, like it was carved from a massive ruby.

Currently, Felix held a metallic mask, a part of the complete armor, in his hand. The left side was golden, the right blood-red. He observed them closely for a long while but found no clue. Initially, Felix speculated on erasing his memories about the Iron Armor Hex and relearning it from scratch, hoping they would naturally meld.

But this conjecture proved wrong.

He brought both hands together, the golden and blood-red mask pieces clashing with a crisp metallic sound, yet showing no sign of merging. He couldn't help but doubt if his magical theory was insufficient to comprehend and accommodate such intense magic.

Felix casually placed the blood-red mask over his face. His vision turned blurry in shades of crimson, akin to wearing a red scarf. He lifted his head, surveying the students sitting at a distance in the library through this novel perspective.

There was a faint sound nearby.

Felix glanced over and caught Hermione stifling a laugh. As he turned to look, she promptly composed herself.

"Professor, what's this?" she whispered, seeing Madam Pince surveying through the gaps in the bookshelves.

"Manifestations of the Iron Armor Hex," Felix explained. "Both are." Handing her the golden mask, he asked, "How do you think they should be merged?"

"Level six spell?" Hermione, intrigued, received it and examined it carefully. She pondered, then hazarded a guess without much basis, "Related to one's perception of magic?"

"It's a possibility," Felix nodded, "one of my speculated directions, but—" He looked at Hermione in disbelief as she also wore the golden mask, meeting his gaze.

"Quite amusing, isn't it?"

Hermione playfully made a face behind the mask, removed it, and then earnestly said, "Is there a higher form above level six magic, like the Runespoor Ball? It should encompass both the golden and blood-red versions of the Iron Armor Hex... I assume it must be quite challenging!"

Felix sighed, "The issue is the lack of direction, although I know I can achieve it, it's just a matter of time." Yet, glimpses of a higher domain lingered, making him itch with curiosity.

"Maybe ask Professor Dumbledore," Hermione suggested.

"I haven't seen him lately. Perhaps our headmaster is traveling," Felix shook his head, not divulging his use of a Patronus to access the headmaster's office earlier in the morning, thwarted by the monstrous statue guarding the entrance.

He speculated Dumbledore was still seeking the Horcruxes' whereabouts, perhaps currently engaged in conversation with the owner of Borgin and Burkes? At least he knew what to gift him for Christmas – a Dark Magic Detector or a woolen cloak.

"Your suggestion was helpful, Granger,"

he said, dispersing the magic with a wave of his hand.

Felix swiftly departed; he had classes in the afternoon. As he left, Harry handed Hermione a newspaper.

"What's this?"

"Borrowed from the neighboring table," Harry said succinctly. "Check out the fourth edition."

Hermione quickly perused the day's paper, briefly pausing at a brooding picture of Durmstrang's headmaster, Karkaroff. The headline read, "Can Cheaters Qualify as Referees?" Not surprisingly, Rita Skeeter's name appeared in the journalist section; Hermione was relieved the woman hadn't focused her attention on them, finding it incredible to have dodged a bullet.

She swiftly flipped to the fourth edition, finding a brief article. It was an interview with the head official of the Wizarding Examinations Authority. She knew this had to be Professor Marchbanks, the same person Professor Hagrid had mentioned in class, presenting the views of Professor Griselda Marchbanks.

She scanned through for the "sharp, enlightening" content —

Reporter: How do you view Hogwarts' performance in the first task?

Marchbanks: I am proud.

Reporter: Do you find it surprising that two teams secured the first and second positions?

Marchbanks: No, I believe it's normal. It signifies our departure from the shadows of war.

Reporter: There's an opinion stating that Hogwarts' educational outcomes are a result of Minister Fudge's tenure. What are your thoughts?

Marchbanks: Oh, that's nonsense.

>

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