A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

"Although I ultimately abandoned that line of thinking because my spell's potency improved rapidly, making it unsuitable to augment with runic scripts and fraught with many downsides, such as the need for divided attention... But I've discovered that perhaps it's more suitable for you at this stage."

Felix spoke softly, "Judging from Mr. Malfoy's performance, the combination of 'water flow' and the water conjuring spell is quite exceptional. I suggest continuing your exploration when you have the time, for instance—" He paused, allowing everyone a moment to ponder.

"Combining 'flame' runic script with the fire-summoning charm," Hermione exclaimed excitedly, "and also the 'illumination' runic script with the light-producing charm."

Felix smiled at her, "It seems Miss Granger has attempted this before. Perhaps we could research in groups those runic scripts and spells that complement and enhance each other... especially since your magical control has improved considerably recently."

The members of the runic scripts club grinned, remembering their nerve-wracking experience facing the Billywig beetles.

Rising from the plush sofa cushion, Felix waved his wand lightly, summoning a shallow stone basin to the table. The students exchanged glances; although they had experienced this before, they still had some psychological shadows about entering it.

"Let's go first!" Fred and George said simultaneously. Both reached into the basin filled with silvery substance, and in the next moment, they were sucked inside.

"Wow! Woo-hoo!" Their excited shouts turned into muffled tones, as if echoing from a well.

A line of young wizards gathered around, quiet for a few seconds until they heard two distinct "thuds."

"Safely landed," Ron grinned, his mouth wide open.

"Yes! We've been waiting for you!" Fred's voice echoed from within the basin, creating a mixture of reverberating sounds.

"So, that's their plan..." Ron muttered, "The first one in means nobody saw their faces hit the ground." He leaned into the basin, his entire face disappearing into the silvery substance, vanishing from sight.

The young wizards, one by one, entered the basin. However, unlike their Lumos Charm lessons, there were no professors awaiting them this time. Felix merely sought out a spacious area suitable for spellcasting.

Felix's voice echoed from the high sides of the basin, booming like thunder, "Stick to the same groups as last time."

Inside the basin, Harry couldn't help but inhale sharply, and Ron's expression turned strained as they both looked towards Draco Malfoy. His discomfort was evident.

At the previous runic scripts club meeting, Professor Heap suggested they use a cooperative method to control the Billywig beetles' activity space—three people in one group. But Hermione was pulled away to guide Luna and Ginny, and by the time they realized, Draco Malfoy was standing menacingly before them.

"I applied some potion on the way here; the Billywig beetles dislike this smell..." Draco said slowly, his eyes gleaming.

"You learned that during the Christmas break?" Harry said angrily.

"Oh, not at all. Haven't you experienced my Stunning Spell?" Draco smirked, satisfaction apparent on his face, reminding Harry of their duel scene in Professor Moody's class.

"My Full Body-Bind Curse isn't pleasant either, is it?" Harry grinned.

Draco's pale face reddened; he hesitated, "I was too careless. You broke the rules..."

"Is that so? Professor Moody didn't see it that way. He was very displeased with your disobedience and acting before instructions, Malfoy," Ron said, watching him with interest. "You nearly achieved something—a transformation under two Professor Moodys... If Professor Flitwick hadn't been there, we might have witnessed that scene."

That meeting was the worst sting for Ron, dragging Harry into the mess.

...

The three stood facing each other, forming a small circle, seeming particularly cautious upon reuniting. Harry's eyes darted between Ron and Draco, and the other two did the same.

"Weasley, Potter, my mother is planning to get a record player, not some eccentric sister duo... They don't fit the aesthetics of well-bred individuals," Draco started.

"What are you trying to say?" Ron snapped, itching to curse Malfoy.

"Oh," Draco paused, a slight smile appearing on his pale face, "I mentioned something about a magical phonograph? That's it, Weasley. Surely your house doesn't have one?"

"My family doesn't need that kind of thing!" Ron's face turned red.

"Is that so..." Draco lifted his head triumphantly, "Recently, L.C.A. Publishing House also released a series of comic book classics. I've collected a set."

Ron was trembling with anger, unable to conjure a spell, his wand tip sparking.

"That's nothing," Harry intervened.

"What did you say?" Draco fixed his gaze on Harry.

"All those... valuable things you mentioned, like the comic books, can be bought with money. I don't see your personal contribution there; it's all your family's money, isn't it?" Harry said. "I can't see your relevance in all that, it's just your family's wealth, not yours, right?"

Draco glared at him, slowly speaking, "The Malfoys have always been like that."

"Is that so?" Harry retorted sharply. "Sounds uplifting, but we value things money can't buy. Even if you bought the collector's edition of comic books, the content remains the same. And Ron has read it at least five times—"

"Make that six," Ron interrupted calmly. "I know some dialogues from the book by heart. That's why I did well in the second task... Didn't the professor put those books on a separate shelf in the library?"

"We can compare, who knows more?" Ron challenged Draco.

Draco sneered, "I'm not interested. Maybe you're hoping to follow in your father's footsteps? Reporting to the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office after graduation?"

"You're talking nonsense." Ron gritted his teeth, panting heavily. Harry gestured towards Ginny and Hermione, who had looked over, while Luna seemed eager to get closer to witness the commotion.

For a while, none of the three spoke—

"You both know what we should do," Harry said.

"Exactly," Ron agreed.

"Sorry, I have some doubts..." Draco drawled.

"Is that so? Guess what?" Ron's rage finally erupted, threatening in a low voice, "Either you come clean or we'll cast the Tickling Charm on your nose!"

Draco: "...You wouldn't dare."

"The professor probably didn't follow us down here; maybe he's sleeping on that sofa upstairs," Ron speculated irresponsibly, but his words visibly affected Draco.

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The rest of the time went smoothly, with occasional noises—

"Weasley, tsk! How did you think of combining 'water flow' and the fire-summoning charm? Expecting a cloud of steam? How do you plan to control it?"

"Potter! Let me do it; my Disintegrating Spell is more proficient. I suggest merging the illumination runic script—"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" x2

>

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