A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts
Chapter 604: End of Fifth Year - (2)

A voice spoke, startling Hermione, who quickly turned to gaze at the blank portrait standing in the corner. Then a figure flickered in, blinking its light blue eyes and staring at her intently.

"Felix Harp? Can I ask for your help?"

"Uh, sure, Professor—"

"Call me Felix. I haven't taught you anything. Do you see the canvas in the lower right corner with a bowl of grapes... see it? Good. A poltergeist with dirty hands defiled it, and I can't stand it..."

Hermione stared wide-eyed, a bit flustered. "Oh, Felix? What should I—"

"Don't use your sleeve! Use your wand, a simple spell, let me show you."

After a moment, the Felix in the portrait whistled loudly, stuffing a grape into his mouth, wearing a content expression.

"You can't imagine the odd people a portrait in St. Mungo's encounters, with knives in their heads—how they survive, I have no idea. And those who breathe fire, probably overdosed on dragon blood. I even met an old wizard who blew bubbles like a fish; he happened to have bad breath, and the bubbles exploded on his healer's face, making the poor girl cry. Want one?" He held up a grape.

"No, thank you," Hermione said, suddenly feeling uneasy in her stomach.

"Oh, you can't eat it anyway." The portrait continued, "Thanks to you, I detest the smell of disinfectant. My original self dislikes my chatter, always tells me to shut up. He even threatened to have someone paint a muzzle on me. Is that for humans? I've only seen it on horses!"

Hermione sneakily observed him. Conversing with a talkative professor was a novel experience.

"Felix? You just warned me not to touch that thing..."

"Yeah, you don't have the authorization. If you touch it, bam!" He exclaimed, "You'll fall into a trap."

Felix's portrait nodded towards a cabinet against the wall, and Hermione, fearing she might be stuffed into a wide-mouthed bottle, glanced at it. The Weasley twins would probably have a field day, but she didn't have the courage to try.

Turning back, she found Valen sticking its head into a transparent magical barrier. Hermione pointed at Valen, and the portrait spoke casually, "Don't worry, this little guy has clearance. If you need something, just send him. But I think he already knows—look, I told you so." The portrait said.

Hermione saw a blurry figure approaching, tall with short black hair.

A hand lifted the silver film, like drawing aside a curtain. Felix looked at Hermione with some surprise. "Miss Granger?" He agilely jumped out, and Hermione vaguely saw a winding, luminous path.

"Is that... Classroom Seven?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

Felix nodded without further explanation.

He quickly figured out Hermione's purpose. "You want to know the outcome of that duel?"

"I didn't see any follow-up reports in the newspapers, which is a bit strange, isn't it? I mean, Voldemort's downfall must be a big deal, and everyone is eager to read about the victory, but there's nothing..."

"News is always delayed, Miss Granger," Felix shook his head. "The Ministry is handling this matter. At least, Ms. Bones hasn't revealed her plans yet. She's planning to round up the remaining Death Eaters, dark wizards."

"Oh," Hermione suddenly realized. She thought for a moment and slowly said, "And there's the prophecy about Harry—"

"Harry asked you to inquire?" Felix calmly looked at her.

"No, it's me—" Hermione started.

"Sirius knows about this prophecy; it's best to let Harry ask him himself." Felix said, shrugging. "The prophecy is not complicated, and the direction is clear. I think Sirius doesn't want to put too much pressure on Harry—prophecies aren't necessarily true, but they mean immense pressure to those involved."

Hermione bit her lip, nodding gently.

Then her expression became conflicted. She hesitated and said, "Actually, there's one more thing... Harry seems really down. He told us, um... You know Professor Snape was once a Death Eater, like the story says, 'He who repents...'"

"...Harry knows." Felix calmly looked at her.

"No, it's me—" Hermione was about to speak.

"Sirius knows about this prophecy; it's best to let Harry ask him himself." Felix said, shrugging. "The prophecy is not complicated, and the direction is clear. I think Sirius doesn't want to put too much pressure on Harry—prophecies aren't necessarily true, but they mean immense pressure to those involved."

Hermione bit her lip, nodding gently.

Then her expression became conflicted. She hesitated and said, "Actually, there's one more thing... Harry seems really down. He told us, um... You know Professor Snape was once a Death Eater, like the story says, 'He who repents...'"

"...Harry knows." Felix calmly looked at her.

"No, I—" Hermione was about to say.

"He knows." Felix raised an eyebrow. "Miss Granger, be more detailed."

"Well," Hermione said, "In the last History of Magic exam, Harry's scar suddenly started hurting, which means he received a message from the mysterious person again. After that, we..." She narrated what happened that day. "Afterward, Harry seemed off, and it took Ron and me two days of pressing to get him to tell us... Voldemort targeted Harry's family because of a prophecy, and Snape was the one who revealed the prophecy to him."

Felix listened solemnly, nodding. "Is there anything else? Just this?"

"Just this," Hermione said. She felt strange; wasn't this enough? When Harry told her, she could fully empathize with his complex emotions. Felix touched his chin, and at least Harry's recent emotional changes had a reason.

"As bystanders, whatever we say seems inconsequential. It's hard to understand the feelings of the people involved. So, let them deal with it on their own. As friends, all we can do is not touch upon those painful memories. Of course, some guidance is necessary. Miss Granger, at this point, you might need some good news. Before the examiners from the Wizarding Examinations Authority leave, I secretly looked at the fifth and seventh-year papers."

"If you want to know your Ancient Runes O.W.L. results—"

Hermione nodded eagerly, and Felix smiled, "Certainly outstanding, all three of you."

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Hogwarts students to leave.

Felix stood on the office balcony, watching the students eagerly exit the castle with large and small bags, ready to enjoy a pleasant holiday. "Time flies. I have two months of research ahead—emotions, souls, memories. What's the fascinating connection between them?"

At the school's cast iron gate, Harry's gaze passed over the winged boars atop the stone pillars on either side of the gate, along the stone steps, staring at the towering castle, seemingly engraving it in his heart.

Hermione's words didn't bring much comfort, as it wasn't the focal point of the issue.

Harry thought of the tale of the Three Brothers, the Invisibility Cloak that could elude Death... It now lay quietly in his luggage, but would it wield its power and assist him this time?

Probably not, he thought.

Because, like the protagonist in a fairy tale, he was ready to take off the Invisibility Cloak and greet Death.

But, regardless, he now had some extra time, though Harry hadn't figured out how to use it yet... Yes, Harry thought, he really needed to consider it. He walked towards the carriage, ready to embrace his vacation.

...

Meanwhile, in Diagon Alley—

An old, lean man entered the Sword and Wand, walking unsteadily as if lacking exercise, stopping every few steps to catch his breath.

"This old man, is there anything I can help you with?" A young witch with a few freckles on her face asked.

"I heard that you can solve the muting spell problem for wizards? I happen to have this trouble." The old man spoke with a raspy voice, but his bright blue eyes stood out.

"Of course!" The young witch said enthusiastically, "Please register over here. You're lucky; this technique is very mature now. We will announce it to the public on a chosen day, and there might be a fee. If it becomes popular, there may even be a queue!"

"I'm not really worried about the cost," the old man grinned, his teeth nearly all gone, "but I am indeed in a hurry... I'm applying for a position, and it would be quite embarrassing if I lack this skill."

The young witch stole a glance at the old man. She didn't expect someone of his age to come out to work, let alone as a mute. With this thought, she looked at the old man sympathetically and helped him inside.

You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.

As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:

• Early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
• You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
• You Get Ad-free Chapters.
• Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.