A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts
Chapter 633: Restless Night - (1)

Chapter 633: Restless Night

"We've covered a series of related concepts—magical symbols, circuits, and sequences," Felix said, materializing the mentioned concepts.

Individual flame magical symbols transformed between flickering gold-red blocks of text and a mass of flames; the recently demonstrated weight-reducing magical circuits hung together like wind chimes, swaying gently in the breeze. Lastly, the appearance of a golden hollow spherical structure covered in intricate magical symbols, resembling a three-dimensional puzzle or even an integral part of one. Harry's mind suddenly drifted to Hermione playing with Crookshanks on the Cat Clue Mountain.

"Who can stand on a higher level and outline the differences between them?" Felix asked.

This question proved challenging; even Hermione bit her lip, pondering the answer without immediately raising her hand, as she usually did.

"No one?" Felix surveyed the classroom. "Give everyone a few minutes to think."

During this time, students shifted in their seats. Harry leaned back, staring at the golden magical ball. His mind, however, wandered to the notion of it suddenly activating and absorbing all the students in the classroom one by one. A few years ago, hundreds of Dementors were helplessly drawn into a rapidly spinning ball before a hand ignited flames.

Harry's consciousness snapped back.

"Time's up," Felix said, observing the students below. Their gazes were avoiding, and at this moment, Hermione hesitantly raised her hand. "Good—Miss Granger?" Other students sighed with relief, as if coming back to life.

"I think it's about 'integrity'," she uncommonly answered with uncertainty.

"Elaborate," Felix encouraged, his blue eyes blinking, staring at Hermione. She realized she got it right and slowly went through her somewhat vague thoughts, speaking at a deliberate pace.

"If we compare ancient magic with modern spell systems, a complete magical sequence and a spell should be equal in status. They represent complete magic. For example, the Lumos spell and 'Glimmering Glint,'" Hermione continued, "although these two differ significantly in difficulty."

"If the above statement holds, the magical structure below the magical sequence is like an incomplete spell, unable to exist independently. In fact, based on past knowledge, magical circuits must be carved on tangible carriers to exist, usually with the help of tools such as carving knives and chestnut wood... and individual magical symbols are more evident."

"Individual magical symbols, circuits, sequences... It's an ongoing process until you have a magical book—"

Hermione paused, halting her train of thought.

She suddenly understood a question—why didn't ancient magic spread in ancient times? Why was it eventually replaced? In addition to the advantages of the modern magical system itself, a crucial factor was the lack of research on the first two (individual magical symbols and magical circuits) at that time. All young wizards had to start learning dangerous ancient magic without any foundation. Perhaps, their first challenge in life was to master a complete magical sequence with no basis.

The professor's approach actually lowered the learning threshold for the entire system.

"Good, Gryffindor gets twenty points," Felix said cheerfully. "Now that you know the first magical law: the Law of Integrity. Why don't you write it down?"

The students lowered their heads to take notes, and Felix paced among them.

"Let me add, modern spell systems, African legacy gesture and ritual casting systems, and magical casting systems are essentially flexible applications of magic." Felix made specific magical images appear at his fingertips, such as a bunch of flames, a stream of water, and a soft light.

"The difference lies in—"

"Ancient magic uses individual magical blocks as the smallest casting units. It's like a syllable in modern spells or a dance step in African old magic systems. The process of manipulating and combining magic is externalized, allowing us to feel it intuitively... We once considered individual magical symbols as simple spells, a somewhat acceptable description, as the process of materializing magical symbols involves the participation of magic and will."

"But individual magical symbols have limited functions."

The students below exchanged excited glances. If there was a class recently that was the most interesting, it had to be Professor Hipp's introduction to ancient African magic—the scene of the usually solemn professor waving his arms, jumping left and right, was truly memorable.

"That feels like Professor McGonagall letting her hair down and dancing a lively samba."

"Let me give you a demonstration."

Hundreds of colorful ancient magical symbols appeared in the air, dancing and interlocking, finally forming dozens of various-length magical circuits.

"Does it look familiar?" Felix asked with anticipation.

"Magical puppets," Neville whispered.

"Correct," Felix smiled. "These are the magical circuits used on magical puppets. In the past, we used alchemical materials as carriers, but actually..." Felix took out a small bottle, and dark golden smoke flowed out. The smoke gathered and gradually solidified into a human shape.

Floating and sinking magical circuits appeared in mid-air on the smoke person's arms, joints, thighs, shins, and torso. Then, the smoke person's arm suddenly lit up.

A ball of flame whizzed over the students' heads and disappeared just before hitting the wall.

"Transfiguration smoke," Felix shook the empty bottle, "sent to me by your senior Cedric Diggory. I guess he wanted to advertise, but was too embarrassed to say it directly. He also sent a copy to Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout... Anyway, this thing is quite useful."

Under the gaze of everyone, Felix waved again. The transfiguration smoke turned from a human shape into a three-foot-long golden eagle, flying around the classroom and dropping clusters of flames from its claws. The students screamed and dodged, but these flames were taken away by Professor Hipp before they could land.

When the class ended, the students looked like they had just finished a battle.

"Today's homework... You've heard quite a few fresh concepts. I'm sure it's thought-provoking. Record these ideas, even if it's just a few words. Let your imagination run wild! Magic relies on this thing."

After class, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed behind.

Felix knew what was going on. He asked, "What do you want to inquire about?"

Ron and Hermione glanced at Harry. Harry hesitated before explaining what he saw in Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop, focusing on the appearance and attire of the old woman who spoke to Daphne. Then the three saw Professor Hipp fall into silence.

Harry felt uneasy. He wanted the professor to realize that the woman was suspicious but didn't want to involve Professor Bashat.

"Professor, do you think she might be—"

"You mean Miss Gringrass being bewitched?" Felix smiled and asked, "There is indeed such a possibility. I'll go to the infirmary to check. How about... going together?"

"Sure," Harry immediately agreed.

In the infirmary, Daphne happily ate an apple, estimating the time. When she heard footsteps, she quickly lay down, covered herself with a blanket, and closed her eyes. Only then did she realize something was wrong—there were too many people! Even if Madam Pomfrey came with her sister, there wouldn't be such a chaotic sound of footsteps. Could it be that other people came to visit her?

The door was pushed open

slightly. She pricked up her ears and was surprised to find one of them was Professor Hipp.

"How is she?" Felix asked Madam Pomfrey.

"She needs to stay for two more days. If she leaves now, she might get lost on the way to her dormitory... I've never seen such carelessness, oh, including you, Miss Granger, in your second year—"

"Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione exclaimed.

Second year? Daphne repeated in her mind, then a fluffy cat's head appeared in her thoughts.

"Pfft!" She burst into laughter.

The ward fell silent for a moment.

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