https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-119-Valentine-s-Day-Available-on-the-31st-/13456881/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-121-Defense-Against-the-Dark-Arts/13456883/
Chapter 120: Judgment (Published on the 31st)
Chapter 120: Judgment (Published on the 31st)
"Is it a two-way mirror?" Felix asked with interest.
"No, Felix, I don't think so", Flitwick mused.
Professor Mcgonagall offered her guess: "Perhaps it's a magical newspaper?"
"A newspaper?" Felix looked at her, never having considered such a thing.
"Yes, I remember the Daily Prophet using similar technology. If the news changed, the content of the newspaper would change as well", Professor Mcgonagall added. "Nowadays, they prefer to move updates to the evening edition."
She recalled, "During the war, the Ministry of Magic used the Daily Prophet to issue several emergency notifications..."
Felix was somewhat surprised. In his impression, the Daily Prophet wasn't known for adhering to journalistic integrity; they seemed more concerned with newspaper sales.
That's why they have morning and evening editions, as well as the Sunday Prophet.
The Daily Prophet generally leans in favor of the Ministry of Magic, so... this must be a long-standing collaboration?
"Did they use Synchronization Magic too?" he wanted to know more.
"I think it's more than that—multiple transformation spells might be used on the newspaper. It's their exclusive technology, not found in other publications", Professor Mcgonagall replied.
Felix thought about it. So, it's somewhat similar to his Answer Parchment, but even more advanced—covering the entire country.
Except for the lack of interactivity.
"It's not that", Flitwick said, puzzled. "Strange, I shouldn't have forgotten..."
Professor Mcgonagall's eyes widened, and she stammered, interrupting him: "It, it couldn't be that person's mark, Filius?"
"Oh, heavens no!" Flitwick's voice sharpened.
Felix listened quietly. They were talking about the Dark Mark?
He hadn't studied it, but from what he knew, it was a magical contract with a pattern, capable of locating and summoning. Voldemort might have added his own twist to it?
Belby, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Come to think of it, I saw something similar in the Muggle world..."
"That's it, exactly!"
Belby's words sparked an idea in Flitwick, who exclaimed, "I remember now, I heard about it from Professor Burbage."
Kettleburn?
Muggle Studies Professor?
Felix recalled. He had met this professor only a few times, and she seemed to live mostly off-campus.
"Kettleburn showed me a picture, a square device. I can't remember its name", Flitwick looked at Belby, hoping for a response—
"Oh, I think it's called a Mobile Phone?" Belby said. "I saw someone using it at the Muggle opera, and I asked him about it. I told him I was from the countryside."
He grinned at Felix, referring to a section in Felix's book on 'Dealing with Muggles.'
Flitwick gave Belby an approving nod. "That's it—mobile... phone? Apparently, Muggles can converse over great distances. Kettleburn complained that her essay was dismissed as fantasy—those old fossils."
Professor Mcgonagall, not well-versed in Muggle items, asked skeptically, "The Muggle world has advanced that much? How do they solve long-distance communication problems?"
Flitwick and Belby were speechless, their knowledge in this area being quite limited.
Felix let out a soft sigh.
He knew what kind of book he should write this year—an introduction to Muggle technology. However, Professor Burbage's experience provided a good cautionary tale. If he started with something beyond the wizards' imagination, it would likely fall flat.
His previous two books had introduced the development history of ordinary people and their way of thinking—things that wizards could understand. He had deliberately included numerous practical examples of social interactions, making it useful for public officials who needed to deal with Muggles.
It was precisely for this reason that his books had gained professional recognition.
It also allowed him to sneak in some of his personal views...
How should he structure his new book? Felix pondered.
'It needs to be simple, clear, and easy to understand. It’s better to have less rather than more.'
Some basic mechanical parts, prototype machines for energy utilization, and even simple, repeatable physical experiments...
He suddenly remembered his conversation with Hermione Granger about Lockhart. He had mentioned how he admired Lockhart’s method of integrating knowledge into his stories, saying, "Maybe I’ll emulate it someday!" to his Assistant at the time.
Now, he could write a fairy tale called "The Adventures of the Young Wizard"?
"Felix?" Flitwick looked at him.
"Just thinking about something interesting", Felix replied.
He made a note to visit Professor Burbage.
As for improving the Answer Parchment, he still had many ideas from the young wizards that he hadn’t explored yet. The two-way mirror, magical newspapers, the Dark Mark, and mobile phones could all provide inspiration and ideas.
In the middle of the discussion, several professors finalized their collaboration plans. Belby expressed some regret, as he was not at all skilled in this area.
After the banquet, the young wizards left in small groups, tacitly understanding each other’s intentions. Some couples discreetly slipped away from the main group to find secluded spots for their dates.
'I wonder how many couples Filch will catch tonight?' Felix’s mind wandered.
Back in his office, he flipped through today’s Evening Prophet. The front-page headline caught his attention:
'Gilderoy Lockhart Faces Seven Years of Imprisonment, Fans Write to Condemn the Ministry of Magic.'
This piqued Felix’s interest. The article mentioned that Lockhart deeply regretted his actions and was willing to treat and compensate those he had harmed, hoping to avoid punishment.
He had also donated a staggering 20,000 Galleons to various prestigious magical organizations. However, the Wizengamot still sentenced him to seven years—though from Felix’s perspective, this punishment was notably lenient.
Moreover, the Dementors that ordinary wizards feared were not as terrifying to a memory master.
However, for Lockhart, losing his brilliant reputation and future was the most severe punishment of all.
But this wasn’t the most outrageous news of the day. In a corner of the paper, he found a less prominent story:
'Former Daily Prophet Editor, Rita Skeeter, faces charges of long-term concealment of Animagus status and illegal acquisition of others’ secrets for personal gain. However, recently, the Ministry of Magic suddenly dropped all charges, opting instead for a fine of 2,000 Galleons. It is reported that several high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic stated there was no direct evidence of Rita Skeeter’s guilt...'
Felix suddenly smiled, "Rita, Rita..." He was truly amazed.
Gilderoy Lockhart and Rita Skeeter, in many ways, were strikingly similar. Both had become famous wizards through illegal means.
Lockhart had even been awarded the Order of Merlin, Third Class, a symbol of honor.
Even so, when their crimes came to light, their fates were vastly different—Lockhart received a reduced sentence but still went to prison, while Skeeter’s punishment was a mere slap on the wrist.
Felix’s light blue eyes reflected the night scene of Hogwarts. He was now very curious, "Just how many secrets of the powerful do you know, Rita Skeeter?"
A series of controversial names of high-ranking Ministry of Magic officials flashed through his mind—
Cornelius Fudge, Barty Crouch, Ludo Bagman, Dolores Umbridge, Pius Thicknesse...
(End of Chapter)
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