https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-159-The-Beginning-of-the-Holidays/13457240/
Chapter 158: End of the School Year
Chapter 158: End of the School Year
Before he knew it, Felix had finished reading all the content.
"Professor?" Hermione looked over.
She paused the screen and began discussing some questions about the essay.
"I read in the book Wands and Wizards that it repeatedly mentions the idea, 'a wand has a life of its own.' How should I understand this?"
"Hmm... I haven't done extensive research on this topic, so I can only give you a general idea."
"Of course", Hermione said, blinking her eyes with a light tone.
"Every wand is unique. Even if the materials and dimensions are identical, the effects they can produce in different hands can be vastly different."
"Is it because of the wand's owner?" Hermione guessed.
"Exactly. In my opinion, a wand on display in a shop is only a half-finished product. It yearns to achieve its full potential."
Hermione looked up at Felix, intrigued by this fresh perspective.
Felix explained, "The properties of the wand wood and the magical creature that provided the core already make the wand highly variable, but there's one more crucial aspect—the wand's owner."
"Rather than saying a wand has a life of its own, I believe that the combination of the wand's body, core, and owner is what makes the wand complete and allows it to unleash its true power."
"So, this supports the theory that 'the wand chooses the wizard'? To achieve completeness, given that the body and core are fixed, it prefers an ideal owner who resonates with it?" Hermione followed his line of thought.
"That's one perspective", Felix said humbly, adding, "Moreover, for young wizards, obtaining a suitable wand is just the first step. The wand and its owner will work together, learning from each other and growing in harmony over time, gradually building this bond."
"We can understand it this way: every wand has a unique experience."
"But, Professor, I've heard that some wands can betray their owners?" Hermione asked cautiously.
Felix's expression turned serious, "This is quite rare. Even wands with poor reputations or unpredictable behavior won't break their bond with their owner over a few failures. The level of conflict in school duels is far from that extreme..."
"But it does happen, right?" Hermione pressed.
"Indeed. The reasons are varied: sometimes the bond between the owner and the wand is poor; sometimes the wand is naturally sensitive and admires strength; sometimes the impact of 'failure' on the owner is so severe that it deepens the rift."
"However, considering the core materials, unicorn hair is generally more loyal, while dragon heartstring can be overly active, and might 'temporarily' submit to a powerful enemy."
"Temporarily?"
"For instance, if such a wand is forcibly taken by an enemy, you can still use it normally if you retrieve it in time."
"This, this is..." the young witch said, somewhat astonished.
"Hermione Granger, we're discussing things far beyond your current world", Felix said, closing the topic.
In reality, Felix believed that the conditions for a wand to change hands were extremely stringent, at least involving a complete and malicious defeat. This was a conclusion he had drawn from observing some Dark Wizards.
Felix's reserve of backup wands came from such circumstances.
However, even so, these wands could only serve as temporary substitutes—using a wand that wasn't your own would always come with various casting restrictions.
From the examples of Ron and Neville, there might also be cases of 'willing transfer,' but he had no personal experience with it.
"Granger, let's discuss your modifications to the beaded purse. I thought you would complete them next year."
...
Felix's new book was also in the works. To expand its influence, he decided to write two books simultaneously—one aimed at young aspiring wizards, filled with dynamic images and engaging stories.
The other was a science-based book for adult wizards, explaining the most basic underlying technologies of the Muggle world with the most rigorous logic and language.
After completing part of the manuscript, Felix felt as though he were explaining basic arithmetic to someone with limited mental capacity, which made him seriously consider giving up.
However, some of the readers he had chosen provided positive feedback—
Belby looked at the manuscript. The first image was of a boiling kettle, steam continuously pouring out of the spout. The second image showed a tube connected to the kettle, with the steam flowing through it to a windmill at the other end. The third image depicted the windmill spinning rapidly, driven by the steam.
The next image was a hand-drawn version, looking more abstract: a train with a giant kettle mounted on it, connected to the wheels by tubes, propelling the train forward...
To make the process clearer, Felix deliberately marked the steam in a very noticeable color. It looked as though the train was carrying a monstrous kettle, constantly spewing out toxic fumes.
"Is this what Muggles call a steam engine? They use this to power trains?" Belby said excitedly. "You really know a lot, Felix!"
Three days before the end of the school year, Felix received an invitation letter signed by the "International Confederation of Wizards"—an organization similar to the United Nations, but with members from various Ministries of Magic.
"How did they find me?"
Felix opened the letter and, after a moment, looked up. "It turns out it's an invitation from a subcommittee of the International Confederation of Wizards to attend a meeting in Paris, a Muggle Issues Research Group? Hmph, I've never heard of it. It must be a recent establishment..."
From the formal tone of the invitation, Felix deduced that the research group was using a broad approach, likely inviting anyone with even a slight reputation in Muggle studies.
The next day, he found an opportunity to ask Professor Burbage, and her response was as expected—she had also received an invitation.
"You too?" Burbage widened her eyes. "Oh, of course you have the qualifications. I mean, you're so young, I just didn't think of it."
"Professor Burbage, do you know anything about this research group?"
"I do know a bit", Burbage said. "It seems to be an initiative led by the American Ministry of Magic, addressing some crisis or another. It's old news, you know, they've always been sensitive about Muggle issues."
Felix nodded thoughtfully.
They then agreed to meet in Paris and went their separate ways.
He was curious to see how other countries' 'experts' viewed Muggle issues.
Over the next two days, Felix handled various tasks: assigning holiday homework to young wizards, bidding farewell to Belby with other professors, applying to stay at the school with Dumbledore, and attending the school's dinner party...
At the station, the young wizards boarded the train with great excitement, and Felix watched from a corner.
The most noticeable was Marcus Flint's tall and imposing figure; he had been avoiding Felix since the exams.
Next was Crema Vera, wearing her large glasses. She approached Felix immediately after the exams, hoping to maintain correspondence after graduation to continue her Ancient Runes studies.
Several other graduates also expressed similar wishes, and Felix did not refuse.
Additionally, the young wizards who left a lasting impression on him this year appeared one by one:
Albert Bark, Percy, Penelope, Jeffrey, Pete Seldon, Warren Pardis, the twins, Cedric, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood...
He also saw a somewhat dejected Draco Malfoy. Felix felt a pang of sympathy, knowing that despite Lucius's efforts, he had been expelled from the school board, affecting his son.
Felix watched as the Hogwarts Express sped away.
When the train disappeared from sight, he turned and left the platform.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
