Chapter 202: Time-Turner
Chapter 202: Time-Turner
"What's wrong? You seemed upset when you came in", Felix said. He looked the same as yesterday, except for the wide, dark brown hat on his head.
"Professor, I've figured out what that 'very interesting' Runic Script is", Hermione emphasized, recalling the sly term Professor Hep used when suggesting she try to unlock the power of individual Runic Scripts on her own last night.
"Tell me, and let's see if you're right", Felix said, a smile already playing on his lips.
"It's Uruz, the symbol of the aurochs' strength." She made a strange sound, and a faint white light enveloped her hand. She glared at him.
"Exactly what I thought... cough, cough! You must have had some interesting experiences with it", Felix said.
"Indeed, very interesting! I woke up early this morning to avoid everyone and tried the Runic Script in a corner of the common room. Some attempts failed, others succeeded..." Her face twisted with confusion and frustration. "For some reason, Fred and George Weasley also sneaked out early, tiptoeing around as if they were trying to avoid someone."
"Uh..."
"I was using the Runic Script when I heard their footsteps. I lost control for a moment, and I... I snapped the armrest of a chair right in front of them", Hermione said, looking annoyed.
Felix struggled to keep a straight face. "It's not a big deal, only they saw it."
"It's not just them", Hermione said sadly. "They told Lee Jordan."
Lee Jordan was the school's Quidditch commentator, known for his big mouth. Felix had seen a few Quidditch matches last year and remembered him well.
"Everything will blow over, or maybe not", Felix said, changing the subject. "Let's get to today's lesson—uh, we won't be in the Mind Chamber today. It's being renovated, and the noise is too loud."
Hermione looked at him blankly, not quite sure what he was saying.
"Discovering the power of individual Runic Scripts will help you become more familiar with them. Otherwise, knowing a lot of them won't do you much good. That's what I've learned recently."
As he spoke, a fiery red Runic Symbol appeared at the tip of his index finger, hopping around in front of the young witch.
When the Runic Symbol returned to his palm, Felix closed his hand around it. Hermione was sure he had crushed the little thing, but when he slowly opened his palm, a small flame burned quietly.
"Getting to this point is good enough."
Hermione, initially a bit disgruntled, was now fully engrossed in the new knowledge. She quickly started asking one question after another.
Under his guidance, Hermione mastered the Runic Script of 'Light' in less than half an hour. A gentle, white glow emanated from her hand, though it was only a thin, faint layer.
"You have a solid foundation, Hermione Granger. You can definitely play a bigger role in the Rune Club."
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, then she said excitedly, "Professor, is the Rune Club starting soon?"
"Yes, the announcement will be made next Monday."
Hermione was eagerly looking forward to the Rune Club. According to the professor, he would focus on the practical aspects of Ancient Runes.
For the rest of the time, Hermione practiced on her own while Felix flipped through a large book, his fingertips always dancing with various Runic Symbols.
But Hermione looked particularly tired, yawning frequently. She heard the professor's voice—
"Did you use the Time-Turner today?"
Hermione looked over in panic. Professor Hep was looking at her over the top of his book, his gaze scrutinizing.
“What? Uh, oh…” She took a long time to calm down. “There’s never enough time. I have to write a lot of homework, practice Runic Script, and read some reference books… It took me six hours just this morning.”
Felix shook his head. “I can already imagine how busy you must be. Are you planning to stretch a day into two, or even three?”
Hermione didn’t say anything.
“Actually, I suggest you drop one or two subjects…”
“No, I don’t want to give up.” Hermione interrupted him, her tone firm.
“In that case, you could consult Percy Weasley. From what I know, he got 12 certificates in the Owls Exam.”
Hermione nodded in agreement.
She was indeed curious about how Percy managed to use the Time-Turner. Just one week in, she was already finding it very challenging.
“Can you describe what it feels like to use a Time-Turner?”
Hermione noticed Professor Hep hiding his face behind a thick book again and asked her calmly. She thought for a moment and described her experience: “It feels like I’m rapidly rewinding, as if I’m flying, but I’m actually not moving at all…”
“Do you think the scenes are moving?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything else you feel?”
“I hear some strange sounds, like a drum pounding in my ear. I tried speaking, but I couldn’t hear anything. I only saw some blurry patterns, like clouds.”
“Thank you, Hermione Granger. Your description has satisfied my curiosity.”
After their brief conversation, the office fell silent.
It wasn’t until Hermione left that Felix put down his book. “The mysteries of time…”
The next day, a new week began.
After finishing his first class, Felix took the opportunity to visit the Headmaster's Office and handed over the three Scrying Mirrors to Dumbledore.
“Clever design. I suspect you incorporated a Tracking Charm, and more. I also noticed some techniques from Nearly Headless Nick. It seems you’ve been exchanging ideas frequently.”
His silvery beard was tied up, and he was examining the walnut-sized Scrying Mirror through his half-moon spectacles.
“Can you tell?” Felix asked, surprised.
“I was once deeply interested in Alchemy in my youth. Nearly Headless Nick guided me, though unfortunately, I didn’t continue down that path.” Dumbledore said with a hint of regret.
Felix suddenly remembered the introduction he had read about the old man on a Chocolate Frog Card long ago. One line came back to him:
“—Achieved significant success in Alchemy with his partner Nicolas Flamel.”
So, the Headmaster’s Alchemy skills were also impressive? He thought about the Deluminator he had glimpsed.
He realized that his knowledge of Dumbledore’s past was quite superficial. For example, he knew about defeating the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, suppressing Voldemort, and the essays he wrote in his youth.
But what else? He knew the Headmaster had a sweet tooth, enjoyed chamber music, and played Gobstones.
Felix couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.
“No problem, Felix. You’ve done an excellent job.” Dumbledore said.
After Dumbledore confirmed everything was correct, Felix took his leave.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way, Headmaster Dumbledore.”
“Besides my gratitude, there’s nothing else, Felix.” Dumbledore said. “Oh, by the way, your hat is very nice.”
Felix left with a straight face, refusing to respond to the comment. As he left, he caught a glimpse of Phineas Black’s portrait gesturing to him, seemingly hinting that he shouldn’t forget their conversation from a week ago.
(End of Chapter)
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