https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-265-The-Twins-and-the-Whomping-Willow-Trap/13460529/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-267-Dueling-Competition-Registration/13460531/
Chapter 266: Reconciliation
Chapter 266: Reconciliation
In the office, Felix was still reflecting on the events that had just transpired.
He and Neville stood in front of the clock tower, gazing at the distant landscape. Dark clouds had turned into sleet and snow, making the evening twilight particularly spectacular. Although there were no colorful clouds reflecting the light, the orange glow of the sun was still majestic and unobstructed.
"Quite a magnificent sight, isn't it?" Felix said softly.
Neville nodded, opening his mouth to say something, but his lips seemed to be stuck together, no matter how hard he tried to part them.
"I think I owe you an apology, Neville", Felix began, though Neville's gaze remained fixed on the view outside, he could feel Professor Hup's eyes on him.
"I, cough, I mean, Professor Hup, I should be the one to thank you. You healed my dad and mom, and you inspired my talent... I, I..." His face turned red as he spoke.
Felix changed the subject, "How are your parents doing?"
Neville seemed to relax, "Dad and mom are doing well. They spent Christmas at home, and everyone was very happy. Grandmother got quite tipsy, even though she didn't drink much... most of the alcohol was consumed by Uncle Algernon."
"After the holidays, dad and mom returned to St. Mungo's for follow-up treatment. They've lost a lot of vitality over the years and need to recuperate for some time. But Aunt Muriel said it's all minor issues now. Before, due to the memory damage, many treatments couldn't be used..."
Neville paused, then continued, "Before school started, they asked me to thank you." He pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Felix.
Felix took the letter, and the seal was a golden-red wax stamp with a three-dimensional L-shaped pattern, looking very formal. His fingers gently touched the wax seal, and the letter automatically opened. Inside was a heartfelt letter of thanks and a golden-red card woven from fine metal threads.
The card was embroidered with a list of names—
Augusta Longbottom, Algernon Longbottom, Anne Longbottom, Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom, Neville Longbottom...
Felix solemnly put away the card and the letter. "I'll write a formal response, and if necessary, I'll pay a visit." Neville looked at him, dazed. "Oh, uh... I'll let grandmother and dad and mom know."
For the rest of the time, they both silently watched the sunset, from the initial half of the sky colored by the sun to its gradual descent. The sun's shadow was no longer visible, but its light still glimmered like gold on the distant horizon.
Felix suddenly spoke, "Neville, you taught me a lesson."
"What?"
"People find it hard to surpass their past experiences. Most of the decisions they make are rooted in some scene from their past, like an invisible mental cage. But when you want to make a decision, you're always influenced by it."
"The scary part is that the person in the cage doesn't realize it. If someone can point it out, give some hints, and show them a broader world, their perspective can advance significantly."
"Neville, you once played that role."
Neville's breathing quickened, and he turned to look at Professor Hup.
Felix continued, "You must have mixed feelings towards me—gratitude, resentment, respect, hatred... all these emotions mixed together, making it hard for you to know how to face me, right?"
Neville lowered his head, looking at his shoes. He suddenly had a lot to say, but he held back.
“I just said that a person’s actions are influenced by their past, and I am no exception. The deeper the past, the greater the impact. When I was preparing this plan, my mind subconsciously recalled my experiences as a student. I tried to use myself as a template, attempting to replicate the process in you.”
“Professor, your Magic outburst… was it really that terrifying? But you did defeat the entire Slytherin House, didn’t you?” Neville said softly.
“Ah… even Dumbledore wasn’t invincible from birth. When he was eleven or twelve, he might not have been able to beat Harry, at least in terms of raw power, not wisdom.”
Neville found this statement a bit odd. Was Professor Hup saying that Harry lacked wisdom, or that he was just a brute?
But then he thought about the comparison being made to Headmaster Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the present day, and he felt relieved. It was, in a way, a compliment and an honor.
“I was actually quite fortunate,” Felix laughed. “My classmates from the same year couldn’t beat me, and the upper years were restricted by school rules and could only watch. After all, the punishments back then were quite severe…”
“But if you couldn’t resist and attacked an upper year student, you were no longer protected. They had the right to defend themselves, right? So for a long time, they kept nagging at me. At first, I found them childish, just talking big, like a bunch of buzzing, gossiping flies. But over time, it inevitably built up some negative emotions.”
“Coincidentally, due to some special reasons, perhaps it was my talent… my Magic was much more active than most people’s. So I experienced several Magic outbursts.”
“It didn’t really affect me, but I naturally attributed it to the negative emotions.”
Neville felt enlightened. That made sense. He had been racking his brain for days, trying to understand how Professor Hup, so powerful, could have been forced into multiple Magic outbursts. Now he finally understood—it was because of his talent.
He couldn’t help but feel envious. Professor Hup and I are completely opposite—my Magic is too inert, my talent is poor…
But now, everything is getting better.
Felix carefully observed the expression on his face and smiled. “Well, I’ve revealed quite a few of my secrets to you. You have to keep them confidential. Do you feel a bit better now?”
Neville blushed and lowered his head, embarrassed. “Professor, I’m just having trouble wrapping my head around it.”
Felix said gently, “I hope we can clear the air. I admit I didn’t think things through properly, and I hope you can forgive me.”
“Professor, I was the one being too stubborn.” Neville scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly.
“Then, like a man, let’s shake hands?” Felix extended his hand.
Neville blinked and shook hands with the professor.
“Neville, I’d like to invite you to join my Rune Club. Are you interested?”
“Can I? But… my grades aren’t outstanding.”
“Your diligence is clear to everyone, and I believe I have the right to choose members I think are suitable.”
“Of course, I’m willing!”
The last sliver of light was finally swallowed by the earth, and night fell.
A somewhat troubled voice came from the clock tower. “I’ve noticed a problem. We seem to have missed dinner—let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll introduce you to a very friendly house-elf named Dobby. I hope he has looked at the recipe I gave him… there are a few dishes I’ve been craving for a long time.”
…
The memory faded, and Felix sat on the sofa, speaking with a relaxed tone. “Isn’t this for the best?”
(End of Chapter)
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