Chapter 27: Hermione's Journey into Runic Script
Chapter 27: Hermione's Journey into Runic Script
Professor of Ancient Runes' office.
Felix was grading assignments, a task so monotonous it felt like repeatedly adding 1 and 1 for hundreds of times. Fortunately, he was able to delegate this task to Hermione, who had just knocked on the door and was still unaware of the situation.
"Mostly fifth and seventh-year exams, primarily multiple-choice and short translation questions. Grading them is relatively straightforward—just compare them to the correct answers and mark the errors with an X."
Hermione, true to her reputation as a top student, quickly got into the groove and was very adept at this type of work.
Felix, on the other hand, began reviewing Hermione's revised essays—these were to be submitted to Professor Mcgonagall for publication in an academic journal, so he had to be meticulous. However, he didn't simply make direct corrections; instead, he offered suggestions and provided page numbers from reference books.
He believed this approach would be more beneficial for Hermione.
After about half an hour, both of them had completed their tasks.
"Alright, let's get to the main topic."
Up until now, Hermione had been fulfilling her duties as an assistant, but now it was time for Felix to fulfill his promise.
They sat facing each other on the sofa, a small coffee table between them. Felix used his wand to conjure two glasses of juice. He tried to make Hermione Granger feel more relaxed, but she still seemed quite nervous.
"From your essay, it's clear that you already have a good understanding of the history of Ancient Runes, even though you haven't started your formal studies yet. I can assure you that your progress will be very fast."
"Professor, I've been reading 'A Beginner's Guide to Ancient Runes' and have learned how to use the 'Runic Script Dictionary' and 'Compendium of Magical Symbols.' I've also looked through the book list you gave me, but I haven't fully understood most of it", the young witch sat up straight and quickly summarized her recent progress.
Felix was momentarily taken aback. "That's very impressive, but I won't spend too much time discussing translation techniques with you. I'll just give you some advice."
"You can start from around 900 years ago, around the time Hogwarts was founded. The four founders were all great figures who bridged the past and the future. They translated many ancient texts and left behind a wealth of research materials that have puzzled generations. These materials filled the earliest Library."
"However, this part of the collection is now stored in the Restricted Section. Rowena Ravenclaw's contributions are the most complete, while Salazar Slytherin's materials have largely been lost. It's possible that after he split with the other founders, he took his research with him out of spite..."
Felix recounted this history in a captivating manner, drawing Hermione in. "But it's also possible that Slytherin's research was simply not suitable for the Library. Who knows?"
"If you need it, I can give you a book pass."
Felix stood up, motioning for Hermione to follow him, and they walked to his workbench.
"My research focus is not on translation, but on uncovering the inherent power of Runic Script. Like this—"
He picked up a small piece of chestnut wood and infused his wand with magic, carving Runic Script into the wood. As he wrote, the runes glowed a brilliant red before quickly fading to dark, intricate patterns.
Hermione, seeing this for the first time, watched intently, trying to understand what the professor was doing, but found herself at a loss.
Felix finished carving the runes and handed the piece of wood to Hermione. "You can feel it."
She reached out to take the chestnut wood piece. Without even touching it, she keenly sensed the magical vibrations emanating from it. Her fingers traced over the pitch-black Runic Script, and a warm sensation coursed through her fingertips.
"Runic Script can temporarily store magic, but if not treated, the magic will last at most three days. This is due to the inherent properties of chestnut wood."
Hermione nodded. Chestnut wood, as a wand material, excelled in both magic storage and conduction.
"There are several ways to address this flaw, for example—"
"You can conduct the Runic Script to form a circuit, thus greatly extending the duration of the magic's presence;"
"You can cast a special protective charm;"
"Or add storage and conversion circuits..."
Hermione's mind raced to memorize every word. She wished she could immediately grab a piece of parchment to record everything Professor Hup said.
Felix's explanation was also a process of reorganizing his own knowledge. Unlike the past three years when he felt starved for learning, he now had too many choices and needed to make careful decisions.
So, teaching the young witch was a side benefit. At the moment, he was lost in thought, muttering, "However, these methods are only maintenance. Thirty years, fifty years, they will eventually decay with time."
Why did his voice get softer? Hermione quickly closed the distance between them, stretching her neck to listen harder.
"Are the heroes and creations in myths mere conjectures or real existences?"
"Are they powerful Wizards?"
"If so, how do those magic artifacts that have lasted for millennia remain undecayed?"
Seeing the professor fall silent, Hermione ventured a guess, "Maybe they can continuously provide magic on their own."
Felix chuckled, "How could that be? They aren't living beings."
"What about the Sorting Hat? It has existed for a thousand years and can communicate with people, showing its own intelligence", Hermione tried to support her hypothesis. "And the portraits of past Headmasters in the Headmaster's Office, as Harry mentioned."
"Hermione Granger, a portrait itself is a sophisticated magical artifact that can carry a person's thoughts. And from what I know, a magic portrait requires regular maintenance to last long, even if the intervals might span decades..."
"However, the Sorting Hat", Felix pondered, "I have indeed overlooked it. I don't know much about it. Perhaps I should find an opportunity to reintroduce myself to it?"
"Alright, Hermione Granger, let's put our speculative journey on hold. Next—"
Felix took the palm-sized chestnut wood piece from Hermione, "I will conduct the Runic Script to form a circuit. Watch closely."
The task was intricate. He carefully drew lines, connecting them together, explaining as he worked, "This step is crucial. Many alchemical creations have complex functions."
After about ten minutes, he handed the chestnut wood piece back to Hermione, inviting her to feel the difference.
"I can sense the magic flowing, with fluctuations and surges. They... they seem to be resisting me", Hermione said, puzzled.
This was truly remarkable.
Felix understood, "The resistance you feel is because it's a rough, unfinished product. The magical vibrations are spreading wildly, and you're picking up on that."
"Of course, this also shows your keen sensitivity. Your talent in Spells must be very strong."
Hermione's face turned rosy.
(End of Chapter)
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