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Chapter 272: The Club's First Collaboration
Chapter 272: The Club's First Collaboration
Felix and Newt exchanged addresses. He learned that after retiring, Newt lived in the countryside of Dorsetshire with his wife. They had a "vast" basement where some magical creatures could reside when needed.
"I don't always keep them; I act more like a healer. Once my 'patients' recover, I release them back into nature", Newt told him.
Although Felix had guessed the answer, he still asked, "Mr. Scamander, if you don't intend to gain anything from them, how have you maintained your passion for them over the years?"
Newt smiled and said, "How to maintain passion? It's because of the passion itself."
...
The next weekend, at the Rune Club gathering, Felix showed the members the Ouroboros Ring.
He flipped the dark green coin in his hand, making it skillfully dance on his fingertips. His actions quickly drew the attention of the students. In the next moment, the coin transformed into a Slytherin and coiled around his right pinky, forming an Ouroboros Ring.
He waved his wand, and dozens of coins flew from a table in the corner, landing accurately in front of each young wizard.
"Consider it a belated Christmas gift."
"It can replace the Warmnut I previously gave you. It has two forms—coin and ring—choose whichever you prefer. To transform it into the latter, just silently say: 'Infinite,' and then channel Magic. You can try it now—"
The club members extended their hands, letting the coins land in their palms, feeling their weight. Neville, attending his first gathering, ran his fingers over the coin's intricate patterns. Its surface had a unique, heavy sheen, but it didn't feel like metal. He looked up at Harry, who was sitting next to him. Harry mouthed the words: "Basilisk scales."
Hermione had told Harry, who then relayed the information to Neville. When Harry first learned this, he was quite surprised. He had thought the Basilisk was returned to the Chamber after the exhibition, but Hermione informed him that Basilisk scales were precious magical materials, and they had been divided between the professors and Snape.
Neville's heart pounded as if he were completing a ritual. He clearly and accurately whispered, "Infinite." The coin in his hand began to transform, quickly turning into a slender, dark green Slytherin.
Neville held it up, asking hesitantly, "Do you know how to do it?" The Slytherin slithered to his right pinky, coiled around it twice, and twisted into an Ouroboros Ring.
The Slytherins were the most excited. Draco Malfoy almost immediately fell in love with the coin transforming into a Slytherin. He couldn't resist extending his index finger to gently touch its head. Instead of the expected slippery feel, it was smooth and warm, as if carved from a dark green gemstone.
The Slytherin lifted its head, its shiny black eyes meeting Draco's.
Draco extended his finger, and the Slytherin's body shimmered, wrapping around his finger and forming a ring with its head and tail connected. He looked at it with delight, his peripheral vision catching Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass, whose eyes were wide with fascination.
The others reacted more calmly. They neither rejected the snake design nor showed particular enthusiasm. Cedric considered asking if another form was available, but then he remembered that this "snake" was not a symbol of Slytherin House but rather the Ouroboros emblem, representing the philosophy promoted by the Rune Club and Professor Hep. He decided against it.
Then he heard Professor Hep's voice—
"The material for this comes from a Millennium Basilisk. You might remember the one from the Chamber last year. I discovered that Basilisk scales have a strong magical inertia, making it difficult to channel Magic through them, but they are excellent for isolating and storing Magic."
"I used Basilisk scales as the container, and African Tree Snake skin and Basilisk eggshell powder to inscribe the Runic Script, creating the Ouroboros Ring you see."
When Professor Hep mentioned African Tree Snake skin, Hermione quickly glanced at him. She knew this material was an important component in Polyjuice Potion, but she hadn't realized it could also be ground into powder for Runic Script. Considering Professor Hep had spent a long time trying to find a use for Basilisk scales, she felt relieved.
Felix began the demonstration, waving his hand to show the students the series of practical runes near his wrist. He then brought his right pinky finger, adorned with a ring, close to the runes. The ouroboros ring suddenly came to life, its snake mouth releasing the tail as its body shot out to swallow each of the Runic Scripts before returning to Felix's hand and transforming back into a ring.
"I've discovered in practice that it can store Runic Scripts for extended periods, significantly delaying the dissipation of magic. While I haven't yet found a specific use for this, it's clear that it can be very beneficial for you—"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he tapped the head of a Slytherin student, who then opened his mouth to spit out the Runic Scripts he had just swallowed. Felix revealed the answer, "By successfully tracing a Runic Script, you can retain and analyze it for a long time until you are completely familiar with its structure."
Felix's lips curved into a smile, "So, today's theme is—cooperation and exchange."
"In the previous gatherings, most of you have mastered at least one practical rune. Now, I need you to exchange with others to acquire Runic Scripts that they specialize in, at least twenty in total."
He glanced at Hermione and added, "You can exchange a maximum of three Runic Scripts from the same person." Otherwise, these students would only need to approach Hermione.
Draco couldn't help but complain, "Professor, this isn't fair. There are the fewest Slytherin students here."
"Hmm—good point", Felix conceded. "In that case, I'll add another condition: you cannot exchange with someone from your own house."
The other students exchanged looks, and Felix smiled, "You should have noticed that I want you to get to know each other. In the previous gatherings, you all sat with your own house, which isn't conducive to future cooperation..."
"Now, let's begin."
The club members started to move around, and it quickly became apparent which students from the four houses were the most popular. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin students instinctively gathered around the Hufflepuff young wizards.
Sixth-year Hufflepuff girl Pet Selton couldn't help but say, "This is truly an unexpected turn of events—oh, Warren, even you have your day." She giggled.
Ravenclaw's Warren Pardis scowled, "Don't joke around. I've helped you plenty of times..."
Ever since Professor Hup called him out to compete in an Ancient Runes knowledge contest with this girl last year—before there was even an Answer Parchment—she had been at odds with him. However, they occasionally went to the library together to do homework and research, forming a unique bond of friendly rivalry.
At least, that's how he saw it.
Harry stood on the outskirts of the crowd, always feeling awkward in such social situations, especially when he had to actively seek out new acquaintances. However, when he noticed Draco Malfoy's sour expression, his mood brightened, much like the feeling of being back in Diagon Alley, enjoying an ice cream from Florean Fortescue's under the summer sun.
Draco caught Harry's gaze and whispered mockingly, "Potter—you're as annoying as Mcadam. Why don't you go back to your Boxing House?"
Harry stared at him, not really caring about Malfoy's hostile attitude—their relationship had never been friendly. However, the information Draco had just revealed was quite surprising—
"You've read 'Adventures of Little Wizard Mick'?"
"No, no!" Draco quickly denied.
Harry was certain, "You definitely have. Mcadam and the Boxing House are from the book", he stifled a laugh, "and you've read at least the third volume."
Draco's face darkened, and he opened his mouth several times, unable to think of a retort.
(End of Chapter)
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