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Chapter 286: Riddle's Second Request
Chapter 286: Riddle's Second Request
"What was taught in the first Ancient Runes class?"
The next morning, as they sat at the dining table in the Great Hall, Cedric pondered for a moment before replying, "I remember it being quite difficult... no, I should say that of the entire year, the very first lesson was the hardest."
"You don't think Professor Babbling went over the application of Runes in alchemy, do you...?" Autumn asked with a strange expression. "And the different ways of writing them, each with its own unique meaning."
But contrary to her expectations, Cedric shook his head immediately. "No... that's something we only need to learn in our fifth year. It's unlikely that she would teach that to third-year students."
"Well, what about you guys...?"
"Professor Babbling lectured us on the evolution of Runes and what they looked like initially," Cedric explained.
Cedric made a pained expression. "You can't even imagine how complex those Runes were before they were simplified. Honestly, it was the first time I felt like I didn't understand anything in class."
"He's telling the truth," Fred and George chimed in together, nodding.
"It was a nightmare," Fred added.
"I felt like an underdeveloped giant," George continued.
Autumn gave them a look of empathy, having experienced a similar feeling not long ago herself.
At that moment, Kyle spoke up and asked, "How many of you chose that class?"
"A dozen or so, I think. I've forgotten the exact number," Cedric replied after a moment's thought.
"But that's not important," he continued. "Because Professor Babbling said that if anyone didn't want to continue with Ancient Runes, they could switch to another class. So, by the second week, there were only nine of us left in the classroom."
"It almost dropped to seven," Fred interjected.
"When we walked towards Professor McGonagall's office, we hesitated..."
"... and decided to stay for one more lesson for the sake of our future Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," George finished with a laugh.
"Good thing we did, too..." Fred added.
"... because the content of the second lesson was more normal, although still challenging. But at least we could understand it," George concluded.
"You didn't have the same experience?" Cedric asked, curious.
"Aside from the content being different, everything else was pretty much the same, including the option to switch classes," Autumn sighed. "But I don't understand why Professor Babbling would do that."
"I don't know..." Fred trailed off, thinking. "Some say that Professor Babbling wanted to teach a combined class for third to seventh years, deliberately reducing the number of students in each grade. But that's obviously impossible."
"We're all learning different things. There's no way she could teach us together," George agreed. "Percy is studying Advanced Rune Translation, while we're still on Basic Introduction to Ancient Runes."
"Perhaps the first lesson was Professor Babbling's way of testing us," Cedric mused.
"Learning Runes is inevitably a tedious and intricate process, and one must have sufficient patience to persist," he continued. "Maybe she wanted to weed out those who weren't suited for it, so they don't waste their time."
"Of course, that's just my speculation," Cedric added after taking a sip of pumpkin juice.
"We know too little about Professor Babbling. After all, aside from classes and various holiday feasts, she rarely makes an appearance, not even for Quidditch matches," he concluded.
For a while after that, the group discussed how challenging Runes were but also how fascinating they became once you got a handle on them...
Kyle listened, doing his best to blend in and not appear overly proud of his own accomplishments.
He hadn't realized it before, but now, in contrast, the problems faced by Cedric and the others seemed incredibly simple to him.
In other words, the Riddle diary was Voldemort's study notes from back in the day.
However, this very notebook had become a bit of a hassle lately. Not only did it require careful scrutiny when in use, but a few days ago, it had also gone on a 'strike' of sorts and hadn't recovered since.
Thinking of this, Kyle quickly finished his breakfast and, as was his custom, made his way to the Room of Requirement. He greeted the diary in its box and inquired after Riddle with concern.
He had been doing this for the past few days, but Riddle had not replied once.
Kyle didn't hold much hope today either as he prepared to close the diary after writing his usual message.
But, surprisingly, Riddle didn't continue feigning inactivity and responded promptly.
[I apologize... It seems the diary's magic was suddenly exhausted when you showed me the newspaper the other day.]
Kyle's eyes lit up with delight as he picked up his quill.
"Are you feeling better now, Tom? I've been worried about you."
[Yes, thankfully, you've been writing to me with dragon blood lately.]
[What shall we learn today? It's been so long; I'm eager to get back to it.]
Whether it was Kyle's fabricated stories or the news of Voldemort's demise at the hands of an infant, neither seemed to have any impact on Riddle.
He didn't even ask about anything else.
It was as if Voldemort was an insignificant passerby whose life or death held no consequence.
Nonetheless, since Riddle had brought it up, Kyle didn't want to disappoint him.
"Then let's continue with Ancient Runes."
[I figured as much. You truly do enjoy Ancient Runes.]
...
However, they didn't study for long this time.
With classes starting soon, Kyle had to leave by 8:50, or else... Well, an angry Professor McGonagall was far more terrifying than Voldemort.
(End of Chapter)
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