Chapter 292: Unnamed Book
Chapter 292: Unnamed Book
Memory is a wondrous thing. If the owner has forgotten, there is only so much Felix can do.
This is different from the Longbottoms' situation—Felix isn't searching for a specific treasure but is piecing together as many memories as possible, regardless of the day or event. After all, to him, each memory is a brick in the construction of the mind's edifice.
With Lupin's help, Felix's analysis of the Marauder's Map is on track. In a few days, he will be able to add the Alarm Charm.
...
Gryffindor Common Room.
In a secluded corner, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sit at a small round table.
"Try it, Harry", Ron urges, "let us see the Ghostly Tome."
"It's the Unnamed Book", Hermione corrects, her eyes fixed on the table where a transparent, blue-white glowing book lies.
"Isn't the name Ghostly Tome more fitting?"
Harry looks at the two of them, a sudden unease gripping him. He reaches out and opens the Unnamed Book. Professor Hup's figure appears, half-hidden in a pale blue mist. Harry takes a deep breath and presses his palm on the page.
Ron and Hermione notice Harry suddenly freeze, his expression frozen. Ron reaches out, but Hermione stops him, "Don't move!" she says, recalling the function of the Mind Chamber, "Harry's consciousness might have entered the book."
Ron gapes at Hermione, then at the book on the table, "His consciousness is in there?" He holds his breath and leans in to examine the pages, and indeed, he sees a tiny, blurry Harry.
"Merlin's socks!"
Ron glances around nervously, while Hermione's gaze remains fixed on the page, "Don't panic, Harry is fine."
"What if someone touches Harry and moves his hand? Would he be trapped in the book?" Ron suggests earnestly, "Should we help keep his hand in place?"
Hermione hesitates, "I don't think it's that dangerous..." After a moment, she is convinced and, along with Ron, they each place a hand on Harry's.
The next second, the world spins.
"Ah!" Ron yells, feeling as if he is falling into a long tunnel, helplessly bouncing around. He can't help but recall last year when they jumped into the Chamber of Secrets Tunnel.
"Please, stop yelling, Ron."
Hermione says, and Ron opens his eyes, slowly getting up from the ground, "Where are we?"
The sky and the ground beneath him feel unreal, as if made of pale blue mist. He stamps his foot, and a cloud of mist bursts from the ground, causing him to stumble.
"I think this is the world inside the book. Look over there!"
Hermione points in the opposite direction, and Ron turns to see Harry and Professor Hup.
Not far away, Harry is staring at them in amazement, "How did you get here? No, can you come in too?"
"We saw you freeze and wanted to help... or maybe we overreacted", Ron says, looking around excitedly, "It seems the professor didn't mind others entering. This place is huge..."
"I asked the same question", Harry says, "Professor said that space has no meaning in the Mind World."
"Follow me!"
Ron and Hermione follow Harry back to their original position. Professor Hup seems oblivious to their arrival, continuing to speak calmly.
"… We have covered our goal and determination. Next, we discuss calmness. When performing Apparition, do not be nervous or afraid. In other words, avoid distractions, as they are the primary cause of failed or partial Apparition, affecting your focus and determination…"
Harry pauses, "I missed the second point… but it's fine, I can learn it again."
Ron marvels, "This is incredible! Is all of this just an illusion?" He tentatively extends his arms, passing through Professor Hup's ethereal form, "It feels so real…"
"Crack!"
"Ouch!"
A bolt of pale blue lightning forms in the air, striking Ron and sending him tumbling. His hair stands on end.
"I think", Harry says, suppressing a laugh as he helps Ron up, "Professor doesn't like it when people get too close."
Ron looks guiltily at Professor Hup, who has stopped and mutters, "Ron Weasley, don't let it happen again."
Ron's eyes widen, "He, he, he…"
Hermione examines the scene for a while, then hesitantly says, "It's probably a fixed program, like one of Professor's Magical Automatons, with a certain degree of autonomy. But whether Professor will know when Harry returns the book is uncertain."
Ron grimaced and said, "I was just curious, really."
Meanwhile, Professor Hup had finished explaining the section while they were talking.
"… We've covered the basics. The first part of the assessment is for you to repeat what I just explained. It's quite simple, and as long as you have a basic understanding, you shouldn't make any mistakes."
Harry hesitated for a long time. He had indeed read some material in advance.
"Um, let me think… To learn Apparition, you need to follow the Three D's Principle: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation. First, we need to focus our consciousness on the place we want to go, which is the destination. We must be familiar with it, whether it's a place we've been to or something within our line of sight…"
Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "Then there's Determination—I didn't quite catch that part, but… I read in a book that when using Apparition, you need a strong desire, a desire that fills your entire body and naturally channels Magic."
"Finally, there's Deliberation. The book says you need to spin on the spot, but you didn't seem to do that, Professor…" Harry said, somewhat nervously. "Maybe I was mistaken; you don't need to spin… cough, cough! Anyway, imagine your body becoming intangible, and don't let your mind wander."
Harry finished speaking and looked at Professor Hup expectantly.
Professor Hup smiled approvingly. "Very good, Harry."
Harry couldn't help but feel amazed. Was this Professor really just a memory? Even though Hermione said it was pre-set, he still had his doubts.
"Then, next—"
"Wait, Professor, can they learn too?"
"Them?" Professor Hup glanced at Ron and Hermione. "Do you want to give it a try?"
"Can we, Professor?" Hermione asked, delighted.
"When I left this memory, I considered the possibility that Harry might want you to learn together. However, the primary focus will be on Harry's progress. You can't surpass him or help him pass the tests."
Ron hesitated. "Maybe Hermione should try first? I'm not even proficient with the spells from Duelling Class yet."
"It's fine, Ron. We have plenty of chances", Harry encouraged him.
After about ten minutes, they completed this step. Ron had to listen twice before he could repeat it clearly. When Professor Hup nodded at him, Ron let out a long sigh of relief.
"I was more focused than in class, really!" Ron said, not wanting to hold Harry back or delay his progress.
"Next, we move on to the second part", Professor Hup said, following the pre-set memory. "You'll probably enjoy this: Accompanied Apparition."
"Accompanied Apparition?" Harry heard a new term.
"Apparition can be performed with someone else. The person being brought along is the companion, and this method of travel is called Accompanied Apparition. During wartime, the Ministry of Magic recommended that every child learn Accompanied Apparition. It's quite simple as long as there's no shouting or sudden bursts of Magic resistance, and it usually works."
Harry nodded and asked, "Do I need to repeat this content? Is this the second part?"
"No, Harry", Professor Hup smiled brightly. "That was just background information. The real test is to adapt to the discomfort of Accompanied Apparition."
"I believe that once you adapt, you'll have a more genuine experience with Apparition."
He looked at the three of them. "Since you're all learning, well… let's do it randomly."
His figure suddenly vanished and reappeared in front of Ron. Ron's mouth opened slowly, his eyes bulging as Professor Hup's hand rapidly grew in front of his face…
The next second, the two of them twisted and disappeared.
"Pro-Professor?" Harry whispered, looking around. The only thing he saw was a faint blue mist.
Hermione said, "Professor is probably taking Ron to experience Accompanied Apparition."
"Experience?"
"Since this is all fake, a world constructed by the mind, you can't actually channel Magic or form habits", Hermione explained confidently.
After a couple of minutes, "Ah-ah-ah—" Professor Hup and Ron reappeared in the air.
Ron was panting, his eyes still wide with fear. It took him a while to come to his senses. "I felt like I was being squeezed out of a rubber tube, and at any moment, I could be compressed into a walnut…"
But after a short while, he urged Harry and Hermione to try. "It's an unforgettable feeling. You don't want to miss it."
Professor Hup took a step forward and smiled. "Who's next?"
Harry and Hermione both took a step back. Professor Hup's smile was too unsettling.
(End of Chapter)
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