Chapter 339: Isn't Memorizing the Entire Book a Bit Much?
Chapter 339: Isn't Memorizing the Entire Book a Bit Much?
"I'm so stupid! I don't deserve to have chosen this class!"
Lisha covered her face and sobbed, "I knew Ancient Runes would be difficult, but I didn't realize it would be this hard... I thought I just needed to memorize more."
Padma, sitting beside her, was about to comfort Lisha, but at this moment, she herself was pale with shock.
Due to Vold's success, and more importantly, the apparent ease of his success, most of the Ravenclaw students aspired to become alchemists and had chosen to study Ancient Runes.
They hoped to smoothly obtain an Ordinary Wizarding Level (OWLs) certificate in this subject so that they could take Alchemy as an elective in their sixth year.
In previous years, it had been mostly Ravenclaw students who advanced to study Alchemy, with only an occasional one or two students from other houses.
However, upon actual contact with the subject, the complexity, tediousness, and profundity of Ancient Runes far exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Vold, how did you do it?" Lisha cried in despair, "Why were you able to learn Runes in your first year? This class is so difficult!"
Everyone turned to look at Vold, including the Slytherins.
"Actually, your idea isn't wrong," Vold said, "Studying Runes begins with memorization—memorize the entire Runes Dictionary, the Magical Symbols Collection, and the Magical Pronunciation Guide. Familiarize yourself with every symbol and all common phrases, and learning this class will become much simpler."
"Isn't that like saying that if I memorize all the magic books, I'll become a great wizard?" Lisha complained, wiping away her tears.
"Did you really learn Ancient Runes this way?" Steven also expressed his dissatisfaction, "There must be some trick, right?"
"Indeed, I did," Vold affirmed.
Steven's face froze, and then it was filled with disbelief.
"He did memorize those books in his first year—in less than two months," Hermione frowned, refuting the doubts of the others and testifying for Vold.
Some students looked at Padma, and although Padma and Vold weren't very familiar with each other at that time, she immediately nodded in agreement.
—She hadn't seen it personally, but she had already heard Michael complain several times about Vold's inhuman study habits.
Then Vold said, "Why else would Professor Moreau accept me as her student—relying solely on sincerity and passion?"
For a moment, the entire classroom fell silent.
"We should go, Vold," Hermione checked the time and said anxiously, "I have a Potions class coming up soon."
She forgot that the Slytherins, like Draco Malfoy sitting silently in the corner, were also taking Potions class with her, not the Ravenclaws.
"Alright," Vold stood up, casually picking up his school bag, "I'm also heading to the library."
"Oh, we're not going together."
Hermione realized and then rushed out of the classroom with her arms full of books.
The Potions classroom was not just a short distance away; it was quite a journey, and Professor Snape's attitude towards Gryffindors was notoriously poor.
Although Professor Snape usually didn't single out Hermione, she dared not be late.
Vold watched helplessly as Hermione sprinted away, knowing that she was accustomed to this time-crunching routine and that it would likely take some time to change her mindset.
Moreover, in a girl's mind, the idea of aging prematurely was probably far more terrifying than being late.
The few Slytherins in the classroom also left, but they did so more calmly—Professor Snape was always much more lenient towards Slytherin students.
Padma finally perked up and comforted her desk mate, "It's okay, Lisha. You have such a good memory, as long as you spend more time on it, you'll definitely be able to memorize it."
Lisha's tears fell again as she felt hopeless just thinking about the thickness of the books.
Vold ignored his fragile classmates and turned two corners outside. When no one was around, he turned the Time Turner back.
...
"What's up with this door?"
"Do we have to solve a puzzle? Like the door knocker to our common room?"
"But it's all in Ancient Runes..."
After the ticking sound disappeared, Vold heard Padma discussing the locked door outside the Ancient Runes classroom.
Not far away, he must have been walking towards Hermione with his past self.
Without hesitation, Vold transformed into a Peregrine Falcon, avoiding the places where his past self might have seen him, and flew straight to the eighth floor of the main building.
He entered the Room of Requirement and spent a few minutes completing the Ancient Runes homework, then rested for half an hour before casting a Disillusionment Charm and arriving at the entrance hall.
"Of course, if you can get a Chimaera, he's willing to become your half-brother."
His past self was chatting and laughing as he entered the entrance hall with Michael.
Vold knew how sharp he was, so he didn't approach but stood at a distance like a regular student.
As his past self used the Time Turner and disappeared from the spot, he dispelled the Disillusionment Charm and quickly walked over.
"It's impossible to ride a Griffin, but I'm going to borrow two books related to Griffins. There must be someone who specializes in writing about these animals—they're so beautiful, intelligent, and understanding!"
Michael exclaimed, "I wish I could raise one too."
"Do you know?" Vold continued, "Riding a Griffin violates the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy."
Michael frowned, then had an idea: "I can cast a Disillusionment Charm on it, and on myself too. It won't be considered illegal if we're not discovered!"
"Wake up, you don't have a Griffin."
"What if I get one in the future? I need to be prepared..."
...
The evening lights enveloped the small village of Hogsmeade, and only the sounds of merriment could be heard from the pub.
Suddenly, the door of the Three Broomsticks was pushed open, and a very tall figure walked in, stooping low.
"Good evening, Hagrid!" Madam Rosmerta greeted him with a smile. "What'll it be?"
"Four pints of honey wine," Hagrid said, "and make it extra sweet."
As he spoke, he looked around and spotted a wizard in a gray robe sitting behind the ivy-covered wall.
"It's been a while, Remus. What have you been up to?"
Hagrid walked over and sat down, the chair creaking under his weight.
"Helping Sirius track down Peter and investigating some matters."
Lupin replied briefly, his brow furrowed with concern. "I wanted to ask you something about Hogwarts, Hagrid."
"What is it..." Hagrid began, then paused, a look of apology on his face. "Oh, and I wanted to apologize about Harry. Malfoy is a jerk, but I'm mostly to blame for what happened..."
"Oh... what?" Lupin was taken aback. "What about Harry?"
(End of Chapter)
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