Chapter 356: New Developments at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes
Chapter 356: New Developments at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes
After class, the third-year young Wizards filed out of the classroom, each holding a magical automaton about half a foot tall, excitedly discussing the content of their first lesson.
Felix stayed behind, ticking off names on a list. He noted the number 17 next to "Luna Lovegood", representing the number of cards she had handled during the class.
In reality, the process of infusing stable magic into the cards became smoother for the young Wizards as the class progressed. To Felix, today’s lesson was really just an introductory session. Especially when compared to the upcoming sixth-year classes—
"Sixth year is a crucial year..."
"Don’t say that, Professor", Fred and George Weasley whined in unison. "We just got through our O.W.L.s year!" The other students murmured in agreement.
They had heard similar warnings all through their fifth year, and it had left a lasting shadow. A few timid students seemed to be reliving those tough days, shivering as if suffering from some kind of post-traumatic stress.
The students shared a moment of empathy, and someone let out a dry heave. The students looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound, their emotions in disarray.
Felix chuckled and paced around the classroom. "I say this because, in this year, you won’t have to worry about certificates, and your knowledge will have reached a peak. This means—"
He deliberately paused for a few seconds before revealing the punchline: "We will have more time to focus on practical work and the truly intriguing aspects."
Before the students could fully grasp what he meant, he turned back to the podium, deftly pulling out a Runic Script card and clapping his hands. "My requirements are simple: through these cards, you must master at least seven Ancient Runic Scripts—"
"Which can form a Runic Script circuit. I will explain this part in the last half-hour of the class."
"But I hope that through your own exploration, you will discover the joy in it. Begin, students. The first one to complete the task will earn twenty points."
Soon, in the sixth-year Advanced Ancient Runic Script class, students from all four houses held Runic Script cards, projecting various Runic Script symbols—this was a breeze for those who had endured the hellish fifth year.
But the key was how to use the cards to master the Runic Scripts.
"By the way", Felix seemed to have an idea and picked up the class list. "Completing this step individually is quite challenging, so I will divide you into groups... Miss Campbell Jin, stop looking around. I will form groups of three according to the list."
Thus, the students from the four houses were shuffled, and Felix thoughtfully transfigured circular tables with three chairs each. The Weasley Twins, benefiting from their surname, ended up in the same group, staring wide-eyed at the Ravenclaw girl across from them.
"Oh, it’s so beautiful", the girl marveled, examining the small green sprout projected from the card. Her eyes sparkled with delight before she refocused, flipping through her notes.
"Based on past experience, to master a Runic Script, you must first understand its symbol shape and magical significance... This is the most important part, and we can obtain this information from the cards. So, what are you looking at me for?"
"Nothing, nothing", George mumbled. He took a card from Fred, infused it with magic, and whispered, "Why do you think the professor is doing this?"
Fred replied, "I guess he wants us to develop the ability to learn Ancient Runic Scripts independently."
"You’re serious?"
"I heard from someone in the ‘Future World,’" he grinned, "Penelope, to be precise. She said Professor Hepworth sees the Runic Script cards as educational toys."
"Educational toys!?" George’s eyes widened.
"Exactly, like children’s comic strips, but Professor Hepworth’s main goal is to promote practical Runic Scripts. Penelope said the professor envisions a scene where parents hold their children, projecting patterns from the cards. As the children grow, they naturally become familiar with Runic Scripts."
George thought about it seriously and sighed. "If it weren’t for the ‘Future World’ buying a batch of Muggle toys, I wouldn’t have realized how limited our entertainment options are... It’s given us so much inspiration! Magic building blocks, little soldiers, colored bubble guns, trick cards, and the Wizard Dueling Cards that evolved from them..."
The Ravenclaw girl interjected, "Why no dolls?"
"Uh, what do you mean?"
"Dolls", the girl said earnestly, "I loved them as a child. I spent my allowance every year on them and eventually collected a whole set!"
The twins exchanged a glance, and Fred slowly asked, "George, what do you think?"
George replied in the same tone, "Mate, I think we should take advantage of our last two years at school to find some partners..."
"That makes sense." Fred nodded and turned to look at the girl. "Terry, would you like to join us?"
Terry looked at them in surprise.
"What are you talking about?"
"Join Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It's nothing much right now, but in the future, it will be the world's largest supplier of prank items and Wizard children's toys."
"You—um—this is a bit unexpected—" Terry said, feeling at a loss. "This isn't another prank, is it?"
"Of course not. What are your plans for the future? Like, joining the Ministry of Magic?" Fred and George Weasley exchanged a glance and asked. They had initially started this on a whim, but now they were seriously considering recruiting.
"Well, not really. I come from a Muggle family, and I haven't decided where I want to stay after graduation."
"Then why not give it a try?" Fred and George Weasley eagerly persuaded her.
Terry found herself inexplicably positioned as a founding member of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. She clutched the card in her hand, and a blue waterfall projected from it, flickering before disappearing.
...
In the last half-hour, Felix explained this part of the knowledge and assigned homework.
"Today's essay is about how to efficiently use Runic Script cards to study Ancient Runic Script. I need you to combine your classroom experiences and come up with a practical learning plan."
After class, Felix overheard the Weasley Twins muttering as they passed by—
"What do you think of Cedric?"
"He has a thing for Magical Automatons..."
"Isn't that perfect?"
"True... Aubrey is good too, as well as Seldon and Pardis."
Felix stroked his chin, watching their backs. They had mentioned members of the Rune Club. Was there something he didn't know?
After the afternoon classes, Felix headed toward the Great Hall, with a Niffler perched on his shoulder, drawing curious glances from many. As he reached the entrance hall, he saw Harry and Draco having an argument from a distance.
Harry said something angrily and pulled Ron to leave. Draco Malfoy's face turned red, and he dropped the newspaper, pulling out his wand from behind in a fit of rage, pointing it viciously at Harry.
"Bang!"
Harry nimbly jumped to the side, and a fiery spell grazed his hair. He turned and waved his hand sharply—Draco was hit by something, his wand flew out of his hand, and he stumbled backward, only to be caught by Crabbe before he fell.
A few screams were heard belatedly.
"Merlin's beard, what was that!"
"Silent wandless magic, Potter is amazing, too bad he's only in fourth year..."
"Do you think he could be a champion if there were no age restrictions?"
"Hard to say, everyone has improved a lot over the past two years."
Ron looked at Harry in shock. "How did you do that?"
Harry looked at the wand that had appeared in his hand, which belonged to Malfoy. Harry himself didn't know what had happened. He had just been outraged by the sudden attack and reacted instinctively. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a loud bang from the entrance hall.
"Bang!" followed by a roar echoing through the hall.
"Don't you dare, boy!"
Mad-Eye Moody hobbled in, wand pointing at a snow-white ferret shivering on the stone floor, which had been Draco's position just moments ago.
In the silence, Moody asked, "Did he hurt you?"
"No", Harry replied, "The spell missed."
"Don't touch it!" Moody shouted.
"Don't touch—what?" Harry asked, confused.
"Not you—him!" Moody shouted again, pointing his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who was about to pick up the ferret but froze in fear.
Moody limped toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret. The ferret let out a frightened squeak and ran in the opposite direction.
"I won't stand for this!" Moody shouted, pointing his wand at the ferret—when someone stepped in front of it. "Oh, Professor Moody, I can't let you do that."
Felix smiled and deflected the spell.
The ferret cowered at his feet, and the Niffler named Valen was perched on his shoulder, looking curiously at it.
As for Felix, his eyes had already fallen on the dirty Daily Prophet on the ground, which he had read the headline of that morning.
(End of Chapter)
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