Chapter 455: Responsibility Breeds Courage
Chapter 455: Responsibility Breeds Courage
Professor Machi Ban abruptly shifted the conversation to her friend Gilbert Wimple, who was on the Experimental Spell Commission. She said loudly, "Wimple wants to come over! But I advised him to treat those horns on his head. He hasn't done it in a while, so I told him to hurry to St. Mungo's since I happened to know Dorothea was there yesterday... He asked me to bring these materials to you."
Felix took the materials. Machi Ban casually added, "They are some questionnaires to assess the danger and learnability of spells, along with potential risks. Just give them to the students, have them fill them out, and send them back to the Ministry of Magic's Experimental Spell Commission. The department will send someone to review them."
Before leaving, she tentatively asked, "Are you really not going to put your name on it? It's possible a new spell might be named after you!"
"Oh, no need. I have a hard time coming up with names", Felix replied.
Old Vera paused at the door, asking casually, "By the way, those Ancient Runes books in the Library—"
"Still in the same place, the second-to-last row of shelves", Felix immediately answered.
Old Vera was taken aback for a moment, waved her hand, and muttered, "Thanks."
...
Felix walked out of the Ancient Runes office, reflecting on what had just happened. He couldn't help but smile. "Today, I'll rile up that stubborn old man a bit, and tomorrow, I'll do it again. Then I can sit back and watch the show. After all, I have Clemi's connection... I really am a good person!"
"Pr-professor?" A head poked out from the corridor, stammering.
It was Neville.
"What did you hear?" Felix asked with a smile.
"You, you're a good person..." Neville answered blankly, then his face turned to one of horror as he clamped a hand over his mouth.
Felix: "...Don't tell anyone."
Neville, seeing the professor's stern face, nodded rapidly.
"Is there something you need? By the way, how are your parents doing? I heard from the staff at St. Mungo's that they've been discharged."
"Yes, they've recovered", Neville quickly replied. "The head of the Auror Office visited recently, hoping they would rejoin the Auror team, even as squad leaders."
"Scrimgeour?" Felix frowned slightly.
"Yes, it was him", Neville said. "But Dad and Mum decided to take some time off. They're traveling abroad for some recovery training... They'll make a decision when they return."
Felix nodded. "That sounds good. Neville, you were hiding in the corridor. What did you want to ask me?"
"Well, um", Neville started stammering again, his face turning red. He swallowed hard and said, "I—I wanted to ask if there's any magic that can make someone brave."
"Braver?" Felix looked at him with a peculiar expression. "What do you want to do?"
"I, I've noticed my talent has improved, and my grades have gotten much better, but I'm still so timid. I can't even speak up in front of a crowd without being afraid of being laughed at..." Neville said with a sad expression. "And, and the Triwizard Tournament—"
"You want to participate in the Triwizard Tournament? Potter and the others are in it against their will."
"No, I mean, whether it's the Triwizard Tournament or any other challenge, I lack the courage to face them. I don't have the courage at all... Whether it's a fire dragon or the depths of a dark lake, just thinking about it makes me shiver", Neville said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"So, I wanted to ask if there's any magic that can help me block out these negative emotions, including what others think of me?"
Neville looked at Felix with hopeful eyes.
Of course, Felix thought. Occlumency, it's practically tailor-made for you. But if your goal is to gain courage by blocking out emotions, you're putting the cart before the horse.
"You've stumped me", Felix said, looking Neville up and down, making him feel uncomfortable. "Your idea is quite unique... How about a curse?"
"A c-curse?" Neville looked startled.
"Sure", Felix said, scratching his chin casually before suddenly turning serious. "I curse you. From this moment on, every second of your life, every insult, slander, mockery, resentment, and dissatisfaction you hear will turn into the most beautiful praise..."
"You won't hear any harsh but honest advice..."
"You won't hear any sincere warnings..."
"You won't hear any friendly teasing..."
Neville felt a chill run down his spine, as if something unclean was wrapping around him. He shivered uncontrollably.
"Professor?" Neville said with a pained expression, sounding desperate. "Did you really curse me? At least ask me first..."
Felix's expression turned serious. "You're a dolt."
Neville was taken aback. His eyes widened, and he blinked, trying to moisten them. "I, I'm okay? I heard you call me a dolt... So I wasn't cursed?"
Felix laughed.
Neville's round face tensed, and Felix patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Do you remember what happened when you received the invitation during the hero selection?"
"I saw... Hogwarts... England... the ocean... the world and... the brilliant night sky", Neville said. He recalled the awe he felt while floating in the vast cosmic sky, a silent contrast that made him feel so insignificant without needing any words.
As he thought, his mind suddenly wandered, and he recalled the harrowing obstacle he had to overcome—singing on stage in front of a row of 'Professor Snape's. It was a nightmare: there was the Snape who looked entranced and kept the beat; the Snape who clenched his fists and glared at him; the Snape who wore a black cloak and had a cold stare; and the Snape who strode forward, trying to grab him from the stage...
That scene was so shocking that even when he saw the real Potions Professor afterward, he felt strange. He was afraid that Seamus or Dean might suddenly turn around, revealing a blank face with a long, hooked nose.
But no matter what, he was less afraid of Potions Class now.
He heard a snap and looked up to see Professor Hep looking at him. "Sorry, Professor, I was daydreaming..." Neville stammered.
Felix wore an understanding expression.
He hadn't used Legilimency and assumed Neville was immersed in the magical memories attached to the invitation card.
"Have you thought about your future plans?" Felix asked, guiding the conversation.
It was just a lead-in to the next topic. However, Neville actually nodded. "I have. I want to become a Herbology professor or an Auror."
"Why?" Felix asked, somewhat surprised. Few students considered this so early; most only realized it during the career counseling in their fifth year.
"I love plants!" Neville said loudly, then glanced at Felix sheepishly and mumbled, "I also want to catch Barty Crouch Jr."
Felix nodded gently, fully understanding his motivation. Of the four Death Eaters who used the Cruciatus Curse on the Longbottoms, only Barty Crouch Jr. was still at large; the other three were still in Azkaban.
Mentioning Azkaban, it seemed to spark a thought. Azkaban... Death Eaters... What exactly? He tried to grasp this fleeting insight, and his mind quickly flashed through information about Azkaban—
North Sea Island... Unplottable... Built in the 15th century... Dark Wizard Axtis's lair... Used to torment passing sailors, creating Dementors... Dementors?
Felix blinked. As far as he knew, due to what he did last year, the Wizard Prison was severely understaffed. New Dementors needed time to reproduce and grow, so many Aurors and Hit Wizards were being sent there on rotation.
Could this be the reason the Ministry of Magic was planning to recruit more Aurors and Hit Wizards? Felix speculated, well, at least it was a strong possibility that Fudge agreed to it to guard the Wizard Prison...
He thought for a few seconds but couldn't find anything particularly valuable or alarming. He could only make a mental note of this information and think about it later.
Felix looked up at Neville and said, "Being a Herbology professor or an Auror are both excellent choices, but they share a common trait."
"What trait?" Neville asked. He suddenly thought of Roger Davies' feat in the first task, where he used a Blackthorn Seed to subdue a Fire Dragon, which thrilled Professor Sprout.
Did the Professor mean using the knowledge from Herbology to arm himself?
"They both require you to guide others", Felix gave a different answer.
Neville looked at him hesitantly. He could understand a professor guiding students, as he was doing now, but an Auror...
"Think about it", Felix said seriously. "If you're a professor, you'll face a classroom full of lively and diverse students. Or, if you're an Auror, look ahead and imagine being a squad leader. You'll need to keep an eye on your team's morale. One small mistake could cost a life."
Neville's expression turned serious, and he nodded. His parents had mentioned similar things, and some of their views aligned with the Professor's...
The Professor really knew a lot. He envied him.
"…So, you should also have this ability", Felix concluded.
"Uh…" Neville's face started to turn red. He wasn't good at this, and his only thought was: Oh no, I can't be a Herbology professor or an Auror, but he quickly perked up and said softly, "I'll try?"
Felix nodded approvingly and rummaged through his ring, then pulled out a small booklet. "I happen to have a spell you can take a look at... the same one attached to the invitation card."
Neville eagerly took it, then looked puzzled. It seemed to be a manuscript, but the corners were glued together with a spell, making it look like a book from a distance, though it wasn't. He stared at the handwritten cover, where the title had been crossed out twice—
The Mind Chamber Magic Simplified Edition (St. Mungo's Special) (crossed out);
The Study of Spells That Induce Predetermined Illusions (Terrifying? Mysterious? Mind-Polluting?) (crossed out);
Finally, the surviving title: Daydream Charm (Cosmic Sky).
"Oh, almost forgot!" Felix snatched the booklet from the dazed Neville, removed a few pages, and explained, "These aren't suitable for you."
He then handed the remaining booklet back to Neville and patted his shoulder. "Try this spell if you encounter similar issues. Also, remind yourself: you'll be guiding others in the future, so how can you guide them if you can't do it yourself?"
(End of Chapter)
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