Chapter 460: No Longer Afraid
Chapter 460: No Longer Afraid
A quill pen swayed unsteadily on a sheet of white parchment before finally standing firm.
Wade watched it closely, his fingers unconsciously twitching. Then, Morrie Professor tapped him lightly with his wand.
"Don’t use magic, Wade", Morrie Professor said with a smile. "Control it with your mind."
Wade took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the quill, and his brow furrowed slightly.
After a few seconds, the quill finally moved, scrawling a few uneven characters on the paper—
[Mentis Imperio].
"Mind Control?" Morrie Professor stroked his chin. "Not a bad name—much better than your previous choices."
Wade gave him a helpless look.
At that moment, the quill seemed to lose all its strength and fell with a thud onto the parchment.
"Feeling a bit difficult, huh?" Morrie Professor pushed a cup of hot chocolate toward Wade. "Have a drink; it’ll make you feel better."
Wade drank the chocolate and said in puzzlement, "But Professor, I’ve seen others use shorthand quills, and they seemed to use them effortlessly. Why is it so hard for me?"
"Hmm... there are several reasons."
Morrie Professor explained, "First, your magic isn’t fully developed, and the connection between you and the quill is very weak. You need more time to refine it. A high-quality shorthand quill can more quickly recognize the user’s thoughts and is less susceptible to external interference."
Wade nodded, feeling that his first attempt at making a shorthand quill was not quite right, with the magical circuit feeling sluggish.
"Second, the witch you saw probably used blood or saliva to strengthen the connection between herself and the quill. It’s a shortcut, but I don’t recommend it—shortcuts can make one lazy."
"Additionally, the longer you use any magical item, the stronger the bond between it and you becomes. This isn’t necessarily related to the power of the magic on it."
"So, Wade, even if you don’t imbue the item with any special thoughts, treat it like a family member, a partner, or a sibling—something more than just a disposable tool. When you do this, you will surely reap the rewards."
Wade held the quill in his hand and nodded. "I understand, Professor."
He thought about the Black Family Manor.
When Sirius first returned, it was for Regulus’s funeral, a necessary but hated task. He still harbored deep resentment toward the house.
The house, in turn, resisted its new owner, with dirt and grime everywhere, and even the clothes in the closets trying to strangle people. But when its original owners were around, it had been a cozy magical robe.
Later, perhaps Kreacher finally cooperated, or Sirius gradually accepted his heritage, driven by his memories and guilt over his brother. The manor’s angry resistance finally subsided, and it became peaceful.
"Alright, we can put magic research aside for now. Why don’t you take a look at the other quills?"
Morrie Professor, perhaps concerned that Wade would be discouraged by the less successful attempt, summoned two boxes and introduced him to the various magical quills inside.
"The Pact Quill, made with elf hair. Contracts written with it have stronger magical binding, making it popular among ancient wizards."
Morrie Professor held up a light golden quill. "But today, with more effective and convenient contract magic available, this quill is rarely known."
"The Memory Quill can record every word it writes and reproduce them later. Judges and scribes in the Wizengamot use these."
"Oh, and this one... It’s made with a small tuft of hair from a unicorn’s forehead. The words it writes can calm the mind, but it cannot record lies, making it very rare."
Morrie Professor introduced several other types of quills.
Rare materials often create unique effects, like a quill made from a Sphinx feather, which can automatically provide answers to most questions—every student’s dream.
To an alchemy master, these were mere pastimes. But outside, each one could fetch an exorbitant price.
"I’ll teach you about these gradually, Wade, but don’t be confined to what I teach you."
Morrie Professor rested his hands on his belly, smiling. "In the magical world, there is always knowledge beyond what you and I can understand."
"For instance, at Hogwarts, there is a quill that even I find magical—the Admission Quill."
"The Admission Quill?" Wade asked.
"Yes", Professor Mori said, pointing at Wade with a smile. "It can sense children with magical abilities and automatically write their names in the Book of Admission—yours included, Wade."
"The quill's range covers the entire British Isles, and it can detect even the faintest magical fluctuations. Even if a child's parents haven't noticed, the quill can still accurately detect it."
"Some children are written into Hogwarts' admission list at birth, while others only show their magical potential as they approach eleven years old. Regardless, the Admission Quill ensures no child with magical abilities is overlooked."
"Even I don't fully understand how the quill works. But Dumbledore likes you, Wade. If you ever get the chance, you might want to study it."
"I hope I get the chance... but it probably won't be easy", Wade shrugged.
The Admission Quill is undoubtedly one of Hogwarts' most precious treasures. Wade felt that Dumbledore would rather lose Gryffindor's Sword than let anyone touch the quill.
"Actually, it's not that difficult", Professor Mori said. "If you ever become the Headmaster of Hogwarts, all the school's secrets will be open to you, my boy."
Wade was taken aback, then laughed. "I haven't thought that far ahead, Professor. But I definitely don't want to deal with a bunch of troublesome kids all day... maybe a pure alchemist like you would be a better fit for me."
Professor Mori laughed. "I'm not as pure as you think, Wade. In fact, I own shares in several companies and was involved in some passionate activities when I was young."
He sighed. "You know, when war breaks out, no one can stand idly by... compared to me, Vauvert, who is in the Purity Party, is more pure."
Hearing that familiar name, Wade looked up at Professor Mori.
The silver-haired professor nodded. "That's right. We were friends when we were young, and even now, we're not enemies."
"I've heard about what happened to you during the holidays, Wade... Vauvert had the audacity to write to me, trying to steal my student."
He smiled, a hint of danger in his eyes.
Wade was speechless.
In fact, after returning to school, Wade had also received a letter from Vauvert, filled with a desperate desire for the Time-Turner. Wade could only write back—
It's impossible. The Time-Turner is under the Ministry of Magic's surveillance spell and can't be lent out.
He didn't expect Vauvert to send the letter to Professor Mori as well.
Professor Mori asked, "I heard that guy gave you his alchemy notes?"
"Yes", Wade nodded, speaking honestly. "Actually, when I was captured by the Purity Party, he also protected me."
"So, what do you think of them?" Professor Mori asked.
"Vauvert?" Wade said naturally. "He's a good person, and his alchemy is unique. I learned a lot..."
"No", Professor Mori interrupted. "Wade, I'm asking about the Purity Party—what do you think of them?"
Wade was silent for a long moment before hesitantly saying, "They are idealists with both dangerous and strong actions. They are different from most wizards in Britain; they don't have much reverence for life, but they are more focused on their beliefs and goals."
"An objective assessment", Professor Mori smiled.
"In many people's eyes, they are fanatical believers, brutal executioners, and Death Knights under Grindelwald."
Wade looked at Professor Mori and said softly, "I haven't experienced that era, so my views are rather limited."
"We are not God or Merlin; no one can see the whole picture of anything", Professor Mori said.
He changed the subject, speaking casually. "Vauvert, that fool, if you just take some time to flatter him, he'll hand over all his alchemy knowledge. As for the rest... follow your own path and don't let others sway you."
Wade slowly nodded and said, "Yes, Professor."
"Oh, I heard you also received an invitation from Nicolas Flamel?" Professor Mori asked.
"Yes", Wade hesitated for a moment and said, "I’m actually a bit nervous. After all, it’s Mr. Flamel… I don’t know how to interact with him when the time comes."
"Simple, remember one thing—don’t ask about the Philosopher’s Stone or the Elixir of Life. Everything else is fair game."
Professor Mori said gently, "With your upbringing and your love for knowledge, just be yourself, and Nicolas Flamel will surely like you. He’s actually a very approachable person, so you don’t need to worry about it."
...
Wade had Herbology in the afternoon, so he didn’t stay in Professor Mori’s office for long.
On the way to the greenhouse, Wade couldn’t help but turn around and look in the direction of Professor Mori’s office.
The many windows of the castle reflected the evening sunlight, making it impossible for him to see if there were eyes silently watching him from behind the glass, or even to pinpoint the exact window.
Wade had once misunderstood Professor Mori, suspecting him of being a professor who would steal his students’ academic achievements. However, after Professor Mori’s long-term care and selfless teaching, he had long since put aside those baseless worries, even finding his former anxiety laughable.
But just now... when Professor Mori pressed him about his views on the Purity Party, Wade suddenly felt that chilling sensation again.
He didn’t want to doubt a professor who had cared for him like a father, but Wade couldn’t help but think...
When Professor Mori said, "Don’t let others influence you", who exactly did he mean by "others"? Grindelwald or Dumbledore?
"What’s wrong, Wade?" Michael suddenly walked in front of him and asked curiously, "You look a bit pale."
Wade retracted his gaze and walked with him toward the greenhouse, saying, "I’m probably just a bit tired… you know, I sometimes take classes with the upper years."
"Don’t push yourself too hard, Wade", Michael advised, "I know the last incident put a lot of stress on you, but if you keep this up, I’m worried you’ll burn out."
"I know… I’ll adjust", Wade said, taking the advice to heart.
"By the way, are you coming to Hogsmeade this weekend to visit Remus?"
Michael said excitedly, "Professor Hagrid caught a Boggart from somewhere. Harry said Remus will use it to help us learn the Patronus Charm—ideally, to produce a corporeal Patronus like you did."
"I’m afraid I’ll have to pass this time", Wade politely declined, "I’ve already promised to visit Carrill’s parents this weekend in Hogsmeade."
"Visit his parents?" Michael repeated, puzzled.
"Our families used to be friends", Wade explained calmly, "Carrill’s parents are also in Hogsmeade, and they said they want to meet me."
"Oh, that’s a shame", Michael didn’t think much of it and smiled, "When you get back, I’ll tell you what those guys are most afraid of! I heard Professor Trocar didn’t let Harry face the Boggart in Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
"Why?" Wade asked casually.
"Maybe he was worried the Boggart would turn into something terrifying, like a two-faced man with an extra face on the back of his head?"
Michael speculated, "But he was overthinking it. I think Harry is more afraid of his Muggle relatives—after all, when it comes to The Dark Lord, it’s the Dark Lord who ends up on the losing side, right?"
Wade said helplessly, "Keep your voice down, Michael. Don’t let the Slytherins hear what you’re saying."
"Hey, they just don’t say it, but they might think the same thing", Michael said dismissively.
He often interacted with Slytherin students and could sense the underlying wariness and fear they had toward Harry Potter, despite their distant and hostile attitudes.
Otherwise, the few who frequently picked on Harry wouldn’t just be led by Malfoy.
Wade looked at him, feeling a strange sensation.
—It seemed that Michael wasn’t as afraid of Voldemort as he used to be.
Was it because his courage had grown along with his knowledge and experience?
(End of Chapter)
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