Chapter 97: Communication
Chapter 97: Communication
Seeing Felix's thoughtful expression, Professor Flitwick explained, "Slughorn is the former Head of Slytherin House, just like Severus, he’s a potion master."
Felix nodded. He had no direct interaction with this potion master, only having heard his name before, and he couldn’t immediately place it.
Professor Flitwick continued, "They say his retirement is quite enjoyable. Of course, when he was teaching at Hogwarts, he had very high standards for his quality of life."
"Professor Flitwick—"
"Felix, you can call me by my first name", Professor Flitwick waved his hand. "We are colleagues now, right?"
"Um, alright, Filius", Felix said.
"Me too, Felix. We don’t need to be so formal in private", Professor Mcgonagall added.
So Felix addressed her, "Minerva." The Transfiguration professor smiled kindly at him.
Then, he turned to look at Snape, who returned his gaze with a blank expression, his eyes as cold as stone.
But Felix was most familiar with him. He drawled, "Ah, Severus…"
Snape’s lips trembled in anger.
Suddenly, Professor Flitwick became very interested in the view outside the window, while Professor Mcgonagall scrutinized the room’s decor with great interest.
There was a hint of amusement in their eyes.
This awkward atmosphere didn’t last long. A graceful woman with a striking face approached.
"A small glass of Gorge Water—"
"Mine", Professor Mcgonagall’s voice said.
"A sherry and soda with ice and a lemon twist—"
"Mm! Thank you, Rosmerta", Professor Flitwick smacked his lips.
"A glass of water—"
Snape silently accepted it.
Rosmerta glanced at the new arrival, Felix. "This guest, what would you like? Oh, wait, you’re Felix Hep?"
Felix looked at her in confusion.
He had indeed come to the 'Three Broomsticks' during his school days, but he had never spoken to her beyond ordering drinks.
Rosmerta looked at him, "Mr. Hep, you don’t know how famous you were when you were a student. Many people used to sit here and discuss your exploits…"
Felix joked, "I bet it wasn’t all good, right?"
"No, many people admired you", she didn’t elaborate, just gave a light laugh. "Besides, a good reputation and a bad one are inseparable friends—invite one, and the other is sure to follow. What would you like to drink?"
"A Butterbeer, I’m used to it."
Professor Flitwick invited her, "Have a drink with us, Rosmerta, join us."
Rosmerta looked around the pub at the few scattered tables of guests. "Alright, thank you."
A moment later, she returned with a Butterbeer for Felix.
Rosmerta sat in the empty seat next to him, a gin and tonic in front of her.
This woman was skilled in conversation. After a few sips, she took on a nostalgic look. "Running this pub, my greatest joy is overhearing the guests’ conversations, of course, not eavesdropping. In this setting, they don’t share secrets…"
"We understand what you mean."
"Yes, generations of young wizards come and go, but only the most outstanding leave a lasting impression. Let me think, in recent years, the most famous has to be Mr. Hep, but there are others too…"
Rosmerta mentioned a name, "Bill Weasley, he was in your year, right?" She looked at Felix.
"That’s right."
"I remember, he got twelve Outstanding in his Owls Exam. That was quite the buzz at the time", Rosmerta said. "And his brother, who was the Quidditch team captain, later went on to raise dragons."
Professor Mcgonagall’s face was stern; she had always been bothered by this. "He should have joined the national team. Charlie had the potential."
"But that wasn’t what he wanted, Minerva", Flitwick said. "As professors, we should be proud of him."
"I am—", Mcgonagall’s face turned red, stammering, "I just feel it’s a shame. The national team hasn’t had any promising players in recent years."
She was always a big Quidditch fan.
"Then there’s a girl named Tonks, her metamorphmagus abilities are quite unique", Rosmerta said. "Thinking about it, many of the notable ones are from Gryffindor."
Flitwick spoke up, a bit embarrassed, "Actually, Tonks is from Hufflepuff, but what I wanted to say is… Ravenclaw also has many excellent graduates."
Rosmerta blinked. "Of course. They excel in all fields and are truly outstanding."
Snape snorted. "Madam Rosmerta, I must remind you that Slytherin has the fewest students but has won the most House Cups."
"Severus! Last year's House Cup belonged to Gryffindor, and this year it's likely to be the same—" Professor Mcgonagall retorted, indignant.
Snape let out a low scoff.
Seeing the Heads of Houses about to argue, Rosmerta quickly interjected, "Every house has many excellent students, that's a fact. By the way, what were you discussing just now?"
Flitwick also tried to smooth things over, continuing the conversation. "We were talking about Damocles Belby, Severus. Have you seen the recipe for the Wolfsbane Potion?"
"I have. It's cleverly designed, but I don't see the point in researching such potions."
"At least it addresses the werewolf problem, doesn't it?"
"From a political standpoint—yes, it fills a gap." Snape's face twisted into his usual mocking expression. "But unless the potion's price drops below seven Galleons, a simple chain would be more effective."
In the wizarding world, werewolves are synonymous with poverty; no one is willing to hire them. As a result, werewolves either live in isolation or align with evil.
In other words, at the current cost, few werewolves can afford it.
"Currently, the Wolfsbane Potion can only alleviate the pain of transforming during a full moon and help werewolves maintain their sanity, but it doesn't cure them. And the cost is indeed high", Felix said, having learned this from his correspondence with Damocles.
Professor Mcgonagall clicked her tongue. "But that's still an improvement. If only—" She glanced at Snape and stopped herself.
She thought of her former student, Remus Lupin, who was also a werewolf. However, Lupin and Snape's relationship was far from good, to say the least, it was terrible.
Rosmerta, although curious, wisely didn't press the matter. The conversation continued, and after a while, she got up to tend to other guests.
For the next while, the professors discussed their teaching.
Felix mentioned the recently concluded dueling class, expressing regret over the overall skill level of the young wizards. "The Disarming Charm isn't difficult, but few students have mastered it."
After a detailed inquiry, Flitwick offered a different perspective.
"Felix, they might just not understand the concept of dueling. If you ask me, a random upper-year student knows more hexes than you'd expect."
Felix was taken aback; this was a viewpoint he hadn't considered before. When he was a student, he had no interest in hexes that seemed useless.
"You mean they don't know the Disarming Charm because they don't know the spell?"
"Or perhaps they don't value it. After all, the spell's effect doesn't appeal to young wizards", Flitwick, an experienced Spell Professor, said, understanding the mindset of young wizards: "Only those spells with dramatic and hilarious effects are their favorites."
Flitwick counted on his fingers, "Tripping Jinx, Knockback Jinx, Tickle Jinx, Bat-Bogey Hex, Slugs Vomit Jinx... there are too many. Despite the school's ban, these spells are passed down from year to year among young wizards."
Felix nodded in understanding. "Perhaps I should explain to the young wizards the difference between dueling magic and hexes. Severus, what do you think?"
Snape didn't speak, but his silence implied agreement.
Flitwick then asked Felix if he could join the next dueling class.
"I was a dueling champion in my youth", he said, a bit embarrassed. "Don't worry, just one class. I just want to share my experience with the young wizards."
Felix looked at Flitwick and said cheerfully, "Of course, Filius."
Professor Mcgonagall couldn't resist chiming in, "If you don't mind, Felix, I'd also like to show the young wizards how Transfiguration can be applied in dueling."
(End of Chapter)
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