Felix was still addressing these individuals.
"Professor Snape must have told you, Potion-making is a meticulous discipline, requiring diligence, precision, patience, and the exact flick of the wand. In the course's arrangement, the difficulty escalates gradually. Each potion you're brewing is highly representative and often contains intricate methods..."
Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione stared at Felix, none of them had expected this day: to have an ancient Runes Professor explaining Potion-making to them—although all they were preoccupied with was how to cut corners and ace the class.
But this peculiar, bizarre feeling lingered in their minds.
"If you wish to delve deeper into Potion-making,"—Harry, Ron, and Neville shook their heads in unison—Felix sighed, "the orthodox study method is best. However—" he cleared his throat, his tone less stern.
"Yes, I had thoughts similar to yours at that time, with no interest in delving into profound theories or intricate brewing steps," he murmured. "Entering the advanced class was one aim, and the other was mastering the potion-making methods that interested me."
"As for cutting corners, I don't care."
Harry listened more attentively; this was his requirement for the course. He could hardly imagine enduring loneliness, spending years hidden in a lightless basement, staring at a row of steaming cauldrons.
Felix tapped the book in his hands. "The previous owner of this textbook was a master at this. It contains many operational tips and simplified methods. Of course, you'll find notes inside that touch not only on potions but also on some intriguing minor curses—"
Given the professor's serious expression, the four students made a sincere commitment.
"Now, it's time to talk about my approach," Felix's expression regained composure. "From a higher perspective, you'll realize that the O.W.Ls exam tests your accumulated knowledge, not innovation. Theoretically, if you memorize the entire textbook and proficiently grasp the operational techniques mentioned in it, achieving an 'Outstanding' is easy and natural..."
Even Hermione couldn't help but glare at him this time; though she often scored 'Outstanding,' it was never 'easy.'
"You'll figure out the theoretical knowledge yourselves. For practical application, my suggestion is to organize the method for each potion, simplify the cumbersome, difficult steps. Brewing a potion may have dozens, even hundreds of steps, but if you categorize them according to their 'purpose,' it might add up to just a dozen or so—You might have your own insights, right?"
However, judging by the expressions on their faces, it seemed Felix had asked a redundant question. But he was certain it wasn't his issue. "At least, this book has a similar approach, and I've added my personal insights. Well, that's all for now."
Felix handed the book to them, while Luna, Cedric, and others waited as the professor had mentioned needing their help earlier.
Harry and Neville placed the books they held on the small table and sat down with Ron and Hermione, watching Felix.
"Have you all mastered the Patronus Charm?" he asked. Follow current novᴇls on N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Almost everyone nodded. Even the one-foot-tall Fred and George did so, but the reason for 'almost' was because someone wasn't within this scope. "I haven't!" Astoria exclaimed. "I just started third year."
Although Draco remained silent, it seemed he hadn't mastered the spell either.
"You can watch, have some biscuits, or go play," Felix told the protesting Astoria.
Astoria huffed and stayed.
"I've gathered you all for a test. I had planned to do it after the start of the term, but upon reflection, today seems better. After all, not everyone in the Runes Club knows this magic."
Harry actually wanted to mention he'd taught this spell in the "Frontline Outlook" group, but he quickly realized the professor was aware of it.
"The test itself isn't dangerous, but it's quite emotionally taxing."
Felix paused for a moment, seeing no objections raised, he continued.
"The Patronus is the perfect combination of positive emotions and magic. Based on ancient engravings and notes, this charm has been used since ancient times. However, at some point, Patronus Charm became exclusive to wizards with purely positive emotional strength. Some individuals, especially dark wizards whose minds have succumbed to darkness, seem fundamentally unworthy of it."
As Felix spoke, his gaze shifted away from Harry.
He had invested considerable thought into this magic, especially after incorporating knowledge from Rowena Ravenclaw, pushing its boundaries further. He had thought he'd reached the peak of understanding of this charm, but Harry's demonstration had revealed new aspects.
Harry was one of the most talented wizards he'd ever seen.
As far as he knew, Harry successfully conjured a corporeal Patronus for the first time on the third-floor corridor in his third year, a stag Patronus that showcased remarkable power. After that, Harry, without any guidance, learned to communicate using the Patronus and later integrated ancient runes, displaying exceptional combat skills when hunting Umbridge not long ago.
He was way ahead of most wizards, but Harry still couldn't incorporate other emotions into his Patronus, because the Patronus was built solely on the purest positive emotions. Introducing any other emotion was like "adding sand," tarnishing the magic's purity.
So Harry had been unsuccessful.
Unlike Harry, Felix's Swiftlet Patronus had been reconstructed using memory nodes, incredibly stable. Even when mixed with other emotions, under his adept control, it melded together seamlessly.
Felix even thought this level of difficulty was to be expected. However, Harry's experience hinted to him that perhaps it was his deeply ingrained "upgrade thinking" at play. He revisited Ravenclaw's notes and analyzed the structure of her Crown, attempting to create a clear framework for 'Emotional Magic' by combining various sources of knowledge.
The results were significant.
He pioneered an entire series of Patronus spells.
But his contemplation didn't stop there...
"I need you to pay attention to a few words: 'pure, positive emotional power.' It'll be crucial for the upcoming discussion," Felix said. "When you were learning this magic, you used happy memories, right?"
Harry recalled Romulus teaching him and mentioning how positive emotions could combat Dementors. In practice, he had only used happy or imaginatively joyful memories.
"While researching, I stumbled upon a secret—maybe it's an overreach, the specific conclusion needs validation. Still, I'd like to share it with you:
Over the extensive passage of time in the Patronus's history, it underwent three vague, conjectural stages.
The first stage is untraceable, lacking history. People could only glean information from engravings. Dementors hadn't even cast a shadow during that time, and the Thestral creature wasn't discovered until the 18th century—and this creature only thrived in tropical climates;
The second stage, around the medieval period, the history was relatively preserved. Wizards of that time had a more aligned understanding of the Patronus Charm, although it remained the rarest, most challenging defensive magic, long associated with 'wizards fighting for noble causes.'
Miranda Goshawk, who authored the 'Standard Book of Spells' series,
mentioned in her description of the Patronus, 'This ancient and mysterious charm summons a magical protector, a reflection of all your most positive emotions.'
I've seen similar statements in some ancient magical notes.
But there's a slight difference in this description and the third stage—the last two to three hundred years, when wizards wrote learning notes on this magic. They all unanimously equate 'most positive emotions' with 'happy memories.'
Perhaps doing so indeed lessened the difficulty?
Maybe this was originally a trick from a particular wizard, then spread, and after trying it, everyone saw an improved success rate. But accurately speaking, this magic merely separates normal wizards from particularly evil dark wizards. If it's just that, it doesn't seem to warrant such great renown..."
Felix succinctly narrated his research, concluding, "I've compared repeatedly, and I feel the issue might lie in the emotions invested. Happy memories might belong to the realm of positive emotions, but are they comparable to the 'fighting for noble causes' belief?"
He looked at everyone. "Perhaps one of you can provide an answer." His gaze shifted between Harry, Hermione, Cedric, and the Weasley twins. In his understanding, these individuals held their convictions, like defeating Voldemort, establishing a Pan-Magic Union, creating a new profession...
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