On the pristine parchment, a quill swayed a few times before settling upright.
Wade stared intently at it, his fingers unconsciously twitching, until Professor Murray gently tapped him with his wand.
"Don't use magic, Wade," Professor Murray said with a smile. "You need to control it with your mind."
Wade took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the quill, a slight frown on his face.
After a few seconds, the quill finally moved, scrawling a few crooked characters on the paper—
Mentis Imperio.
"Mind Control?" Professor Murray stroked his chin. "That's a pretty good name—quite different from your usual naming skills."
Wade gave him a helpless look.
Just then, the quill seemed to lose all its energy and plopped onto the parchment.
"A bit difficult, isn't it?" Professor Murray pushed a cup of hot chocolate towards Wade. "Have some, you'll feel much better."
Wade drank the chocolate and asked, puzzled, "But Professor, I've seen others use a Quick-Notes Quill before, and it seemed effortless for her. Why is it so hard for me to control?"
"Well... there are many reasons."
Professor Murray continued, "First, your Magic isn't perfect, and the connection between you and the quill is very weak. You need more time to study it carefully. A high-quality Quick-Notes Quill can recognize its owner's thoughts more quickly and is less susceptible to external interference."
Wade nodded. He also felt that the Quick-Notes Quill he had made for the first time wasn't perfect; the Magic Rune Circuit felt sluggish.
"Secondly, the Wizard you saw must have used blood or saliva to strengthen their connection with the quill. That's a trick. While it's quick, I don't recommend using it—shortcuts can make people lazy."
"Furthermore, the longer any magical item is used, the stronger its connection with the Wizard becomes, regardless of how powerful the magic on it is."
"So, Wade, even if you haven't imbued the item with a special thought, you should treat it as your family, partner, or sibling, not just a tool that can be discarded at any time—when you do that, you will surely be rewarded."
Wade held the quill in his hand and nodded. "I'll remember that, Professor."
He thought of the Black Family Ancestral Home.
When Sirius first returned, he was forced to do so for Regulus's funeral, and he still harbored intense hatred for the house.
And the house, too, was full of resistance towards its owner; not only was it filthy everywhere, but even the Robes hanging in the closet tried to strangle people.
Yet, when its former owner was still alive, it had merely been a well-fitting magical robe.
But later, perhaps Kreacher finally cooperated, or perhaps Sirius gradually accepted his heritage, feeling some connection to his family due to his nostalgia and guilt for his brother. In any case, the old house's angry resistance finally subsided and it became quiet.
"Alright, we can put Magic research aside for now. Why don't you look at the rest of the quills?"
Professor Murray seemed worried that the previous unsuccessful creation might discourage Wade, so he summoned two more boxes and introduced Wade to the various magical quills inside.
"The Contract Quill, made from Elf hair. Contracts written with it have stronger magical binding power and were very popular among Wizards in ancient times."
Professor Murray took out a pale gold quill and said, "But nowadays, because there are more effective and convenient Contract Spells, not many people know about this quill anymore."
"The Memory Quill can record every word it writes and then reproduce them. Alliance judges and record-keepers all use this quill."
"Oh, and this one... this quill is made from a small tuft of hair from the center of a Unicorn's head. Words written with it can calm one's mind. But if it's a lie, it cannot be recorded, making it very rare."
Professor Murray introduced several other types of quills.
Rare materials often create unique effects, such as a pen made from Sphinx feathers, which can automatically provide answers to most questions, making it a dream pen for students.
To Alchemist, these were merely toys to pass the time. But outside, each one could fetch an astonishingly high price.
"I'll gradually teach you these things, Wade, but don't be confined by the knowledge I give you."
Professor Murray leisurely rested his hands on his belly, smiling. "In the magical world, there will always be knowledge that you and I cannot comprehend."
"For example, here at Hogwarts, there's a quill that even I find amazing—the Quill of Acceptance."
"The Quill of Acceptance?" Wade asked.
"Yes," Professor Murray said. "It can sense magically gifted children and automatically write their names in the Book of Admittance—including you, Wade."
Professor Murray pointed at Wade and chuckled, "This quill's sensing range covers the entire British Isles and can detect even very faint magical fluctuations. Even if the child's parents haven't noticed, it can accurately detect them."
"Some children are written into the Hogwarts admission register as soon as they are born; while others only show magical potential closer to their eleventh birthday. But no matter what, the Quill of Acceptance ensures that no magically gifted child is overlooked."
"Even I don't understand how that quill works. But Dumbledore likes you, Wade, so if you ever get the chance, you could try to research it."
"I hope I get that chance... but it probably won't be easy," Wade said with a shrug.
The Quill of Acceptance was surely one of Hogwarts' most precious treasures. Wade felt Dumbledore would rather throw away the sword left by Gryffindor than let anyone touch that quill.
"Actually, it's not that difficult," Professor Murray said. "If one day you can become Headmaster of Hogwarts, then all the school's secrets will be open to you, my boy."
Wade paused, then chuckled wryly. "I haven't thought that far ahead, Professor. But I certainly don't want to deal with a bunch of rowdy kids all day... Maybe being a pure Alchemist is more suitable for me? Like you."
Professor Murray laughed. "Actually, I'm not as pure as you imagine, Wade. In fact, I own shares in many companies, and in my youth, I participated in some rather hot-headed activities."
He said wistfully, "You know, when war breaks out, no one can remain indifferent... Compared to me, Wawerlett, who is in the Alliance, is actually more pure."
Hearing that familiar name, Wade couldn't help but look up at Professor Murray.
The silver-haired Professor nodded. "That's right, he and I were friends when we were young, and even now, we're not exactly enemies."
"I also heard about some things you encountered during the holidays, Wade... because that Wawerlett fellow had the audacity to write to me, trying to snatch away my student."
He showed a subtly dangerous smile.
Wade was speechless.
Actually, after he returned to school, he also received a letter from Wawerlett, which was full of longing for the Time-Turner. Wade could only write back to him, telling him it was impossible because the Time-Turner was under the Ministry of Magic's monitoring spell and absolutely could not be loaned out.
He hadn't expected Wawerlett to send the letter to Professor Murray as well.
Professor Murray asked, "I heard that fellow gave you his Alchemy notes?"
"Yes," Wade nodded, honestly saying, "Actually, when I was caught by the Alliance, he also defended me quite a bit."
"And so? What's your impression of them?" Professor Murray asked.
"Mr. Wawerlett?" Wade said naturally, "He's a good person, and his Alchemy has unique aspects. I learned a lot…"
"No," Professor Murray interrupted him, saying, "Wade, I'm asking about the Alliance—what do you think of them?"
Wade was silent for a long while before hesitantly saying, "Idealists who are equally dangerous and active, I suppose? Unlike most Wizards in Britain, they don't have much reverence for life; they focus more on belief and goals."
"…An objective evaluation."
Professor Murray chuckled, "In many people's eyes, they are fanatical believers, brutal executioners, and Grindelwald's Death Knights."
Wade looked at Professor Murray and softly said, "I didn't live in that era, so my view is rather one-sided."
"We are neither God nor Merlin; no one can truly see the whole picture of things," Professor Murray said.
He skipped the topic and then casually said, "That fool Wawerlett, if you just take the time to flatter him a bit, he'll hand over all his Alchemy. As for the rest… just follow your own ideas and don't be swayed by others."
Wade slowly nodded and said, "Yes, Professor."
"Oh, I heard you also received an invitation from Nicolas Flamel?" Professor Murray asked again.
"Yes," Wade hesitated, saying, "I'm actually a bit nervous. After all, it's Mr. Nicolas Flamel… I don't know how I'm supposed to interact with him."
"It's simple, just remember one thing—don't press him about the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life. Everything else is fine."
Professor Murray said gently, "With your upbringing and your love for knowledge, as long as you are yourself, Nicolas Flamel will definitely like you—he's actually a very easygoing person; you don't need to feel anxious about it."
…
Wade had Herbology class that afternoon, so he didn't stay in Professor Murray's office for long.
As he walked with the crowd towards the greenhouses, Wade couldn't help but turn his head to look in the direction of Professor Murray's office.
The castle's many windows reflected the evening sunlight, and he couldn't see if there was a pair of eyes silently watching him from behind the glass, or even accurately pinpoint that specific window.
Wade had once misunderstood Professor Murray, worrying that he was the kind of bad professor who would steal students' academic achievements. Later, under Professor Murray's long-standing care and selfless guidance, he had long since let go of those baseless worries, even finding his initial trepidation ridiculous.
But just now… when Professor Murray pressed him about his views on the Alliance, Wade suddenly felt that chilling sensation again.
He didn't want to suspect the professor who cared for him like a father, but Wade couldn't stop thinking…
When Professor Murray said "don't be swayed by others," did those "others" refer to Grindelwald or Dumbledore?
"What's wrong, Wade?" Michael suddenly walked in front of him and asked strangely, "You look a bit pale."
Wade withdrew his gaze and walked with him towards the greenhouses, saying, "Maybe I've been too tired lately… You know, sometimes I have classes with the upper years."
"Don't push yourself too hard, Wade," Michael advised. "I know what happened last time put a lot of pressure on you, but if you keep going like this, I'm worried you'll break yourself."
"I know… I'll adjust," Wade said agreeably.
"Oh, by the way, are you coming with us to Remus's place this Hogsmeade Weekend?"
Michael said excitedly, "Professor Hagrid caught a Boggart from somewhere, and Harry said Remus is going to use that Boggart to help us learn the Patronus Charm—hopefully, we can conjure real corporeal Patronuses like you."
"I'm afraid I'll have to go next time," Wade politely declined. "I've already accepted Carlyle's invitation to visit his parents during Hogsmeade Weekend."
"Visit his parents?" Michael repeated in confusion.
"Our two families used to be friends," Wade explained calmly. "Carlyle's parents are also in Hogsmeade, and they said they wanted to see me."
"Oh, that's a shame," Michael said with a smile, not thinking much of it. "When I get back, I'll tell you what those guys are most afraid of! I heard Professor Trocar didn't let Harry face the Boggart during Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
"Why?" Wade asked casually.
"Probably worried the Boggart would turn into something terrifying? Like a two-faced man with another face on the back of his head?"
Michael speculated, "Actually, he's overthinking it. I think Harry is more afraid of his Muggle relatives—after all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is the one who gets the short end of the stick when he encounters Harry, right?"
Wade said helplessly, "Lower your voice, don't let the Slytherins hear what you said, Michael."
"Hey, they just don't say it, but they might be thinking the same thing inside," Michael said indifferently.
His usual interactions with Slytherin students allowed him to sense their subtle wariness and fear of Harry Potter beneath their distant and hostile attitudes.
Otherwise, only a handful of people, led by Malfoy, would constantly bother Harry.
Wade looked at him, feeling a strange sensation in his heart.
He felt that the current Michael didn't seem to fear Voldemort as much as before.
Had his courage increased with his growing knowledge and experience?
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read ***+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский
Or Translate for free at : https:// randomtranslator.com/translate
Join our Discord: https:// discord.com/invite/XXUR9nkjwa
-----------