Nearly every Headmaster of Hogwarts throughout history was a wizard of some renown.
Over thirty Headmasters, their areas of expertise spanned virtually every corner of the magical world—even niche subjects like Ancient Runes or Magical Creatures were no exception.
There were even one or two experts in dark magic, such as Lady Elizabeth Burke, who served as Headmistress from 1398 to 1422.
When Jon discovered they were all quite willing to answer his questions, he realized the most precious treasure in the entire Headmaster's Office wasn't the cabinet filled with rare books almost impossible to find elsewhere, but these portraits of former Headmasters.
They could answer nearly every question Jon posed, no matter how profound or obscure.
Naturally, problems arose. With so many heads of school, opinions couldn't possibly align perfectly. Thus, all manner of arguments erupted. Often, several heads would hurl insults at each other like shrewish women over the smallest issue. Academic conflicts, after all, are fought to the death.
The Headmaster's Office now buzzed daily like a bustling market, with expletives like "fxxk" flying thick and fast.
So much so that Jon often had to seek refuge with the stone creature.
...
Late into another night, Jon finished gnawing on a turkey drumstick and slipped away from the stone creature, who was practically crying with hunger. He tiptoed back to the Headmaster's Office.
The racket inside had just died down. Even though he knew all the headmasters were pretending to sleep, Jon finally felt a bit more at ease in the quiet office.
Having just finished the turkey leg, Jon realized he was getting thirsty. He glanced at the cup of pumpkin juice on the desk and suddenly had an idea.
"Accio juice!" Jon didn't pull out his wand; instead, he simply extended a hand and whispered the incantation.
The cup swayed slightly, but that was all. It didn't fly directly into Jon's hand.
Jon shook his head in resignation, drew his wand, and gave it a light flick. This time, the pumpkin juice successfully flew into his hand, allowing him to take a satisfying sip.
A mocking chuckle suddenly echoed from behind him.
Jon turned to see Phineas Black peeking through half-closed eyes, smirking.
"Not very graceful of you, was it?" Headmaster Black murmured sarcastically.
Jon ignored him.
"But in this particular field, I'm quite the expert." Phineas Black's excited face practically screamed, "Come begging me."
Jon still paid him no mind, turning back to continue drinking his pumpkin juice.
"Hey!" Headmaster Black seemed growing impatient. He hurriedly asked, "You really have no interest in wandless magic?"
"Nope, no interest." Jon turned around and nodded. "To be precise, I don't have time. I've got plenty of other things to learn right now. Even if I did want to learn it, I'd have to wait a while!"
"Haven't you ever thought about it? Just clap your hands and magic appears—no need to fumble with a stupid wand. How effortlessly cool would that be?" Phineas Black asked, looking utterly baffled.
Jon stayed quiet, causing Principal Black's face to flush with embarrassment.
"What's wrong with what I said?" he asked in surprise.
"Is magic cast without a wand stronger than regular spells?" Jon asked in an even tone.
"Of course not. It's actually much weaker," Phineas Black shook his head. "But you don't need a wand."
"Then what practical use does it serve?" Jon pressed.
"Well… you don't need a wand for it..." Headmaster Black repeated, sounding somewhat futile.
"Is carrying a wand too heavy? Or does prolonged wand use harm wizards?" Jon smiled and asked again.
"That's not—"
"Then why exactly are you so opposed to using wands" Jon inquired curiously.
Headmaster Black appeared thoroughly flustered by Jon's line of questioning, his face flushing crimson as he struggled to articulate a response.
An awkward silence fell over the Headmaster's Office.
Many of the portraits lining the walls quietly opened their eyes, watching the speechless Phineas Black, unable to suppress their giggles.
...
"Think about it this way..." Phineas Black pondered for a moment before finally managing to say, "What if you lost your wand, or it was disarmed… then wandless magic could prove crucial."
Having said this, he looked rather pleased with himself, convinced he had gained the upper hand in this debate.
"Headmaster Black..." Jon cast a sympathetic glance at Phineas Black's portrait and asked softly, "Do you often lose your wand, or find yourself the target of a Disarming Charm from time to time?"
"Impossible!" Phineas Black shook his head indignantly, replying without hesitation, "For a wizard, a wand is like a second life. How could one carelessly lose it?"
Jon lifted his hands in a helpless gesture.
Phineas Black clearly realized his slip and hastily added, "If I encountered a formidable opponent who used the Disarming Charm to remove my weapon... in that situation, wandless magic would serve..."
"A formidable opponent?" Jon repeated softly. "Headmaster Black, may I interpret that as a wizard more powerful than you, or one of your equal? Someone like Professor Dumbledore, perhaps?"
"Albus's talent... well, it is a tad stronger than mine!" Phineas Black nodded with an air of humility.
"Then have you seen Professor Dumbledore frequently using Disarming Charms?" Jon asked with genuine curiosity.
Principal Black's smile instantly froze.
"Or perhaps you regularly witness some distinguished wizard casting Disarming Charms daily?" Jon pressed on, his expression still puzzled. "And if you're no match for him even with your wand, but somehow become his equal after losing it—with your spells significantly weakened—does that make sense?"
Seeing Phineas rendered speechless, the other headmasters nearby couldn't help but burst into laughter.
...
"Perhaps that's a bit biased..." Jon raised his head, offering an apologetic glance to Headmaster Phineas Black. "My apologies, Headmaster Black."
"But I believe—the greatest difference between wizards and magical creatures lies in the wizard's ability to wield tools..."
"Quite right." A deep voice echoed from above as Headmaster Oliver Cromwell nodded solemnly.
Observing the wall of awakened headmasters, Jon rose to his feet and spoke slowly, "I have never been a gifted wizard..."