"Thank you, sir."
"Now then, are you having trouble with any particular spells? Do you need help with the seventh-year material?"
"I've mastered all spells up to the sixth-year course book, sir. The seventh-year spells I can perform, but I haven't quite achieved the same level of fluency yet."
Flitwick's expression grew thoughtful. "Tell you what, Mr. Acton. Demonstrate the most difficult charm you've learned. Show me what you're capable of."
James considered for a moment, then raised his wand. He reached for his happiest memory, his parents' unconditional acceptance after learning about his magic, and spoke clearly.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Silver light erupted from his wand tip, brilliant and pure. The owl burst forth in full corporeal form, its wings spread wide as it soared around Flitwick's office. The Patronus circled once, twice, its wise eyes seeming to assess everything before it slowly faded back to mist.
Flitwick nearly fell off his elevated chair.
"Mr. Acton!" The professor's voice was higher than usual, shock evident in every syllable. "That's not in the course books! How did you manage to learn such advanced magic?"
"I came across the spell in my reading, sir. It seemed interesting, so I practiced it."
"Interesting?" Flitwick shook his head in amazement. "Mr. Acton, a corporeal Patronus is extraordinarily rare. Most adult wizards never achieve it. Even among Aurors and those who work in fields where they might encounter Dementors or Lethifolds, many never manage more than a shield. This is the most advanced magic I've ever seen a student perform."
James shifted uncomfortably, aware that he was receiving more praise than he probably deserved. The professor thought he'd learned and mastered the Patronus in less than a week, when in reality, he'd been practicing for months before coming to Hogwarts. The spell had been hell to master, requiring countless attempts before he'd managed even the faintest wisp of silver.
But he couldn't exactly explain that without revealing far too much about his pre-Hogwarts magical practice.
"Would you mind demonstrating a few more advanced sixth-year charms?" Flitwick asked, still recovering from his shock.
James obliged, performing several complex spells with smooth precision. The Geminio Charm to duplicate an object. The Protean Charm to create linked items. The Muffliato Charm for privacy. Each one executed flawlessly, his wand movements precise and his incantations clear.
Flitwick watched with evident satisfaction, occasionally offering small corrections or suggestions for improvement. When James finished, the professor was beaming.
"Excellent work, truly excellent. Now, I'm assuming you don't need help with seventh-year spells, given that you've even managed Auror-grade magic. So tell me, Mr. Acton, how can I assist you? The only reason I imagine you haven't completed the seventh-year course as well is lack of time."
"That's correct, sir. I have a couple of questions about a personal project."
Flitwick leaned forward with interest. "Go on."
"I'm interested in learning about spatial magic, Professor. Specifically, how to perform expansion charms safely and effectively."
Flitwick hummed thoughtfully. "Well, since you've managed so many advanced spells already, I won't doubt your ability to work with spatial magic. It's complex and potentially dangerous, but you've demonstrated the discipline and control necessary."
"Since I entered the wizarding world, it's the branch of magic that's fascinated me most," James admitted. "The idea of folding space, of creating rooms that are larger inside than outside... it's incredible."
"It is indeed. What specifically did you want to expand? You mentioned a personal project?"
"I've been transfiguring furniture for my room, sir. I wanted to add expansion charms to some of the pieces. Drawers that could hold more than their size suggests, that sort of thing."
Flitwick held up a hand, his expression turning more serious. "I must advise against that, Mr. Acton."
James blinked in surprise. "Sir?"
"It's certainly possible to add expansion charms to transfigured objects, and many people do exactly that. But I would advise against it for someone of your skill level. Transfigured objects aren't the most stable foundation for spatial magic. It takes considerably more effort to add such charms to transfigurations, and the results are often unreliable and always inferior."
The professor pointed to James's backpack. "That bag you're carrying, for example. I can see it's expanded, you pulled that bowl out of it, after all. But notice that it's real leather, stitched with real thread, with actual metal buckles worked by a metalsmith. It's a genuine object that exists independently of magic before the expansion charm was added."
"I see your point, sir."
"The best enchanted items take real effort to create properly. If you want to enchant a bag or a piece of furniture with expansion charms, I'd recommend either buying an actual object or, better yet, making one yourself."
"Myself, sir?"
Flitwick nodded enthusiastically. "Most enchanters who excel in their field don't just transfigure or buy goods and later charm them. They create the object from the beginning. There are various theories and schools of thought on the topic, but the general consensus is this: a transfigured object can be expanded, but it will be inferior to a purchased object that's been expanded. And that purchased, expanded object will be inferior to one you personally craft."
"Why is that, Professor?"
"When you craft something with the intention of enchanting it, you're already weaving that purpose into the object's very existence. The materials you choose, the way you shape them, the care you take in construction, all of it prepares the object to accept the enchantment more readily. It's not taught much in standard Charms theory because enchanting is a specialized field within charms itself."
James frowned. "I haven't seen this mentioned in any of the books I've read."
"It's in more advanced enchantment theory texts, not general Charms coursework. Enchanting is actually a specialized career path, not something we teach comprehensively at Hogwarts. Most people learn it from family businesses or through apprenticeships. The principles are complex and require hands-on guidance."
"I see. Thank you for the advice, sir. I'll definitely try the proper approach then."
"Good, good! And I'll be happy to supervise whichever option you choose. Learning to craft and enchant proper objects is an excellent long-term project."
They talked for a while longer about the specifics of spatial magic, about the mathematics involved and the precision required. Flitwick was clearly in his element, discussing advanced magical theory with genuine enthusiasm.
Finally, James said, "I have another question, sir. About the Ravenclaw common room."
Flitwick let out a chuckle. "Ahh, you've noticed the puzzle runes."
"Yes, sir. Do you know what they are?"
"I have some ideas, but no, I haven't solved it myself." Flitwick's expression grew more serious. "The runes are only visible to students, Mr. Acton. As a student myself, I looked into them extensively and researched what I could find. Many students before and after me have done the same. But you only have until your Hogwarts years to solve it, since it's only available and visible to Ravenclaw students while they're enrolled."
"Oh." James was surprised by this information. "I didn't realize there was a time limit."
"Hogwarts is full of mysteries," Flitwick explained. "Many of them are designed to test students or encourage them to improve themselves. The rune puzzle is one of the longer-lasting challenges. I currently know of over a dozen students researching it, all third-years and above. I haven't seen someone as young as you start so soon, but perhaps with all seven years ahead of you, you'll manage to figure it out."
"Sir, in over a thousand years, hasn't anyone solved it?"
Flitwick's expression became enigmatic. "No one has publicly claimed to do so. Take from that what you will."
James understood the implication. Ravenclaws were a secretive bunch when it came to their discoveries. Someone or multiple someones might have solved the puzzle decades or even centuries ago but kept the knowledge private.
"I also have another question, sir."
Flitwick smiled and leaned back in his chair, gesturing for James to continue. "Go on."