Throughout the Christmas break, Amanda spent her time incessantly reading the books in the Hogwarts Library, aside from completing her homework and relaxing with Hermione and the others.
Finally, halfway through the Christmas break, she placed the last book from outside the Restricted Section back onto the shelf.
Now, in the entire Hogwarts Library, only the books in the Restricted Section remained unread by her.
Scanning the shelves of the Restricted Section with a calm gaze, Amanda turned and walked out of the Library with a light step.
To read the books in the Restricted Section, she would first need to ask Professor Flitwick for a signed permission slip.
At the same time, Hermione, Cho Chang, Marietta Eckmore, and Penelope were not idle either.
With Penelope acting as their teacher, she was leading the other three younger students in learning the Patronus Charm.
This was something they had started doing since the very first day of the Christmas break.
Progress in learning the Patronus Charm was going very well for Hermione, Cho Chang, and Marietta Eckmore—one could even say it was exceptionally smooth.
Their happy lives since childhood and their privileged environments meant they had absolutely no difficulty in selecting happy memories.
Simply picking some everyday memories was enough; all that remained was the determination to protect themselves and others, as well as mastering the application of the Patronus Charm to produce a corporeal Patronus.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Hermione waved her wand forcefully, tracing a specific arc in the air. Wisps of white vapor drifted from her wand, forming a barrier-like shield in front of her.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione gripped her wand tightly. She could clearly feel the magic draining from her body, yet she still tried her best to make the white mist solidify.
"Whew..."
Exhaling a long breath, Hermione lowered her wand in frustration.
No matter how much she persisted or how much magic she channeled into her wand, she couldn't make the white mist solidify any further.
It simply floated before her, thick and hazy, refusing to take the shape of a distinct creature.
"It's really discouraging..."
Hermione muttered, shaking her wrist. Penelope, who had just finished guiding Cho Chang, walked over and playfully tapped her on the head.
"Don't just talk about Amanda; don't be too hard on yourself either. Your learning speed is already very fast."
As Penelope spoke, she turned to look at Cho Chang and Marietta Eckmore. Both of them also lowered their wands, wiped the sweat from their foreheads, and looked over.
"There are many adult Wizards who can't use the Patronus Charm. For instance, in the Ministry of Magic, I'd bet at least half the people don't know this spell."
Penelope shrugged as she spoke, a hint of pride for her three younger housemates unconsciously showing on her face.
"So, you should understand how rare it is to reach this level after only practicing for a week, right?"
"But," Hermione said, taking a large bite of a chocolate bar from her pocket, "it seems like everyone in Ravenclaw knows the Patronus Charm?"
"Well," Penelope raised an eyebrow, "because in Ravenclaw, most people are very interested in Charms, so basically everyone starts learning the Patronus Charm in their fourth year."
"In a year's time," Penelope held up a finger, "one can basically master the Patronus Charm."
"However, based on my judgment, I don't think it will take you three a year."
"Sigh... especially you," she reached out to ruffle Hermione's hair, clicking her tongue, "such enviable magical talent."
Beside them, Cho Chang and Marietta Eckmore nodded vigorously in agreement. Merlin knew how hard they were working just to keep up with their younger housemate, Hermione.
Her talent was truly exceptional; she could produce white mist on her first attempt, and with every subsequent try, the mist became thicker and more solid.
Among the students they had seen, only Amanda's magical talent could surpass Hermione's.
Facing the praise from her seniors, Hermione smiled bashfully and scratched her cheek.
The urgency she had felt earlier gradually dissipated. Yes, she shouldn't just talk about Amanda; she couldn't push herself too hard either.
Perhaps it wasn't the best thing to say, but... after all, they still had Headmaster Dumbledore and the Professors standing before them.
With them around, the sky over the Young Wizards wouldn't come crashing down.
"Professor Flitwick, I'm sorry to disturb you. May I come in?"
Amanda stood at the door of Professor Flitwick's office, raised her hand to knock gently, and then stood silently by the door.
Within seconds, the door opened. Professor Flitwick looked up at her with a warm smile. "Welcome, Miss Amanda. Please, come in."
He stepped aside to clear the doorway, and Amanda walked into his office.
"Please, have a seat." Professor Flitwick gestured toward a nearby sofa.
"Thank you, Professor Flitwick." Amanda nodded politely in thanks and sat on the sofa.
"Have some juice."
Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a glass of juice appeared on the table in front of Amanda.
Amanda thanked him and took a large gulp. Having been reading for so long without water, she was indeed quite thirsty.
"So, you've come to see me because you've finished reading every book in the Hogwarts Library except for those in the Restricted Section?"
"Yes, Professor Flitwick," Amanda nodded, setting down the juice. "So I've come to ask for a signed permission slip to read the books in the Restricted Section."
"Mhm, of course, no problem."
Professor Flitwick nodded with a smile, walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a slip of paper to hand to Amanda.
Seeing Professor Flitwick produce the slip so directly, Amanda was slightly stunned. Had Professor Flitwick... prepared this for her long ago?
But shouldn't the Restricted Section require a signature for each specific book? How could Professor Flitwick know in advance which book she wanted to read?
These thoughts flashed through Amanda's mind. She quickly snapped back to reality, took the slip, thanked Professor Flitwick solemnly, and looked down at it.
The slip didn't grant permission for a single book; instead, it bore the signatures of Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and even Professor Snape—a whole host of Hogwarts Professors.
It explicitly stated that all of Amanda's subject Professors, including the Headmaster, agreed to let her read any volume in the Restricted Section. Beyond that, there were no additional restrictions whatsoever.
"Professor Flitwick..."
Amanda looked up with a blank expression. She tilted her head at Professor Flitwick, wanting to ask if this wasn't against Hogwarts school rules.
Flitwick shook his head, interrupting her. "Miss Amanda, your learning ability is something we have never seen before, and your character is evident to us all."
"We Professors naturally trust you. Go and read those books as you see fit; you'll be fine, won't you?"
Seeing Professor Flitwick's encouraging smile, Amanda tucked the slip away. "Yes, I'll be fine, Professor Flitwick."
Some books on the Dark Arts could subtly corrupt one's mind, but she would be careful not to be influenced, Amanda felt certain.
"Very good," Professor Flitwick said, pumping his arm encouragingly. "However, you must also take care—reading must not cut into your recreation or rest time. Otherwise, we Professors might have to consider taking that slip back."
"I will remember that. Thank you, Professor Flitwick."
Amanda nodded without any expression, promising Professor Flitwick with extreme seriousness.
Even if she lost track of time while studying, Hermione would surely drag her out.
Having obtained the Professors' signatures, Amanda went straight back to the Ravenclaw Common Room.
Hermione and the seniors should have finished their practice schedule for the day. As agreed, she needed to go back and spend relaxation time with them.
Returning to the Dormitory, she indeed saw Hermione, Cho Chang, Marietta Eckmore, and Penelope, all showered and sitting in a circle, chatting about something.
At the sound of the door, the four girls turned simultaneously. Seeing it was Amanda, Hermione stood up with a grin and ran over to hug her around the waist.
"The white mist I produced today was even more solid, though it's a pity I still haven't made a corporeal Patronus."
Amanda reflexively mimicked Hermione's action and hugged her back, shaking her head. "No need to rush, Hermione. Your learning speed is already very fast."
"Mhm, I'm not in a rush," Hermione murmured, nuzzling into the crook of Amanda's neck and narrowing her eyes contentedly. "Finished all the books outside the Restricted Section?"
As Hermione asked the question, the gazes of the three seniors fixed on Amanda also grew a few shades brighter.
They had known for a while that Amanda was close to finishing all the books in the Hogwarts Library outside the Restricted Section, and they had all been looking forward to this day.
One must realize that in recent decades, or even the last century, they had never heard of anyone who could finish reading the books in the Hogwarts Library.
If Amanda achieved it, wouldn't she be the first person in nearly a hundred years to do so!
"I have finished reading them."
Amanda stated the fact in a voice devoid of emotion.
"That's amazing!"
Hermione praised. She had long since abandoned the idea she had in first year of competing with Amanda in academics.
She simply couldn't compare; Hermione was absolutely willing to admit that Amanda was better than her at studying.
Besides, she believed they would have plenty of opportunities in the future to have a good comparison in other areas~
"I think perhaps this deserves an internal celebration for us Ravenclaws?"
Cho Chang turned to seek the opinion of Penelope, the girl Prefect.
Penelope nodded without hesitation. "Of course, what you said makes perfect sense. I'll get started on the preparations. Once the Christmas break is over and everyone is back, we'll hold this celebration."
Amanda blinked and spoke expressionlessly, "I was just reading books. Holding a celebration for this, isn't it a bit..."
She wasn't quite sure; reading and studying were what she was supposed to do as a student. Should this really be celebrated?
"What nonsense are you talking about," Marietta Eckmore stood up, walked over, and tapped Amanda's forehead. "You've finished the books in the Hogwarts Library! You're the first person in a century, do you understand? The first!"
"I understand."
Amanda nodded with a faint expression. Marietta Eckmore sighed helplessly and muttered, "I don't think you do..."
Sure enough, a moment later Amanda added, "But I haven't finished yet. There are still the books in the Restricted Section to read."
"Pfft," Hermione was caught between laughter and tears, grabbing Amanda's cheeks and gently tugging them outward. "Don't worry about those details. When the Christmas break ends, just enjoy the celebration."
"Oh."
Amanda nodded obediently, indicating she understood.
And so, while having dinner that evening, the Little Eagles of Ravenclaw House who had chosen to stay at school all heard about it from Penelope.
The Little Eagles' eyes lit up at the news. Inherently fond of reading and learning, they were full of enthusiasm and congratulated Amanda one after another at the table.
This left Amanda somewhat puzzled. She had clearly just done what she was supposed to do; why was everyone congratulating her so warmly?
Even when she had previously controlled the industrial chain of the entire British Wizarding World, no one had congratulated her.
By the time the Christmas break ended and all the Little Eagles knew the news, the atmosphere in Ravenclaw House suddenly reached a fever pitch.
Everyone was very excited about it. A grand celebration was clearly a must.
But before that, the members of the Ravenclaw Team had to prepare for their match against the Gryffindor House Team.
Swallowing a piece of sausage, Cho Chang watched as Harry took back his firebolt from Professor McGonagall.
"It looks like I'll be facing Harry on a firebolt in a bit."
Cho Chang wiped her mouth, her movements still elegant and calm, without showing the slightest hint of nervousness.
"Are you confident?" Marietta Eckmore thoughtfully handed her another napkin.
Cho Chang took the napkin with a smile and wiped her hands. "Harry is excellent, but I'm not bad either. I'll do my best."
Amanda picked up her cup and took a sip of pumpkin juice, her eyes slowly drifting toward the area above the Great Hall where the Owls entered and exited.
The things she ordered should be arriving today.
A few minutes later, flocks of Owls approached the Hogwarts Great Hall, flapping their wings.
The sound of flapping wings made all the Young Wizards look up. What was going on this morning? Why were there so many Owls?
Before they could think further, the flocks of Owls cooperated to drag several long, narrow packages into the Great Hall. They reached the Ravenclaw Table as quickly as possible and then released their talons in unison.
Thud! Thud! Thud!... With a series of sounds, a tightly wrapped long package was dropped in front of every member of the Ravenclaw Team.
"What is this? Did you order this, Cho?"
Marietta Eckmore leaned in curiously, eyeing the long package in front of Cho Chang.
"I didn't order it... but I think I might know what it is—or rather, what they are."
Cho Chang swallowed, looking at the long package in front of her, then at the identical packages in front of the other teammates, and finally shifted her gaze toward Amanda, who was currently feeding the large flock of Owls.
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