Guilt?
Hermione felt that she might truly be emotionally disturbed. At least, according to others, Lockhart had protected her in the battle against the Basilisk, and Draco was the real culprit. However, her own opinions about the two were opposite to what would be reasonable.
Professor Dumbledore's words were even more profound, leaving her puzzled, as if he were hinting at something.
Due to the cancellation of the final exams, everyone was quite relaxed. Compared to the usual tense curriculum, everyone was much more at ease. Harry spent the whole day at the Quidditch Pitch; he needed to catch up on his training. They couldn't afford to relax just because Hermione's Special Services Award brought in high points. Although training was exhausting, for those who truly loved it, it was still enjoyable.
As for Ron, he usually cheered Harry on during training, and after practice, the two would return to the common room to play Wizard's Chess. Occasionally, they would also assist George and Fred in testing their new products. With abundant funding, they had invented many new items. Perhaps due to their skill, they had almost perfected the rooster howler letters, adding other effects like setting the rooster's crow to the school song's tune. They even developed howler letters with other sounds, like frogs and toads croaking. According to rumours, this idea came from Neville, as his pet Trevor was a toad.
It was almost predictable that all these related items were confiscated by Filch. The drawer specially prepared for George and Fred was almost full. Previously, during the Basilisk incident, the rooster howler letters had already caused much dissatisfaction among the Professors because they often disrupted teaching. However, at that time, the students were on edge and needed something to calm their nerves. The howler letters helped alleviate some of the students' fears, so most people turned a blind eye.
Now that everything was 'out in the open' and there was no longer a threat from the Basilisk, these letters, which could seriously disrupt discipline, were seen as more harmful than beneficial.
Thus, very soon, the two brothers were invited by Dumbledore to his office for tea.
The effect was outstanding. The day after they were invited, the Weasley Twins no longer provided howler letters, but they were not disheartened by this.
'Goodness, even the Headmaster wants to buy your howler letters?' In the Gryffindor common room, Ron stood up from a chair with intricate patterns and asked his two brothers in disbelief.
'Of course.' George puffed out his chest, showing his pride.
'The Headmaster has always been an open-minded person. Previously, he even supported some of our pranks to a certain extent. However, our letters do seem to have gone astray now.' Fred waved his hand.
'Then why would the Headmaster still want your letters?' Harry asked from the side.
'That's a long story.' George deliberately built up the suspense, but the slight upward curve of his mouth betrayed his good mood.
'You'll know by the end of the term.' Fred also smiled knowingly.
Sometimes, the biggest difference between top students and struggling students is not innate intelligence, but self-discipline.
When many students started to slack off after hearing that the final exams were cancelled, Hermione was not affected. In a way, being meticulous can be both a flaw and a strength.
Her free time was still spent in the Library, and she did not relax her studies. One morning, after everyone had finished Professor Flitwick's Charms Class, Hermione stopped him just as she had previously stopped Professor Dumbledore.
'Miss Granger, what is your question today?' Professor Flitwick said with a smile.
Professor Flitwick was a wizard with Goblin ancestry, which made him short in stature. However, compared to some short people with poor character, his virtue was respected by all teachers and students at Hogwarts. His personality was full of humour, and students often joked with him in class. Students felt that if his personality were combined with Professor McGonagall's, it would be perfect.
His voice was high-pitched, giving a sharp impression, but his spellcasting was impeccable. As someone who had won the duelling championship in his youth and served as the Charms Professor, Flitwick's abilities were not to be underestimated.
Hermione was one of his most outstanding students, with excellent grades and attitude, except for her natural conflict with Snape. Hermione was probably the ideal student in the hearts of all teachers (though Professor Trelawney, who taught Divination in the third year, might not like her very much due to her lack of mystical aura).
As a studious student, it was natural for her to ask questions of her teachers. As a Professor with a much higher level than the students, he should be able to answer most questions easily. But today, after Hermione asked her question, Professor Flitwick did not answer immediately. Instead, he stroked his beard and began to ponder. After a moment of silent contemplation, he spoke.
'Miss Granger, do you think your memory loss is due to a Memory Charm?' Professor Flitwick waved his wand.
Indeed, her question was about finding a way to recover memories erased by a Memory Charm.
Although Professor Dumbledore's words were somewhat cryptic, he did answer her question. Hermione believed that Professor Dumbledore would not deceive her. Since there was no issue with the Polyjuice Potion, the only remaining possibility for her emotional problems was a Memory Charm.
Hermione looked at Professor Flitwick expectantly, but his answer was disappointing.
'According to the standards of the wizarding world, there is only one way: the caster must lift it.' Flitwick gave an answer that was far from helpful.
'This answer is something you could get from any Professor quickly, without the delay you experienced here. But what I want to say is that it's not limited to this.' Flitwick's additional remarks gave Hermione a glimmer of hope.
'Although it might sound a bit boastful,' Professor Flitwick smiled proudly, 'as the Head of Ravenclaw, I should set an example for the students. I read not only wizarding books but also Muggle books. Just so happens that I know a thing or two about this.'
He continued, 'Magic is not omnipotent. If Miss Granger's suspicions are true, there might be some side effects.' Flitwick then told a story about someone who, despite being under a Memory Charm, instinctively cast Avada Kedavra upon seeing their enemy.
'According to Muggle scientists, some impressions are like instincts that cannot be forgotten. For example, if I cast
Obliviate
on you to make you forget about eating, would your body's instinct to eat truly vanish? If so, the Memory Charm might as well be one of the
Unforgivable Curses
He made a not-so-funny joke.
'You are a Muggle-born wizard and have a deeper understanding of both worlds than pure wizards or Muggles. During this holiday, you might find some answers in a Muggle library. My advice is simple—stimulation.'
'I need to prepare for the next class, Miss Granger. If you have more questions, I hope to answer them next time.' With that, Flitwick jumped down from the stack of books and walked towards the door.
'Stimulation?' Hermione murmured, gazing at Flitwick's retreating figure, lost in thought.
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