Chapter 95: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 45

Professor Flitwick stepped down from the book-ladder, walked over to Justin, and put away his wand with a look of some gratification.

"I suppose I must come and see... but not now—three points to Hufflepuff!"

As soon as class ended,

Justin was surrounded by enthusiastic little badgers.

"Oh, oh, how did you do it, Mr. Finch-Fletchley?"

The speaker was Hannah, her face freckled and somewhat shy.

"Really... Finch-Fletchley, to make such great progress and keep it from us!"

Ernie crossed his arms, holding his chin high.

"I think we must punish you, little wizard, for betraying the 'Never Go Hungry' Club, unless you tell us how you did it."

His words drew nods from the crowd of little badgers; at least six of them stared at Justin with "fierce determination."

Wizard Sean glanced once at the noisy group over there, then left the classroom clutching his book, a brownish-yellow volume titled Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.

If Professor Flitwick were to come to their classroom,

Wizard Sean thought,

then could he find a suitable opportunity to propose his desire to learn the Smoke Charm and the Knockback Jinx?

At the same time, Wizard Sean knew

that professors were usually very busy, and individual tutoring or guidance was not a common occurrence.

Only for their prized students—like Hermione later on—

could she often obtain first-hand exam information from Professor Flitwick, or even exclusive scoops.

Now, Wizard Sean was not certain whether he qualified.

The Charms classroom was packed with little badgers, while outside the door, the lazy evening breeze blew once more.

Friday's leisure always hung over this ancient castle like a warm spell.

In the corridor, several Hufflepuff students leaned against the window sills, watching Heihu ripple with golden scales under the setting sun.

Their laughter grew soft and light, like floating dandelion seeds.

A suit of armor in the corner stirred up dust slightly, emitting a faint metallic grinding sound.

Beside the armor, unlike Justin's popularity, few dared to approach Wizard Sean's side.

Except—

"That Levitation Charm was cool! I guess this has something to do with you, right, Wizard Sean?"

Michael popped out from behind an unexpected portrait, revealing a deep secret passage behind it.

"Oh, but you don't have to tell me; I suppose this will be an interesting exploration! More interesting than the castle's secret passages or strange magical artifacts!"

Having said this, his eyes shining and feet seeming to generate wind, he vanished within seconds.

Leaving Wizard Sean, who hadn't heard a word clearly.

Had... someone just been speaking?

Wizard Sean had just closed Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, when he silently opened it again.

Making his way up the spiral staircase,

Wizard Sean awakened the slumbering Mr. Owl with a fixed knock.

It seemed somewhat excited today:

"Little wizard! Clever little wizard, answer my question!"

Wizard Sean waited silently.

"Simple questions, difficult questions...

I have observed a liar; being worshipped, attended to, and becoming the focus was his heart's desire, and his wisdom helped him achieve it;

I have observed a scoundrel; stirring up storms and causing trouble with words was her heart's desire, and her wisdom enabled her to do it;

Their wisdom has always obeyed only their own hearts..."

Mr. Owl, clutching a scroll of parchment underfoot, spun continuously within the portrait.

"Oh, tell me, is that wisdom, or madness?"

Wizard Sean pondered for a few seconds:

"It's foolishness."

Mr. Owl froze on the spot; unwilling to give up, it flipped through the parchment, finally growing stiff, though its beak never stopped moving:

"Little wizard, greedy little wizard! Ambitious little wizard! Truly Lady Ravenclaw's..."

Its final words became unintelligible, and at the same time, a sky-blue door slowly materialized.

Thinking as he went, Wizard Sean opened the door.

Ambitious?

Actually, not really.

Greedy?

Wizard Sean considered this an obvious prejudice.

Inside the classroom,

three magical lanterns cast warm arcs of light, and three chairs were fitted with soft, comfortable black-and-yellow cushions.

In the very center, a small cream-colored chaise lounge sofa rested against a tiny raw-wood table.

Scattered across the raw wood were countless gummies and biscuits, though most numerous of all were various series of puddings—

Yorkshire pudding, strawberry mochi pudding, mint pudding, and even spicy sauce pudding...

On the sofa, Justin was handing Hermione a glass of pumpkin soda; the little witch took it instinctively, looking somewhat dazed.

But in any case,

one little badger had managed, in just a few days, to arrange this place like a true secret base.

Yes, that industrious badger was Justin.

Justin?!

Wizard Sean was somewhat surprised; wasn't he surrounded?

"Oh, Wizard Sean, we need to discuss..."

As soon as Wizard Sean reached the sofa, Justin hurried over; Hermione hadn't even noticed anyone leave her side.

"Did you see it? I mean Hermione; she must be hiding something from us..."

Just then, a series of knocks sounded from behind the sky-blue door.

A paper airplane drifted in through the crack of the door, then transformed into several glowing words:

[Are you there, children?]

"Oh! It's Professor Flitwick!"

"—Professor Flitwick!"

Hermione's sudden reaction startled Justin.

Seeing Justin's hesitant expression, Wizard Sean silently walked over and opened the door.

Meanwhile, Justin sat down beside Hermione with a hint of worry:

"If you want to speak, we are always listening, no matter when—

Mother says that is the very reason friends exist."

Hermione slowly raised her head, meeting those sincere, light-gray pupils filled with just the right amount of concern for a few seconds:

"Alright, I'm so silly; how could I forget I have you all..."

Her voice regained its usual strength.

"Oh, children?"

Professor Flitwick's voice was heard, but his person was not seen.

Justin, who had just begun to smile, looked somewhat bewildered again.

He dared not speak, so he could only look at Wizard Sean for help.

Suddenly, several books appeared out of thin air, landing on the floor and gradually enlarging, before Professor Flitwick's figure emerged from behind the sofa:

"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, nice progress; and what about you, Mr. Green, Ms. Granger?"