Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 35: Adding Protective Measures to the Eagle's Nest

The morning mist enveloped Hogwarts Castle. Cullen stood in front of Professor McGonagall's office. Professor Victor seemed to have been away from the school for the past two days.

A gentle knock came at the oak door, and Professor McGonagall's stern voice came from inside: "Come in."

Karen pushed open the door and entered. The Transfiguration professor's office was impeccably tidy, with a thick stack of documents on the desk. Professor McGonagall looked up from the pile of documents, her gaze behind her square glasses as sharp as ever.

"Mr. Hawthorne?" She raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is there something you need?"

"Professor, I've tried to ask Professor Victor some questions these past two days, but he hasn't been available," Karen said, trying to keep her voice calm. "So I wanted to ask you if there's anything I can help him with?"

Professor McGonagall frowned almost imperceptibly. "Professor Eisenberg has taken leave from school. His return date is uncertain, but he said he'll be back before classes begin." She paused for a moment. "Why are you so concerned about his schedule?"

Karen was prepared: "I'm currently learning alchemy from him, Professor. I have some experimental questions to ask him."

"Alchemy?" Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly, then she shook her head. "Unfortunately, I don't know Professor Eisenberg's whereabouts either. I'll let you know if I have any news."

Leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Karen walked through the empty corridor in the early morning, her boots making a soft sound on the marble floor, her mind filled with curiosity about what the mysterious professor was up to this time.

In Ravenclaw's common room, Wesley was trying to use a levitation spell to make the football draw different patterns in the air, his reddish-brown curly hair sticking to his forehead with sweat; Fabian sat by the window with an untitled book open on his lap; and Ernesto was wiping a set of exquisite silver instruments.

"How is it?" Fabian pushed up his glasses, a questioning look on his face.

Karen shook her head: "Professor McGonagall doesn't know when Professor Victor will be back either."

"This strange man is really mysterious," Ernesto scoffed.

Wesley let the ball fall back into his hands: "So, are we going to the practice room today?"

"Of course." Karen took her wand out of her bag. "I plan to ask Professor Flitwick a few questions about silent charms first, and then go to the practice room."

Professor Flitwick's office door was open, and cheerful flute music drifted out. Karen peeked in and saw the professor standing on a pile of books, conducting three flutes in a complex piece with his wand.

"Ah, Mr. Hawthorne!" Professor Flitwick nearly fell off the pile of books as he turned around.

Karen clapped enthusiastically: "Very beautiful music, Professor. But I've come today to ask about the Silent Spell..."

After Karen described in detail how she had mastered the Silent Illumination Charm, Professor Flitwick was so excited that he knocked over his teacup: "Genius! Absolutely genius! Most wizards need months to even begin to grasp the feeling of controlling the flow of magic!"

The teacup automatically cleaned itself, and Professor Flitwick pulled several heavy books from the shelf: "Now that you've grasped the basics, these advanced theories of silent spells should suit you." He winked, "However, practice carefully. The backlash from silent spells is much more dangerous than from ordinary spells. I suggest you practice a spell extensively before attempting to cast it silently."

Karen solemnly accepted the book, and then Professor Flitwick spoke up again: "Karen, have you ever thought about learning dueling techniques? I think you have the potential. Silent casting is one of the most difficult dueling techniques to master, and you have already mastered it to a basic degree."

Thinking about the crises that would come in the future, Karen felt it was still necessary to learn combat skills, including spells and the techniques of silent spells. However, if she couldn't use them properly, that wouldn't work either.

"Of course, Professor. If it's alright, could you please spare some time to teach me?" Karen asked Professor Flitwick after making her decision.

"Very good, you have this talent! Here's what we'll do: from now on, you can come to me for training every Friday afternoon whenever you have time. Is that alright?" Professor Flitwick said happily.

"No problem, I'll come unless there are special circumstances. If anything unexpected happens, I'll let you know in advance." Karen accepted the arrangement.

Just as Karen was about to take her leave, she suddenly remembered another question: "Professor, regarding our private practice room on the fifth floor... we have some valuables stored there, and I'd like to ask if there are any simple protective measures in place?"

"Excellent security awareness!" Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a small box flew out of the drawer. "This is an alarm cube that can sense unauthorized magical fluctuations." He then took out a roll of parchment. "These are diagrams of several basic protective charms, including unlocking charms, anti-lock charms, and anti-theft charms."

Karen carefully noted down the key points of each spell, especially the wrist rotation method for the anti-theft spell, which required slowly rotating three and a half times like drawing a spiral.

"Remember," Professor Flitwick said seriously, "protective magic is a double-edged sword. Too much protection can harm innocents, while too little is useless. You must find the balance."

Carrying his newly acquired knowledge and borrowed books, Karen arrived at their private practice room. Pushing open the door, he found Wesley and Fabian already inside. Wesley was still practicing the Levitation Charm by controlling a soccer ball, while Fabian was studying a glowing magical plant and Ernesto was practicing spells in his book.

"Look at the moongrass I got from Professor Sprout at the greenhouse. Not bad, right? It's just a shame the Devil's Web is still the same as always." Fabian pushed up his glasses and shook his head.

Karen demonstrated the protective magic she had learned from Professor Flitwick, and the four boys immediately began to practice with great enthusiasm. An alarm cube was placed above the door frame, emitting a faint blue light; Karen cast a lockpicking spell on the lock, and a golden light flashed in the keyhole; Fabian drew anti-theft runes on the window.

"Finally all set up!" The group looked at the protective measures they had implemented. "It's much safer now."

In the time that followed, Karen continued his silent spellcasting practice, striving to be able to silently cast all the spells from his first year. Fabian and Wesley continued practicing the spells from their previous Charms and Transfiguration classes. Although they had already reached the standard of learning, they said they still wanted to deepen their understanding of the spells. Ernesto, on the other hand, was practicing the spells he would learn later in the book.

The practice continued until evening, and everyone made progress. Karen was now able to silently cast the three basic spells; Wesley and Fabian had improved their mastery of spells; Ernesto, too, had mastered a new spell, the "Silent Spell."

As the four boys left Eagle's Nest, weary but content, Karen glanced back at the space they had built together. The alarm cube flickered silently on the doorframe, and the light of the moongrass shone faintly through the windows. He believed this place would only get better.