Chapter 221: The Gift of Divination?


    "Let''s hurry and find the right magical runes," Hermione reminded them, "This ss is very important. If you can find suitable magical runes, I can give you extra lessons..."


    "You''ve mastered all these runes? These aren''t theoretical runes, but practical ones!" Ron eximed in surprise.


    "Don''t be silly, there''s no way I''ve mastered them all," Hermione said, "But I''ve definitely learned faster than you!"


    After that, Harry and Ron became much more enthusiastic. And it wasn''t just the two of them; other young wizards were also intrigued by this novel way of teaching.


    Daphne Greengrass twirled around a slender, agile magical rune symbol in emerald green. "I feel like it''s trying tomunicate with me, but I can''t quite hear it."


    "That''s enough of a demonstration," a Gryffindor next to her said irritably, showing no results so far. "Move aside, please."


    Neville reached out his round hand toward a fiery red magical rune. "Step aside, Lumberton," Draco said, apanied by two cronies. He greedily eyed the rune, which seemed to be the brightest of all symbols.


    Neville recoiled a step but then stood his ground. "I was here first," he muttered.


    "What did you say? I didn''t quite catch that. Maybe you''d like to experience the power of the Leg-Locker Curse again?" Draco threatened in a low voice.


    "What''s going on?" Felix Harp suddenly appeared, as he had been keeping an eye on Neville.


    "Nothing, Professor," Draco said with an air of self-importance, "Lumberton might not have performed well in Potions ss; he''s just crying a bit."


    Neville clenched his fist, stubbornly stating, "I''m not crying." Tears were welling up in his eyes.


    "Malfoy,e with me," Felix said, leading Draco out of the ssroom.


    "Professor Harp," Draco said somewhat flustered. He wasn''t afraid of losing points, but he dreaded copying two thick books again; the lesson fromst year was still fresh in his memory.


    But he heard Professor Harp ask calmly, "Malfoy, tell me, does bullying the weak bring you happiness?"


    "I, I..."


    "The fact is, ever since yourst detention, I haven''t heard you use that word again, have I?"


    Draco wanted to be defiant, but he felt his thoughts were already transparent. "No," he said softly.


    That word was "Mudblood."


    "That''s good, isn''t it? I''ve always thought you were a smart student. I knew that from the moment you came up with the idea of using a scarf to drag a Dark Magic item."


    "I believe you''re capable of much more, Malfoy. Show me."


    When Draco returned to the ssroom, Pansy Parkinson immediately approached. "Draco, did you lose points or get detention?"


    "No," Draco said bewilderedly, "The professor praised me."


    In the afternoon, the magical runes club recruitment poster that had been hanging on the bulletin board for weeks was finally reced with a long list of names.


    "Only seven in the first batch."


    A young wizard muttered, "Hermione Granger, Fred Weasley, George Weasley—three from Gryffindor alone."


    "That''s normal. Granger is the assistant for Runes ss. Rumor has it she''s proficient in not just one practical rune, but over a hundred, and she can easily break the armrest off a solid wooden chair. And those twins, have you heard about the Mirror of Erised?"


    "Ah, well, I''ve already reserved mine, but I won''t get it until Halloween."


    "That was quick! I''m still hesitating!"


    "Firste, first served."


    "Who else is left?"


    "Hufflepuff only has one, Cedric Diggory, and he''s truly outstanding. Besides that, Ravenw has two, and Slytherin has one—it''s that Head Boy with thest name Jeffrey, the rather haughty one."


    On the third-floor staircase of the castle, Felix Harp was conversing with a girl who had wild, golden-blonde hair. Her wand was tucked behind her left ear.


    Luna Lovegood handed him two pieces of parchment.


    "What''s this?" Felix asked as he took them.


    "It''s my essay, but I''ve only written two feet worth. It''s not enough words."


    "You want me to help you pass with a shortcut? You''re not old enough for that," Felix said with a chuckle.


    "No, it''s just that I was worried you might feel bad if you couldn''t recruit enough people, so I wrote a little something. I went to see on the test day, there were a lot of people, so I didn''t go in." Luna shook her head and exined, "I also suggested to Ravenw students to sign up."


    Felix looked a bit puzzled. "I''ve heard more than one Ravenw student say that a second-year student was going around promoting the Runes Club."


    "That''s right, that''s my nickname, Loony, but I don''t really mind."


    "Thank you, Miss Lovegood."


    "We''re friends, aren''t we?" She looked at him as if confirming.


    "Yes, Luna."


    Luna smiled. "By the way, there''s something I wanted to ask you..."


    Felix looked at her attentively. "As long as I know."


    "The other day, I met a professor who kept inviting me to be her assistant."


    Felix suspected he had misheard. This approach sounded all too familiar. Which professor was trying to follow his footsteps in finding a shortcut?


    "Who invited you?" he asked.


    "I don''t even know her, I''ve never seen her before." Luna tossed her hair casually.


    "Well, you can at least describe what she looks like, right?"


    "She was wearing a very pretty pair of insect sses, and she had a shiny, transparent cloak on, and her wrist had more bracelets than I do," Luna described earnestly, emphasizing, "Many more!"


    Upon hearing these descriptions, Felix couldn''t help but think of Sybill Trwney. But Luna''s portrayal of Trwney seemed overly positive. Was it safe to say they both were Ravenws...


    Felix stared at Luna, and inquired tentatively, "How did you two cross paths?"


    Luna Lovegood was only a second-year student. In theory, she wouldn''t have any contact with Sybill Trwney.


    "That day, I was leaving ssroom seven, thinking I had nothing to do. So, I wandered around the castle and came across a very interesting portrait of a knight on the eighth floor. He was looking for his lost horse, and we chatted for a bit. He told me there was a free performance to watch in the tapestry room on the North Tower."


    "Are you talking about Trwney? I didn''t know she had a penchant for performing," Felix found it hard to believe, but indeed, Trwney''s residence was at the top of the North Tower, connected to her Divination ssroom.


    Luna nodded and then put on a slightly fearful expression. "It''s, it''s not clear... Dear, please don''t press me. I can''t say!" Then she added solemnly, "It''s that kind of performance. Honestly, I''m not very good at it."


    Felix''s expression remained stern. "And then what happened? Did she spot you for sneaking a peek at her... her performance?"


    "No, apart from her looking somewhat excited—maybe I interrupted her state—sheter said I might have some sort of inner eye and invited me to be her assistant."


    Felix inquired, "Have you heard of Divination ss?"


    "Yes," Luna blinked her pale eyes, "Yes, one of the elective courses for third years. But I didn''t n on taking Divination."


    "Why not?"


    "I prefer stargazing. A centaur friend of mine taught me astrology and gave me some dittany and flobberworm mucus. When heated, they attract a group of smoky creatures that twist into various shapes to make prophecies." Luna exined.


    Observing smoke shapes, basically? Felix guessed.


    "And, I''ve already decided to take Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures next year. Their schedules might sh."


    Felix wondered about the irony of a young girl who wasn''t keen on Divination getting recruited as an assistant by a Divination professor. The intricacies of Luna Lovegood''s encounters never ceased to amaze.


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