After the professor finished demonstrating the Fire-Making Spell, the young witches and wizards—from both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw—were noticeably thrilled.
This was the first offensive spell they were learning, far beyond the likes of the Wand-Lighting Charm or the Movement Charm they had encountered the previous term.
For young wizards their age, mastering a spell like this was more than enough to brag about for a long time.
Hogwarts had its own reasons for teaching this spell to second-years.
First of all, the spell wasn’t particularly dangerous to wizards.
Any minor burns a young student might inflict could easily be treated by Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing with nothing more than a bottle of Pepperup Potion.
Fire, on the other hand, was far from friendly to non-wizarding threats in the magical world.
Teaching this kind of magic to the young students gave them a slightly better chance of defending themselves against danger, while also expanding their options for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Next came the instruction on incantations and wand movements.
Professor Flitwick truly lived up to his role as Head of Ravenclaw, explaining the key points of pronunciation and wand posture with meticulous detail.
Moreover, his wand movements weren’t straight out of the textbook.
He incorporated his own force-exertion techniques before passing them on to the students.
Comparing them in his mind, Raven noticed that the wand movements taught by Professor Flitwick were far more subtle and significantly faster.
In other words, in a real duel, one might complete a spell a fraction of a second ahead of their opponent.
*Is this the depth of a dueling champion?* Beneath his gentle and elegant exterior, he was actually a combat-oriented Charms teacher.
Raven was extremely satisfied with his course selection.
Charms class was indeed teaching him things he couldn’t get elsewhere.
After explaining the essentials of the spell, Professor Flitwick instructed the young wizards to pair up and practice.
As incantations began to fill the classroom, Professor Flitwick stepped down from the dais, ready to correct any mistakes.
Raven gathered with Jackie and Pappy.
“Put the emphasis on the *dio* in *Incendio*, and pair it with an upward flick of your wand,” Raven advised his two friends.
He had no intention of casting the spell himself just to earn points for Hufflepuff.
Points were awarded to these young wizards because it was their first time encountering the magic.
He had mastered this stuff years ago; picking on kids for points lacked class.
At most, he was happy to tutor his classmates and explain the mechanics.
“Very well done, Miss Trelawney! Three points to Ravenclaw,” Professor Flitwick announced.
Following everyone’s gaze, Raven saw a girl with short, golden-brown hair, a melancholic expression, and smoky eye makeup.
“Her name is Misty Trelawney. She comes from Heywood, just like me,” Jackie Welles spoke up, noticing Raven’s gaze.
“Her father, Old Victor, is a famous vet back home. But unlike my family, hers is a wizarding family. She’s related to our Divination professor, Sybill Trelawney.”
Kids these days were certainly precocious.
“You like her,” Raven stated plainly.
Jackie’s face flushed red, but he didn’t deny it.
Instead, he owned up to it with a shy yet serious attitude.
“Yeah. I do.”
Raven patted Jackie on the shoulder.
“Then you better put in the work. She’s a brilliant girl.”
With that, he returned to guiding his two classmates.
Just as class was about to end, Jackie and Pappy both successfully cast the Fire-Making Spell.
Since several other students had already succeeded, Professor Flitwick awarded one point each to Jackie and Pappy.
“Alright, everyone performed exceptionally well today!
“The Fire-Making Spell taught today may be practiced in class or in open, uncrowded spaces.
Please remember to stay clear of crowds, and under no circumstances are you to use magic in corridors or public areas.
“Allow me to remind you one last time: using this magic on fellow students in private will result in a minimum of two weeks’ detention.
Do I make myself clear?
“Good.
Class dismissed.
“Mr. Weasley, please stay behind for a moment.”
As Professor Flitwick announced the end of class and the young wizards filed out in an orderly fashion, he called Raven back.
“Mr. Weasley, I noticed you didn’t perform the Fire-Making Spell during class, but you were guiding two of your fellow Hufflepuffs and helping them succeed. Care to share your thoughts?”
Raven gave his explanation, though he omitted certain details.
“To be honest, I’ve already learned the Fire-Making Spell. If I used it to earn points, it wouldn’t be fair to the students who are encountering it for the first time.”
With that, Raven extended his right hand.
A ball of flame rose from his palm, its shape constantly morphing and shifting at the gentle dance of his fingers.
Professor Flitwick stood frozen on the spot, his eyes wide.
Even among adult wizards, Flitwick could count on one hand fewer than thirty who could manipulate the Fire-Making Spell to such a degree.
“A truly magnificent performance! Without a doubt, you are a genius far beyond anyone’s imagination, Mr. Weasley. Five points to Hufflepuff—not for the spell, but for your sense of fairness,” Professor Flitwick praised warmly.
Then, realizing something, he sighed with a touch of deflation.
“Given your mastery of this spell, Mr. Weasley, I fear there is very little I can teach you.
“Aside from incantations and wand movements, what seven years of Charms at Hogwarts teaches students boils down to control and understanding. And you have already transformed your raw talent into refined ability in both areas.”
In truth, Raven actually wanted to keep attending Charms class, so he offered a reassuring response.
“Professor Flitwick, I don’t feel I’ve gained nothing from this class. On the contrary, the dueling techniques you incorporated into the wand movements have been immensely beneficial to me.”
When it came to his field of expertise, Professor Flitwick possessed plenty of confidence.
He didn’t doubt for a second that Raven was merely flattering him.
Raven understood magic; for him to grasp that technique during the demonstration meant he had genuinely gained something from it.
Raven added, “Wandless and non-verbal magic are indeed high-level techniques, but skipping necessary components always comes at the cost of sacrificing certain magical effects.
“The wand techniques you taught in class, however, accelerate the speed while preserving the spell’s full power. That carries a completely different significance.”
Flitwick nodded repeatedly.
*Yes!* That was precisely what dueling wizards strove for.
Uttering the incantation and executing the wand movement ensured maximum effectiveness—a shared understanding among combat-focused wizards and a truth proven time and again by victors in the dueling arena.
Realizing this, Flitwick knew what he had to do.
He climbed the spiral staircase by the classroom door, entered his office, and rummaged through his belongings until he finally pulled out a yellowed notebook.
[*Geminio*]
Placing the original notebook back into its chest, he walked downstairs with the duplicated copy in hand.
“Mr. Weasley, these are copies of my personal dueling notes.
Perhaps they will offer you some inspiration.” Professor Flitwick handed the notebook to Raven with a solemn expression, then continued, “Please, do not decline.
You are its most suitable master.
If you can carry its legacy forward, I would be even more delighted.
“Additionally, I would like to invite you to join my Charms Seminar.
There, we do not study existing knowledge, but rather explore the uncharted territories of Charms.
“I hold these small gatherings in my office every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Members are free to attend whenever they wish, and there’s no need to ask for leave if you cannot make it. Would you be willing to become a part of our group?”
Knowing it was rude to refuse a favor after accepting a gift, Raven naturally accepted Professor Flitwick’s invitation.
He then bade farewell to the respectable Head of House and set off for his next class.