A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ When the bell rang, the first Charms lesson came to an end.
Thanks to Edmund’s excellent performance, Professor Flitwick awarded Ravenclaw ten points.
The young witches and wizards filed out in a noisy stream, but Edmund stayed behind.
He still had questions, and Flitwick was the right person to ask.
Once everyone else had gone and Edmund still had not moved, the small professor looked up at him with mild curiosity.
“Mr.
Gaunt, is there something else you need?” “Yes, Professor.
I have a few questions about Charms, and I hoped I might ask your advice.” “Then let us talk in my office.
Come along, Mr.
Gaunt.” Flitwick’s office was exactly the sort of place Edmund had expected from the Charms professor.
Most of the books lining the shelves were about spellwork, and many of them did not look as if they had ever been published for ordinary students.
Professor Flitwick settled into his chair and gestured for Edmund to sit as well.
Edmund did not stand on ceremony.
He took the seat across from him.
“Would you like anything to drink, Mr.
Gaunt?” “Black tea, no sugar.
Thank you.” Edmund liked tea very much.
Tea with sugar, however, remained one of Britain’s more baffling culinary choices.
Did they really have to sweeten everything?
“Black tea is an excellent choice, Mr.
Gaunt.” Flitwick flicked his wand.
A fine tea service appeared on the desk, then rose neatly into the air and began pouring.
“A splendid application of the Levitation Charm, Professor.” “Thank you.
Now, Mr.
Gaunt, what did you wish to ask?” Flitwick took a small sip of tea and looked at him expectantly.
“Professor, to be honest, I believe I have some talent for Charms.
Before coming to Hogwarts, I worked through most of the spells in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.” “But when I tried nonverbal casting and wandless magic, I ran into problems.” That was not an exaggeration.
Between the Arcane Card System’s daily draws and his own studies, Edmund had already gained access to a useful range of spells.
Yet whenever he tried to cast without speaking, or cast without a wand, progress became painfully uneven.
Nonverbal casting was at least possible.
Every now and then, he could force a spell through.
Wandless magic, however, had not succeeded once.
“Oh?” Flitwick’s interest sharpened at once.
“Mr.
Gaunt, your performance in class already told me that you are gifted.
If you do not mind, could you show me your current level?” Edmund did not answer with words.
He demonstrated the same control he had shown in class, lifting the teapot and pouring tea for Flitwick.
Then he sent it into a precise orbit above the desk, cleaned a stray drop of tea with a flick, and set everything down without spilling another drop.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Flitwick applauded, delighted.
“Excellent, Mr.
Gaunt.
If that had been in class, I ought to have awarded you twenty points.
No, fifty!
Ravenclaw has not seen a talent like yours in quite some time.” He pushed his spectacles up and dabbed lightly at the corner of one eye with a handkerchief.
Edmund’s eyebrow twitched.
After a moment, Flitwick’s excitement settled, and he began to consider Edmund’s problem properly.
Several minutes passed before he looked up again.
“Mr.
Gaunt, why do you think wizards speak incantations and use wands?” Edmund paused at the question.
He thought it over carefully before giving his answer.
“Professor, I think incantations help a wizard focus.
A wand and a fixed gesture guide the magic inside the body, making it active and directional.
When a wizard focuses, speaks the incantation, and channels magic through the wand, the spell can be released naturally.” He finished and watched Flitwick, waiting for judgment.
“Very good, Mr.
Gaunt.
Your understanding of spellwork is already close to O.W.L.
level.” Flitwick praised him first, then continued.
“But you have overlooked something.
Most ordinary wizards rarely think about it, but it is essential.” He tapped a finger lightly against his own head.
“Will.” “Will?” “Precisely.
When a wizard speaks an incantation, he is not only focusing his attention.
He is also pouring his will into the spell.
Why are we wizards?
Because we believe a thing can be done, and through magic, we make it so.” He took another sip of tea.
“When you attempt nonverbal casting, your will must be stronger.
Since you are not giving the spell shape through spoken words, you must impose that shape in your own way and carry enough intent through the release.
Do that, and nonverbal casting will come more naturally.” “Of course, a spell cast that way may still be weaker than one cast aloud, especially in the beginning.” Edmund frowned, sinking into thought.
Flitwick did not rush him.
He simply enjoyed his tea.
A few minutes later, Edmund took out his wand and pointed it at a quill on the desk.
The quill lifted into the air.
When his concentration loosened, it slowly drifted down again.
“Congratulations, Mr.
Gaunt,” Flitwick said, beaming.
“It seems you have found a method that suits you.
I must say, your talent is remarkable.” He sounded genuinely pleased.
A perceptive young wizard in his own house was a joy to teach.
Slytherin had won the House Cup for six consecutive years.
Ravenclaw students tended to care more about knowledge than such competitions, but Flitwick was still their Head of House.
He wanted Ravenclaw to win at least once.
In Edmund, he saw the possibility.
And he was more than willing to help a gifted student grow.
“Thank you, Professor.
I only found the door because of your guidance.” Edmund inclined his head in sincere gratitude.
“Then what about wandless magic?
Does that require even stronger will?” “Yes, Mr.
Gaunt.
But you will also need a deeper understanding of magic.
In third year, I suggest you choose Ancient Runes.
It will help you greatly.
For now, however, those studies are still a little early for you.” Flitwick explained patiently, and not very subtly hinted at what Edmund should do next.
“Ancient Runes,” Edmund murmured.
“I understand.
Thank you for your help today, Professor.” He understood the hint.
His goal for the day had been reached.
He rose, said goodbye, and left the office.
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.