A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 537: The Return to Magic

What is magic?

Power, incantations, gestures, emotions, thoughts, knowledge, wands, belief...

As Felix delved deeper into his research, he meticulously eliminated unnecessary elements, drawing closer to the essence of magic. At a certain moment, he pondered that magic was the foundation of all inexplicable phenomena, the source of miracles, while the heart pointed the way to these miracles.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

When these two combined, it allowed one to achieve what the heart desired.

The outbursts of young wizards were the closest to this description. They hadn't mastered complex spells but, driven by intense emotions—a kind of mental strength—they achieved feats that many wizards couldn't in a lifetime of study.

Of course, this referred to the complexity of magical operations, not the discussion of their power.

Once young wizards entered school, they began learning how to control magic systematically, how to manipulate it, making it as easy as moving an arm. This transition was from instinct to skill, from wildness to rationality.

Magic inherently constituted a part of a wizard's cognition.

What would happen if this part of cognition were disrupted one day?

The scene unfolding before Felix seemed to provide an answer.

Felix stared at the hysterical Professor Burbage. In his perception, the magic within the professor was unlike anything he had seen before—disorganized, like a tangled ball of yarn. But he was certain she wasn't a squib.

Hogwarts housed a true squib—Argus Filch, the castle's caretaker. Felix's eyes darted momentarily toward the crowd's edge; Filch stood by the caretaker's office near the entrance hall, faint sounds emanating from the slightly ajar door, likely a faint magical gramophone.

He held a bunch of keys, looking stunned, Mrs. Norris coiling around his feet.

Felix averted his gaze, confirming once more from Filch that the magic within them was radically different. Squibs, of course, had magic, but it was almost inert and lacked the quantity or quality of a typical wizard who had enrolled. Their magical abilities were exceedingly dormant, akin to a quiet pond... more precisely, a stagnant little pool.

"Professor McGonagall, it would be best to take Professor Burbage to the school infirmary. Have Madam Pomfrey check her; she might be under the influence of some obscure curse," Felix suggested, a pretext of course, but some things didn't need to be publicized.

At this moment, he couldn't provide a definitive conclusion. It was better to keep silent for now than let the students speculate wildly.

After all, half-knowledge and baseless rumors were practically the breeding ground for misinformation.

Professor Burbage, in a trance, heard these words and, as if grasping the last straw, exclaimed in distress, "Yes, it's a curse! Those books—the ones I brought from the Muggle world—they've messed with my mind! Oh, goodness! Each word on them conceals a malevolent curse..."

A collective gasp echoed in the entrance hall.

"Muggle books hiding curses?" a student whispered.

"It's possible. My mum warned me to stay away from everything Muggle," another student affirmed with seriousness.

"Nonsense!" Hermione retorted assertively, earning a defiant glare. When the person noticed the prefect badge on Hermione's chest, they turned away, muttering, "It was my mum who said so."

"Carried away, aren't they?" Professor McGonagall said gently to Carrie, attempting to soothe her.

But Professor Burbage kept repeating these words, occasionally pausing to sniffle. Felix shook his head slightly, his eyes flickering. The professor, on the brink of collapse, slowly fell into unconsciousness in Professor McGonagall's arms.

The crowd fell eerily silent, as if the professor's words still hung in the air, transforming into menacing creatures that clawed and snarled at them.

Felix had to speak up, loud and clear. "Everyone!" His voice carried far and wide, drawing the bewildered gazes of the students toward him, even several professors who had arrived looked at him, hoping for answers.

The astonishing revelation Professor Burbage had just made was too unprecedented: normal wizards turning into squibs? This had never happened before.

"Professor Burbage is facing some physical issues, that's undeniable. The cause is unclear for now, so I need you all to remain calm and a little patient," he spoke calmly, sweeping his gaze over the assembled, emanating a convincing aura from within.

"I don't want you to forget my other two identities—Muggle Studies expert and Memory Therapist—so, Professor Burbage's trouble happens to be in my field of expertise. Instead of aimless speculation, it might be wiser to ask me, of course, after consultation."

He exchanged a look with Professor McGonagall, who understood, and with her wand, whisked Professor Burbage away, followed by several professors. Snape stood against the wall, his black eyes darting around, before he strolled in the direction of the infirmary.

The students exchanged puzzled glances—

"Oh—oh—" Justin Finch-Fletchley suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone. His companion swiftly moved aside, theatrically patting his chest. "I remember! The Muggle world does indeed have cursed items, but they flow out from the wizarding world. Professor Harp even checked a vase made by a fairy for me!"

"Is that true?" his friend Susan Bones inquired.

"I can vouch for that," Ernie Macmillan, previously startled, spoke earnestly, attempting to salvage his image.

Regardless, Dumbledore would undoubtedly caution her against engaging with such 'dangerous' knowledge in the short term.

Felix felt a tinge of regret; he hadn't yet presented his Christmas gift. However, he refrained, now cautious of anything related to the Muggle world that might trigger her sensitivities. This incident served as a wake-up call, making him realize the extensive road ahead in advocating for the integration of the wizarding and non-wizarding worlds.

Perhaps establishing a middle ground between the two, a buffer zone between openness and seclusion, might be prudent...

Limited openness? Felix pondered.

Dumbledore sighed, "She must be one of the few wizards in centuries to delve this deeply into such knowledge."

"Indeed, a pioneer," Felix acknowledged.

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Your achievements in Muggle studies are equally commendable," Dumbledore spoke softly. "I've read your books, containing quite a bit of... scientific knowledge. And as far as I know, what one can articulate is only a small fraction of their wisdom."

"Do you think my research delves deeper than Professor Burbage's?"

"That's the puzzle. You seem to have never faced this particular challenge. Moreover, you've integrated these ideas into the company you've founded. The Future World reportedly spends a significant portion on Muggle products, yet your employees don't face the... um, only distinction I can think of is the difference in research fields," Dumbledore discussed the matter.

"That's indeed a factor," Felix replied. "The development strategy I devised for the company—at least in its initial stages—revolved around assimilating Muggle technology concepts and functionalities and attempting to replace them with magic. I didn't require them to understand the principles, and importantly—"

He counted on his fingers, "Mechanical structures, physics, chemistry... these concepts either existed within wizards or were entirely unknown, causing no significant clashes in their cognition. Professor Burbage, on the other hand, has dived into the most fundamental and intense whirlpools."

"As for myself remaining unaffected, it might relate to my upbringing. It instilled in me a reverence for both magic and science, acknowledging the challenge of effortlessly harnessing the power of both," Felix explained.

Dumbledore smiled, "Ah, I've conjured an intriguing idea, much like the advertisement you placed in the newspaper—melding Muggle intelligence with magic, what sparks will fly?"

"Absolutely, I'm eagerly anticipating it."

"You're too modest, Felix. If I were to find a word to describe it, I'd say: remarkably fruitful," Dumbledore stated. In the dreamscape, Charity's voice fluctuated, as though wandering persistently through a dream, seeking answers repeatedly.

"Genes... information... evolution... Why isn't there a place for magic here?"

"Have you pondered how to address this issue?" Dumbledore asked thoughtfully.

Felix magically understood his implication. Dumbledore wasn't seeking the answer itself, as it wasn't realistic or immediately attainable. He simply wanted to know how to navigate such conflicting thoughts and concepts if wizards and non-wizards were destined to integrate.

"I hadn't considered it before," Felix straightforwardly admitted.

"And now?"

"I have a semblance of an idea!"

Dumbledore smiled at Felix. Felix felt a strange sensation, almost as if he were transported back three years, seated in that circular Headmaster's office, undergoing a serious interview rather than discussing matters in a professor's enigmatic dreamscape.

"In the short term, magic remains magic, science remains science. Create a buffer zone and allow sufficient time for adaptation," he earnestly proposed.

Suddenly, the voice in the dreamscape quietened, as if even Professor Burbage's subconscious was listening attentively. The silence around was eerie. The blue sphere and golden double helix structure began to separate, revealing a large area of blackness in between.

"Limit communication within a certain range?" Dumbledore nodded. "A good plan. But who will be the bridge in the middle?"

Felix hesitated for a moment before expressing his thoughts, "Previously, it was inadvertently the Ministry of Magic's doing. Now, the Future World Company is actively pushing for it, and in the future, it'll be the combined efforts of young wizards born into

Muggle families..."

Dumbledore didn't confirm or deny, merely stating, "Let's leave for now; people outside must be getting anxious... Speaking of which, I wonder if Charity will have a chance to feature on Chocolate Frog Cards? What would her introduction be like?"

"That's something to look forward to."

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