Chapter 178: Trials

Chapter 178: Trials

Felix Harp grinned, "Anytime works for me, Potter. I'll move in and keep you company whenever you're ready. But I have to return to the school first, to sort a few things out. You can also think about your schedule."

He stood up, "Intensive training will be tough, Potter. Be mentally prepared. From my personal experience, the time after a magical outburst is perfect for learning spells. You'll progress swiftly."

Harry didn't hesitate and readily agreed.

Felix Harp found Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron, a wizard hunched with wrinkles on his face and a bent back. Upon Tom's suggestion, Felix chose Room 12, right next to Harry's.

He waved at Harry by the staircase, then turned and left the pub, using the public fireplace to return to his office.

He went over his recent work, aside from attempting to incorporate the Sneakoscope into the curriculum, he had some other good ideas. Rolling up these half-finished plans, he tucked them into a ring.

Next, he reviewed the records of the Wandwood tree's observations. It was a task he and Professor Flitwick did daily, but he decided to entrust it solely to Flitwick for now.

He then headed to the office of the Charms professor, informing Flitwick about his schedule clash. The short professor quickly agreed, clicking his tongue and saying, "Magical outbursts... I wonder what Potter has encountered. With you by that child's side, Miss Miller will be relieved."

Later, Felix spotted Snape's figure within the school. Snape strode briskly, his black robes billowing behind him.

"Severus?" Felix greeted him, "You're back so early? I do recall Snape returning home during summer holidays each year and generally arriving on the first day of school."

Severus Snape's face remained stern, suppressing his displeasure as he said, "You can inquire with our esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore. He's the one who summoned me back, to brew a nauseating potion."

In a sour mood, he swiftly strode away, his cloak trailing.

What could that nauseating potion be? Felix wondered, watching his departing figure with curiosity.

A dozen minutes later, Felix returned to Diagon Alley. He knocked on Room 11 and saw Harry's bed cluttered with various items: textbooks from different subjects, parchment, ink bottles, and even a broom maintenance kit.

"Professor, I'm reviewing my assignments. Well, I still have three essays on wizarding history, two on potions, and one on spells left to write."

"Wizarding history..."

Harry distinctly heard Professor Harp's disapproving hum, but the professor didn't say much more. He took a seat across from Harry.

"Time is precious, Potter," Felix stated, "I will guide you through your assignments in your spare time."

...

Tom, the Leaky Cauldron's owner, provided them with an empty basement, long abandoned, as he claimed. Tom, hunchbacked and toothless, grinned, "I remember there used to be some protective enchantments here, but they might have faded. You'll need to handle it yourselves."

But he had to admit, he was intrigued.

Professor Harp didn't elaborate on how mastering these spells would benefit him, but he couldn't help but imagine - admiration from classmates, extra points in class, perhaps even a chance to showcase his abilities in front of that special girl...

With a slightly trembling voice, he said, "Professor, I'll follow your plan." He felt that his tone when speaking was filled with a sense of tragedy, as if he were about to face the gallows.

Felix Harp handed him a piece of chocolate, saying, "Have something to eat first. We'll move on to the second phase of testing."

Ten minutes later.

Felix and Harry stood about eight meters apart, facing each other.

"Potter, this time we're testing the maximum power of your spells. You need to tap into your emotions fully. Do you remember what was mentioned in Dueling class? Determination, confidence, and most importantly, the Disarming Charm is about self-protection, rendering the enemy incapable of harming you."

Harry nodded, took a deep breath, and imagined Draco standing across from him, suddenly transformed into a giant with golden hair, brandishing a stick as he approached...

"Pff!" He burst into laughter all of a sudden, "Uh, sorry."

After a moment of emotional buildup -

"Expelliarmus!"

With a strained voice, Harry shouted, and a red light, as thick as a finger, shot straight toward Felix. Yet, it was blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Not enough, Potter. Let me see your potential!" Felix urged.

Gritting his teeth, Harry put all his effort into channeling magic. For a brief moment, he genuinely felt something different, what Professor Harp called "active magic." He repeated in his mind: Disarm, render the enemy unable to harm me...

He thought of those real enemies - Professor Quirrell, the Basilisk, and most importantly... Voldemort!

The red light, after flickering for a few moments, grew as thin as a strand of hair. Felix nearly thought he had failed, but in the next instant, a searing beam of light shot from Harry's wand, spanning the eight-meter distance, and collided with Felix's Shield Charm.

Two spells grappled in mid-air, a deep rumbling echoing throughout the basement.

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