HP: The Boy who saw Magic

The morning mist clung to the stone walls of Hogwarts Castle. Kevin stood outside Professor McGonagall's office, a sense of anticipation and uncertainty in his chest. Professor Victor had been absent for the past two days.

He knocked gently on the oak door, and Professor McGonagall's firm voice called from inside: "Come in."

Kevin pushed the door open and stepped inside. The Transfiguration professor's office was immaculately tidy, a thick stack of documents on her desk. Professor McGonagall looked up, her sharp eyes as piercing as ever behind her square glasses.

"Mr. Hawthorne?" She raised an eyebrow. "What brings you here?"

"Professor, I've been trying to find Professor Victor the past two days, but he hasn't been around." Kevin tried to keep his voice calm. "I was hoping you might know where he is."

Professor McGonagall frowned slightly. "Professor Eisenberg has requested leave and has not yet determined when he will return. However, he assured me he will be back before the next class." She paused. "Why are you so concerned about his schedule?"

Kevin was prepared: "I'm studying alchemy with him now, Professor. I had some questions about our experiments."

"Alchemy?" Professor McGonagall's expression softened a little, but she shook her head. "Unfortunately, I don't know Professor Eisenberg's exact whereabouts. I'll let you know if I hear anything."

Leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Kevin walked through the empty corridor in the early morning. His boots made soft sounds on the marble floor, but his mind was preoccupied with the mysterious professor's activities.

Back in the Ravenclaw common room, Wesley was using the Levitation Charm to make a football trace different patterns in the air, his reddish-brown curls damp with sweat and sticking to his forehead. Fabian sat by the window, an unfamiliar book open on his knees, while Ernesto carefully polished a set of delicate silver instruments.

"How did it go?" Fabian pushed his glasses up, his expression curious.

Kevin shook his head. "Professor McGonagall doesn't know when Professor Victor will be back."

"That weirdo is so mysterious," Ernesto muttered.

Wesley let the football drop back into his hands. "So, are we still going to the practice room today?"

"Of course," Kevin said, taking his wand from his bag. "I want to ask Professor Flitwick about silent spells first, then head to the practice room."

Professor Flitwick's office door was open, and a cheerful flute melody drifted out. Kevin peeked in and saw the professor standing on a pile of books, directing three flutes to play a complex tune with his wand.

"Ah, Mr. Hawthorne!" Professor Flitwick nearly toppled off his stack of books as he turned around.

Kevin clapped enthusiastically. "Beautiful music, Professor. But I came to ask about silent spells…"

When Kevin described his progress mastering the silent Illumination Charm, Professor Flitwick was so excited he knocked over his teacup. "Genius! Absolutely a genius! Most wizards need months just to sense the flow of magic!"

The teacup righted itself, and Professor Flitwick pulled several hefty books from the shelf. "Since you've grasped the basics, these advanced silent spell theories should suit you." He blinked. "But be careful when practicing. The backlash from silent spells is much more dangerous than ordinary spells. I suggest you practice a spell thoroughly before attempting it silently."

Kevin accepted the books solemnly. Then Professor Flitwick said, "Kevin, have you considered learning dueling skills? I think you have the potential. Silent casting is one of the most challenging dueling techniques, and you've already mastered it."

Thinking about the dangers ahead, Kevin felt it was wise to develop combat skills. He'd mastered spellcasting and silent casting, but it would mean little if he couldn't use them effectively.

"Of course, Professor. If possible, would you have time to teach me?" Kevin asked, having made up his mind.

"Excellent! How about this—every Friday afternoon, if you're free, you can come to me for training. Does that suit you?" Professor Flitwick said happily.

"No problem. I'll be here unless something comes up. If there's an emergency, I'll let you know in advance," Kevin agreed.

Just as Kevin was about to leave, he remembered another question. "Professor, about our dedicated practice room on the fifth floor… we've stored some valuables. I was wondering if there are any simple protective measures we could use?"

"Good security sense!" Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a small box flew out of a drawer. "This is an alarm cube—it detects unauthorized magical activity." He took out a roll of parchment. "And here are illustrations of several basic protective spells, including unlocking, counter, and anti-theft charms."

Kevin carefully memorized the key points, especially the wrist movement for the anti-theft charm, which required slowly rotating three and a half times, like drawing a spiral.

"Remember," Professor Flitwick said solemnly, "protective magic is a double-edged sword. Too strong a ward can harm the innocent, but too weak is useless. You must find the right balance."

Armed with new knowledge and borrowed books, Kevin headed to their practice room. Pushing open the door, he found Wesley and Fabian already inside. Wesley was still practicing the Levitation Charm with his football, while Fabian studied a glowing magical plant and Ernesto practiced a spell from a book.

"Look at the moonflower I got from Professor Sprout. It's lovely, isn't it? Pity the Devil's Snare hasn't changed a bit," Fabian said, pushing his glasses up and shaking his head.

Kevin demonstrated the protective spells he'd learned from Professor Flitwick, and the four boys eagerly began to practice. The alarm cube was placed above the door frame, emitting a faint blue glow. Kevin cast a counter-spell on the door lock, and a golden light flashed through the keyhole. Fabian drew runes for the anti-theft charm on the window.

"It's done!" The group admired their work. "It's much safer now."

In the hours that followed, Kevin continued his silent spell practice, aiming to cast all first-year spells without speaking. Fabian and Wesley honed the spells they'd learned in Charms and Transfiguration, deepening their understanding. Ernesto practiced spells from later chapters of the textbook.

By evening, everyone had made progress. Kevin could now cast three basic spells silently. Wesley and Fabian had advanced their spellcasting, and Ernesto had mastered a new spell—a "silent" charm of his own.

As the four boys left the Eagle's Nest, tired but satisfied, Kevin looked back at the space they'd created together. The alarm cube flickered quietly above the door, and the light of the moonflower glowed faintly through the window. He felt certain this place would only get better and better.