Test (2)

[An episode with Neville and then we will move to the political aspect- the family magic and the magical families; of the Wizarding Britain. Hermione will learn these things and so will you. And then with the time skip, the power game and the politics of the story will start. Thrill read ahead. Stay tuned. Check my P@treon for advanced chapters.]

Harry, after he took hold of the source stone, walked with measured and confident steps toward the square-shaped defensive rune.

His deliberate pace exuded confidence, and Dumbledore narrowed his eyes in apprehension. He felt a bad feeling rising beneath him.

Harry's performance had far exceeded his expectations, and Dumbledore feared that, with the unwavering assurance Harry had agreed, Harry might accomplish the task with ease. And his little trick would prove to be useless and obsolete.

After reaching the rune, Harry crouched down and carefully placed the source stone beneath the intertwined runic threads. He then began to weave his wand.

In mere moments, ripples erupted from the source stone, and magical energy flowed steadily toward the rune. A steady and a balanced connection had been established between the source stone and defensive rune.

All the occupants of the room were left in daze at Harry's performance.

"Wonderful," Bathsheda exclaimed, snapping out of her daze as her face lit up with joy.

Minerva also nodded in delight. This display was more than sufficient for Harry to pass the test; indeed, he had not only passed but had performed exceptionally well, proving himself a genius in rune drawing.

Meanwhile, Snape had a bitter smile on his face. He could not believe that this arrogant brat had manged to achieve this. It was like he had swallowed an extremely sour lemon.

Although Dumbledore maintained a neutral expression, inwardly he gritted his teeth in frustration. He was really really annoyed. In the past few days, nothing had gone as he had planned.

A, myriad range of thoughts flashed through his mind. How had Harry become so proficient in rune making? For the first two runes, Dumbledore had attributed Harry's success to Hermione's tutoring. He had attributed the excellent flow and control of magic to Harry's natural talent.

But now, after witnessing this feat, something that even Hermione could not be able to replicate—Dumbledore was left questioning: How had Harry learned this much? Had he been hiding his true nature and knowledge?

He was about to speak, perhaps to impose another obstacle in Harry's path, when Bathsheda stood up.

"Mr. Potter," she said, "you have truly given us a wonderful demonstration of your rune drawing abilities."

"In my entire teaching career," she continued with a beaming face, "you are perhaps the most talented student in this subject I have ever seen."

"The final element you accomplished- it is something that very few students even in the fifth year could execute so flawlessly. Your demonstration proves without any doubt that you are eligible to attend my classes."

She added with a hint of regret, "It pains me to say that you have wasted your last year studying divination."

Dumbledore, who had been about to speak, found his words caught in his throat. He knew he had lost this round too; he could not force any further challenge, nor did he wish to strain Harry's mind further. He had no other option but to relent.

"Aren't I correct, Headmaster?" Bathsheda asked with a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

"Absolutely... absolutely," Dumbledore replied in a delighted tone. "It fills me with happiness to have such a talented student among us."

Harry smiled and said, "Thank you, Headmaster."

He had expected the old coot to offer more resistance, but it seemed that either 'Voldemort's influence' was affecting Albus Dumbledore or Dumbledore was still banking on the magical contract imposed on the professors.

Thus, Harry passed his test with excellent results, and a subject change for his elective was granted. After the test, the students were dismissed and they left for their respective houses under the guidance of the head boy and head girl.

"Harry," Hermione chirped excitedly at his side, "you did so well!"

"And you managed even the last part. It is something I do not even fully understand," she added, her excitement palpable. Harry merely smiled in response.

"Hermione," Harry asked after moments of pause.

"What were you studying in the library? Were you trying to find something?"

Hermione's smile dimmed slightly as she paused before replying.

"Yes," she said.

"After Professor McGonagall spoke about pure-blood and magical families, these subjects have been gnawing at me from inside. I also wanted to find out what was going on with Daphne and her family— you know, the political aspects of it."

She continued, "I was trying to find any information related to these topics in the library."

"Did you find anything?" Harry inquired.

Hermione shook her head. "No... not even a single text."

"I even asked Madam Prince, but she almost got angry," Hermione added in a strange tone.

"She warned me never to inquire about these matters. It was as if she was not even willing to discuss them at all."

Harry nodded.

"You would not find anything even remotely related to those things- politics, magical families, Wizengamot in the library," he said.

"Why?" Hermione asked. She had been perplexed.

"Because every such information from books to journals has been removed from Hogwarts' library. And no professor would ever be willing to talk about it," Harry replied.

"How do you know these things?" She asked.

"Harry," Hermione continued. "You suddenly know so many things."

"You need to tell me, now," she added. Her tone made it clear that she was in no mood to back off.

Harry nodded, "Yes."

"It is time you learn all these things," he said.

He was about to say something more when his eyes caught the sight of Neville Longbottom.

"Hermione, we will talk about this. Tomorrow," he said. "I have something to do with Neville."

Before Hermione could react, Harry walked away towards a nervous Neville. He was worried that now Harry had left the divination class, it was him who was going to be the target of the all the bad prophecies.

He was lost in the thoughts when he pulled a tug at his hands and before he could understand he had been pulled at turn into an empty corridor, away from the crowd of the Gryffindors.

.

.

.

[Join my P@treon for advanced chapter. p@treon.com/Book_paradise / Search Book_paradise in P@treon.]

[Thank you for reading. Rate, Review and Comment on my novel. Send the Power Stones.]