chapter 22 - The Art of Magic

Harry sat in his small art studio, staring at a blank canvas. His previous paintings had done well, each sold for a decent price, but money wasn't his priority. Art, like magic, was a way to express himself.

He tapped the edge of the canvas, thinking.

"Hiding my signature was fun, but what if I take it further?"

His mind wandered to the runes he had been studying. They weren't just symbols of power—they were a language, one long forgotten by modern wizards. If used correctly, they could imbue objects with magic, enhance spells, or even serve as an encryption only a magical mind could understand.

"Normal people won't even notice, but if a wizard or someone with magic sensitivity sees it…" He smirked. "Let's see how sharp their eyes are."

Taking a thin brush, he carefully wove runes into the shadows of his painting. The piece itself was simple yet elegant—a serene forest under moonlight, with a phoenix soaring in the distance. But hidden within the brushstrokes, a glow pulsed faintly—invisible to most, but unmistakable to those attuned to magic.

"This should be fun."

Hermione's Curiosity

At a local art gallery, Hermione Granger found herself staring at a particular painting.

She wasn't particularly interested in art, but something about this one caught her attention. She had seen the artist's previous works, and there was always something... peculiar about them.

But this one was different.

"Am I imagining it, or is it… glowing?"

She shifted her gaze slightly, and out of the corner of her eye, the runes shimmered faintly.

Hermione frowned. "That's impossible."

She had read about invisible inks, UV-reactive paints, even thermal-sensitive materials. But this glow wasn't normal—it wasn't light reflecting differently or some trick of the eye. It was something else entirely.

Her parents, standing beside her, asked, "Are you interested in buying it?"

Hermione shook her head. "No… I just need to figure something out."

Her fingers twitched. This was a puzzle. And Hermione Jean Granger could never ignore a puzzle.