HP/LOTM: Visionary - 376

Chapter 376: Harry's Direct Approach and Apparition Lessons

After class, Harry deliberately lingered in the Potions classroom. After all the other students left, he approached Horace to have a conversation.

"Sir, I was wondering if I could ask you something." Harry placed his notebook on the desk.

"By all means, ask away, my boy, by all means," Horace said.

Horace placed his materials into his briefcase. As a wandering potioneer, he was always accustomed to carrying supplies with him.

"Well, one evening I was in the Restricted Section of the library, and I read something about a rare type of magic," Harry said.

Harry's restless hands fidgeted with the instruments on the desk.

Horace slowed his speech and the movements of his hands. "What magic?"

"Um, I'm not sure. I can't quite remember its name. I was curious—is there some magic that you can't teach us?" Harry asked.

Harry spread his hands and struck them against his trousers with a sound.

"Well, perhaps you should ask Professor Snape. After all, he's your Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Horace said.

Horace had already packed his materials and picked up his briefcase.

"Yes, you know I don't get on well with him, sir. What I mean is—he's not like you. He might misunderstand me," Harry looked at Horace earnestly, hoping to move him with his direct approach.

Horace picked up his briefcase and passed by him, turning back to look at him. "Yes, without light there is no darkness. Magic is the same way. We always strive to live in the light, and I suggest you do the same."

Faced with his favourite student's inquiry, Horace didn't dare answer. He fled awkwardly toward the door.

He clearly understood that Harry wanted to ask him about Dark Magic, but he no longer dared provide guidance to students. After all, the events from fifty-three years ago were still fresh in his mind.

"When Tom Riddle came to ask you, did you give him the same answer?" Harry asked directly, laying out his entire purpose.

"Dumbledore sent you, didn't he! Didn't he!" Horace could only use harsh words to mask his inner unease, then quickly left.

Harry's direct approach had clearly failed. He returned to the common room downhearted and told his two best friends what had happened.

That afternoon, the Apparition Lesson that all the young wizards had been waiting for finally arrived.

Hogwarts' great hall had been converted into a classroom, and the long tables around it had been removed.

The heads of all four houses were present, responsible for maintaining order.

The instructor was Wilkie Twycross, a professional teacher sent by the Ministry of Magic. He stood on the platform and loudly announced the precautions for Apparition.

Meanwhile, Draco and Goyle started arguing for some reason.

"Be quiet!" Professor McGonagall shouted at them, causing Wilkie to pause his lecture.

"Oh, not you, Professor Wilkie," Professor McGonagall waved her hand, signalling him to continue.

Harry pushed through the crowd and carefully squeezed in next to Aiden.

"Hey, buddy, stop pushing, stop pushing! Harry Potter?" Ethan was uncomfortable from being squeezed and, turning around, saw a pair of green eyes.

"Oh, hello, Aiden's roommate. I need to speak with him for a moment," Harry extended his hand to shake Ethan's.

"All right," Ethan stepped back to make way.

"Aiden!" Harry reached out and shook the dragon, who was deep in the sea of collective consciousness.

"What?" Aiden turned back.

"Aiden, I tried to get Horace's memory, but..." Harry began recounting his direct approach and how he'd completely silenced Horace, who was now avoiding him everywhere in school.

"Good grief, you actually used the advice Ron gave you," Aiden scratched his head.

"So what do I do now?" Harry asked desperately.

"Since you've already gone direct, there's only one path forward—you can't switch between being sincere and being cold. That would only make Horace compare you to Tom even more," Aiden rolled his eyes, lamenting that Harry had chosen the most difficult approach.

On the platform, Wilkie had finished explaining the precautions.

Next was free practice, and Harry had to rejoin the Gryffindor group.

"So what did he come to you for?" Edmund curiously came over to gossip.

"He's got his eye on the young master of the Lestrange family and is planning to confess to you," Aiden made up on the spot.

"Hmph, if we're talking about that, who could compare to the Rose of Ravenclaw?" Edmund shot back.

"All right, you two, isn't Apparition fun enough? Still have time to bicker? I'm going to try it first," Ethan directly bypassed the two and queued up next to Professor Flitwick to begin attempting.

He pulled out his wand, silently chanted the incantation in his mind, and space flickered.

Ethan appeared before Aiden, except he was missing a leg.

"Your leg fell off," Aiden said with a deadpan expression.

"Pfft!" Edmund tried to cover his mouth but laughed anyway.

"?!" Ethan was startled, lost his balance, and fell to the ground.

"Splinched," Wilkie walked over and reattached his leg.

"Remember the three D's: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation. Think back—which one did you lack?" Wilkie instructed Ethan.

"Deliberation. I'm very sorry, I was too nervous," Ethan climbed up from the ground, looking dejected.

He then glanced at the two still laughing beside him and, embarrassed and angry, opened his mouth. "What are you laughing at? Let's see you do it."

"Well," Aiden raised his eyebrow at him.

He stepped forward directly, without even using his wand. Space flickered, and Aiden appeared before Professor Flitwick.

"Excellent, wonderful, what a pity this isn't my class or I'd give you ten points," Professor Flitwick clapped his hands.

"Not bad. If this were an exam, you could get your licence now," Wilkie nodded, then went to instruct others.

After that, a large crowd of Ravenclaws gathered around Aiden, asking about his experience.

"Alas, truly the Rose," Edmund sighed to Ethan outside the crowd.

"I heard that!" Aiden's voice suddenly came from behind Edmund.

"?" Both roommates had question marks appear simultaneously on their foreheads.

They looked at Aiden in the crowd, then at Aiden behind them.

"What kind of magic is this? A clone?" Ethan scratched his head.

"Just an illusion. The one left in the crowd is an illusion carrying my knowledge. Want to try?" Aiden raised his eyebrows at both of them, then pulled out two black spheres.

"What are these?" "How do you use them?" Both asked their respective questions.

Aiden directly placed the spheres in their hands. Purple light formed channels resembling integrated circuits.

It unfolded in their hands, and then the sphere fused into their palms.

A panel and frame appeared in their eyes.

"Try clicking on something, or ask a question," Aiden explained the usage.

The two quickly became familiar with the terminal and got the hang of it.

"So you've already developed something so great. No wonder you're always ahead in your studies," Ethan marvelled.

"You think the knowledge inside was uploaded by whom?" Aiden rolled his eyes, then turned and left.