Chapter 160: A Touch of Romance

Since Amy was once an Auror, she wasn't just proficient in Apparition but also knew many other spells worth learning—such as the Patronus Charm, often referred to as the most powerful defensive spell.

With Dementors expected to appear next semester, George figured it was a good time to prepare. Though he believed his Holy Light-based magic might be effective against Dementors, he hadn't had a chance to test it yet.

The Patronus Charm earned its reputation as the ultimate defensive spell because it could ward off not just regular magical attacks but also mental ones. It was especially effective against dark creatures like Dementors and Lethifolds. Beyond defense, a Patronus could also serve as a messenger and even had some physical attack capabilities.

In his reading of magical history, George had come across mentions of a wizard from ancient Greece named Andros the Invincible, who summoned a giant Patronus. This feat made him one of the most powerful wizards of his era, immortalized on Chocolate Frog cards.

However, mastering the Patronus Charm was significantly harder than Apparition. Few wizards could conjure a corporeal Patronus, even among the most skilled.

"That's fantastic! If you need help with any spell, just come to me. If I know it, I'll teach it!" Amy promised, her face lighting up the moment she realized George wouldn't shortchange her payment.

Just then, the front door swung open, revealing a brown-haired witch with hazel eyes carrying a bag of baguettes. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Sophie Marceau.

"Oh, darling Lena, you're home from work!" Amy exclaimed, rushing to take the bread before embracing the newcomer.

The witch named Lena, releasing Amy from the hug, began to complain, "I've told you before—stop running that magical crash course. I can support you. You don't have to do this."

"Ahem, Lena, let's talk about this later," Amy quickly interrupted, gesturing towards George. "This is the student I mentioned—his name is George. George, this is Lena."

"Hello, Miss Lena," George said with a polite nod and a smile. He couldn't shake the feeling that Amy and Lena weren't just regular friends, but he told himself he might be overthinking things.

Lena walked up to him, bent slightly to study him, and greeted him warmly. "Hello, George. What an adorable young man. I wish I had a child like you."

"Alright, it's time for dinner. Lena, did you get the wine?" Amy rummaged through the bag, lighting up when she pulled out two large bottles of sherry. "You know me so well!"

Dinner consisted of roasted lamb, cheese, bread, and sherry, all brought back by Lena. Afterward, George left the two tipsy women to their conversation and headed out to explore the magical street.

...

..

.

George decided to browse the bookstores along France's magical avenues, hoping to find some rare and useful tomes. As he wandered, he noticed a number of Beauxbatons students still in uniform, enjoying their holiday on the streets.

After an hour of searching, he entered the largest bookstore on the street. Although the selection was vast, most of the books were either ones he had read or those that were not particularly useful.

Hogwarts' library, combined with the bookstores in Diagon Alley, already covered about 70-80% of all magical texts in the wizarding world.

Finally, he stumbled upon a book titled Legends of Ancient Magic. It wasn't a spellbook or a theoretical guide but rather a historical narrative, akin to a collection of magical folklore. What piqued his interest was its mention of ancient magics.

According to the book, wizards in the age of Merlin—or even before his time—wielded magic with immense power. They could reshape mountains, summon meteors, and perform other incredible feats. However, casting such spells required lengthy incantations, often taking 10-20 minutes, which eventually led to their obsolescence. The rise of efficient spells like Disarming Charms and Stunning Spells sealed their fate.

Yet, despite being outdated, ancient magic still possessed unparalleled potency. It was said that Hogwarts itself incorporated numerous ancient magics during its construction, which explained its unmatched properties—such as blocking all technological devices, preventing Apparition within its grounds, and containing countless magical mysteries that remain unsolved to this day.

"Could ancient magic really exist?" George wondered as he added the book to his purchase list. He suspected that Lily Potter's protective charm—capable of reflecting the Killing Curse—might be a form of ancient magic. Similarly, Voldemort's curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position might be another example.

While modern magic excelled in speed and practicality for direct confrontations, George believed ancient magic's overwhelming power made it ideal for ambushes or large-scale attacks. If he could learn even a fraction of it, he'd gain an edge in his battles.

...

..

.

Returning home around ten, George noticed the streets were still bustling. Unlike Diagon Alley, which emptied by this hour, France's magical avenues came alive at night with wizards selling magical cotton candy, fireworks, and performing street magic.

The vibrant atmosphere reminded George of a magical version of the night markets from his previous life.

When he finally stepped back into Amy and Lena's home, he froze. From the main bedroom came a muffled but unmistakable noise.

"What the—?"

"Oh, YES!"

Hearing Amy and Lena's voices, George's mouth twitched involuntarily. The house's soundproofing was decent, but his enhanced hearing picked up the noises nonetheless.

"So, French wizards are as open-minded as their Muggle counterparts," he muttered to himself, suppressing a sigh as he returned to his own small bedroom.

No wonder he had sensed something "more than friendly" between Amy and Lena. Their closeness, their single status despite their age, and now this? It all made perfect sense.