Hogwarts starts with stealing power.

The quiet corridor echoed with Lin Xia's light footsteps, making the space seem somewhat empty.

She originally intended to go to Professor McGonagall's office, but a scene suddenly flashed into her mind—

It was a densely packed schedule of professors' classes.

Professor McGonagall has three classes today, two in the morning and one in the afternoon.

So after teaching their class, she still had to go and teach the lower grades.

So Lin Xia turned and headed to the classroom where she was teaching.

But after walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, completely stunned.

Wait, what was that image that just flashed through her mind?
She remembered that she had never seen this class schedule before!
Hogwarts does not publish the schedules of every professor; the school only publishes the class schedules for students in each year and each house.

So the image that just flashed through her mind was a prophecy from a famous compass?

Lin Xia's expression changed slightly, and she was somewhat shocked.

Upon closer reflection, the warning issued by the Destiny Compass has not appeared for a long time.

After being told the true identities of Sirius Black and Scabbers the Mouse last time, she relied on her intuition to make the next judgment.

In the past, she had no intuition or warning.

All intuition is replaced by the compass of destiny.

Lin Xia couldn't help but reach out and touch her heart.

As the power of the Compass of Destiny gradually transforms into the instincts of this body, does it mean that she needs to integrate into the wizarding world even more than she did at the beginning?

Just then, the words Babling had said to her in the Enchanted Forest suddenly echoed in her mind.

"The longer you receive the attention of the wizarding world's consciousness, the smoother things will go and the more likely you are to escape danger."

Lin Xia wondered if the changes in her body were also the result of the will of the wizarding world deliberately pushing things along.

What does she want to do?
Lin Xia did not believe that this was a natural change.

Otherwise, why would she change so suddenly, only after she possessed the magic of a high-level wizard and needed the world's will to recognize her true advancement?

No, perhaps this ability had already been transferred, but she just hadn't noticed it.

Although the professor told her not to seek the approval of the wizarding world's will and be granted the power of its laws so early.

but……

Lin Xia's eyes flickered slightly; there were many things she couldn't simply avoid.

For example, the will of the wizarding world may have set its sights on her very early on.

Lin Xia composed herself and walked toward Professor McGonagall's classroom.

But after just one flight of stairs, she saw Professor Binns floating around her, looking lost.

It was like a headless fly, wandering aimlessly around the stairwell, wearing thick glasses.

On his lifeless face, a look of near anxiety and impatience appeared.

Because Professor Binns rarely makes any expression, even the slightest movement of his facial features, such as the corners of his mouth, is considered an expression of emotion.

Its body was withered and emaciated, and it looked like an anxious and dry old tortoise.

Lin Xia walked over step by step, and heard its lips move slightly, murmuring to itself:
"That familiar aura has returned. What should I do with him? What should I do? Where can I run to?"
That aura reappeared; someone was once again communicating with the evil gods of the evil god world. Voldemort… the Dark Lord… the second Dark Lord is about to descend!

The impatient Professor Binns did not notice that a wizard was approaching it.

It was lost in its own thoughts, having not felt such anxiety in a long time.

As a ghost, it repeats the same thing every day and doesn't remember anyone.

It's like a program, following the established rules day after day.

But the aura I sensed early yesterday morning was like a program encountering a Trojan horse, waking it from its rules and triggering a key memory point.

Lin Xia suddenly became curious about Professor Bins's background.

When the new students enrolled, after learning that their professor of magical history was a ghost, a story about Professor Binns' origins circulated among the young wizards.

It is said that Professor Binns died in his sleep in an armchair in front of the fireplace in the faculty lounge, and the cause of death was natural aging or a sudden illness.

After he died, he heard the classroom bell ring, so he hurriedly got up and went to class.

He forgot he had brought his own body with him, and he also forgot that he was actually dead and had been transformed into a ghost.

Even after he died and became a ghost, Professor Binns never realized that he was dead.

In Professor Binns' mind, death was unplanned; he was too used to teaching, and this memory left a strong mark on his life.

After transforming into a ghost, the things he cared about most in life became his daily routine.

Even the other professors didn't understand how Professor Binns transformed into his ghost form.

After assessing that he could still teach the history of magic even after becoming a ghost, the school naturally hired him as a professor of the history of magic, and everything proceeded as before.

This story left a deep impression on Lin Xia.

But what impressed her most was not Professor Binns' focused teaching philosophy, but the fact that he had been teaching at Hogwarts for over a thousand years.

She didn't know how many years Professor Babling had stayed at Hogwarts, but Professor Binns was definitely the one who had stayed in the castle the longest.

If he weren't a ghost, he wouldn't interact with any students and would only want to teach all day long.

Even as a ghost, it probably wouldn't live long.

If Professor Binns had any memories other than those of teaching, they would be like a living history of the castle, knowing all the secrets of the castle in recent years and what major events had occurred.

Lin Xia heard it repeating those same few sentences over and over, and suddenly asked, "Professor, what are you doing?"

Professor Binns belatedly looked at Lin Xia.

Its eyes were lifeless, seemingly looking at Lin Xia, but in reality, it was just staring at the space next to Lin Xia, without any eye contact with Lin Xia.

Lin Xia had never thought there was anything wrong with this before.

Professor Binns' lectures were very dry; he simply recited history verbatim without mentioning any myths or legends. He often lectured with his eyes closed or half-closed, appearing expressionless and lifeless.

At that time, she just thought it was Professor Binns' teaching style.

But now, a thought suddenly flashed through Lin Xia's mind.

Could it be that Professor Binns is deliberately avoiding eye contact with his students?

Because they were afraid that if they made eye contact, the students would notice that something was wrong with its behavior.
But what secrets could a ghost be hiding that would make it afraid to look students in the eye?
If Lin Xia hadn't overheard its mutterings earlier, she would have thought that Professor Binns only had classes on his mind and nothing else.

But obviously.

It also hides a memory it doesn't want to tell anyone.

Professor Binns remained silent after being called by Lin Xia.

Lin Xia said, "Professor, you may have forgotten, but you have to go to class for the second period today. All of us students are waiting for you."

I thought something had happened to you, so I came out to find you. I wonder what your concerns are?
If you're not feeling well, I can take you to Professor McGonagall and ask her to grant you leave.

Professor Binns paused for a long time, his voice like a rusty lever being pulled back up, audible and broken.

"No... no... I'll go to class now..."

Professor Binns floated forward, and Lin Xia followed behind, observing him carefully.

In the history of magic, Hermione stands on the podium, strictly watching each student, not allowing them to daydream.

Whenever a wizard closes his eyes in a daze, a chill runs down his spine as he feels a piercing gaze.

The gaze was oppressive, as if Professor McGonagall herself had come.

The sleepy little wizard shuddered, opened his eyes again, and stared intently at the textbook on the history of magic.

Even if you don't understand the textbook, just staring at it is better than closing your eyes and going to sleep.

That feeling of being constantly on edge was terrifying!

Hermione stared at them for a while, then turned to Draco to discuss something.

“I don’t think this can go on. Half of the young wizards can’t stand the boring learning atmosphere and can’t help but want to sleep. We need to liven up the classes. Should we ask them some questions to get them involved in the discussion?”

Draco nodded. "It's a good idea, but what's there to discuss about the history of magic? It's just a piece of history."

Hermione said, "Perhaps we can have them discuss controversial historical episodes. I read a lot of unofficial histories during the summer, and the stories recorded there are quite different from the history taught at school."

Draco shook his head and said solemnly, "History is history. Many of the so-called controversies are just fabrications by later generations, trying to distort history."

I only believe evidence I see with my own eyes. Unless there is genuine evidence proving that a period of history is wrong, there is no point in revising or discussing it.

Hermione thought Draco was right and suddenly had a brilliant idea.

"How about we put together a history of magic exam on the spot and let them take it? If they answer the questions seriously and attentively, they won't want to fall asleep."

Draco was about to agree when his ears suddenly twitched slightly.

After entering the Profound Scripture Realm, his five senses became much more acute, and he could detect subtle sounds from afar even without using the Extrasensory Spell.

He thought he heard Lin Xia's footsteps.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Wait, it seems Lin Xia is back."

About a minute or two later, Professor Bins appeared at the classroom door first.

It walked in expressionlessly and stood in the center of the podium, between Hermione and Draco.

Professor Binns did not make eye contact with the two students, ignoring them indifferently throughout the lesson, his lips barely moving as he continued teaching.

The students didn't look at the podium; they only realized what was happening after they heard the voice.

Looking up, their eyes widened in surprise.

Professor Binns has returned!
There was a slight commotion in the classroom, but as Lin Xia entered and scanned everyone, the young wizards who were excitedly discussing "Where did Professor Binns go?" immediately shut up.

With Professor Binns's lectures, the young wizards quickly fell asleep.

Almost all of them were in deep sleep.

Twenty minutes later, the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class.

Professor Binns floated away without saying a word or showing any expression.

The young wizards around them gathered curiously.

"Lin Xia, where did you find this professor? I thought something had happened to him and he would never be able to come to class again!"

"Professor Binns's lectures on the history of magic are too dry. It's a good thing that the school can take this opportunity to find someone else to teach it."

"That's impossible! Without Professor Binns, where can the school find such a useful employee who doesn't even need insurance!"

Lin Xia smiled slightly: "When I went to find it, the professor was already on his way. It encountered a little trouble and was delayed. I don't know the specifics."

After the young wizards dispersed, Hermione and the others came to Lin Xia's side to talk about Professor Binns.

Hermione didn't believe things were as simple as Lin Xia made them out to be.

Lin Xia said softly, "When I was doing the testing this morning, I heard some of the young wizards say that the portraits in the picture frames and the ghosts in the school were all a bit restless this morning."

I think Professor Binns was also affected; when I found him, he was pacing back and forth at the stairwell, looking unusually anxious.

Harry asked curiously, "Do ghosts experience anxiety? Can they have emotional changes?"

Lin Xia shook her head: "Generally speaking, there isn't one. Ghosts aren't life forms, but rather a past influence."

No matter how real a ghost may be, it has no tomorrow; it lives forever in the past, in memories, repeating the same things over and over.

Ron asked, "Should we tell Professor McGonagall about this?"

Lin Xia nodded: "After lunch, I plan to have a talk with the professor."

They ate in the auditorium and planned to go find the professor together later.

Lin Xia went to report on Professor Binns' unusual behavior, while Ron and Harry wanted to ask Professor McGonagall when the next step in their study of Occlumency should be scheduled.

As for Hermione and Draco, they heard that Ron and Harry had practiced Occlumency during the winter break and were very interested, so they wanted to ask the professor if they could join them.

On the first day of school, everyone showed great excitement for new things, as if they had inexhaustible energy.

There is a significant difference between them and the students around them who are still unable to get out of the holiday rhythm and adapt to school life.

However, before Lin Xia and the others could even approach the professor, the Weasley twins came looking for them instead.

After they finished eating and left the auditorium, the twins jumped out to greet them, waiting for them at the door.

Ron was startled and said with lingering fear, "What are you doing? Trying to become ghosts?"

George chuckled and said, "Ghosts? No, no, no, ghosts aren't easy to transform into, and you have to die to become a ghost. Ron, are you cursing us?"

Ron's face turned bright red, and he said stiffly, "No, I was just saying it offhand!"

Fred said, "Lin Xia, we received some very important news this morning, and I think you'd be interested in contributing it to the lab."

Lin Xia's eyes flickered slightly as she asked, "Is it related to the recent unrest at school?"

George and Fred said in unison, "That's right!"

Lin Xia: "What do you want?"

Previously, when Draco bought information from them, the Weasley twins also didn't charge him, saying it was a free contribution to the lab to offset their material purchase quota.

This time, the Weasley twins clearly wanted to continue selling information as lab credits.

They went to the laboratory first to discuss the quota.

The laboratory's quota is very valuable; it can be used to purchase materials that are not easily available in the general public.

Although it cannot be used as a Galleon, its actual value is higher than that of a Galleon.

However, Lin Xia originally wanted to cultivate the Weasley twins, so he gave them a great discount on the quota, allocating a total quota of 1000 to them at a price far exceeding the price of purchasing information with Galleons.

Their lab's credit limit, after publishing numerous papers and experimental results, had long since grown to 100,000.

Each semester has a quota of 100,000, and if it's not enough, you can apply to the school for more.

Lin Xia said, "The laboratory ultimately serves our experimental results. The information you provide is certainly useful, but if you want to increase your quota, it would be best to produce more experimental results."

I had Hermione summarize and analyze the research areas the lab has been interested in over the past few years. Take a look at them all, and then delve into whichever interests you.

The twins readily agreed.

Lin Xia did not interfere with their research ideas, but simply let them research in areas that interested them, without specifying what they should research.

This gave the twins a sense of great freedom. (End of Chapter)