Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 158: The Coming Christmas

These are undoubtedly several challenges. As the number one person after "Nick Lemaître", Professor Terra's alchemical achievements have left a mark even in the entire history of alchemy.

She was a tenured professor at five different magic schools, and if she weren't too old, she should even be sitting in the elders' seat at the International Alchemy Congress.

Yet, even this renowned alchemist could never find a suitable student, which is one of the reasons why she traveled between various magic schools.

Without students, there is no inheritance, and inheritance is one of the most important tasks in the field of alchemy.

This has nothing to do with lofty ideas that want to advance the field of alchemy; it's just the alchemist's unwillingness to accept defeat.

Every famous alchemist inevitably has a distinctive personal style.

This can be traced back to the obscurity of alchemical knowledge, its excessive references and symbols, and sometimes a famous alchemical work can even have several commentaries.

Therefore, the extinction of an individual's lineage is almost equivalent to the extinction of a branch of alchemy, especially in the magical world.

After all, most advancements in magic are driven by a single great wizard.

Inside the alchemy office.

Professor Terra stared intently at Sheehan.

She should have come to Hogwarts a long time ago...

"It's alright..."

Her face was clear again, and her voice was also clearly audible.
"Well done, son, incredible results!"

She eventually lost her composure.

"From today onward, your time will belong to the vastness of alchemy. You should finish reading these books after the Christmas holidays..."

He also presented a paper on alchemical rituals.

Her calm tone carried a hint of sternness and expectation, and with a wave of her hand, some books hidden deep within the classroom flew out.

Alchemy is ultimately a form of ritual magic. Unlike the strictness of potion making, alchemical rituals vary in style, but almost all alchemists agree on one thing—an alchemist cannot perform two rituals simultaneously.

This means that once an alchemical apprentice has learned a particular ritual and it becomes a habit, it will be very difficult for him to learn another ritual.

This also means that he has entered a school of alchemy.

After leaving the alchemy classroom, Sheen had many books in his hands, all of which were Professor Terra's personal annotations.

What Shin didn't know was that the field of alchemy operated on a system similar to a master-apprentice relationship.

These personal annotations, which introduce theories and methods, are like a master-apprentice certification. As long as you demonstrate the same unique skills, alchemists will inevitably know the source of your lineage.

In the corridor, the torrential rain gradually subsided.

Sheen walked briskly, and he probably understood that his talent was quite good even in the world of alchemy.

The first time he rode a flying broomstick, he understood that he could sense the flow of magic within alchemical creations and dissect the magical runes that made them...

Just like a potion master can discern the heat, the stirring intensity, and the timing of simmering.

This is talent for a certain branch of magic, and this is the magical world of talent.

"Great Green! So, what did Professor Terra say—"

The corridors always seem to be popping up with the Weasley twins; Sheen is used to it.

"No."

Sheen recalled for a few seconds,
The professor simply said, "Incredible results."

"what--?"

Fred let out a desperate whisper.

"And those awful cookies we ate—"

George added desperately.

Realizing they had let something slip, the two men's expressions changed, and they disappeared in a flash.

Sheen sighed. He would actually be very happy to sponsor the Geminis if they wanted to open a shop.

After all, it's a sure-fire way to make money.

...There's still a week until Christmas.

The sky suddenly cleared, turning a bright and dazzling eggshell color.

One morning, the muddy ground was covered with a layer of glistening white frost. The castle was filled with a busy Christmas atmosphere.

Professor Flitwick, who teaches spells, has decorated his classroom with colorful lights that transform into real fairies, fluttering their wings.

The corridor outside the auditorium.

Sheen and the others discovered that the corridor was completely blocked by a large fir tree. Seeing the two large feet sticking out from under the tree and hearing the loud wheezing sound, they knew that Hagrid must be behind the tree.

"Hey, Hagrid, need any help?"

Ron asked, sticking his head out from among the branches.

"No need, I can manage. Thank you, Ron."

Hagrid said in a muffled voice, then dragged the fir tree away—it was to be placed in the auditorium as a Christmas tree.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the holiday. Hopefully, the little house will be even warmer now.

Harry sat on the stool, drinking oat milk, watching the white mist slowly rise, and he felt that this room brought him more hope than anywhere else.

"Sheen, may I test my spell proficiency?"

Sheen put down the roar letter he had just finished making; he was just a little bit away from reaching the [Apprentice] proficiency level.

It just so happens that it's time to eat. Hopefully, everyone in the cabin will assume that there's some rest time before and after the meal. They're not study fanatics... right?

"Sheen means, hurry up, Harry."

Justin remarked jokingly from the side.

"oh oh!"

Harry nervously raised his wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

A piece of wood then floated up.

Sheen waved his wand, and a form with Harry's head on it floated over.

It says above—Harry: Levitation Charm [Expert], Water-to-Spring Charm [Beginner]...

“That’s really good!”

Justin was the first to exclaim in praise.

"A week faster than me. About the same as you, Hermione."

Hermione raised her chin:

"It's passable."

Justin brought out his form and said with a smile:

"In just a week and a half, you've gone from a beginner to a pro. You must have a really amazing talent for spells."

His praise made Harry feel a little lightheaded, especially after seeing Hermione and Neville nod in agreement.

Besides flying, he has another skill he excels at, so when others mention him, they can say:

“Oh, Potter, he’s learned the spells exceptionally well, not: Ah, it’s that Harry Potter.”

Ron also joined in. He noticed that his spell proficiency was far behind everyone else's, but his Polymorph was at least at the beginner level!
His hard work and practice have paid off.

He never imagined that one day his progress would be seen.

He really... loves this place...

Hope Cottage is always full of hope, but perhaps only Justin knows why.

If everyone in a group is roughly the same level, then disagreements and prejudices are almost inevitable.

But the people in Hope's Hut are not like that. To be precise, the reason it is harmonious and full of life is simply because Sheen has united some very good young wizards.

(End of this chapter)