Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 235: The Ghost of the Past
Ferenze pointed to the red star directly above Sheen.

"Over the past decade, there have been numerous indications that the wizarding world is merely experiencing a brief period of peace between two wars. The sparks of war are shining brightly above us, foreshadowing a renewed conflict soon. As for how long, the centaurs might try to predict by burning a few herbs and leaves and observing the smoke and flames..."

This was a very peculiar lesson. Under Ferenze's guidance, Sheen lit sage and mallow.

Ferenc asked him to observe the acrid smoke and find certain shapes and signs within it, although the signs he described were extremely difficult to detect, he seemed not to care at all.

He told Sheehan that humans have never been very good at this kind of thing, and even centaurs only acquired this ability after a long period of time.

[You practiced a prophecy spell to the standard of an apprentice; proficiency +1]

Prophecy magic?

This was the first time Sheen had ever encountered magic.

"You saw that outline?!"

Suddenly, Ferenze, seemingly unconcerned, walked over, his horse's hooves clattering on the ground.

[You have gained the favor of the centaur (Ferenze) by demonstrating your expertise; proficiency +10]

"Yes, Mr. Ferenczer, what does it mean that it's shaped like a volcano?"

Sheen answered honestly, and then asked a question.

"You are also one of the gifted wizards, and the volcano shape symbolizes a deeper eruption."

Ferenze then had Sheen observe other planets, but unfortunately, for a long time afterward, Sheen was unable to understand those strange shapes.

Before leaving, Ferenze had no books to give Sheen—the knowledge of the centaurs was almost entirely passed down orally.

So they formed tribes?

Sheen thought to himself.

Finally, Ferenze told him that sometimes even centaurs can be fooled, so it would be foolish to trust such things too much.

This centaur reminded him that nothing is foolproof, not even the knowledge of centaurs.

……

Sheen returned carrying Ya Ya and a notebook filled with all sorts of tiny details about the shape, burning angle, and flame pattern.

Centaurs truly know how to use astronomical magic; they can even teach astronomical magic to themselves.

At the same time, Sheen probably understood that astronomical magic could only predict major events that were about to happen in the magical world, not trivial matters.

For example, the bad luck mentioned in the books you have is unrelated to planetary changes.

The exam was getting closer every day, and Ferenze had accepted the title of Teacher Sheen.

Although he believed that wizards and centaurs should be equal, Sheen felt that as the recipient of knowledge, he should have even greater respect.

That night, Sheen returned from outside the Forbidden Forest. With an hour to go before curfew, he naturally went to the infirmary.

Professor Quirrell has been drinking a powerful restorative potion for the past few days, but the side effects are steam rising from his head and a day-long slumber.

Unfortunately, in an effort to recover faster, he drank almost a bottle a day.

This forced Sheen to postpone some things.

For example, the matter of agents.

His fairytale cookie series showed no signs of being sold yet. In fact, Sheen had only returned from the conference a little over a week ago, but the inquiries from the Alchemy Conference were already enough to fill Hope Hut. Those alchemy masters knew how long it took to create advanced alchemical creations—Sheen needed two days to make a Bowtruckle series; three days for the Hippogriff; the shortest for the Cat Lizard was one day; and the Dragon Cookie took a full week.

But they still hoped that Sheen could conjure some out of thin air.

Under the moonlight, Sheen pushed open the door to the school hospital. Madam Pomfrey was already used to the little wizard's arrival.

This little guy is quiet and doesn't make a fuss. He comes and goes quietly, and even when he speaks, he releases a soft whisper.

If all the Hogwarts students who came to visit the patient were like this, she wouldn't have become so irritable.

“I can’t do it, Mr. Green. You know, Quirrell is just a pathetic wretch…”

Quirrell has recovered a lot, but the professor has been unwilling to accept her ideas after Sheehan put forward his.

He was still immersed in the time when he was enslaved by Voldemort, facing Sheen in a humble and pitiful servant's posture.

"I hope you can do this. I trust you."

The wind blew in through the window, ruffling Sheen's black hair, and his green eyes revealed a resolute choice.

Quirrell stood frozen in place, finally able to stare blankly into the bright green pupils, which reflected the Quirrell who had been reborn.

Quirrell, who was so insecure and eager to prove himself in his youth, had his last shred of self-respect completely destroyed after being enslaved by Voldemort.

Even now, he still desperately craves recognition, which is why he's so afraid to take on responsibility. He's afraid of failure and of disappointing those around him.

The curtains in the school hospital were fluttering in the wind, and Sheen's voice slowly rang out:
"The past is a ghost, a professor. Vague and weightless."

So when the sun rises tomorrow, forget yesterday.

When the school hospital fell silent again, Professor Quirrell broke down in tears.

……

After a rare sunny day in April, the weather turned into a prolonged period of overcast and rainy weather, much like Sheen's progress in astronomical magic.

He once thought he might have some talent in astronomy, but in fact, after a week, he could only make out two outlines.

Even so, Ferenczek praised him many times.

This centaur teacher always spends an hour teaching Sheen in the Forbidden Forest, and today was no exception.

The night sky was relatively clear. Sheen strode down the sloping grass and headed towards the Forbidden Forest opposite the field, the grass rippling gently beneath his feet. Not far from the Forbidden Forest lay the open woodland, with dark trees swaying in the wind in the distance.

"Professor Ferenze."

Sheen rested his left hand on his chest and bowed slightly, and the centaur teacher lowered his head as well.

This is a ritual among the centaurs, usually used when older centaurs impart knowledge to younger centaurs within the tribe.

However, Sheen's learning methods are still somewhat lacking compared to the ponies, because the ponies' knowledge is passed down orally, and different ponies actually have very different ways of mastering knowledge.

Pony children are usually taught by wise men from multiple tribes together.

Not far away, also deep in the Forbidden Forest, Sheen could see some ponies running around him from where the lessons were being taught.

They looked at themselves curiously, then circled the forest until they were captured by the strong young horsemen who arrived.

(End of this chapter)