A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 160 Gathering Information

Felix suddenly remembered a Hogwarts legend about a Ravenclaw student who read through the entire common room library in one night, a feat considered an inexplicable miracle.

Perhaps, this is the effect of the magic.

He carefully sensed it, but the magic seemed to have completely vanished, leaving no trace. After a moment's thought, he decisively switched his perspective.

In the pale and black world, one could barely see tiny specks of magic gathering together. He pressed his nose against the air and could vaguely see a magical vortex.

"The magic is slowly returning."

"I wonder who will be the next Ravenclaw student?"

Felix left.

It was already dark when he returned to his office, where a tiny house-elf was standing at the door.

"Dobby?"

The little elf looked up at him with surprise and delight: "Mr. Hyp!"

In the office, Felix handed him a bottle of butterbeer. "We're out of pumpkin juice and fruit juice, this tastes good too, and it doesn't have much alcohol."

Dobby quickly thanked him.

Felix looked at his new attire. "So, you escaped from Malfoy?"

"Yes, Mr. Hyp, you can't imagine how lucky Dobby is..." he began to recount his amazing experience.

Felix listened with a smile as he finished telling the story.

"You're lucky, Dobby."

Dobby exclaimed excitedly, "Thanks to the great Harry Potter! He saved Dobby!"

"So, what are your plans for the near future?"

"Plans? Dobby, Dobby wants to earn more money to save up for Mr. Potter's birthday present, even though it's difficult..." Dobby pulled a small box, no bigger than the palm of his hand, from his pocket. "This is a gift for Dobby's friend, Mr. Felix Heap."

Felix took it with interest and was surprised to find that it wasn't some broken or tattered thing.

"It looks exquisite, but I don't recognize it. What is it?"

“A music box, sir.” The elf looked at him cautiously. “It didn’t cost much… Dobby earned it working at the Leaky Cauldron. The owner there is a very nice man; he gives you two silver scissors a week.”

Dobby quickly said goodbye, and then praised the butterbeer: "It tasted great, Dobby really liked it, and I'll recommend it to my friends."

Felix watched his disappearing figure, thinking to himself, "I can afford to hire two Silver Sikes a week."

Ask him if he's interested next time.

Time flew by and it was July 14th when Felix appeared on a secluded street corner in Paris, France, and walked into a narrow, dark alley.

A hooded man leaned against the wall, his right hand in his pocket. He glanced at Felix—Felix's face became blurred and distorted, his silver eyes gleaming slightly.

The man instinctively avoided his gaze, and he said in French, "What are you doing here?"

"It's none of your business. Just know that I'm not your enemy." Felix reached for a brown wand, the silver light in his eyes intensifying.

"Okay, remember not to cause trouble. I don't think anyone will provoke you."

The man timidly stepped aside, revealing an empty wall behind him.

Felix smirked and walked straight toward the wall, sending ripples through it as he bumped into it—his figure vanished.

The man stared at his back, then turned and continued to stare out of the alley.

……

Felix looked at the scene inside—it was a makeshift bar, with all sorts of wooden crates of different sizes, magically pieced together to serve as tables and chairs.

Two hooded wizards not far from him were arguing loudly, with a silver artifact in front of them.

"Ten Galleons!"

"No, at least twelve!"

The same scene was happening in this small space, except that most of the wizards covered their faces with hoods.

This is a magical black market and bar in Paris, France.

Felix stood directly in front, ignoring the hidden gazes of the others, his eyes sweeping over everyone present. When his silvery gaze fell upon them, the wizards either met his gaze without fear or hurriedly lowered their heads to avoid it, muttering curses under their breath.

For the black market, demonstrating strength is a smart move; it's the best way for strangers to integrate.

Felix quickly spotted his target: a dirty, disheveled wizard was gulping down cheap beer at a makeshift bar made of wooden crates.

"Aladdin, it's been a long time," he said in a hoarse voice.

The wizard looked up; his cheeks were quite rough, and he was one of the few who didn't try to hide himself. "Oh, it's you. Want a drink?"

"No, is there anything new happening in Paris lately?"

"Does that count if many foreigners come?"

"Tell me more about it."

"Two Galonnaise."

"Clang~" Two gold coins fell onto the box in front of him, making a crisp clinking sound.

Aladdin grinned, put the coin away, and suddenly shouted to those around him, "What are you looking at? There's none for you!"

The others quickly looked away.

"In the past week, quite a few foreigners have come, all claiming to be Muggle research experts, seemingly attending a conference. The Ministry of Magic is in charge of security."

"That's not interesting enough, Aladdin." Felix stared into his eyes.

"Hey! Don't look at me like that. Do you want to know about my childhood peeing in the pants?" Aladdin said rudely, turning his head to the side. "Well, it's only because I can't beat you, otherwise..."

"There was a small problem; they were attacked..." he said.

"What attack? Have they caught anyone?" Felix pressed.

"No, those Muggle experts are all useless. Two or three people stormed into the venue and knocked down more than a dozen people in less than a minute," Aladdin said with a look of disdain.

"Where are the Aurors from the French Ministry of Magic?"

"They were standing guard outside. That woman from America is supposedly very arrogant; she's the head of this meeting." Aladdin shrugged. "I guess they're the ones who brought the attack here."

Why do you say that?

Aladdin glanced around and lowered his voice: "You want to know? Want to get firsthand information? I paid a high price for this."

"Jingle bells."

Four Galleons landed on the box, and Aladdin beamed with joy.

"If the news doesn't satisfy me..."

"Don't worry! It's absolutely worth it."

He then revealed a secret: "The attackers were reportedly very arrogant; they warned the woman and left her a bloodstained badge."

"What badge?"

"Iphamoni Magic School"

Felix remained silent.

"Isn't that outrageous? There are thousands of students there, and they're in a complete mess right now. Six out of the seven Americans left that very day."

"No one died, right?"

"No, that's why I say they're arrogant. They came here as if to announce something."

Felix walked out of the magic black market and looked at the bright sky. In the distance, people were chatting leisurely, and a young couple was pushing a stroller, slowly walking past the sycamore trees.

"I have a feeling this time is not a good time to travel."

(End of this chapter)