A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 171 Nicholas Lemai?

The old man would catch his breath after saying just a few words, and a faint humming sound would come from his nostrils.

"You don't look too well, yet you're here to join in the fun?" Felix gave him an admiring glance.

"I live nearby, otherwise I wouldn't have come. I can't stand the torment of Apparition."

The old man waved his hand, and his arm made a crisp "click" sound.

Felix suddenly felt a soreness in his teeth. He grimaced and instinctively stretched out his arms.

A commotion arose in the distance as a grumpy wizard launched fireworks into the hotel, an act that inspired many imitators.

Both of them showed expressions of great interest.

"Isn't it interesting?" the old man said cheerfully.

“Indeed, I like the design of that Thunderbird,” Felix said. “I guess he might be from the Thunderbird Academy in Iphamoni.”

The old man's gaze followed the firework that looked like an eagle, and he said with some emotion, "I haven't traveled much these past few years, but now I want to travel more and see the world."

There are always new things to discover outside.

The old man initially agreed, but then shook his head and said, "People may be different, but the things that happen are always similar."

Felix said, "Really? I think everything I've experienced is unique."

The old man laughed heartily twice. "The vigor that belongs only to the young—the habit of defining the world with their own eyes. But I'm old now, and the old prefer to use various rules as a bond to embed myself in a place in the world."

"rule?"

"It's really just some principles of self-discipline. After experiencing certain people and events, you tell yourself what you can or cannot do, and then strictly abide by them. It's a bit like signing a magic contract, but the contract is with your future self."

"What's the point of this?" Felix asked.

"I'm not sure," the old man replied, "but at least it keeps me in a good mood."

"By restricting oneself?"

"This is the philosophy of survival I've gained from living a long life," the old man said.

Felix did not approve of this approach; he disliked being restricted and constrained, especially by setting limits for himself.

The old man trembled as he rummaged through his pockets, and after about half a minute, he finally pulled out a brass pocket watch.

"Click." The pocket watch popped open, revealing a dial on one side and a photograph on the other.

The photo shows a young couple.

The old man murmured, "Her name was Perenaar, my wife. We met when we were in school in Beauxbatons. She was a good girl, three years older than me. I still remember the first time I saw her. In a sea of ​​flowers, I spotted her at a glance..."

Felix blinked. "I can tell you're very happy in your marriage."

"Yes, yes..." His voice was barely audible.

For a while, neither of them spoke, and the fireworks display in the distance had been stopped by the Ministry of Magic staff.

"Do you think they'll reach an agreement?" Felix changed the subject.

"Frankly, I think it's difficult. I've dealt with these people before... The American magical community has suffered greatly under the Secrets Act and won't compromise easily," the old man said. "They are very stubborn on this issue."

Felix said optimistically, "There will always be someone who forces them to change their minds. If not this time, there will be a next time. Their opponents are still young."

"That makes sense, these little guys have a natural advantage."

……

"I'm leaving."

After a while, the old man said that he would give Felix a small gift before he left.

"This is... a viewing mirror?"

"Yes, they are very interesting little gadgets. I've sent out quite a few gifts these days, which may be related to my limited time left," the old man said with a smile.

"There are ways for wizards to live long lives. I know a witch who is probably 130 or 140 years old—maybe even older—but she is still very healthy," Felix reassured the old man.

He was referring to Professor Gershilda Marchbane of the Wizarding Examinations Board, who had proctored Dumbledore's NEWTs exams.

The old man smiled. "It might not be suitable for me... It was a pleasure chatting with you, Felix Heap."

"You know me?" Felix looked at him in surprise.

"Ha, a friend of mine recommended your book. It's very interesting. The wizarding world needs to look outward."

The old man waved his hand and left, his steps faltering.

……

When Felix returned to the hotel, the dilapidated auditorium and charred marks had all disappeared, and the hotel was intact, as if the attack had never happened.

He saw a Muggle research expert staring intently at the statue in front of the hotel—its head had been smashed open.

Felix was not bothered by the staff and successfully found the French Auror, Roxwell, who was now like a gatekeeper outside the hall, along with three other French Aurors.

"Are they still talking inside?"

"It's still going on," Maxwell said.

"It's quite quiet."

"Wait a little longer," he said experiencedly. "Three, two, one, coming!"

A loud, exaggerated roar echoed from inside the hall, "Marcus! As the president of the Magical Congress of America, shouldn't you be responsible for the actions of your subordinates?! Look at the mess you've made! I'm ashamed for you!"

"See, I told you so!" Maxwell gave Felix a pleased look. "I love the minister; he's been berating that American for half an hour."

Felix looked at him speechlessly.

After the jokes, Maxwell got down to business, "The meeting has been canceled, and everyone else in the hotel has been told to leave. This place will serve as a temporary meeting place to discuss the current series of troublesome issues."

"Does that mean I need to pack my things and leave?"

"No, no, it was your colleague. She left first and asked me to tell you." He blinked. "Lucky guy, you've gained the friendship of both the French and American magical communities. Although the latter isn't very useful... at least no one can kick you out, and you can even request to listen in on the entire negotiation process."

Felix guessed that Celeste definitely hadn't mentioned that he had spied on her memories, but even if she had, it wouldn't have bothered him; he had plenty of excuses.

On the surface, he was the hero who stopped the attack, preventing things from spiraling out of control, and he also saved the life of an Ilvermorny student. From this perspective, everyone from the president of the Magical Congress of America to the principal of Ilvermorny should express their gratitude to him.

The same goes for the French Ministry of Magic. Felix was originally part of the unfortunate group who were invited to the meeting but were unfortunately attacked. However, he single-handedly turned the tide, and we really couldn't ask for more.

"Forget it," Felix said outright. He wasn't interested; it was too chaotic inside, and he even felt a little sorry for Dumbledore.

"Where are those students?"

"They're being watched by two professors from Iphamoni."

……

Felix didn't want to stay any longer; waiting for the concrete results could be a long and drawn-out process, possibly not even ending the entire summer vacation. He prepared to go back to his room to get his things and leave; there was still a lot to do at Hogwarts.

But as he was cleaning the room, something suddenly occurred to him.

"What is it?"

He quickly recalled the day's events, starting from "this moment" and proceeding backward, from his conversation with Maxwell to the Muggle studies expert in front of the statue, and then to his chance encounter with an interesting old man...

"Perenaar, that name seems familiar."

Felix pondered, "No, that's not the point. The name is common, but I sense something strange about it."

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The scene of his conversation with the old man kept replaying in his mind's eye—

After a moment, he suddenly sat up and said uncertainly, "Nicolemacht?"

(End of this chapter)