A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 172 Peeping in the Mirror Joke

Under the light, Felix carefully examined the endoscope on the table; it looked like a spinning top, rotating slowly.

As the most commonly used warning device by wizards, it will light up and spin at high speed if there are suspicious people around, and some special spyglasses will emit a piercing alarm sound.

In fact, Felix was no stranger to such alchemical creations. The first book he saw upon returning to Hogwarts, "Ancient Alchemy," introduced seven methods for making viewing mirrors.

As a detector, it contains detailed instructions on how to make a spyglass targeting black magic, lies, or even specific groups of people.

At this moment, what puzzled him was whether this miniature viewing mirror was just a small gift from Nicholas Lemay, or whether it contained some deeper meaning.

"Should I take this thing apart?"

He fiddled with the slowly spinning top, his mind filled with questions:

Nicolas Lemaître clearly knew him and said he had read his book on the recommendation of a friend. Who was that friend?

Dumbledore? Or some old relic?

Did you only read your own Muggle research work, or did you read "Ancient Rune Exploration" as well?

Was his discovery of himself accidental or inevitable? Was it a form of indirect testing?

Felix believed that if Nicolas Flamel were to seek a successor, he would be a good fit. Alchemy and runecraft are deeply connected, and as the most famous alchemist, Nicolas Flamel would certainly be able to understand this connection.

Felix even suspected that the number of practical ancient runes he possessed might far exceed that of himself.

Thinking about this, he felt a little itchy.

But Nicolas Lemaître just left without even saying his name, leaving him only a spyglass. What does that mean?

Could it be that the spyglass emitted light while the two were chatting?

Felix: "..."

After some hesitation, he finally made up his mind. Half an hour later—

He stared blankly at the parts on the table. There was no magic left behind, no hidden notes, nothing at all.

"Could I have guessed wrong? Was he just an ordinary old wizard with mobility issues?"

He now only has one way left to verify: if the old wizard is Nicolas Flamel, there must be someone who knows something.

As evening fell, Felix blocked Dumbledore's path as he emerged from the Great Hall; Dumbledore looked somewhat tired.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Felix asked. "Any progress in the discussions?"

"You can almost assume that such a thing doesn't exist."

The two descended the steps into the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky. Dumbledore spoke, "All I've heard all day is complaints and excuses; there are far too few people who can truly take responsibility."

Felix didn't quite understand: "Where is the problem? Logically speaking, the Reform Association's demands are very clear. It's simply a matter of whether to amend the law or not. If they are to amend it, which articles should be amended, and to what extent? There shouldn't be no progress at all."

Dumbledore patiently said, "You're oversimplifying things, Felix. Everyone's needs are different, and the issues to be discussed are different. Should the laws be changed? Should the Reformation be punished? Should the Magical Congress of America provide compensation...?"

"Even Fudge wrote from afar, hinting that I should help the French Ministry of Magic in order to extract greater benefits."

Felix exclaimed in surprise, "What does it have to do with him? He won't get a single copper nut."

"You and Kerridine are here," Dumbledore said wisely. "Besides, money has never been the most important thing. Since records began, there has been almost no official communication between the wizarding worlds of America and Europe. They want to break the status quo of the American wizarding world."

"How do I do it?"

"On a small scale, it could mean exchange students or jointly organizing large-scale events; on a larger scale, it could mean extending influence beyond one's own country and gaining various benefits..."

Felix shook his head; this was indeed something he hadn't thought of.

"I think the student named Yuria is more promising," he said, changing the subject.

"Ah, he certainly has great courage," said Dumbledore. "I will do everything in my power to secure his pardon."

Felix curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I think I saw Nick Flamel today..."

Dumbledore looked back at him, his gaze perfectly calm. "I mentioned you to him, and his attention to you has noticeably increased in recent months."

"Then why is he paying attention to me?" Felix's heart suddenly raced.

"I think," Dumbledore blinked and smiled, "it might be to discuss some alchemical knowledge with you."

"Really? But he didn't leave any contact information."

“Of course, Nick rarely goes out and spends most of his time in his safe house. There aren’t many people who can contact him.” Dumbledore took a photograph out of his pocket and handed it to Felix: “This is what he left for you; you can communicate through Nick’s photo.”

Felix took it; it was completely empty.

"He's not here right now," Dumbledore explained.

At the end of the conversation, Felix couldn't help but ask, "Dumbledore, do you know what it means to give someone a viewing mirror?"

Dumbledore couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Perhaps, maybe it's just that this is all he has in his pocket to give away?"

Felix returned to his room with a dark expression. He glanced at the spyglass parts on the table and couldn't help but want to smash them with a shredded spell.

"I won't!"

He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll give you a spyglass another day, so you can guess what I'm thinking."

"Hmm? That's a good idea. A spyglass... It's a typical magical artifact with a very low minimum requirement and a very high maximum requirement. There are many inferior junk items on the market, but even Gringotts wouldn't refuse to use a high-end spyglass."

"The peephole and the magical puppet are similar in some ways, and can be used as a supplement to the course or as teaching material for the Magic Rune Club."

Felix's thoughts began to wander. When the new school year started, in addition to regular classes, he also had the Duel Club and the Rune Club to attend to, and he felt like he suddenly had a lot more to do.

"I should recruit another professor to be a permanent member of the Duel Class. It's usually just Severus and me, and the pressure will be immense once the semester starts."

Who should we invite?

"Flitwick? McGonagall? Or perhaps the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? I don't know who Dumbledore has chosen yet."

The next morning, Felix bid farewell to everyone. It was also his first time meeting the president of the Magical Congress of the United States and the minister of the French Ministry of Magic. After exchanging pleasantries, the French minister of magic even hinted that he could be recommended for the "Medal of Valor," which Felix politely declined.

Felix immediately Apparated away.

As Hagrid's cabin came into view in the distance, he felt a long-lost peace and joy.

(End of this chapter)