#460 - No more fear

On the pristine parchment, a quill pen swayed hesitantly for a few moments before settling upright.

Vader stared intently at it, his fingers fidgeting unconsciously, only to be gently tapped by Professor Morey's wand.

"Don't use magic, Vader," Professor Morey said with a smile. "Control it with your mind."

Vader took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the quill, his brow furrowed slightly.

After a few seconds, the quill finally stirred, scribbling a few crooked characters on the paper—

[Mentis Imperio].

"Mind Control?" Professor Morey stroked his chin, saying, "That's not a bad name—quite different from your previous naming skills."

"A little difficult, isn't it?" Professor Morey pushed a cup of hot chocolate towards Vader, saying, "Have a cup, it'll make you feel much better."

Vader drank the chocolate and said, puzzled, "But Professor, I've seen others use a Quick-Quotes Quill before, and it seemed effortless for them. Why is it so difficult for me to control?"

"Hmm... there are many reasons."

Professor Morey said, "Firstly, your magic isn't perfect, and the connection between the quill and you is very fragile. You need more time to study it carefully. A high-quality Quick-Quotes Quill can more quickly recognize its owner's thoughts and is less susceptible to external interference."

Vader nodded. He also felt that the Quick-Quotes Quill he made for the first time wasn't perfect, and the magic circuit felt sluggish.

"Secondly, the wizard you saw probably used blood or saliva to strengthen the connection between themselves and the quill—it's a shortcut. Although it's faster, I don't recommend you use it—shortcuts make people lazy."

"Also, the longer any magical item is used, the closer its connection with the wizard becomes, regardless of how powerful the magic on it is."

"So, Vader, even if you haven't imbued the item with special thoughts, you should treat it as your family, partner, or kin, and not just as a tool that can be discarded at any time—when you do, you will surely be rewarded."

Vader held the quill in his hand and nodded, saying, "I understand, Professor."

He thought of the Black family's old house.

Sirius had only returned because Regulus's funeral forced him to, and he still harbored hatred for that house.

And the house was equally resistant to its owner, not only being filthy everywhere but even trying to strangle people with the clothes hanging in the closet.

Yet when its master was still there, it had only been a well-fitting magical robe.

But later, perhaps Kreacher was finally willing to cooperate, or perhaps Sirius gradually accepted his origins, and because of his longing and guilt for his brother, he developed some recognition of the family. In any case, the old house's angry resistance finally subsided, becoming quiet.

"Alright, magical research can be put off until later. You might as well take a look at the remaining quills."

Professor Morey, seemingly worried that the previous unsuccessful attempt would discourage Vader, summoned two more boxes and introduced Vader to the various magical quills inside.

"The Quill of Acceptance, made with elf hair. Contracts written with it have a stronger magical binding force and were very popular among wizards in ancient times."

Professor Morey took out a light golden quill and said, "But nowadays, because there are better and more convenient contract spells, no one knows about this kind of quill anymore."

"The Memory Quill, it can record every word it has written and then reproduce it. Judges and recorders of the Wizengamot use this kind of quill."

"Oh, and there's this... This is a quill made from a small tuft of hair from the center of a unicorn's forehead. Words written with it can calm people's minds. But if it's a lie, it cannot be recorded, making it very rare."

Professor Morey introduced several other quills.

Rare materials often create unique effects, such as a quill made from sphinx feathers, which can automatically provide answers to most questions, making it the dream quill of students.

Here, with the alchemy master, these are just toys to pass the time. But outside, each one could be sold for an astonishingly high price.

"I will slowly teach you these things, Vader, but don't be constrained by the knowledge I teach you."

Professor Morey leisurely placed his hands on his stomach and said with a smile, "In the magical world, there will always be knowledge that you and I cannot understand."

"For example, in this Hogwarts, there is a quill that I also find magical—the Quill of Acceptance."

"The Quill of Acceptance?" Vader asked.

"Yes," Professor Morey said. "It can sense children with magical talent and automatically write their names in the Book of Admittance—including you, Vader."

Professor Morey pointed at Vader and smiled, "This quill's sensing range covers the entire British Isles and can detect very weak magical fluctuations, even if the child's parents haven't noticed it, it can accurately detect it."

"Some children are written into Hogwarts's admission list as soon as they are born; while some children don't show magical potential until they are almost eleven years old. But in any case, the Quill of Acceptance ensures that no child with magical talent is overlooked."

"Even I don't understand how that quill works. But Dumbledore likes you very much, Vader, and if you have the opportunity in the future, you can study it."

"I hope I'll have that opportunity... but it probably won't be easy," Vader shrugged.

The Quill of Acceptance was definitely one of Hogwarts's most precious treasures, and Vader felt that Dumbledore would rather lose the sword left by Gryffindor than let anyone touch that quill.

"Actually, it's not too difficult," Professor Morey said. "If one day you can become the headmaster of Hogwarts, then the secrets of the entire school will be open to you, child."

Vader was stunned and chuckled, "I haven't thought that far ahead, Professor. But I certainly don't want to deal with a bunch of unruly kids all day long in the future... Perhaps a pure alchemist is more suitable for me? Just like you."

Professor Morey smiled, "Actually, I'm not as pure as you imagine, Vader. In fact, I own shares in many companies, and I also participated in some impulsive activities when I was younger."

He said wistfully, "You know, when the flames of war ignite, no one can ignore it... Compared to me, Vorwright, who is in the Wizengamot, is purer."

Hearing this familiar name, Vader couldn't help but look up at Professor Morey.

The silver-haired professor nodded and said, "That's right, I used to be friends with him when he was younger, and I wouldn't even consider him an enemy now."

"I've also heard about some of the things that happened to you during the holidays, Wade… because that fellow Vorweilet actually had the audacity to write to me, wanting to steal my student."

He revealed a faint, dangerous smile.

Wade was speechless.

Actually, after returning to school, he also received a letter from Vorweilet. Between the lines, it revealed his desire for the Time-Turner. Wade could only write back to tell him—

It was impossible. The Time-Turner had monitoring spells from the Ministry of Magic, and it was absolutely impossible to lend it out.

He didn't expect Vorweilet to send a letter to Professor Mori as well.

Professor Mori asked, "I heard that fellow gave you his alchemy notes?"

"Yes." Wade nodded, honestly saying, "Actually, when I was caught by the Wizengamot, he also defended me a lot."

"So? What's your impression of that side?" Professor Mori asked.

"Mr. Vorweilet?" Wade said naturally, "He's a good person, and his alchemy has unique aspects. I learned a lot…"

"No." Professor Mori interrupted him, saying, "Wade, I'm asking about the Wizengamot—what's your view of them?"

Wade was silent for a while before hesitantly saying, "Idealists with equal danger and drive, I suppose? They're different from most wizards here in Britain. They don't have much reverence for life and focus more on their beliefs and goals."

"…An objective assessment."

Professor Mori smiled and said, "In many people's eyes, they are fanatical believers, brutal executioners, Death Eaters under Grindelwald."

Wade looked at Professor Mori and said softly, "I didn't experience that era, so my views are more one-sided."

"We are neither God nor Merlin. No one can actually see the whole picture of things," Professor Mori said.

He skipped this topic and said casually, "That fool Vorweilet, you only need to coax him a little, and he'll hand over all his alchemy. As for the rest… just follow your own ideas and don't be swayed by others."

Wade slowly nodded and said, "Yes, Professor."

"Oh, I heard you also received an invitation from Nicolas Flamel?" Professor Mori asked again.

"Yes." Wade hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm actually a little nervous. After all, it's Mr. Nicolas Flamel… I don't know how to interact with him when the time comes."

"It's simple, remember one thing—don't ask about the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life, and everything else will be fine."

Professor Mori said gently, "With your upbringing and your love of knowledge, as long as you be yourself, Nicolas Flamel will definitely like you—he's actually a very easy-going person, so you don't need to feel uneasy about it."

…

Wade had Herbology class in the afternoon, so he didn't stay in Professor Mori's office for too long.

On the way to the greenhouse with the crowd, Wade couldn't help but turn his head to look in the direction of Professor Mori's office.

The numerous windows of the castle reflected the evening sunlight, and he couldn't see clearly whether there was a pair of eyes silently watching him behind the glass. It was even difficult to accurately pinpoint that window.

Wade had misunderstood Professor Mori once, worrying that he was the kind of bad professor who would steal students' academic achievements. Later, under Professor Mori's long-term care and selfless teaching, he had long since dismissed those ridiculous worries, even finding his initial trepidation laughable.

But just now… when Professor Mori questioned him about his views on the Wizengamot, Wade suddenly felt that chilling sensation again.

He was unwilling to suspect the professor who took care of him like a father, but Wade couldn't help but think…

The "others" that Professor Mori mentioned, "Don't be swayed by others"… was he referring to Grindelwald or Dumbledore?

"What's wrong, Wade?" Michael suddenly walked in front of him and asked strangely, "You look a little pale."

Wade withdrew his gaze, walked with him towards the greenhouse, and said, "Maybe I've been too tired lately… You know, sometimes I take classes with the older students."

"Don't push yourself too hard, Wade," Michael advised, "I know the last incident put a lot of pressure on you, but if you continue like this, I'm worried you'll break down."

"I know… I'll adjust myself," Wade said agreeably.

"By the way, let's go to Remus's place together this Hogsmeade weekend?"

Michael said excitedly, "Professor Hagrid doesn't know where he caught a Boggart. Harry said that Remus will use that Boggart to help us learn the Patronus Charm—preferably like you, to conjure a real corporeal Patronus."

"I'm afraid I'll have to go next time," Wade declined, "I've already accepted Carryl's invitation. I'm going to visit Carryl's parents during the Hogsmeade weekend."

"Visit his parents?" Michael repeated in confusion.

"Our families were friends before," Wade explained calmly, "Carryl's parents have also arrived in Hogsmeade, and they said they wanted to meet me."

"Oh, that's a pity." Michael didn't think much of it and said with a smile, "When you get back, I'll tell you what those guys are most afraid of! I heard that Professor Trocar didn't let Harry deal with the Boggart during the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

"Why?" Wade asked casually.

"Probably worried that the Boggart would turn into something terrible? Like a two-faced person with multiple faces on the back of their head?"

Michael guessed, "Actually, he's overthinking it. I think Harry is more afraid of his Muggle relatives—after all, the Dark Lord would be at a disadvantage if he ran into him, right?"

Wade said helplessly, "Keep your voice down, don't let the Slytherins hear what you're saying, Michael."

"Hey, they just don't say it, but they might be thinking the same thing in their hearts," Michael said nonchalantly.

He usually deals with Slytherin students and can sense the vague wariness and fear of Harry Potter beneath their alienated and hostile attitude.

Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a few people led by Malfoy who often cause trouble for Harry.

Wade looked at him and felt a strange feeling in his heart.

—It always felt like Michael wasn't as afraid of Voldemort as he used to be.

Was it that his courage had increased with the growth of his knowledge and experience?