Chapter 34: 34: Hufflepuff

The learning of magic has always relied more on talent than on effort.

Wizards often explain the Levitation Charm as reciting the incantation, followed by a flick and a swish of the wrist. As for more detailed explanations, they are as blurred as the bubbling sound of a cauldron. Even Professor Flitwick, when teaching young wizards, always emphasizes clear pronunciation, followed by the same old cliché: a flick and a swish.

After memorizing *Standard Spells, Grade 1*, Sheen could find no more detailed explanations. He had reason to suspect that magic is simply like this—a discipline following ancient patterns, much like an empirical science. And since it is empirical, it is somewhat distanced from precision. For instance, with a "flick and a swish," how far should the swing be? How large should the amplitude of the flick be? These are difficult to explain; young wizards can only rely on "talent" to resolve them.

Of course, Sheen also had reason to suspect that wizards with enough talent never encounter such problems at all; they likely succeed immediately. Thus, the problem arises: talented wizards do not have this trouble, and untalented wizards cannot solve it—they waste vast amounts of time practicing spells by mere luck. Ultimately, these questions remain unresolved, much like the problems Sheen faces when brewing potions.

Sheen did not believe magic had much to do with science, but the increase in proficiency told him one thing: there is at least one way to cast magic more easily.

"Yes, the arm should swing with a larger amplitude. Also, regarding the pronunciation of the incantation, the emphasis is on the 'g'. There is a small detail here—the 'di' after the emphasis is still a stressed syllable..."

In the classroom, a magical lantern illuminated a small area. Sheen was earnestly guiding Justin's practice, applying everything he understood about the Levitation Charm. Consequently, when Justin completed the charm strictly according to his standards, the feather—which had never once floated for five seconds—actually drifted aimlessly for ten.

"Heavens! Sheen, we did it!" Justin whispered excitedly, watching the feather slowly descend with unblinking eyes. "Sheen, this is all thanks to you. Thank you for your help." Justin thanked him sincerely and fervently.

Sheen nodded to acknowledge it.

"I think a larger swing would be better... but... after the emphasis on the swing, is the 'le' after 'di' still stressed?"

Hermione, who had been holding a book up to hide her face, had actually been observing for a long time. She suddenly spoke, her tone inevitably tinged with self-importance, but both people present automatically ignored it.

"Hmm, I think it should be more emphasized. As for the amplitude of the swing... it's worth a try, but..."

Sheen glanced at the feather. He was about to say that his magic had not yet recovered, but before he could finish, Justin had already cast the spell.

*Are all Hufflepuffs this attentive?* Sheen was stunned for a few seconds.

The three people inside the hidden room stared at the feather as it drifted wobblily for fifteen seconds. As soon as it landed, Justin let out a low cry: "Wow! Hermione, your hypothesis was completely correct!"

Hermione lifted her slightly flushed face, looking quite pleased with the praise. For the next while, the three enthusiastic students conducted many experiments, until Sheen's magic recovered enough to practice a proficient Levitation Charm, only to deplete his magic once again.

Time slipped through their fingers like fine sand. The magical lantern swayed as the three walked out of the hidden room together.

Sheen was satisfied; he had gained 45 points of proficiency. Hermione was also satisfied; her whimsical ideas had found a peer—even a "smarter" partner—in Sheen, as well as an experimentalist in Justin, who was so exhausted his face had turned pale yet still wanted to cast spells. Justin was also satisfied; he felt as though he had discovered a new continent.

Hogwarts Castle had already sunk into dreams by evening. At the end of the third-floor corridor, a section of the wall shifted slightly, revealing a yellowed, cracked oil painting. On the painting was a snow-white owl wearing a velvet waistcoat and small pince-nez glasses. At this moment, it was behaving extremely human-like—even with a somewhat annoyed and comical expression—as it used a furry paw to laboriously straighten its wobbling glasses.

"Little wizard! Accursed little wizard!" After Justin and Hermione left the room, it first let out a shrill, noisy protest. But when Sheen passed by, it abruptly stopped its noise and muttered softly, "Little wizard, clever little wizard..."

As they waited for the stairs to settle into place, Hermione's voice emerged amidst the rumbling sound of the rotating staircase: "I think we might have to use this room all the time... so, we must inform the professors. Professor Flitwick will surely agree to let us practice spells here."

Justin offered a word of admiration: "How thoughtful. That's so like you, Hermione!"

Hermione's face flushed slightly. She looked at Sheen, and after he nodded, she hurriedly said goodbye to the two of them and disappeared down the corridor, leaving only Sheen and Justin walking through the hallway illuminated by warm firelight.

"Um, Sheen, I wanted to say, you didn't even eat your Yorkshire pudding today... Was the potion brewing not going well?" Justin suddenly spoke in a low voice, catching Sheen off guard. Could the two be linked so quickly?

Then, Sheen nodded slightly.

"Was it Professor Snape? I heard he never allows first-year wizards to brew potions on their own, yet he is quite indulgent toward some older Slytherins... I don't think you would fail at brewing, so, do you need help? Professor Snape is terrifying, but I have enough courage to go check on him in his office."

Justin's words made Sheen fall into deeper silence. He looked up, and a steady, gentle light shone in the eyes of the little badger. "Remember? We are friends. If you are in trouble and I do not reach out to help, then what kind of friends are we?"

...

At night, the pale blue curtains swayed slightly; the sound of the wind blowing past the window always made Sheen feel very comfortable. The fireplace crackled as it burned. Sheen remembered Justin's words before he left: "Even if I'm afraid, I can force myself to do it... The Prefect said there is no school rule in Hogwarts that forbids young wizards from brewing potions."

Ravenclaw only had one Herbology class on Fridays, so Sheen had the entire Friday to wait for Professor Snape to leave the dungeons. He looked at the picturesque moonlight outside the window, his thoughts churning.

Hogwarts, this magical school established a millennium ago; Hufflepuff, this warm and beautiful house—the wizards they collectively nurtured were full of vitality. They might not be outstanding, and they might not always be easily remembered, but as Lady Helga Hufflepuff once said: hard work, loyalty, and kindness are equally great qualities.

A faint, complex emotion resided in Sheen's heart. *Advanced Potion-Making* lay scattered and open on the windowsill. The rustling of the pages made Sheen feel as if he could see Justin's notes spread out in the library again

[The Prefect said that Hufflepuffs are loyal and trustworthy. Although we never quarrel with others, we are not to be trifled with. Like the badger on our crest, we will protect ourselves from all who are against us and help our friends and family. Nothing makes us afraid.]

(End of Chapter)