Archaeologists at Hogwarts

Chapter 270 New Divination
"Harry, don't be distracted and listen quickly."

Under Ron's reminder, Harry hurriedly broke away from his complicated little thoughts, and he heard Professor Highmore saying to the students——

"I am not surprised by Professor Trelawney's description of me as evil, because this is one of the countless misunderstandings I have received over the years, no big deal."

"It's against common sense and nature, yes, many wizards view ancient magic in this way, but if those people understand enough, they will know that this is an avoidable problem-such as your magic circle staff, and These are all necessary measures for the preliminary Patron Saint exam that was conducted last semester."

"What I see now is that you guys have managed to do it."

Toby said with satisfaction: "Not a single person got sick, or turned into a furry monster, nothing—oh, just pretend I didn't say the latter sentence—in a word, what I want to say is , the original goal of this year's course was to let you understand your own magic circle scepter, and now that you have almost all achieved this goal, then—"

He showed a big smile, completely ignoring the terrified eyes of the students below and said: "It's time to start the next stage of the course. I originally planned to wait for a while, but-don't you want to study hard, what? Is that called real divination?"

Ok?
The students all showed expressions of surprise.

When Toby said that he was going to start a new course content, they were all ready to deal with the troll alone.

To be honest, no one thought that they would continue to study the subject of divination.

"It's still the same as before."

Toby didn't give them much time to react, and he called out his names directly: "Mr. Longbottom, please come over here. This time, you still have to take the lead in demonstrating."

Neville immediately stood up from his seat, as if he had been ready for a long time, with a proud expression on his face.

Hermione stared at his back enviously and jealously, until she suddenly heard: "This time the demonstration is more complicated, and there is one person missing—Miss Granger, can you?"

Hermione got up suddenly, and almost overturned Ron who was sitting next to him, with excitement written all over his face.

Under the curious eyes of the crowd, Toby asked them to stand in front of the podium and then said, "Now, take out your wands and start preparing."

"Wand?" Hermione thought she heard it wrong, holding the flame bottle in both hands: "Don't you need a wand, Professor?"

"Not for the time being." Toby waved his hand and said, "We have to take it step by step. It would be better to start with the wand first, it's less dangerous."

Everyone knows that the ancient magic class is full of dangers, and it can happen anytime and anywhere, so Hermione and Neville quickly accepted this reality, took out their wands and held them in their hands.

At this time, a sound came from outside the classroom—Hermione suddenly understood where the danger came from—a armor covered in shimmering light walked in from the door, and black devils could be seen trapped inside, like Something like paint is constantly struggling.

Seeing this scene, Harry immediately recalled the scene of the last training - his rune snake was affected by this devil, and he was almost seriously injured, but was saved by Snape in the end - this is really true. Unexpected developments.

In addition, the feeling when encountering the devil is also very uncomfortable. Harry still remembers hallucinations. It seems that there is a woman screaming continuously, and then Voldemort's cold voice.

His face suddenly turned a little pale, which made Ron on the side look scared, worried that Harry would suddenly lose control in class.

At this time, he didn't know whether it was because he noticed Harry's strangeness, or because the performance of the students below was almost the same, Toby comforted him: "Don't worry, children, I will not let the devil just be so direct. Out of the way—you're really worried about that, aren't you?"

They couldn't help but worry, after all, Professor Haimer had a criminal record.

Everyone still remembers the mummy rooster in the last semester, when Professor Highmore let it out without saying a word, making the class messy.

"I didn't intend to scare you." Toby had to continue: "If I really intend to, I will never give a warning in advance-remember the first archaeological rule? Always keep Be vigilant, danger can happen at any time, no matter where it is."

After taking the students to review the archaeological principles that no one remembers, Toby turned to Hermione and Neville and said, "You two don't have to worry, after all, this is just a demonstration, and it hasn't really reached the point yet." The extent to which you are involved."

This sentence is a bit imaginative, and it is Professor Haimer's consistent speaking style, which makes people always unable to guess his thoughts, whether he is joking or the truth.

God knows what Professor Haimer has experienced, maybe his few books are just the tip of the iceberg.Oh, by the way, speaking of writings, since so many changes have taken place in this year's curriculum, and Professor Haimer hasn't been hospitalized for a few months, will there be new textbooks next semester?
But this seems to have nothing to do with students of their grade, only second-year students can use it - Hermione thought sadly, she will never be able to use the correct textbook in ancient magic class, it will always be published late one year.

Anyway, Toby's promise worked.No matter what the students thought, they at least calmed down, quietly waiting for Professor Highmore's next move.

"Now," Toby ordered, "Miss Granger, take out your wand, and point it at Neville. Neville, you have to point at Miss Granger too—but this isn't a duel, and you don't need to actually fight. , well, let’s do it.”

Neville hesitated to point his wand at Hermione, who had already done so, and she didn't think Professor Highmore would turn this lesson into a dueling lesson.

"Get ready for a duel, salute—you don't need to fight yet, just keep doing it."

Hermione and Neville practiced the dueling etiquette learned last semester, and their movements and attitudes were very standard.

Then, Toby said again: "What you have to do this time is to think ahead about the spells you will cast on each other, and follow the dueling standards—but again, you don't have to fight."

Hermione quickly had a decision, the petrification spell, and it worked.

Neville also secretly chose a spell - the Disarming Curse, which he was best at.

"Very good." Toby said, scanning the expressions on their faces.

"Then, children, cast the spell."

"Ah?" Neville was stunned for a moment, didn't he mean that they had to fight, why did they suddenly want to cast a spell?
Hermione also hesitated for a second, but she was much more decisive than Neville, and before thinking too long, she shouted: "All petrified!"

Almost in the blink of an eye, the armor of the imprisoning devil jumped up one step at a time, blocking Hermione's spell, then it stretched out its silver arm, raised its index finger, turned around in a circle, and the mask was still swinging up and down in a timely manner Twice, as if to say something, but unfortunately no sound came out.

The sudden change frightened the students, Neville had already rolled over and fell out, he never expected that the armor would help him stop it.

At this time, Toby asked decisively again: "Who can tell me now, what spell was cast by the armor just now?"

This is really embarrassing, who would know that the armor was casting a spell just now.

Only Hermione could see clearly, she was standing opposite the armor at that time, and recorded the opponent's movements accurately.

"It's the Disarming Curse, Professor!" She raised her arms high and said, "The spell is to disarm you! I recognized it based on its half-circle gesture, which is the most obvious sign of the Disarming Curse."

After listening silently, Toby looked at Neville and asked, "Mr. Longbottom, what is the spell you were going to cast?"

"It's also the Disarming Charm, Professor." Neville said in shock.

"It's very beautiful!" Toby said with a big grin, "Gryffindor will add five points, and then add ten points, as a reward for Miss Granger's correct answer. It seems that you have always kept the archaeological principles in mind—— Observe the movements around you at any time, and the clues are hidden on the inconspicuous surface."

Hermione didn't remember that there was this archaeological rule, and it was probably made up by Professor Highmore now—no, I can't think of it that way, it should be said that all the rules add up to be as thick as a "History of Magic", but not completely. Just express it.

"I believe you all have doubts in your heart." Toby continued to explain: "Can this also be counted as divination? Regarding this, I can say with certainty, yes. Tell me, Miss Granger—" He turned his head Looking at Hermione who was helping Neville up, she asked, "Before casting the spell, have you guessed the spell Neville is about to cast?"

"Yes." Hermione said doubtfully, is this enough?Is the new divination method so simple?

Toby glanced as if he knew what she was thinking and said, "As you can see, the armor answered Miss Granger's guess with movements - just like guessing what a bean tastes like. It's just relative It is much more difficult to predict the spell to be cast in advance."

"This is also one of the key points of this class. The divination method of ancient magic is full of uncertainties-don't rush to write it down, Miss Brown, I still have a lot of content to finish, don't rush it for a while."

Lavender Brown obediently put away the quill and remained motionless.

"Let me start over from the beginning."

Toby stood at Hermione's position as he spoke, and Al, who had always been quiet, came to the position before Neville. They stood facing each other, obviously imitating the duel between Hermione and Neville just now.

"In order to ensure the success of this demonstration, I did not tell you in advance that the spell will actually be cast-this is a very necessary decision-it is best to be surprised to get the most effective effect, and it is often unexpected."

"Then, the duel will begin."

Toby raised his wand with a snap, and his movements were crisp.

Al also took out his own small shovel to replace the wand, and it looked no worse than Toby at all.

"This is a divination."

Toby turned his head and said to the students: "I designed a divination full of chance, no one knows what will happen next, even with my hint, Miss Granger and Mr. Longbottom will Can't help but wonder what my next instructions are, am I right?"

Hermione and Neville nodded together.

"Curiosity, curiosity, whatever you call it, you already have a problem."

Toby slowly raised his wand and aimed it at Al.Al also seemed to regard his small shovel as a magic wand, and it responded immediately, with standard movements that made Neville feel ashamed.

"So, in the scope of ancient magic, divination may happen at any time—all petrified!"

Suddenly Toby yelled loudly and shot the spell at Al.

Once again, the armor was between the two of them, and the speed was so fast that it intercepted the spell.But compared to Hermione's petrification spell, Toby's spell didn't make the armor feel so good. It became obviously stiff, making it impossible to tell whether it was standing still normally or was affected by the petrification spell.

"You guessed wrong."

Once again, Toby seemed to read the thoughts of the students, he said: "The reason why the armor has no extra actions is because Al can't counterattack me with a spell-it's a Niffler." , how could it be possible to cast magic."

Al nodded solemnly at the students, signaling that what Toby said is true, you must believe him.

"New question."

Toby said abruptly, ignoring the strange expressions of the students.

"In this divination, what exactly is the scepter?"

Ron immediately imitated Hermione's way before raising his arms high and said, "It's armor, Professor, that's so obvious!"

"No," Harry whispered suddenly, somewhat to himself, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"It's the devil in the armor, because with it, divination will succeed."

The silence lasted for a short while, the armor creaked and moved, and the effect of the petrification spell was slowly fading, allowing it to move freely again.

"Correct answer." Looking Harry in the eyes, Toby whispered, "Five points to Gryffindor. Now—"

He suddenly raised his tone and said: "The homework for this class will be a simulated divination, there is no need to do it, but the situation must be described in sufficient detail, and the result must also be written—it doesn't have to be Predetermined, equally likely to be unexpected—at least seven inches, that's all."

When the students left the classroom in excitement and surprise, Toby suddenly stopped Harry: "Mr. Potter, wait a while before leaving."

Ron and Hermione had expected this a long time ago, and the three exchanged a look. Harry watched them leave, and waited silently in his seat.

It must have something to do with the devil.

Harry thought.

The content of this lesson couldn't be more obvious. He can even guess what Professor Haimer will say to himself in a moment—this is a very dangerous way of divination, and if you are not careful, it will cause extremely bad results. Didn't you read that the textbooks used in the classroom are all devils trapped in armor?

If it's a rune snake that isn't trapped, how about some control over the situation?
Whoever it was, it was certainly not Harry himself, who now had a whole bunch of extra problems to deal with.

So this will be a warning. It may be better to say it as an exhortation, and it is easier for you to accept it.

After all the students left, Toby asked Al to send the armor back to the office, leaving only him and Harry in the room.

"How do you feel?" He came over and asked, "Have you remembered everything clearly?"

"All-huh?" Harry was stunned, this opening was a bit different from what he had imagined.

Toby frowned dissatisfied and said, "Why, can't you even remember this content——Is it difficult to understand that devils can play a big role in divination?"

Harry's mouth fell open, eyes wide with shock.

He seemed to have guessed Professor Highmore's real purpose.

"Actually, it's not just the devil, there are more effective than this, but it's too difficult for a third-year student, so—"

Toby looked at Harry and said, "It's also time to deepen your understanding of the devil, Harry. Don't be afraid, don't shrink back, you have to have complete control over it. This is very important, in every sense, All very important."

"and also--"

Before leaving, Toby added one last sentence: "Remember to work hard, Mr. Diggory has already left you behind. He successfully made his first devil's divination, which was related to the automatic casting wand. Although It's a long shot, but he managed to do it, which is amazing, isn't it?"

Harry nodded dumbly, and before the shock had completely dissipated, he suddenly thought of a question.

Does Cedric's success mean that he successfully made the devil's divination, or did he realize that one day he would make a real self-casting wand?
Harry thought about it carefully, and suddenly he felt that this question was meaningless.

Either way, Cedric had already beaten the Boy Who Lived.

(End of this chapter)