In the Muggle Studies classroom.
Professor Burbage felt a bit bitter. After teaching at Hogwarts for many years, she knew that this year she had encountered two truly engaged students.
Yes, truly engaged, not like those previous students who attended just to get a certificate.
"Professor, I think some people's methods are very dangerous. It's like two people with a long-standing grudge; the best way is to keep them apart rather than bringing them together for a face-to-face conversation."
After raising her hand and gaining permission, Hermione expressed her thoughts.
Although she appeared to be speaking to the professor, everyone in the room understood the implication and knew who she was really addressing.
Especially Daphne, who, although attending the class, seemed eager to watch the unfolding drama.
This budding conflict did not trouble Professor Burbage at all.
She cleverly shifted the topic to a safer one—Muggle telephones.
---
At the same time.
After washing up, Ino quickly headed to the Ancient Runes classroom.
The professor in charge of this class was Bathsheba Babbling, a particularly low-key instructor.
There were even rumors that she had some kind of magical bloodline, which was why she had taught at Hogwarts for many years without her appearance changing much.
But Ino didn't care about that; he was only interested in the course content and fascinating magical knowledge.
Unlike other subjects, Ancient Runes was truly a niche class, with only two lessons a month, and the content was pitiably simple.
Just like now, a month into the term, all the young wizards had only learned about the history of Ancient Runes.
Perhaps it was still early, and the spacious classroom was empty, giving Ino plenty of time to review the previous lesson's material.
Ancient Runes, also known as runes, are magical characters and the origin of ancient magic.
However, over time, Ancient Runes were gradually replaced by Latin, and ancient magic was replaced by modern spells.
Ino immersed himself in the textbook, oblivious to the gradually bustling classroom.
Until Professor Babbling's voice rang out in the classroom.
"Children, please focus your attention! Today we will officially start learning Ancient Runes!"
Professor Babbling wrote a strange symbol on the blackboard, a vertical line with two upward slanting lines on the right side.
"This is the first letter of the Ancient Runes alphabet. Its pronunciation is 'f' and its original meanings include livestock, cattle, success, wealth, and prosperity..."
Professor Babbling continued her explanation at the podium.
Below, Ino rarely let his mind wander. He thought about the Charms class two years ago, more specifically, the Levitation Charm two years ago.
That unfortunate soul, Baruffio, had mispronounced the final syllable of the Levitation Charm and was crushed to death by a falling bison.
Coincidentally, that syllable was also 'f'.
It seemed that no matter how modern magic evolved, it could not escape the shadows of ancient magic.
Similarly, Ino thought about the modified Disillusionment Charm. He had changed "Disillusionment" to "Invisibility," which had significantly upgraded the invisibility ability.
Although he had figured out some things, more questions followed.
"Professor!" Seizing the opportunity when Professor Babbling paused, Ino raised his hand to ask a question.
"Ancient Runes possess magic. I'm curious if it's their own magic or the magic bestowed upon them by wizards. Actually, last summer, I privately studied Ancient Runes, and I also used them to improve a spell."
Seeing Professor Babbling's encouraging look, Ino immediately used the modified Disillusionment Charm.
"As you can see, the Disillusionment Charm has changed. My question is, was this spell changed by me or by the Ancient Runes?"
"An excellent question!" Professor Babbling nodded approvingly, then turned to the blackboard. This time, she didn't use chalk but took out her wand, touching the blackboard with its tip and writing the same rune.
"Do you see the difference? You too, feel it carefully," Professor Babbling looked around.
The seven or eight students in the classroom seriously felt the difference between the two runes on the blackboard.
"This is a character imbued with magic!" Ino voiced his feeling, noting that the rune written with the wand gave him a mysterious sensation.
Professor Babbling did not answer directly but waited for a moment until she saw the other young wizards also showing expressions of realization. Then she continued:
"Back to your question, you can think of Ancient Runes like wands. They possess magic, but to use them effectively, a wizard is required."
"This is the purpose of this class at Hogwarts. The Charms class teaches you to use a wand, and the Ancient Runes class teaches you how to use runes."
As Professor Babbling spoke, she pointed her wand at herself, and under everyone's gaze, her figure gradually disappeared.
Ino watched the familiar scene, understanding that he had underestimated magic and Hogwarts' professors.
The magical world was not just about the story's protagonists.
After a brief disappearance, Professor Babbling's figure reappeared in the classroom.
"Rookwood's *Book of Invisibility Spells* explained 'invisibility' so thoroughly that the book itself developed a powerful self-concealing effect."
Professor Babbling chuckled, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes. But she quickly adjusted and said seriously:
"The most important aspect of Ancient Runes is a profound understanding! It's best to write this down. Without deep understanding, you cannot use them. Like this 'f', once you understand it thoroughly, you can create the simplest amulet."
"Only with a deep comprehension of its meaning, content, and implications can you truly use it. Otherwise, whether reading or writing, it cannot produce the corresponding power."
Listening to Professor Babbling's explanation, Ino gradually grasped the essence. It was like an alternative expression of "knowledge is power." The 24 ancient runic letters plus the "blank stone," when combined, could display great power.
But this power required corresponding understanding to use. This understanding was a key to connecting one's internal magic.
Without this key, Ancient Runes were just like wands in the hands of Muggles, merely sticks.
In Norse mythology, Odin hung himself on a tree for nine nights, gaining not the power of the runes, but the wisdom of the runes!
It seemed to be the same principle: understanding to use.
At this moment, he thought of Rowena Ravenclaw, symbolized by the raven. Clearly a scholarly woman, she became a legendary wizard and a founder of Hogwarts.
As Ino's thoughts wandered, Professor Babbling was now meticulously explaining the meaning of 'f'. How much the young wizards could understand was up to them.
Time ticked by, and the Ancient Runes class neared its end.
"I'll give you an assignment. Before the next class, each of you must submit an 'f' you've written yourselves. It can be on parchment or as an amulet, your choice."
After speaking, Professor Babbling left without hesitation.
The young wizards in the classroom beamed with joy, perhaps because they felt they had chosen the right course with such a simple assignment.