pdf-ebookys Chapter 153 An Encounter at the Library
Chapter 153 An Encounter at the Library
Chapter 153 An Encounter at the Library
Inside the Hogwarts Library, Cullen, holding the note specially approved by Professor Flitwick and the privileges she had obtained from Dumbledore, walked through rows of towering bookshelves and headed straight for the entrance to the restricted section, which was locked with chains.
Mrs. Pince, like a wary vulture, scanned the note in his hand with sharp eyes, carefully checking the signature and scope of access. Only after confirming everything was correct did she unlock the chain with a heavy brass key, letting him in while sternly warning, "Mr. Hawthorne, you are only permitted to access ancient protective magic, runic theory, and alchemical literature. No touching the dark magic category! Remain quiet! Do not damage the books!"
"I understand, Mrs. Pince. Thank you." Karen nodded politely and stepped into the restricted section, where the light was dimmer and the bookshelves were older and denser. The atmosphere here was more somber, and the magic contained in the books seemed more ancient or dangerous.
His goal was clear: to find books that could provide the theoretical foundation for improving his protective badges and even for constructing more complex protective barriers in the future. He needed to understand the deeper principles of magical resonance, the optimization of energy circuit stability, and how to more efficiently integrate the power of ancient runes into alchemical artifacts. He quickly found several thick tomes in the peripheral area: Morgan le Fay's *Nodes and Cycles of Protective Barriers*, the book *The Theory of Magical Static Fields* recommended by Professor Flitwick, and some other related books.
Karen, clutching several thick volumes, sat down at an isolated oak table deep within the forbidden library, engrossed in his reading. He rapidly jotted down key formulas, rune combinations, and diagrams of energy topology in his notebook with a quill. The books were profound and obscure, filled with complex calculations and abstract descriptions of magical models, but Karen's "Eye of Truth" gave him an intuitive understanding of the flow of magic.
Combining the alchemical foundation he had laid with Nico and Castor, he was able to keep up with the thought process of these profound theories, although many details still required repeated reflection.
Just as he was engrossed in studying Morgan le Fay's chapter on "the relationship between environmental magical tides and barrier stability," a deliberately lowered voice, tinged with obvious curiosity and a hint of defiance, rang out beside him.
"Excuse me?"
Karen looked up, a hint of confusion in his eyes, as if his train of thought had been interrupted. A Gryffindor girl with thick, curly brown hair and slightly protruding front teeth stood a distance away from the chains at the entrance to the restricted section, holding several thick books from the common section, including *Standard Spell Analysis* and *Advanced Magic Theory*. Her gaze was fixed intently on the oddly-covered book beside Karen, then swept over the Morgan le Fay book spread out before him, covered in intricate illustrations.
"Is something the matter?" Karen asked calmly. He recognized the girl at a glance as Hermione Granger, whom he had noticed during the Sorting House.
"Mr. Hawthorne?" the girl called out his name accurately, her curiosity intensifying.
Karen's brow furrowed; he hadn't expected Hermione to know him. "Yes. And you are?"
"Oh!" The girl seemed to realize she had been a bit abrupt, her cheeks flushing slightly, but her voice remained clear. "I'm Hermione Granger, a freshman in Gryffindor." She proactively gave her name and house.
She then explained, "Your name, Mr. Hawthorne, has been mentioned by Professor Flitwick and several other professors in class. Harry and Ron have also mentioned you." She paused, then added, "Harry said that he got lost at the station the day he arrived at Hogwarts, and you helped him find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."
Karen suddenly understood. So that's how it is. The professors' mentions and Harry's conversations. He nodded. "I see. Hello, Miss Granger." His response was polite but indifferent, with no intention of further pleasantries.
Hermione seemed unfazed by Karen's coldness; her attention quickly returned to the forbidden books. "You—are you looking at books in the forbidden section? What are they about?"
"It was specially approved by Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick for a specific alchemical research project," Karen confirmed her guess, clearly pointing out the source of the authorization. "The contents," he gestured to the large tome on the table, "are indeed very profound, involving advanced magical theories and the application of ancient runes, far beyond the scope of our current basic courses." His statement was objective, without boasting, more like stating a fact.
Looking into Hermione's eager eyes, he added, "Professor Flitwick's advice is very sound. Master the fundamental principles in 'Standard Spells' and 'Magical Theory' that we are currently learning, and thoroughly understand the nature and scope of each spell taught in class."
It is the necessary foundation for climbing higher peaks of knowledge. Without a solid foundation, forcibly reaching for those profound things can easily lead to losing one's way, or even causing danger.
Hermione's cheeks flushed again. Karen's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing some of her impulse but also stirring up more of her resentment. "I just think if there's a chance to learn more advanced knowledge in advance, why not? Knowledge itself isn't wrong," she argued, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the "Advanced Magic Theory" in her arms.
"Knowledge itself is not wrong," Karen nodded in agreement, "but the way and timing of acquiring knowledge requires wisdom to grasp. The general section of the library has a vast treasure trove of knowledge suitable for our current stage, enough for us to explore in depth for a long time. For example," he pointed to "Advanced Magic Theory" in Hermione's arms, "the knowledge points in this book already cover the scope of third-year spells, and it will point out a more applicable spell casting theory, which is enough for you to learn now. Don't just study for the sake of acquiring more knowledge, but study with a purpose. I focus on alchemy and spells."
Hermione froze. She hadn't fully grasped the complex chapters of *Advanced Magic Theory*. Karen's words had pinpointed a problem in her learning: a relentless pursuit of new knowledge without any real understanding. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately just pursed her lips, nodded, and her initial defiance was replaced by serious contemplation. "I...I understand. Thank you for your advice, Mr. Hawthorne." Her voice was lower, but still held a hint of stubbornness.
"You're welcome," Karen said casually, picking up her quill pen again and turning her gaze back to her notebook—a clear signal that the conversation was over.
Hermione turned away somewhat hesitantly, heading towards the ordinary district, her steps heavier than before. Karen, on the other hand, re-immersed herself in the complex magical tide model depicted by Morgan le Fay, as if the earlier incident had never occurred.
Shortly after Hermione left, Ron and Harry peeked out from behind the bookshelves, watching Hermione walk to their usual spot, and then glance at the quiet figure deep within the forbidden section.
"What did she say to Karen Hawthorne?" Ron asked in a low voice, his face full of gossip. "Hermione seemed to have gotten a scolding?"
"I don't know." Harry shook his head; his impression of Cullen was still that of the gentle guide at the station. "But Cullen seems really impressive. Is he reading books from the forbidden section? Or did Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick approve them?" Harry's tone held a hint of envy.
“George and Fred mentioned him,” Ron said, a complicated tone in his voice. “They said he’s a freak genius, incredibly skilled in spells and transfiguration, Flitwick and Professor McGonagall’s darlings. And those aren’t even his specialties; his specialty is alchemy. Plus, he has a terrible relationship with the Slytherins, especially the Selwyns. Apparently, they even had a major incident, and the Selwyns had to issue a public apology! But he’s not very sociable. He’s only close to his roommates, George, Fred, and Diggory from Hufflepuff. George and Fred even received Christmas presents from him.” Ron’s tone carried a hint of envy, and a sense of unapproachability.
"A genius?" Hermione had just walked over and overheard their discussion. She pulled out a chair, slammed a heavy book down on the table with a loud "bang," drawing a sharp glance from Mrs. Pince. Startled, Hermione immediately lowered her voice, but with a hint of defiance, "Professor Flitwick practically raved about him in class today! He actually got into the restricted section! And he said I had to master 'Advanced Magic Theory' first?" She opened the thick book, her eyes burning as she stared at the table of contents. "I want to see what kind of 'treasure' I haven't discovered yet is hidden inside!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, wisely choosing to remain silent and each opening their own notebooks. Beneath the quiet of the library, the name Karen Hawthorne was labeled "powerful," "mysterious," and "an unapproachable genius" in the minds of this still-developing little group.