Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 21 Mysteries and Revelation

Karen rolled over in her four-poster bed in the Ravenclaw tower, her grey-blue eyes fixed on the dark blue curtains. The night was deep, but her thoughts were like a black lake in a storm, turbulent and restless.

"Nico Flamel...Professor Victor...The Eye of Truth..." These words swirled and revolved in his mind.

Karen sighed softly and rested her arms behind her head. Outside the window, the waters of the Black Lake shimmered silver in the moonlight, and occasionally the tentacles of a giant squid would skim across the surface, casting eerie shadows.

"I need to organize my thoughts now," Karen thought to herself, and began to systematically sort out the known information.

First, it's almost certain that the elderly couple with silver hair I met when I was eight were Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perené. The parchment scroll written in runes and the warning note were left by Nicolas.

Secondly, Professor Victor seemed to have known from the beginning that Karen possessed this ability. From his meaningful gaze at the opening banquet to the runestone today, he must have learned about Karen from Nico. Moreover, there must be a connection between Nico Lemaître and this professor; they belong to the same organization, which is probably not a simple entity.

"The Eye of Truth... is not unique, but it is extremely rare." Professor Victor's words echoed in his ears. Karen's brow furrowed slightly. If this talent wasn't unique, then who else in history had possessed it? And what fates did they ultimately face?

Karen turned over, and moonlight streamed through the window onto his blanket.

And since they've known about the "Eye of Truth" since I was eight, why have they only contacted me now? Is it to study the mysteries of the "Eye of Truth"? Or to use it to complete some kind of alchemical experiment? Karen's thoughts drifted to the alchemical chamber in that abandoned classroom. Nicholas Flamel II's experimental log did indeed mention alchemical tools similar in style to Professor Victor's, and even a "Truth Eye" similar to the "Eye of Truth." She wondered what the connection was between the two.

Then Karen's mind drifted back to the hidden alchemy laboratory, the ancient books on the bookshelves, the instruments on the workbench, the magical theories on the blackboard... especially the experimental logbook.

"A coincidence? Or was it intentional?" Karen's breathing quickened slightly as she thought about it.

Outside the window, the hooting of an owl broke the silence of the night, pulling Karen's thoughts back to reality.

He glanced at his sleeping roommates. Wesley's blanket was kicked aside, his reddish-brown curly hair was messy, and a smile lingered on his lips, as if he were dreaming of something interesting. Fabian lay properly, his glasses neatly placed on the bedside table, his breathing steady. Ernesto's sleeping posture still carried a touch of aristocratic elegance, his gray eyes were closed, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was also pondering some serious issues in his dreams.

Karen's lips curled up slightly. Whatever the conspiracy behind it, at least he was not alone now.

Karen let out a soft breath and made a decision: before the meeting next Wednesday, she would continue to study the Alchemy Chamber, especially the experimental log of Nicholas Flamel II, to see if she could find more records about the "Eye of Truth" or "Eye of Reality".

Secondly, observe Professor Victor; his words and actions, his research, and even his lifestyle may reveal more information.

Then remain vigilant. Although it seems that Nicolas Flamel and Professor Victor have no ill intentions, only some Riddler-like tendencies, Karen will not easily relinquish her trust.

"There's no need to rush; the truth will eventually come to light."

Cullen closed her eyes, finally letting her weary mind rest. The moonlight still shone quietly into Ravenclaw's bedroom, and the Hogwarts night remained full of secrets.

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The morning sunlight streamed through the blue stained-glass windows of the Ravenclaw Tower, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Karen opened his eyes with a frown, his grey-blue pupils reflecting the clouds drifting by outside the window, and he felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

"Finally awake?" Ernesto's voice came from beside me. "If you hadn't gotten up, we would have missed breakfast."

Karen sat up and found that only he and Ernesto were left in the dormitory. Fabian's bed was neatly made, while Wesley's bed was piled with clothes and books in a mess.

"Where are Wesley and Fabian?" Karen asked, rubbing her temples.

"Fabian went to the library to return some books, and Wesley said he was going to the kitchen to 'scout' out today's menu." Ernesto pursed his lips. "Did you have a nightmare last night? You were tossing and turning."

Karen shook his head, not mentioning the thoughts that troubled him. He quickly put on his robe, washed his face with cold water, the icy water making him a little more awake. His reflection in the mirror showed faint dark circles under his eyes, clearly a sign of a restless night.

The Great Hall was bustling with activity, and the tables at the four houses were laden with food. When Karen and Ernesto found Fabian and Wesley, the latter was stuffing his third blueberry waffle into his mouth.

"Karen! You look like you've been trampled by a troll!" Wesley mumbled, his reddish-brown curly hair still smeared with jam.

Fabian adjusted his glasses, a look of concern on his face: "Are you alright? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Just a strange dream," Karen replied casually, pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice. "What's the first class today?"

"History of Magic," Fabian said, flipping through the timetable. "Then comes Charms."

Karen breathed a sigh of relief. Although Professor Binns's lectures were boring, at least they allowed him to catch up on some sleep.

When Professor Binns floated into the classroom, several students were already slumped over their desks, half asleep. The ghostly professor began to recount the details of the goblin rebellion in his monotonous voice, a voice that acted like a hypnotic drug, quickly making Karen's eyelids heavy.

"In 1612, the fairies used their superb metalworking skills..."

Karen's head slumped lower and lower until it finally rested completely on the table. He dreamt he was standing in the center of a giant alchemical symbol, surrounded by countless glowing runes. In the distance, a blurry figure reached out to him…

"Karen! Wake up! get out of class is over!"

Wesley's voice pulled him back to reality. Karen groggily looked up and found the classroom was mostly empty, with Professor Binns floating towards the door.

"You're sleeping like you're under a sedative spell," Ernesto remarked, a hint of amusement in his grey eyes. "We need to hurry to the Charms class."

The cold wind in the corridor completely sobered Karen. When they arrived at the Charms classroom, Professor Flitwick was standing on a pile of books, using his wand to direct a quill to write today's topic on the blackboard: the Cleansing Charm.

"Ah, dear students!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed. "Today we will learn a very useful spell—the Cleansing Spell. I think many of you have seen your parents use this spell at home."

Karen found a seat, feeling much better. Professor Flitwick waved his wand, and a dusty vase appeared on the podium.

"Observe my movements: with a slight flick of my wrist, I utter 'Refreshed and brandished!'"

A flash of blue light appeared, and the vase gleamed like new. A chorus of exclamations rippled through the classroom.

"Now, please practice in pairs. Remember, the movements should be gentle, like brushing away dust."

Karen and Fabian were paired together, and a muddy teacup appeared before them. Fabian tried first, his movements somewhat stiff, and only a few sparks flew from the tip of his wand.

"Relax your wrist a little more," Karen suggested.

Fabian adjusted his posture and tried again: "Cleaned up!" This time, some of the mud on the teacup disappeared.

When it was Karen's turn, he stared at his teacup, a question suddenly occurring to him. Under his "Eye of Truth," he could see how the magical traces of dust were being broken down by the spell. In this process, the dust didn't seem to be removed, but rather transformed into some more fundamental form of matter.

"Professor Flitwick," Karen raised her hand, "what is the principle behind the Cleansing Charm? Does it make the dirt disappear, or does it transfer it elsewhere?"

Professor Flitwick's eyes lit up: "Excellent question, Mr. Hawthorne! In fact, the Cleansing Charm belongs to the Vanishing Charm category; it breaks down dirt into its basic elements."

Karen pondered, "So theoretically, if we were to apply it to living organisms..."

The classroom suddenly fell silent. Several students stared at Karen in horror.

"Merlin's beard!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, nearly falling off his books. "No, no, no! This is an extremely dangerous idea! Although, theoretically, it is possible to decompose living organisms, this falls under the category of dark magic!"

Karen immediately realized she had misspoke: "Sorry, Professor, I was just curious about the classification of spells."

Professor Flitwick wiped his brow. "Understanding the principles is good, Mr. Hawthorne, but we must keep in mind the ethical boundaries of magic." He looked around the classroom. "Now, continue practicing, using this spell only on objects!"

Before get out of class ended, Professor Flitwick assigned homework: a paper on the history of cleansing spells. As the students packed their bags, he called out to Karen.

"Mr. Hawthorne, if you are interested in spell classification, you can come to my office at seven o'clock tonight. I have a few professional books that may be helpful to you."

Karen nodded. "Thank you, Professor."

After leaving the classroom, Wesley exaggeratedly patted his chest: "Merlin, Cullen! You just terrified Professor Flitwick! 'Make people disappear'? Where did you get such a terrible idea?"

"It's just theoretical discussion," Karen shrugged. "Shouldn't magic be thoroughly understood?"

Ernesto pondered for a moment: "Theoretically speaking, if we could break down a person into basic elements and then recombine them..."

"Stop!" Fabian interrupted, adjusting his glasses. "I don't want to be suspected of being a dark wizard in the first week of school."

The four boys laughed and headed to the Great Hall for lunch. Karen felt completely refreshed, even more alert than usual. The confusion and doubts of last night seemed to have been temporarily forgotten, replaced by new reflections on the nature of magic.

Perhaps this is one of the "prices of understanding magic" that Professor Victor mentioned. When you start to delve deeper, some seemingly simple spells may hide disturbing truths.

But Karen didn't regret asking the question. If magic is merely the mechanical repetition of spells without understanding its essence, what's the difference between it and a deceptive trick? He touched the wand in his pocket, deciding that he must ask Professor Flitwick for a proper lesson that night.

After all, the pursuit of knowledge is never a smooth road.