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"Professor Quirrell..."
Professor Flitwick coughed lightly.
Quirrell had graduated from Ravenclaw, just like Flitwick. Since they came from the same house and both became Hogwarts professors, Flitwick was well aware of Quirrell's teaching abilities.
However, no student had ever openly criticized Professor Quirrell's teaching in front of him. So now that someone had, it left him feeling a bit awkward.
Root blinked. He had spoken too quickly and was just now realizing the implications of his words. Realizing his mistake, he quickly continued.
"Professor Flitwick, the book says that the Fiery Blaze is a very powerful dark magic. Besides the counter-spell that can destroy it, the only way to suppress it is by using a Termination Spell that is more powerful than the Stopping Spell."
Root's eyes fell on Professor Flitwick. "But when a single person casts the End of All Curses, it isn't very strong. It can only hold back the Fiery Blaze for a short time."
Professor Flitwick listened to Root quietly before asking, "You are correct. Do you understand why the End of All Curses is able to block the Fiery Blaze?"
Root nodded. "While the End of All Curses has the ability to neutralize magic, it is more of a powerful counterattack spell.
"But the Fiery Blaze is also an extremely powerful dark magic, one that burns everything in its path. Anything caught by the flames will only stop burning once it has been completely consumed.
"So, the End of All Curses can only restrict the Fiery Blaze temporarily, allowing it to burn itself out. It doesn't truly counter the Fiery Blaze Curse."
Professor Flitwick looked at Root with surprise. He hadn't expected the boy to have such a deep understanding of this advanced and obscure spell.
However, he had long since noticed Root's intelligence in their usual conversations. So after a brief moment of surprise, he began to consider his response.
"As for the counter-spell to the Fiery Blaze..." Flitwick hesitated. "Under normal circumstances, I don't think you'll ever have the chance to encounter this spell in the next few decades."
He hesitated further. This was, after all, a matter involving the Dark Arts. Even though it was a counter-spell, it wasn't easy for a Charms professor to teach such magic to a first-year student.
"But if you truly want to learn more, it might help you understand other spells better."
After thinking for a moment, he finally said, "It's getting late. Even if I were willing to teach you, now is not the time. You should head back for now. I'll give you the answer next time we meet."
Root saw that Professor Flitwick had not outright refused him. Though he hadn't given an immediate answer, he seemed willing to teach him eventually. Root smiled and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Professor. Thank you for all your teachings. Merry Christmas!"
"Hahaha!" Professor Flitwick chuckled, waving his hand. "It's not Christmas just yet, but I'll say the same to you."
Professor Flitwick valued politeness and respect, and Root met his expectations in both intelligence and manners.
As Root said goodbye, he was already thinking ahead.
"I've told Professor Flitwick that I want to learn the counter-spells of dark magic. Soon, the other professors will probably hear about this."
Walking down the corridor, he shivered as the cold wind rushed through the stone walls.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to take this opportunity to visit other professors as well.
For example, Snape…
"What? You want to learn the counter-spell for the Fiery Blaze?"
A low, surprised voice echoed through the dimly lit office. The window panes rattled against the cold wind outside.
Snape narrowed his eyes at the boy standing before him.
Root, however, remained calm. "No, Professor. I already mentioned this to Professor Flitwick. This time, I'm here to ask for your advice. Is there any other way to extinguish the Fiery Blaze?"
Snape studied Root carefully.
His mind wandered back to the day they had discovered the troll's corpse. A strange suspicion had formed in his mind back then.
His voice was icy as he asked, "Are you secretly learning the Dark Arts?"
Root continued smiling, but he raised his brows in mock surprise.
"Ah? Why do you ask that, Professor? I'm not learning dark magic."
"I do have an interest in it, but that's only because I want to understand how dark magic differs from normal spells."
"But unfortunately, even after searching the library, I haven't found any books with detailed explanations of dark magic."
Root sighed before adding, "And after reading about the Fiery Blaze, I became curious about how it compares to other fire-based spells, like the Blazing Fire Curse or even the Fire God's Path."
Snape observed him for a moment before his expression relaxed slightly.
"Hmph." Snape scoffed. "Rather than wasting time researching the counter-spell, you should prepare some Acromantula venom."
"Oh?"
Snape's words made Root's eyes light up.
"Professor, are you saying that Acromantula venom can be used to extinguish the Fiery Blaze?"
Snape smirked slightly. "Yes. But if you truly encounter Fiery Blaze, a few drops of spider venom won't save you. It will only delay your inevitable death."
Root nodded.
He hadn't known that Acromantula venom could counteract the Fiery Blaze.
It seemed he needed to visit the Forbidden Forest soon to hunt some of those giant spiders.
Though he originally came just to ask Snape for advice, he had unexpectedly gained a new piece of valuable information.
He stayed in Snape's office for a while longer before the professor, growing impatient, finally dismissed him.
"Bang!"
The heavy door slammed shut behind him.
Root sighed, rubbing his nose.
"It's almost Christmas, and there are no classes. Can't he talk to me a little longer?"
Shaking his head, he slowly made his way toward Professor McGonagall's office.
Strangely, Professor McGonagall wasn't there.
Root knocked several times, but no one answered.
"Huh? Has she already gone to bed?"
He checked the time—past nine, nearly ten at night.
"Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Since he couldn't find McGonagall, he wouldn't go knocking on Dumbledore's door to ask about dark magic counter-spells.
Besides, it was late, and tomorrow was Christmas. He decided against studying further for the night and headed back to his dormitory instead.
(End of Chapter)
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