Chapter 31. Harry Learning Charms
Term at Hogwarts began on 1 September.
In other words, Harry still had nearly a month of holiday.
For this month-long break, Adrian Wesson naturally arranged some study tasks for Harry.
Of course, he wasn't about to make Harry spend all his time here.
After all, children need time to play too, don't they?
The only pity was that Harry didn't seem to have any friends.
At least, Adrian had never seen any.
On the first Sunday of August, Harry, as usual, helped Adrian process the harvested dittany—turning it into Essence of Dittany.
As Harry carefully decanted the Essence of Dittany into vials, he looked up at Adrian and asked, very cautiously, "Teacher, when can you start teaching me spells?"
Adrian was bent over, checking the quality of Harry's Essence of Dittany. When he heard this, his hands stilled. He looked up at Harry.
"I remember saying that only after you turned eleven could you…"
At that, Adrian suddenly realised Harry had already had his eleventh birthday.
"Time really does fly," Adrian said with a sigh.
Harry watched him nervously, fingers tightening slightly around the vial in his hand, afraid Adrian would refuse.
"Of course," Adrian said, setting down the potion bottle, "since you've already turned eleven, you can begin formal magic. Strictly speaking, you should be casting only once you arrive at Hogwarts—and that's just days away."
Hearing that Adrian hadn't refused, Harry's face lit with delight. "I can't wait, teacher!"
Since Harry was so eager for once, Adrian had no wish to dampen his enthusiasm.
No wonder he'd noticed Harry arrive today with his newly bought wand—so that was what he had in mind.
"Did Hagrid take you to Diagon Alley to buy your textbooks?" Adrian asked, putting the bottle aside.
Harry nodded.
"In that case, I suppose you've already looked through your new text, 'The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1,'" Adrian said matter-of-factly. "I think that's the title—I don't quite remember."
"…I haven't, teacher."
Harry answered a bit awkwardly; the book was still under his bed.
After he'd come back from Diagon Alley, he'd been too busy waving his wand about and teasing Hedwig.
A book?
What was that? Harry felt rather unfamiliar with the concept.
"…"
Adrian fell silent for a moment. He'd assumed all children were as he had been; he still remembered nearly wearing his own Hogwarts books out that first summer.
Clearly, Harry wasn't among the studious sort.
"Should I go home and bring the textbook over?" Harry asked, hesitant.
"No need." Adrian waved a hand and stood, heading for the storeroom. "I remember my old textbook is still here."
Thanks to the Undetectable Extension Charm, Adrian's storeroom was enormous; and since he wasn't much for tidying, things were, frankly, hard to find.
Even so, he eventually unearthed the text he'd used at school—a cardboard box in a corner held it.
A few minutes later, Adrian emerged from the storeroom, his robes coated with a thick layer of dust. In his hand was a slightly worn copy of "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1."
When Harry took the book gingerly, the dust made him cough.
"Cough, cough—thank you."
Still coughing, he opened Adrian's old book. The pages were slightly yellowed, but the print was clear enough to read without trouble.
To Harry's surprise, almost every page was filled with notes—more than enough to show how seriously the book's previous owner had studied.
When Harry turned back to the first page, he found a line written there in a markedly different hand:
Mum asked me to remind you, don't forget lunch, big brother. —Cecilia.
The ink had faded a little—clearly written many years ago.
Cecilia?
Harry had never heard that name before.
Was she the teacher's younger sister?
He had never heard Adrian mention her.
Although curious, Harry quickly put the thought aside; he couldn't wait to start learning magic.
"Where should I start, teacher?" Harry set the book down, speaking as he grabbed his wand.
Adrian couldn't help a quiet laugh at Harry's impatience. He tapped the "Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1" on the table.
"The spells in this book are designed for beginners," Adrian said, sitting and giving a casual wave. "Pick any one that interests you and give it a try."
Harry held his wand and flipped through for quite a while without deciding.
"Well then… how about the Wand-Lighting Charm?" Adrian raised his eyebrows. "It's a good choice."
As he spoke, Adrian swished his wand through the air.
"Lumos."
To Harry's astonishment, a small globe of light blossomed at the wand-tip, casting a gentle glow.
"Now you try, Harry," Adrian said, giving his wand another flick so the tip went dim. "Remember to concentrate. And look at the book—I should have noted all the precautions in there."
The Wand-Lighting Charm was very simple, but it still required focus; carelessness could set one's wand alight and cause irreparable damage.
Miranda Goshawk, author of the Standard Book of Spells series, once said: if you have any doubts about your ability, you'd do better to buy a magic lantern.
For the next while, Adrian brewed while guiding Harry's practice of the Wand-Lighting Charm.
"Harry, raise your arm a little."
"Move the wand a bit faster."
"The incantation—don't forget the incantation!"
…
After half an hour of practice, Harry finally made the tip of his wand light.
His eyes widened at the little glow, excitement breaking across his face.
It lasted only an instant, but it was enough to make him giddy.
"I did it!" he cried, thrilled.
Adrian smiled and leaned back in his chair. When he'd first succeeded with magic, he'd reacted much the same.
"This is only the beginning," Adrian said, applauding. "But truly—you did well."
Beaming, Harry gripped his wand. "Teacher, what are we learning next?"
Adrian gave a mysterious smile. Under Harry's expectant gaze, he spoke two syllables: "Potions."
"…"
Harry's excitement froze at once.
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