Professor Flitwick wants to see me for something
Albert was a little surprised, because he and the Professor of Charms didn't have that many interactions, at least not so much that the other party would invite him for afternoon tea.
It should be about the thesis.
This is a good opportunity. Maybe I can find an excuse to ask Professor Flitwick for a book autograph for the restricted section.
The task of borrowing books from the restricted area on the task panel is almost completed.
But what is the appropriate excuse to use
On the way to the Charms Professor's office on the eighth floor of the West Tower, Albert had been thinking about this problem. When he knocked on the wooden door of Professor Flitwick's office, he still didn't have a good solution.
"Professor, what do you want to talk to me about?" It was the first time Albert entered Professor Flitwick's office, and he felt that it was a bit special. Probably because of Professor Flitwick's height, there was a staircase on the bookshelf that could be moved at will, and the chair that Professor Flitwick sat on had been raised, and there was a bench next to the chair that could be used as a footstool.
"Anderson, take a seat!" Professor Flitwick said calmly. "The paper you wrote last time was published in Innovations in Spells."
As he spoke, he placed the magazine in front of Albert and turned to the page with the paper.
"Katrina just told me."
"Well, the editor of Spells Innovation wanted to meet you, so he sent me a letter." Professor Flitwick handed a letter to Albert and continued, "He probably thought it was a bit rash to send a letter directly to you."
"I can understand that. If he did that, I would probably think he was a liar." Albert took the letter and looked at Professor Flitwick and asked, "Can I open it now?"
"Oh, of course."
Albert opened the letter and glanced at the contents. The author of the letter pointed out several minor flaws in his paper in a very tactful tone and expressed his willingness to establish correspondence with him. The other party also expressed the hope that he could continue to publish papers in "Magic Innovation".
This letter gave Albert the feeling that Mr. Elphias was a little too enthusiastic.
"The editor-in-chief of "Spell Innovation" doesn't seem to be Elphias Doge?" Albert raised his head in confusion and asked Professor Flitwick.
"Ephias is indeed not the editor-in-chief, but he is the one who can truly influence the magazine "Spell Innovations"." Professor Flitwick explained.
"I see." Albert nodded to show that he understood.
"Anderson, whether you want to work in the Ministry of Magic or specialize in spells in the future, it won't hurt to have more contact with people in this field." Professor Flitwick reminded kindly.
"Thank you, Professor." Although Albert had no intention of developing the conversation in this direction, he still did not forget to express his gratitude to the other party. He knew that Professor Flitwick said this out of goodwill.
"By the way, Professor, I saw two advanced spells in the library a while ago."
"Advanced spell?" Professor Flitwick raised his eyebrows.
"It's the Patronus Charm and the Fidelius Charm," said Albert. "I'm very interested in them, but I only found information about the Patronus Charm. Do you know where I can find information about the Fidelius Charm?"
Professor Flitwick was somewhat stunned. He had never thought that Albert had already started to learn such advanced magic. He asked tentatively, "Have you started to learn the Patronus Charm?"
"Well, I started practicing it two weeks ago. This magic is a little difficult..." Albert briefly summarized and said, "It is said that after this spell is successfully cast, a physical guardian angel can be summoned, but I don't quite understand what this sentence means... Does it mean that after chanting the spell, the spell will no longer emit a ball of white light, but will condense into a physical guardian angel?"
Albert began to steer the conversation in the direction he wanted.
"Your idea is not wrong. However, the Patronus Charm is a very advanced magic, which is usually used to resist Dementors." Professor Flitwick thought for a moment and suggested: "When casting the spell, you need to concentrate and think about the happiest things in your heart, because the Patronus Charm advocates happiness and hope, but it requires a very strong magical power as a foundation. This spell may be too difficult for you now. Don't worry even if you can't summon a physical Patronus for the time being, you still have a lot of room for growth."
"I know." Albert nodded and continued to ask, "What about the Fidelius Charm? It is said to be a powerful and complex protective magic."
"Yes, it's very complicated." Professor Flitwick seemed to be considering whether to tell Albert about it. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "It involves using magic to hide a secret in the soul of a living person?"
"Hide the secret in your soul?"
"Yes, keep the secret in the heart of the chosen keeper, and no one else will ever discover the secret. Unless, of course, the keeper deliberately reveals it."
"So, the Fidelius Charm is suitable for hiding things?" Albert pretended that he didn't understand. In fact, he was a little confused.
He remembered that the Fidelius Charm could hide a person, making it impossible for anyone except the Secret Keeper to find him. But from what Professor Flitwick said, it seemed that the spell had other uses, or that his original understanding of the Fidelius Charm was wrong.
"Of course, you are not wrong in understanding it this way." Professor Flitwick was silent for a few seconds and then nodded.
"Professor, do you know this magic?" Albert suddenly asked, "I want to learn this magic."
"Of course I can, but..." Professor Flitwick stared at Albert and asked, "The Fidelius Charm is too difficult for you now. By the way, what do you want to hide with it?"
"My diary." Albert said without hesitation: "This way, I don't need to worry about anyone reading my diary."
Professor Flitwick was speechless. He really couldn't understand Albert's way of thinking.
Albert noticed Professor Flitwick's silence, so he continued, "Professor, is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry also protected by the Fidelius Charm?"
"No, Hogwarts is too large, and after the Secret-Keeper dies, everyone who knows the existence of the Fidelius Charm will automatically become the Secret-Keeper. The more people know about it, the weaker its power will be, and it will become unreliable." Professor Flitwick shook his head.
"I still want to learn this spell. Can you teach me?" Albert said, "I think this is a very practical spell."
"Before that, you need to master..." Professor Flitwick paused, suddenly realizing that the person in front of him seemed to have a high level of attainment in ancient magic runes.
"Professor..." Albert said suddenly.
"What's up?"
"The Patronus Charm has been recorded since a long time ago," Albert said, "but wizards in the past used ancient magic words. Why is the Patronus Charm in English now? It seems that it can be chanted in other languages as well? Then, what is the meaning of the existence of the spell?"