Chapter 53 How could I learn the dark arts, Professor
"Professor Quirrell."
Professor Flitwick coughed.
Quirrell had graduated from Ravenclaw, and so had Professor Flitwick.
Both having originated from the same house and both being professors in Hogwarts, naturally he was quite definite about Professor Quirrell's usual standards of teaching.
But no young wizard had ever informed him his face how terrible Professor Quirrell's teaching was. But now that all of a sudden one had popped up, it rather made him blush.
Dylan blinked. He had spoken too quickly there and hadn't answered. Now that he knew, he hurried on.
"Professor Flitwick, the book says merely that Fiendfyre, being such an awful dark magic, can be extinguished by a counter-curse. Other than that, one must use a termination spell even stronger than Finite Incantatem."
Dylan's gaze settled on Professor Flitwick, "And the use of Finite Incantatem for the individual is not particularly strong and can only delay Fiendfyre for a short period."
Professor Flitwick listened to Dylan's words silently before asking, "What you've said is fine. So, do you know how Finite Incantatem puts out Fiendfyre?"
Dylan nodded slightly, "Although Finite Incantatem has the effect of halting and limiting all magical interference, it is one of the most effective counter-spells."
"But Fiendfyre is also very powerful dark magic, so it is burning in nature. All substances tied by Fiendfyre will only release themselves only after they are completely burned out."
"Then Finite Incantatem can only slow Fiendfyre down and let it burn itself out. This is not even an actual countercurse for Fiendfyre."
Professor Flitwick glared at Dylan in a bit of surprise, not having known that he was so familiar with this advanced and mystical spell.
However, in the course of his usual exchange with this young wizard, he had already picked up on Dylan's intelligence. So, after a slight shock, he began to think.
"As for the counter-curse on Fiendfyre. I don't really think that you'll get the opportunity to lay eyes on this spell in the next decade or so—normal times being considered."
Professor Flitwick did pause. This was dark magic, after all. Even though it was a counter-curse, and he wasn't a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but a Charms professor, instructing a first-year young wizard like this.
"But if you're keen to learn and find out more, it may be able to help you understand other spells as well."
Professor Flitwick thought for a moment and said to Harry, "It is late today. Although I am willing to instruct you, it is not the time now. Go back first, and next time we meet, I shall give you my answer."
Dylan saw that Professor Flitwick had yielded, although he did not agree immediately, he still smiled and bowed slightly to the professor.
"Thank you, professor. Thank you very much for your guidance all along. Merry Christmas!"
"Hahaha!" Professor Flitwick waved his hand with a smile, "Although it's not Christmas yet, the same to you."
Professor Flitwick liked politeness and respect.
Dylan, as a learner of development, intelligence, or etiquette, was to his taste.
Dylan said goodbye to Professor Flitwick, his brain already plotting.
"Now that I've told Professor Flitwick that I want to learn the counter-curse for dark magic, I don't think it'll take long before all the professors know about this."
Down the corridor.
The icy corridor remained bone-frostingly cold.
Having thought for a moment, he had resolved to make use of this time to go and visit the other professors.
Like Snape.
"What? You want to learn the counter-curse for Fiendfyre?"
A low, astonished tone echoed, and the window glass of Professor Snape's office rattled in the biting wind.
Glaring at the truthful-faced Dylan standing before him, Snape narrowed his eyes.
"No, I've spoken to Professor Flitwick already. I'm here this time just to ask you if there is anything else that can extinguish Fiendfyre."
"Why are you now showing an interest in this?"
Snape gauged Dylan, adding it to the peculiar feeling that fell over his heart after seeing the body of the troll last time.
He barked abruptly, "You wouldn't be clandestinely studying dark magic, would you?"
Dylan's smile remained unchanged, but he aptly exhibited a hint of surprise, "Ah? Why would you ask all of a sudden? How am I possibly studying dark magic, professor?"
"I am actually curious about dark magic because I want to know the difference between dark magic and normal spells."
"But unfortunately, I've seen quite a few books in the library and there is not even a single book describing dark magic thoroughly."
"Alas! And besides that, after learning the Fiendfyre spell in a book, I wished to learn also about the contrast of this spell to Incendio, even to Fiendfyre."
Seating herself at the podium beside him while viewing Dylan explain poetically, Professor Snape removed himself slightly.
"Instead of going to the trouble of finding the counter-curse for Fiendfyre, you might as well be reaching for the Acromantula venom."
Professor Snape snorted softly, each of his syllables having a chill, wintry sound.
"Oh?"
His words, however, lit up Dylan's face.
"Professor, does that mean Acromantula venom can extinguish Fiendfyre as well?"
As one would have feared from an old dark wizard.
He actually knew something!
"That's right, but if you actually encounter Fiendfyre, that small amount of Acromantula venom will just make you die sooner."
Dylan was in agreement.
He actually had no idea that Acromantula venom would counteract Fiendfyre.
It seemed that he actually had to take some time to hunt some Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest.
Dylan originally wanted to ask a question of Professor Snape and then speak to the next professor.
But since he already was here.
Dylan stayed in Professor Snape's office for a while before being impatiently shooed away by the latter.
"Bang!"
It was only when the door had shut behind him that Dylan touched his nose.
"Christmas is near, and there are no classes. Why could he not talk to me a little longer?"
He could not help but shake his head and walked slowly to Professor McGonagall's office.
But strangely, Professor McGonagall was not in her office.
Dylan knocked on the door for ages, but no one opened it.
"Huh? Has she already gone back to sleep?"
Dylan looked at the clock. It was already past nine in the evening, near ten.
"Sniffle, I'll just have to wait until tomorrow."
Not being able to find Professor McGonagall, Dylan could not possibly hurry to Dumbledore and ask him to teach him the counter-curse for dark magic.
Also, it was really getting late. It was Christmas tomorrow, and he was not going to read anymore. He walked slowly towards the dormitory.
(End of chapter)
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