Chapter 24: The Curse of Eagerness for Quick Success

Ino had always admired Professor Flitwick, not just because of the honor of his championship in the magical dueling competition.

More importantly, it was because Professor Flitwick, with his half-goblin heritage, had managed to remain the Head of Ravenclaw House even during the era when Voldemort's pure-blood ideology was rampant.

In the later stages, he also unhesitatingly participated in the final battle. After the deaths of Dumbledore and Snape, he continued to teach at Hogwarts steadily.

This couldn't be explained by mere strength and intelligence. In truth, it seemed more like wisdom, the true wisdom of Ravenclaw.

As he looked at the small old man on the podium, an image of another figure flashed through Ino's mind.

The Third Tsuchikage, who was similarly small in stature, also possessed both power and intellect. After many ups and downs, he had also lived to a ripe old age in peace.

...

With the ringing of the class bell, Professor Flitwick demonstrated his exceptional teaching skills. He first used a silent Levitation Charm to make the textbooks leap out of the drawers automatically, then he bounced and danced his way to the podium like a performer.

Next, he used a witty and humorous manner to explain to all the young wizards the principles of casting spells and the standard wand-holding gestures.

Although no actual magic was learned during the class, no one complained.

After all, besides a fool, who would dislike a lively, interesting, and relaxing class, especially since... Professor Flitwick didn't assign any homework.

Time flew by.

This Charms class ended with the young wizards longing for more.

While deliberately delaying packing his books and notes, Ino observed Professor Flitwick out of the corner of his eye.

However, reality was harsh, and the imagined scenario of being called by Professor Flitwick for a heart-to-heart talk and private tutoring never happened.

"Indeed, I was being presumptuous."

In the corridor, Ino found himself laughing at his own naivety again.

Watching too many stories makes one think life is full of miracles, believing oneself to always be seen differently.

Around the corner of the corridor, Malfoy stood chatting with Goyle and Crabbe.

Meeting each other's gaze, Malfoy greeted first:

"Hey! Ino! I thought you would be held back by Professor Flitwick... didn't expect you to come out so soon."

"Draco, was I that obvious?" Ino felt a bit weary.

"Haha, you mean just now?" Malfoy laughed proudly.

"Only those dumb Gryffindors wouldn't notice. I bet Scarhead... that's Harry Potter, you know. Him getting into Gryffindor means he'll be dumb sooner or later. You have no idea, this morning at the Great Hall..."

Seeing Malfoy about to ramble on, Ino quickly interrupted:

"Listen, Draco! There's a flying lesson the day after tomorrow. You can show Potter what you're made of!"

"Yeah..." Malfoy's eyes lit up instantly.

"You're right. Scarhead grew up in the Muggle world; he surely can't ride a broom. I'll write to my father right now to send my broom. Hogwarts' old brooms can't show off my flying skills."

Without waiting for Ino's reply, Malfoy left in a hurry with Goyle and Crabbe, seemingly in a rush.

Watching Malfoy's retreating figure, Ino shook his head with a smile while reflecting inwardly.

He now knew what the problem was: being too eager for quick success.

Think about it, even Malfoy could see his intentions. How could the wise Head of Ravenclaw not notice? Professor Flitwick must have already perceived his ambition.

"A miscalculation!"

Feeling somewhat distressed, Ino rubbed his forehead but didn't blame anyone.

He then took out his pocket watch; it was 10:30 AM, over an hour before the Great Hall would serve lunch.

Considering the travel time, Ino decided not to return to his dormitory to drop off his books and headed straight for the library.

As mentioned earlier, besides the Sorting Hat, what intrigued him most about Hogwarts was the library and the Room of Requirement.

...

Meanwhile, in the castle's dungeons.

After finishing a morning Potions class, Snape didn't return to his office as usual but sat alone in the empty classroom, lost in thought.

The culprit for this was the annual class schedule on the desk, indicating the first Potions class in the afternoon: first-year Slytherins and Gryffindors.

Having already met Harry, Snape was prepared to be gazed upon again by those emerald eyes.

But seeing this schedule still made him feel dazed, as if experiencing a sense of temporal dislocation.

A Slytherin boy resembling someone from his past, a Gryffindor with green eyes, plus himself...

Looking at the schedule on the desk again, Snape had a fleeting desire to tell Dumbledore everything, including his suspicions and Ino Swinburne's Occlumency.

However, he could never fully trust Dumbledore, considering the many mysteries surrounding the night at Godric's Hollow.

Everything was too coincidental, even suspiciously so, including Sirius' betrayal...

"Let's wait... at least for one class."

In the empty Potions classroom, Snape murmured softly.

He resembled a lifeless puppet, issuing the final command before rebooting.

...

Hogwarts Library.

This place housed the most complete collection of magical books in Britain and even Europe, from ordinary educational books to advanced, profound magic, and even dark magic.

Ino was astounded by the vast collection on his first visit to the library.

Compared to Foyles bookstore in London, the Hogwarts Library dwarfed it, both in terms of the number of books and overall scale.

The five-meter-high walnut bookshelves lined up tightly, extending so far that the end couldn't be seen.

Perhaps due to it being the first day of school, the library was nearly empty.

The few young wizards present were buried in their work, undoubtedly catching up on summer homework.

As Ino walked around, he found the library felt like a deserted castle, eerily silent.

"It feels really empty... hmm?"

After wandering aimlessly for a while, Ino found himself in front of a roped-off corridor.

The conspicuous sign tempted him to look inside.

Hogwarts' Restricted Section was renowned for producing many top dark wizards, akin to a training ground for champions.

Not to mention, in the past half-century alone, Voldemort had become the nightmare of all British wizards thanks to the book "Secrets of the Darkest Art."

Tom's achievements owed much to the Restricted Section.

Meanwhile, behind Ino, a curious voice asked:

"Child, what book are you looking for?"

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