Chapter 38: Summoning Charm

Professor Flitwick had extensive teaching experience, and he knew that most students had limited patience. After teaching the theory of spells for a while, he began instructing everyone on how to use magic, starting with the Lumos Charm, which was the first spell the first-year students learned.

The Lumos Charm was one of the greatest magical inventions of the 18th century, and it was also one of the simplest and most practical spells.

"Come on, repeat after me, 'Lumos flicker!'" Professor Flitwick spoke as if he were teaching children in kindergarten.

"Lumos flicker," everyone chanted.

"Very good. Just lift your wand gently and say the incantation 'Lumos flicker,'" Professor Flitwick demonstrated the practical use to the entire class. He repeated, "Remember, the wand movement and correct pronunciation of the incantation are crucial."

"Now, why don't we give it a try?"

The classroom immediately filled with the sound of incantations. Albert, of course, also pretended to practice the Lumos Charm. Even though he had already mastered it, he couldn't just stand there watching while everyone else was practicing. It would be quite awkward to be the odd one out.

"Everyone, look! Mr. Anderson has succeeded. He has successfully mastered the spell," Professor Flitwick exclaimed. "Well done, Gryffindor! Five points to you."

Everyone turned to look, and under all those gazes, Albert felt a bit uncomfortable. He turned his head and glared at Lee Jordan, who was patting his shoulder a little too enthusiastically.

In reality, there were quite a few students who managed to light up their wands immediately, but they couldn't maintain it for long, and the light on their wands would go out.

The twins and Lee Jordan still hadn't fully mastered the spell by the end of the class. Diego managed to light up his wand, but it soon extinguished.

Of course, there were some minor accidents in the spellcasting classroom. A Hufflepuff student forcefully waved their wand, resulting in flames shooting out and igniting the unfortunate person's robe in front of them.

That individual was punished by Professor Flitwick and had to write the sentence, "I am a wizard, not a baboon swinging a stick," multiple times.

Shanna, who had spoken to Albert earlier in the morning, didn't fare well either. She tried multiple times without success, and her wand emitted a choking black smoke, which Professor Flitwick promptly banished from the classroom using magic.

"I just can't learn it," Shanna looked utterly hopeless.

"Don't worry, everyone still has time to master this magic," Professor Flitwick reassured the students who couldn't light up their wands. He continued, "You need to maintain the right mindset and focus."

Before the end of class, Professor Flitwick assigned homework to practice the Lumos charm.

"Your homework is to practice the Lumos charm. We will continue learning this spell and its counter-spell in the next class."

Of course, for Albert, his homework was already completed.

After class, Albert intentionally stayed behind and planned to ask Professor Flitwick some questions.

Well, it was about the magic of conjuring an umbrella using a wand.

"Mr. Anderson, you did well with the duplicating charm," Professor Flitwick smiled as he observed the student in front of him. "You have a talent for charms."

"Thank you for your praise, Professor Flitwick," Albert gladly accepted the compliment. "I would like to ask you about a specific magic."

"What magic is that?"

"I want to know how to conjure an umbrella from a wand," Albert stated his question, intending to take this opportunity to learn that magic.

"Conjure an umbrella?" Professor Flitwick seemed puzzled. "Why do you want to conjure an umbrella from your wand?"

"Well, you know, it has been raining a lot these past few days, and I thought if I could conjure an umbrella, I wouldn't have to worry about getting wet in the rain!" Albert said earnestly.

Professor Flitwick couldn't help but laugh. Some people study magic just to make things more convenient, and Mr. Anderson in front of him was undoubtedly one of those people.

"Mr. Anderson, do you know what a charm is?" Professor Flitwick asked with a smile.

"A charm is a spell that adds specific properties to an object or creature," Albert recited the theory of charms he had just learned in class. So, conjuring an umbrella from a wand doesn't fall under the study of charms?

"It seems you understand," Professor Flitwick nodded. "What you mentioned, conjuring an umbrella from a wand, actually belongs to a branch of Transfiguration called Summoning."

"Summoning?" Albert had only heard of the Summoning Charm before.

Professor Flitwick raised his wand and conjured a flower out of thin air.

"This is Summoning. The incantation doesn't create something out of thin air. No one can create something out of nothing," Professor Flitwick handed the unknown flower to Albert and continued, "I simply summoned the flower from somewhere else."

"I see, I think I understand now. It's like the Banishing Charm, where things are not truly disappearing but rather being moved away from us," Albert replied.

"Yes, it seems you have studied the textbook well," Professor Flitwick was pleased that Albert could understand. He added, "Summoning is part of the O.W.L. curriculum, and its counterpart is Vanishing Charm. The Vanishing Charm is relatively simpler. If you want to further explore these subjects, I suggest you ask Professor McGonagall. She would be delighted to discuss these topics with you."

"Of course, if you have any difficulties in charms, you can come to me for help," Professor Flitwick pointed to the three students waiting at the door. "You have another class to attend, don't be late."

"Professor, I have one more question."

Professor Flitwick didn't speak, waiting for Albert to continue.

"Is it possible to store the light produced by the Lumos charm so that it can be used without magic? I mean, outside of magical environments," Albert raised his question, thinking it might be related to the principles of Dumbledore

's Deluminator.

"That's an interesting idea. From what I know, it should be possible, but it would be quite challenging for you because it involves many complex elements," Professor Flitwick was impressed that Albert brought up such a question. "I'm curious, why do you have such an idea?"

"In the Muggle world, there is a device called a flashlight. It's like the Lumos charm, where you can turn the light on or off according to your will," Albert explained. Then, his voice paused as he noticed a new task appearing on the panel.

Inventor of Magical Lamps.

It seems like you accidentally stumbled upon a certain field, why not develop your ideas further?

Research and create a magical lamp.

Reward: 3000 experience points, Lumos charm level +1, Nox charm level +1, Title: Inventor of Magical Lamps.

After leaving the classroom, George quickly approached Albert, curious. "What question were you asking Professor Flitwick?"

"What question? It was about how to conjure an umbrella using a wand, of course."

"And what was the result?"

"Professor Flitwick said it belongs to the O.W.L. curriculum in Transfiguration," Albert felt a bit frustrated. He wondered if he should find a way to learn Summoning.

"It seems like you won't be able to conjure an umbrella anytime soon," Fred couldn't help but laugh.

The four of them walked together towards the History of Magic classroom on the second floor.

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(End of this chapter)