[ Chapter XXIII (23): "SPONGE O' KNOWLEDGE" ]
[ "Mr. Constantine, what are you doing?" ]
John who's busy practicing the art of Transfiguration didn't register the stern voice that is calling out to him, as he heavily focuses on the toothpick in front.
A wand on his dominant hand, and a book relating to Transfiguration on the other. Only realizing that someone is standing over him when a shadow loomed over his table.
Having lost focus, he looked up and noticed who's in front of him... The strictest Professor he has met...
Professor of Transfiguration the subject he is learning on about, Flying, House Head for Gryffindor... That Minerva McGonagall.
[ "O-oh, P-professor..." ]
[ "I-I was practicing Transfiguration." ]
In realizing who it was, his voice got caught in-between his throat, but thankfully he found reason when he remembered what his Headmaster told him... That everyone in Hogwarts is nice...
So he smiles in seeing his Professor, especially because he can learn the art of changing the form of an object to another from her... Something which he wants to learn in hearing about it.
[ "Transfiguration...?" ]
[ "Y-yes ma'am, Professor l-left this book with me, and told me to practice if I want. Look." ]
Still smiling, John then presented to her the book in his hand. And quickly she realizes what book it was; A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. A book for beginners, new wizards... For first-years actually, and now it's in the hands of a first-year.
In seeing this, McGonagall subtly gave a smile before then focusing on her original work... [ "Hmm... Alright, carry on." ]
That is giving the compilation of lists that soon-to-be first-year students would need to the Headmaster. Which seems to not be in his office, instead, what sits in his desk is a kid...
A mysterious kid that she has only seen twice, once yesterday when he skillfully landed in front of Hogwarts and today... Seemingly learning Transfiguration.
Not thinking much about it, McGonagall does admire the boy's skill in magic... But she has other works to focus on, and that'll be adjusting her teaching aid before the school-year starts.
That, and in seeing that the Headmaster isn't here... The emerald-colored robe wearing witch turned around and was ready to leave... But something, or a certain someone piqued her interest so she didn't.
And instead her gaze focused on the young malnourished blonde haired, blue-eyed wizard. Innocent and is deeply focused on learning magic... Where did the boy come from?
To McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout's limited knowledge. Sure, there is another neighbouring world close to them, accessible only to Felix that weirdo, that world filled with no-maj, seemingly similar to their world without the wizard and witches part.
What confused them is what Felix said next... Apparently from what they heard, that world would undergo massive changes, and that people there, a small percent of the population would then have affinity with magic...
To what extent, they don't know. But what they do know is that, if left unchecked then problems could occur. And also for reasons unknown, Felix told them that the only way for them i.e. the three Professors to go back home, to their original world would be to teach the children magic.
How long? They don't know. How many? Again, they don't know. Why should they? That's a nice question, all of them seemingly having answers that they shared with one another...
It ranges from we shouldn't, to for innovation, to protect themselves... But Felix's answer confused them three... And that'll be to make their dreams into reality...
To some extent they understand, McGonagall the least... But still she could understand. What she doesn't understand is that, where did this exact boy come from? For him to be so skilled flying.
Not being able to hold her curiosity, McGonagall blurted out her thoughts to the young man that was about to tap the matchstick on the table.
[ "Mr. Constantine where did you learn how to use a broom?" ]
[ "H-huh...?" ]
Pausing mid-action, John the ever-diligent student looked to his right and noticed the green eyes of his Professor staring back at him. Curiosity written to her face...
[ "O-oh, Professor. I-I, Headmaster taught me y-yesterday when we flew t-to Hogwarts, ma'am." ]
Yesterday...
Yesterday? The ever so calculative brain of McGonagall short-circuited right then and there when she heard that one word...
That, or her hearing is getting worse and worse by the day. So she asked if what she just heard was the truth; [ "Yesterday, Mr. Constantine?" ]
[ "Y-yes, Professor." ]
Not understanding the implication of what he just said, John just nodded. As if learning how to use a broom skillfully in the first-try is the most natural thing in the world.
But to McGonagall who plays competitive Quidditch back in her days as a Gryffindor Student, knows what this means... It means that she has a prodigy on her hands, and she's not gonna let this one slip out of her hold.
But... Is it true that the kid is a prodigy?
Wanting to test this hypothesis, McGonagall searched throughout the room what she could use to test the young wizard. Looking around for a broom of some sorts, or anything like that.
But other than the mini version of the Book of Acceptance and Quill of Admittance, the Headmaster Office is empty. Except for some books on the shelves which could be counted on one hand.
[ "Where is your broom, Mr. Constantine?" ]
[ "W-wait here, Professor." ]
Getting out of his chair, John holds onto his wand, leaving behind the book. As he leaves the Office... Minutes later coming back, sweating, with a broom on both hands.
The small robe which was gifted to him by his Headmaster now has some slight dust to it, due to how fast he ran from his temporary room, which is close by the Office, back to the Office.
Presenting to his Professor the broom that is taller than him, to her. In which seemingly floated to her hand, without a wand, which amazed John... As she then observes the object on her hand.
A flying broom, something which she is keenly familiar with. Her being a player in her house, and also because she is a wild fanatic of Quidditch. So she knows the inner workings of this thing...
And also because this is the first time she has held one since 4 months ago, which for a Quidditch Player is undeniably a long time...
Almost at the point that she dreams about it... I'll end that there.
[ "Cleansweep One... Safe choice." ]
[ "Y-yes..." ]
[ "Very good. Take it, I'm gonna teach you how to properly fly." ]
Huh...?!
Shocked, John froze there for a minute... Noticing this, McGonagall raised one of her eyebrows, seemingly not understanding if the boy is scared or what.
[ "You don't want too?" ]
[ "N-no, I-I want too. Yes!" ]
[ "The let's go." ]
...
On Felix's side on the other hand, he could be seen having his clothes dishelved, dirty, dirt and blood mixing together as he sits on top of a recently murdered gigantic dinosaur.
A Tyrannosaurus Rex from what the System told him... And someone that he has to kill, if not then he wouldn't get 10 Points from the System.
10 Points being low money, but he either does the mission or get electrified a day later if he didn't complete it. So face with no choice, he did what was asked of him, and killed a slightly feathered dinosaur...
With difficulty that is. Due to the battle, his favorite clothes now has holes, and some blood could be seen dripping from his legs... Thankfully the clothes could be fixed with a simple charm, by Flitwick; the wound on the other hand by rest.
About to grab his parked broom, Felix paused mid-action when he noticed the System's notification popping in front of him...
[ STUDENT JOHN CONSTANTINE LVL. 1 (RARE) HAS LEARNT HOW TO USE A BROOM (CLEANSWEEP ONE); SLIGHT PROFICIENCY INCREASE ]
[ +4.2 POINTS TO PLAYER ]
Which was then followed by a figure not far away riding a broom, rising in the air ever-so slowly before then dropping with style... Felix notices the hair color, short stature, and unique dark robes that only a student could have.
And he realized right then and there who it is, that's John Constantine, flying a broom... Outside of Hogwarts wherein dinosaurs, dragons, animals, monsters roams...
HE IS WHAT?!!
His instinct of protecting people kicked in as he flies in the air, using his broom, though shaky, slow, and he kinda is afraid of heights. But that didn't matter, as he fears John being randomly attacked by a dragon, especially because one resides nearby.
The only thing protecting Felix and the others is the invisible barrier around Hogwarts, wherein random birds would fly by sometimes, wherein no monsters or animals could enter without permission...
That, shield. Which John Constantine now doesn't have, as he is currently flying in the air... His worries override him, but he then noticed nearby the figure of McGonagall watching by... Which in then made him calm...
Not because he likes the witch, but because it means John Constantine would be fine, and is alright... [ "Thank god." ] Felix calmed down his heart, and slowly descends to the Hogwarts Grounds, and perhaps get his tattered clothes fixed.
He does love his clothes after all... Even though it might be ugly to other people's eyes.
[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]
[ 04/26/2025 ]
[ 04/27/2025 ]