The Academic Prodigy George Appears

Magical History was taken by Slytherin and Ravenclaw together, so not long after George entered the classroom, he spotted Luna wearing her homemade radish-shaped earrings.

Only, perhaps because Luna's behavior and way of speaking were a little unusual, none of the Ravenclaw students in her year wanted to sit with her, including her roommates.

Likewise, because of what George had said that morning, he was sitting alone too.

Until they were sure whether he was actually outstanding or not, no one was willing to sit with him, in case they ended up becoming a joke by association.

As for his three roommates, the swelling on their faces still had not gone down, making it even less likely that they would sit beside him.

"Don't worry about what other people think. We just have to be ourselves."

Seeing George sitting alone, Luna got up and sat down beside him, tucking her wand behind her ear as she comforted him in an extremely steady voice.

George smiled and nodded.

"Thank you."

Though he did not need comforting, Luna's action was still worth that word of thanks.

Come to think of it, although Luna was one year below Harry and the others, in terms of mental maturity, there were times when she was even more mature than some adults.

She had her own thoughts and beliefs, and even if everyone else thought she was crazy, she did not care.

When facing classmates who often joked and played pranks on her, she did not get angry either, always looking calm and composed.

To be honest, George felt that when he was Luna's age, he absolutely would not have been able to reach her level.

The class bell rang, and the Magical History teacher, the ghost Professor Binns, passed through the wall behind the blackboard and appeared at the lectern.

He was the only ghost teacher at Hogwarts. Back when he had been alive, he had already been the Magical History professor at Hogwarts.

Because one day he had gotten up to go teach class and accidentally left his body in an armchair in front of the fire in the Staff Room, he had turned into a ghost and continued teaching Magical History at Hogwarts.

"In the Middle Ages, people who could not do magic were especially afraid of magic, yet lacked sufficient understanding of it.

"Occasionally, they would catch a real witch or wizard, but burning them was utterly useless.

"A wizard only had to cast the most basic Fire-Freezing Charm, screaming in pretend agony while happily enjoying that pleasantly tingling sensation.

"Wendelin the Weird liked the feeling of being burned far too much. She deliberately disguised herself in all sorts of appearances and let people catch her forty-seven times."

There was no opening remark and no self-introduction. From the moment Professor Binns stood at the lectern, he began lecturing on Magical History in his unique wheezing, breathy, drawn-out tone.

It was as though he were casting a hypnotic spell, and some of the young wizards soon began to doze off.

After lecturing continuously for half an hour, Professor Binns finally paused slightly, then began asking questions according to his rigid teaching rhythm.

"Who can tell me how many times Wendelin the Weird was caught by Muggles?"

Although he asked a question, he did not truly expect anyone to answer. He knew all too well what his classes were like.

So this was merely a necessary part of the lesson. If no one answered, he would continue lecturing until class ended.

"Forty-seven times, Professor."

Yet just as he was about to skip this part and continue, a young wizard raised his hand, stood up, and gave the answer.

"Very good. Correct answer."

Professor Binns was somewhat surprised, but did not think much of it and prepared to continue the lesson.

Very few young wizards could answer during his question sessions. The last one had been that Gryffindor student called Grant—or was it Granny?

But in his thousand years of teaching, that did not count for much either.

"No points? Looks like just answering questions still isn't enough."

Seeing that Professor Binns had not awarded points because he had answered correctly, George raised his brows slightly.

According to what he knew, Professor Binns was the only professor among all the professors who did not award points—not because he was harsh, but mainly because his memory was poor and he could not remember to award them.

After becoming a ghost, apart from remembering all kinds of historical knowledge clearly, his memory in other areas had become very poor.

So if George wanted him to award points, merely answering questions correctly would not be enough.

"Professor, I have a question. Since wizards could use all kinds of magic to defend against Muggle attacks, why were so many wizards persecuted by Muggles back then?"

"Because at that time, the way wizards learned magic was all through inheritance from their parents. Many wizards in fact had not mastered many spells."

"So when the four founders established Hogwarts back then, it was actually so more wizards could learn magic to protect themselves, right?"

"Yes, that was one of the reasons. It seems you have some understanding of Magical History."

"I just memorized more than forty magical books during this period, including Magical History, A History of Hogwarts, Significant Magical Events of the Twentieth Century, Modern Magical History, and Interpretation of Medieval Events."

"Are you sure you've memorized that many books about Magical History?"

Hearing George's words, even Professor Binns showed a rare look of surprise.

The other drowsy young wizards also woke up one after another, gossiping expressions appearing on their faces.

"Then I shall test you."

Next, Professor Binns began asking questions from the Magical History books George had mentioned, about the times, places, and general contents of various events.

And George answered every one smoothly, without making a single mistake.

"Your name is George, yes? Very good. It has been a long time since the school had a student as interested in magical history as you."

"Your understanding of Magical History already surpasses that of many fifth- and sixth-year students."

A faint, gratified smile appeared on Professor Binns's stiff face.

Other ghosts became ghosts because of their fear of death, while he had done so because of his obsession with teaching History of Magic.

So nothing could make him happier than seeing a student so talented in and interested in History of Magic.

"I have always felt that History of Magic is an extremely important subject, and one worthy of great attention.

Studying History of Magic allows us to turn the experiences of our wizarding predecessors into our own and enlighten our wisdom.

Not only does it help us learn magic and improve spells, it also helps us find within it the way wizards should get along with one another, and the way wizards and Muggles should get along.

Going even further, we can see the future through history, illuminating the wisdom that guides us forward!"

George expounded his views on history in a ringing voice, and the young wizards of Slytherin and Ravenclaw beside him were all stunned.

Though they did not quite understand George's words, they still felt that what he said sounded incredibly impressive.

Because at that moment, Professor Binns's ghostly body was actually trembling with excitement.

"Well said, wonderfully said! I must reward you, reward you.

That's right, I can award points. I'd nearly forgotten. George, you are excellent. I award Slytherin fifty points!"

"Oh, Merlin's beard! Professor Binns actually awarded points? Didn't they say he never gives points?"

"Oh, Merlin's pants! George actually won Slytherin fifty points all at once. Looks like what he said this morning really wasn't just bragging."

The young wizards immediately burst into an uproar when they heard Professor Binns award points.