The first floor of the Magical Research Institute was a huge library, its vast circular walls lined with all kinds of magical manuscripts and books.
A staircase in the very center led upstairs. On either side of it were rows of seats for people to read and take notes.
There were already plenty of people here.
Anton even spotted Fane, a former Prefect of Slytherin House who had graduated. He was carrying out an assignment from some master, looking for information in several magical books.
Many promising young wizards had chosen to return to the school and become members of the first class of the Institute.
After a brief exchange, Anton continued up the stairs.
Before he had even reached the landing, he could hear an argument inside.
Following the voices, he entered a huge circular meeting room. At the center was a space for everyone to gather and talk: a raised platform with a blackboard, surrounded by rows of benches.
Around this meeting area stood more than a dozen round tables and booths. The great wizards were divided into groups by their research topics. Some sat deep in thought, some whispered among themselves, and others were shouting angrily at one another.
"Bullshit!"
"Young man, I don't think you understand Potions at all. Have you ever heard of Liz Xierti's Three Laws of Potion Transformation? A potion can't induce a transformation in a wizard without any underlying basis!" Professor Horace Slughorn roared, pounding the table.
Across from him, Professor Snape leaned back in his chair, watching Slughorn with a cold smile. "Liz Xierti's Three Laws of Potion Transformation are a joke. I could prove their flaws with a simple experiment. Only you would think the three laws your teacher came up with are an inviolable scripture."
Professor Slughorn clutched his