Bronze Book

After the holiday, the weather became increasingly sunny and warm. Finally, unable to resist the temptation, everyone abandoned their heavy workload and left the library to stroll on the lawn, relieving the pressure of studying.

Albert had just returned from Hagrid's Hut. There was no movement from the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid told him three times how he had shot the Werewolf Yolman in the knee with an arrow and successfully brought him back.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Magic refused to pay the bounty for the unfortunate Werewolf, arguing that the Werewolf Yolman was not wanted by the Ministry of Magic. Hagrid himself didn't mind, but Albert despised the Ministry of Magic's actions—what kind of nonsense was it to just walk away like that?

Albert returned to the hall and immediately spotted Fred and George playing Wizard Card, surrounded by several spectators. After two rounds of elimination, the number of Wizard Card enthusiasts had increased.

Of course, this was related to the Twins using brand-new Wizard Card, and the onlookers all wanted to borrow their cards to play a game.

Lee Jordan was flipping through today's the Daily Prophet when he saw Albert approaching, so he put down the newspaper and greeted him.

"How about it?"

"Everyone is still searching the world for Professor Smith," Lee Jordan sighed. "Nobody knows where he is. The reward in the newspapers has increased again; anyone who can help the Smith Family find him or provide useful information will receive 1,000 Galleon. I really want that money!"

"I lack nothing in my dreams."

Albert took the Daily Prophet from Lee Jordan, carefully read the front page news, and couldn't help but shake his head. "Rita Skeeter actually thinks this is a problem with Hogwarts, and that woman even blames Dumbledore. Is she crazy for fame?"

"Dad said that reporter likes to fabricate news," Fred suddenly interjected.

"I thought we'd find Professor Smith soon," George muttered, tossing down the card. "But there's not a single word. It's like Professor Smith just vanished into thin air."

"What do you think?" Angelina took George's wizard Card Set, ready to play a game with Shanna.

"Some people say that Professor Smith may have been murdered or kidnapped, which is why he disappeared so mysteriously." Albert hesitated for a moment. "I think that's more likely."

"Hey, you don't have to curse Professor Smith like that!" Fred was speechless. Albert's mouth, which always seemed to come true, was really annoying.

Could Professor Smith really be dead? "I'm just stating the most likely possibility!" Albert shook his head and said, "A wizard as powerful as Professor Smith couldn't just disappear without warning, and there's no reason for him to do so. The most likely explanation is that he was kidnapped, or he's already dead. Otherwise, why would he be hiding?"

Everyone around fell silent, for Albert's words made perfect sense; the whole affair remained strangely shrouded in mystery. No one knew why Professor Smith had left Hogwarts in such a hurry, or where he had gone.

"I thought you and Professor Smith had a good relationship."

"We have a good relationship, and I've been keeping an eye on this matter."

"Where are you going?" Lee Jordan asked as he saw Albert put down his newspaper and get up to leave.

"Go find Professor Broad and see if he has any new information." Albert got up to go to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office.

Of course, what I just said was just an excuse.

A few minutes later, Albert knocked on the wooden door of the Defence Against the Dark Arts office.

Professor Broad opened the door and gestured for Albert to go inside so they could talk.

"You're here. You're more patient than I expected. What would you like to drink, milk tea?" Professor Broad gestured for Albert to sit down. The Defence Against the Dark Arts office had changed dramatically.

"Mr. Morg said someone would explain it to us." Albert sat down opposite Professor Broad, stirred his milk tea with a spoon, and looked at Professor Broad as he spoke.

"Yes. But it's not appropriate here." Professor Broad made a shushing gesture and took a bag of Galleon from his pocket and placed it in front of Albert.

"Your spoils."

"Too many."

"The extra hundred Galleon were given to you by Ge Bo. Of course, Isobel also received one; he apologized for that matter." Professor Broad pushed the Galleon in front of Albert. "Take them!"

"You knew from the beginning?" Albert did not refuse and put the money bag into the Transfiguration Lizard bag.

"I have a feeling!" Professor Broad said. "Morg has been staying temporarily in Hogsmeade."

"Mr. Morg is late," Albert reminded him.

"He just went there to make sure you were alive," Professor Broad said calmly. "You know, there's something called Time-Turner. If necessary, Ge Bo can go back in time and directly address the root of the problem, so you'll be fine."

"That's really brutal." Albert raised an eyebrow and said, "I thought that even with Time-Turner, some things would be difficult to completely reverse and would instead drive people crazy."

"One person certainly can't do it, but a group of people can," Professor Broad interrupted. "Alright, we'd better not continue this topic. I've brought you something that I'm sure you'll be interested in."

As he spoke, Professor Broad placed a Wooden Box on the table, inside which was a thick, rusty Metal Book.

"The Bronze Book?" Albert asked curiously.

"Yes, this is the Bronze Book from the Ravenclaw's Chamber." Professor Broad nodded in acknowledgment.

"You want me to put it back?"

"Right."

"Why not have Mr. Morg put it back?" Albert ran his hand over the texture of the book and asked rhetorically. "He should be able to do that, shouldn't he?"

"Who knows?" Professor Broad clearly didn't want to say.

"May I look through it?" Albert asked again.

"Of course," Professor Broad said. "It contains records about the use of Ancient Runes magic. Morg has already seen it, and perhaps you can understand it too. However, I suggest you put it back where it is and look at it slowly later."

"This thing is really too bulky." Albert's gaze fell on the wooden box.

"I know you still have a lot of questions, but now is not the right time to talk about them. After the holidays, come stay with me for a few days, and I will tell you about these things slowly."

"Can I give up? I'll give the opportunity to Isobel," Albert suddenly said.

"Don't be so quick to draw conclusions, and besides, you're still in the evaluation stage." Professor Broad winked at Albert and said, "We'll find a way to get you to agree, I guarantee it."

"Wildsmith's legacy?"

"You'll find out then, and you'll be very surprised," Professor Broad said with a meaningful smile. "I was quite taken aback myself."

"You think I'll pass?" Albert raised an eyebrow.

Professor Broad simply smiled, showing no intention of answering Albert's question.