Prior Incantato had failed.
All the professors present, including Dumbledore, were extremely surprised. After all, as an expert in the field of charms, Filius Flitwick's understanding of magic was undoubtedly profound.
When it came to one-on-one duels,
the only person in all of Hogwarts who could defeat him with certainty was Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the 20th century. A master capable of teaching Charms Class could never fail at Prior Incantato.
"It rejected my Prior Incantato. I have no way of forcing this wand—it would destroy this child's companion." Flitwick understood why the spell had failed.
He looked awkwardly at Dumbledore.
"What an unexpected situation."
Dumbledore stepped forward and took Ian's wand. He examined it with great interest. The feel and shape were so familiar; all it lacked was that intoxicating, addictive sense of power.
"Prior Incantato!"
He drew his wand and cast the spell himself. Yet the image only surfaced for an instant, too unclear to make out, before collapsing completely in the blink of an eye, like a mountain crumbling.
Once the smoke had dispersed, it was as though nothing had happened.
"A very special wand."
Dumbledore did not seem surprised. Smiling, he handed the wand back to Ian. "Do not betray its loyalty, and do not betray the kindness of a Unicorn Hair Wand Core."
A remarkably sharp eye.
Dumbledore had always been highly accomplished in alchemy. How could someone who had become friends with Nicolas Flamel not be a master of alchemy himself?
Some said Dumbledore had weakened with age, but in truth, growing older did not diminish a wizard's power. On the contrary, the ever-deepening weight of their knowledge made them even more unstoppable.
What made Dumbledore appear to have "weakened" in others' eyes had never been his age.
It was simply his increasingly