"What's this?"
Roger had seen Scott's painting too, but he was completely baffled.
The painting Scott had given Professor Flitwick was highly abstract. It depicted nothing concrete, only broad splashes of different colors across the canvas. The colors seemed to blend together, yet also stand in opposition.
Seeing the bewildered look on Roger's face, Scott deliberately asked, "What do you think of my painting, Roger?"
Roger clearly couldn't see anything worth praising in it, but Professor Flitwick seemed to like it very much. He could only force himself to compliment it. "Um... It's a very beautiful painting, Scott."
Hearing Roger's stiff praise, Scott laughed aloud several times.
"Oh, Roger, you haven't yet reached that level of understanding of magic, so you don't realize what an astonishing feat Scott has accomplished." Professor Flitwick was still very excited. "Yes, it's astonishing."
By then, students were beginning to file into the classroom. They were all chatting and laughing about Ron Weasley receiving a Howler, then came over and curiously gathered around them.
This class was shared by Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students, so Scott also spotted Miss Mill, Roger's ex-girlfriend from Hufflepuff.
But Scott knew Roger didn't care about her at all. He was still trying to make sense of Professor Flitwick's words.
The painting clearly had no magic in it, yet Professor Flitwick was praising Scott for accomplishing something astonishing with magic. The situation was beyond Roger's comprehension.
The other students were obviously just as confused about why they were standing around admiring a worthless Muggle oil painting.
Milton arrived then, and eagerly came over to ask, "Scott, is this your latest work?"
Milton, an artsy boy, didn't just like music. In fact, he had a keen eye for all forms of art and beauty.
So even though his personality could often be hard to put up with, Scott, who had studied painting since childhood in this life, still often discussed art with him.
Scott thought it was useful, because all forms of art had something in common.
Milton immediately identified the artist, making the students gathered around turn their eyes to Scott. Most of them looked doubtful, and a few even looked scornful.
But what they hadn't expected was for Milton to let out an exaggerated gasp the moment he saw the painting. "It's so beautiful! You've used such lovely combinations of color. They flow, as though they have a life of their own!"
He stared fixedly at the painting. "Oh... serene, wise, passionate, brave... If you're portraying a person, they must have wonderful virtues."
Milton seemed entranced, yet a little puzzled. "This painting feels familiar to me, but... I can't quite make out what you've depicted. Still, congratulations, Scott. I think your artistic skill has improved a great deal!"
Scott smiled. As expected, Milton had a keen sense for art.
"..."
Meanwhile, the other students in the classroom had joined Roger in wondering if they'd lost their minds.
Only Scott noticed that Professor Flitwick's face had turned a little red.
"Ahem."
Professor Flitwick coughed into his fist, then waved his wand. The painting Scott had been holding floated up and settled on the wall behind the lectern.
"Everyone, take your seats!" he instructed, ushering the students apart.
Once they were seated, Professor Flitwick climbed back onto the pile of books beside the lectern.
"This is a birthday present Mr. Trollope specially made for me!"
He proudly pointed his wand at the painting on the wall.
The students began whispering, unsure what Professor Flitwick was getting at.
Scott even heard someone say he was showing off and using a worthless Muggle oil painting to fool Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick swept his gaze around the classroom.
"I'm awarding Ravenclaw fifty points!" he announced. "For Mr. Trollope's astonishing magical talent!"
The moment he finished speaking, the classroom fell silent for an instant, then erupted into even louder chatter.
The Hufflepuff students shouted that it was unfair, and a few Ravenclaws looked displeased too.
Only Roger and Milton, sitting with Scott, congratulated him.
Roger trusted Professor Flitwick's judgment, while Milton genuinely thought the painting was wonderful.
Scott knew that most Ravenclaw students were like Roger. Though they were puzzled, they were clever enough not to jump to conclusions, and they chose to trust their Head of House.
"Quiet!"
Professor Flitwick shrilled over the students' din, waving his wand excitedly.
"Of course you don't understand why I'm awarding Ravenclaw points for a painting that doesn't move, but I'll explain!"
The students immediately quieted down.
Scott thought it was also because this class was made up of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students. If Gryffindor and Slytherin students had been there, they probably wouldn't have been so obedient.
Professor Flitwick nodded with satisfaction and addressed the students. "As you explore magic more deeply, you'll gradually develop a clearer understanding of magic itself."
His voice rose and fell with passionate emphasis.
"Then you'll come to sense that each of you has magic within you, yet it manifests differently from person to person."
The students listened attentively enough, even though they didn't know what this had to do with the painting.
Professor Flitwick gave an example. "If Headmaster Dumbledore saw this painting, he would recognize its subject at a glance."
His small body bounced atop the pile of books as he puffed out his chest.
"Ahem... If you set aside all outward appearances, Mr. Trollope has painted me!"
"So that's it!" Milton blurted out in excitement. "That's why the painting felt familiar to me."
He tilted his head up to look at the painting on the wall.
"Wisdom and courage together in a person of fine character. This painting really does portray Professor Flitwick!"
Milton was a very sentimental person who never held back when it came to praising others. Sometimes, his compliments were almost embarrassingly effusive.
"Ahem." In any case, Professor Flitwick's face reddened again. "Thank you, thank you for your compliment, Mr. Graves."
The other students now looked at the painting with fresh eyes.
But no matter how long they stared, they couldn't make out Professor Flitwick in the multicolored abstract painting.
A Hufflepuff student raised his hand.
"Mr. Diggory, go ahead," Professor Flitwick said, looking at him.
Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff's star student in Scott's year.
Scott turned to look at him too.
Before you continue