Dismantling Magic

Compared with the lower-year students enthusiastically playing games, the upper-year students had it much harder.

It was bad enough that they could not attend Professor Fawley's classes or play the Light Ball game. They had thought that after the duel, Quirrell might at least rediscover some sense of duty as a professor.

But he was still completely apathetic!

Their dissatisfaction with Professor Quirrell had reached its peak.

The Great Hall.

"Do you know what Professor Quirrell covered in class today?" Percy complained loudly to Penelope.

Penelope obligingly followed up. "What did he cover?"

"He spent a full two hours talking about trolls! Vividly! So vividly that I felt like I could smell that stench!"

Percy slumped completely, resting his head on the long table as he sighed miserably.

"I'm taking my O.W.L.s this year. At this rate, I probably won't get all twelve certificates."

"Oh, my dear brother, why don't you ask the esteemed Professor Fawley for guidance?" George sprang out in an exaggerated manner.

Percy waved him off irritably.

"Forget it. Students from the entire year want Professor Fawley to replace him, but the professor still hasn't agreed."

Fred shook his head with an annoying air. "No, no, no, dear Percy. The professor may not teach your classes, but he can still give you a little guidance!"

Percy glanced toward the staff table, where Professor Fawley was the only one absent.

"Who knows what the professor is busy with? You never see him around normally. How could he possibly have time to guide me?"

Recently, Tver had been digesting the duel, studying Neville, and immersing himself in wizard chess. Other than class hours, he rarely appeared before the students.

George wore a smug smile.

"Here's a hint: between nine and ten at night, in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom on the first floor, you'll see the professor."

Penelope asked in confusion, "Why?"

"As a reward, the professor gives them private lessons at that time," Percy said enviously. "But the professor must be busy then too, right?"

The twins both shook their heads dejectedly.

"The professor answers our questions while playing wizard chess."

"His wizard chess skills have improved by leaps and bounds lately. We're no match for him at all."

"We can already tell that the professor is dissatisfied with us. He's even started teaching absentmindedly."

"So we need someone who's good at chess—"

"To play chess with the professor!"

Growing more excited as they spoke, George and Fred both placed their hands on Percy's shoulders. "We entrust this arduous mission to you, our dear brother!"

"Oh, please. You just want to find someone to use as a tool."

Though he said that, a smile appeared on Percy's face. His eyes brightened, making him seem completely different from his earlier dejection.

"By the way, isn't Ron better at this? Why not ask him?"

"Once you can't satisfy the professor anymore, we'll kick you out and bring Ron over," George said as if it were only natural.

"Fine! So that's why you aren't practicing the Light Ball game—you really do see me as a tool!"

At nine that evening, Tver arrived at the classroom on time.

These past few days, he had spent an hour every day practicing wizard chess, and he really had improved quickly. Cedric, the strongest of the group of four, could no longer beat him.

Feeling quite pleased with himself, he had gone to challenge Professor McGonagall at the chessboard again, and naturally, he lost.

Still, they had reached the point where they could trade moves back and forth. He did not lose too badly, which more or less confirmed his level.

"Huh, if I remember correctly, your name is Percy, right?" Tver looked in surprise at the fifth person in the classroom.

"Yes, Professor Fawley," Percy introduced himself somewhat stiffly. "My name is Percy Weasley, George and Fred's older brother, and a Gryffindor prefect."

His smile was a little awkward. During the duel, he had questioned Professor Fawley's strength, but now, he admired the professor wholeheartedly.

"Why even mention something like being a prefect?"

George stepped forward disdainfully and told Tver that Percy wanted to receive his guidance.

Tver's eyes immediately lit up.

Ron was undoubtedly stronger than the chessboard, but the gap in skill was too wide, and Tver might not be able to learn anything from him.

On the other hand, it would make much more sense to seek out Ron after beating Percy.

"If you don't like him, Professor, we can find you another sparring partner," Fred added at last.

Tver set out the chessboard on a desk and patted the seat beside him.

"No need for that yet. Percy, come over. Let's play a game first, then we'll talk."

Percy immediately trotted over in delight and sat down somewhat stiffly, while the other four gathered around Tver with little notebooks in hand.

Their private lessons usually went like this: Tver talked while playing chess, while they stood nearby listening and taking notes from time to time.

The only one having a hard time was Cedric, who had to focus on the state of the board while also understanding the professor's lesson.

And he had no way to take notes!

So Cedric had strongly insisted on bringing other people in.

Once the pieces were set up, Tver, as usual, took White.

"Pawn to A3. The O.W.Ls are divided into theory and practical sections. Percy, what preparations have you made?" he asked casually after Percy made his move.

Percy thought for a while before answering, "I've memorized all the theoretical material, but I lack practical experience. I'm worried I'll panic during the exam."

Tver nodded absentmindedly.

As expected of a top student—always fond of memorizing.

"You've done well. The theoretical side of Defence Against the Dark Arts is easily overlooked. In fact, many students with poor results stumble over this part."

He glanced at Cedric and the other three, who were frantically taking notes nearby.

"That's also why you have exams in class. Especially you two Weasleys—you focus too much on practical work. If you fail the theory exam at the end of the school year, I'll make you do practice papers for the entire summer."

George and Fred felt a chill run down their backs and nodded hurriedly.

Tver turned his attention back to Percy.

"As for the practical part, I recommend a special method."

Not only Percy, but even Cedric and the other three stopped writing. They pricked up their ears and stared at him without blinking.

"Break the spell apart."

Tver took out his wand and said, "Lumos," but only waved his wand after the incantation had ended. Finally, a distinct ripple of magic surged forth.

Only then did the tip of his wand slowly light up.

"Break a spell into three stages: the incantation, the gesture, and the release of magical power. Study each one in depth and understand every step. Only once you have completely grasped it should you move on to the next spell."

Percy nodded thoughtfully, but Cedric and the others could not understand it at all.

An incantation was just an incantation. You said it, and that was that. Why study it? Why understand it?

Tver did not explain. This was not something they could encounter in their third year. In fact, they might not learn this part until their sixth year—

Mastery and complete understanding of magic.

This was also another way to achieve silent casting—a more difficult, more powerful form of silent casting.

Once one reached that level, casting magic would be as natural as moving an arm. There would be no need to worry about failing to cast a spell properly, nor about being unable to use a spell one had learned.