"In the first term, I taught you how to perform basic enchantments on different objects."
At the front of the classroom, Ian's voice was steady and clear.
"By now, most of you can cast Levitation Enchantment, Shield Enchantment, Illumination Enchantment, and several other basic spells with ease."
He paused briefly.
The classroom was filled with the scent of ink and magic. The students stood silently, holding their breath, their expressions focused.
Although Ian was usually gentle and approachable, he had always been almost exacting when it came to teaching.
The students at Hogwarts all understood an unspoken rule—
It was never wise to let your attention wander in this professor's presence.
"Now, we're going to learn something new—'Double Enchantment.'"
The quill in Ian's hand spun lightly before settling on the metal plate on his desk.
"As the name suggests, it means placing two enchantments on the same object. They can be of the same type or two different kinds of magic."
He began his demonstration.
Ian took out an ordinary metal plate, picked up his enchantment quill, and wrote a blue rune on it—Protego (Shield).
A flash of light, and the rune vanished. The metal plate trembled slightly, becoming a basic alchemical product.
Next, he took out a second piece of metal and wrote the same "Protego" on both sides.
The blue light sank into the metal like two ripples, one on each side.
He raised his wand and said softly, "Bombarda (Exploding Charm)."
A burst of bright light shot toward the first piece of metal.
The air shuddered. A light shield rose, but lasted only three seconds before shattering, and the metal crumbled to ash.
Then Ian attacked the second piece of metal with the same spell.
The instant the light struck, one layer of shielding appeared, followed by a second.
The two barriers overlapped in transparent ripples, completely blocking the force of the explosion.
The students gasped in amazement, their eyes shining with eager excitement.
"Enchantments of the same type—that is, 'Homogeneous Dual Enchantment'—can greatly increase the stability and strength of magic."
Ian explained calmly.
He didn't need to speak dramatically. The demonstration itself was enough to astonish everyone.
Low murmurs immediately filled the classroom.
Many students could barely contain themselves and were already eager to try it for themselves.
Ian raised a hand to quiet them, a faint smile on his lips. "Don't rush. There's another kind."
He waved his wand and took out another metal plate.
This time, he inscribed "Lumos" on one side, then "Incendio (Flame Spell)" on the other.
The runes intertwined and flowed, forming a strange magical structure.
"This is 'Heterogeneous Double Enchantment'—the combination of different kinds of magic."
Ian tossed the metal plate lightly, and it floated in midair.
In an instant, dazzling light burst forth, followed by a leaping flame.
Light and fire circled one another in the air like two planets drawn together, radiating a beauty that was both harmonious and dangerous.
The students exclaimed in amazement.
At last, they understood that Alchemy involved far more than mixing materials and metals.
"Heterogeneous Double Enchantment can create a 'resonance effect' between different kinds of magic, but mastering it requires a much stronger foundation in runes."
Ian's voice was steady and forceful.
"Next term, we'll explore it in greater depth."
A hand shot up in one corner of the classroom.
"Mr. Diggory, go ahead."
"Professor, can two different enchantments be combined into an entirely new kind of magic?"
Ian smiled faintly and nodded. "Of course. That's called 'Amalgam Enchantment.'"
He retrieved the metal plate from earlier and used his enchantment quill to inscribe a complex rune on its surface—Ehwaz (Companion).
The rune flashed, and the metal vibrated with a soft, melodious ring.
Then something miraculous happened.
The light and fire slowly fused. The heat of the flames gradually disappeared, replaced by a pure white glow.
The fire no longer burned, yet it shone brighter than light.
Transparent white flames flickered gently in the air, illuminating the entire classroom.
The students instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes, yet couldn't bear to block the view completely.
The light was warm and gentle, yet carried a sacred majesty.
Ian gazed at the white flames, his heart stirring slightly.
He knew this was more than magic being fused. It was a reflection of the resonance between the soul and the runes.
"Professor, can we do that too?" a girl asked before she could stop herself.
Ian chuckled. "Of course—but that's part of the fourth-year curriculum."
A chorus of disappointed yet excited sighs immediately rose from the classroom.
Though the students were reluctant to let the lesson end, they were already looking forward to mastering this wondrous power someday.
Another student raised a hand and asked, "Professor, do you have to take Ancient Runes to become an alchemist?"
Ian nodded. "Not necessarily. You just need to know how to use runes correctly. But if you want to study Alchemy in depth, that class is essential."
He surveyed the room, his voice even. "At its heart, Alchemy is about order and understanding. Materials, magic, symbols, and souls—none can be left out."
The students hurriedly wrote down his words.
The air was filled with magical motes of light and warmth,
Ian lowered his wand, his expression calm.
"Now," he said with a slight smile, "begin your practice—Homogeneous Dual Enchantment."
A soft hum of flowing magic filled the classroom.
Flames, spells, and runes intertwined in the air like newborn stars, glittering in the darkness.
Ian stood at the front of the classroom, his gaze quiet and bright.
He knew that the students might not yet understand—
what they had learned today was more than the art of magic—
it was their first lesson in "creation."
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