Bloodline

After class, Hermione was still immersed in the lesson.

The experience of personally feeling magic flow through her had nearly swept her away. But as soon as the "Magic Cube" disappeared, she felt an emptiness unlike anything she had ever known.

She was unwilling to accept it.

"Professor," she asked suddenly, "you just mentioned purifying Norberta's bloodline. Does that mean—wizards have 'bloodlines' too?"

Ian looked up and smiled faintly.

"You understand correctly, Miss Granger. Bloodlines do exist."

"Then... does that mean the idea of 'Pure-blood Supremacy' is actually true?" Hermione asked tentatively.

The moment she finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Harry, Ron, and Hagrid all held their breath and looked at Ian.

He was quiet for a moment before answering, "The answer to that question is both yes and no."

They exchanged puzzled glances.

"What do you mean?" Ron scratched his head, clearly unable to follow.

Ian sighed softly, his voice calm. "I've been researching the origins of wizards recently. The results shocked me—the ancestors of wizards were ordinary people. They shared blood with magical creatures by infusing themselves with their blood or performing some kind of ritual. That was how the 'first-generation wizards' came into being."

"So wizards aren't born that way?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"Exactly." Ian nodded. "Over the following centuries, wizard bloodlines stabilized and gradually gave rise to today's magical system. The strength of one's magic and one's talent for spellcasting ultimately depend on the vitality of their bloodline."

He paused, then added, "I once experimented with implanting magical creatures' bloodlines into Muggles. Every attempt failed. Modern magical creatures have long since declined, and their blood no longer has the 'resonance' it once did."

He smiled ruefully. "But seeing Norberta today gave me a new idea. If I can purify her bloodline, perhaps I can restore the bloodline of ancient wizards."

The room fell silent.

Hermione frowned and asked softly, "But... doesn't that prove that pure-blood wizards really are stronger?"

"In theory, yes," Ian replied calmly. "But that's only how things worked in ancient times."

He paused, then continued, "The 'intermingling of bloodlines' back then really could improve the talents of one's descendants, but everything comes at a price. After several generations of close-kin breeding, these families often developed a terrible problem—infertility."

His casual tone sent a chill through everyone.

"Most of the 'fallen families' you've heard of met their end that way. The so-called 'Pure-blood Supremacists' today have simply twisted their ancestors' beliefs. They don't understand the power of bloodlines at all, yet they use the idea to oppress half-blood and Muggle-born wizards."

Harry asked quietly, "So that means people like me, Hermione, and Ron... have special bloodlines too?"

"Of course." Ian smiled, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "And each of yours is different."

He looked first at Harry. "The Potter Family is connected to the Peverell Brothers."

"Were they the three people in the Tale of the Three Brothers?" Ron asked in surprise.

"My mum used to tell me that story all the time when I was little."

Harry was stunned too. He knew the tale: three brothers had bargained with Death and obtained three powerful magical objects.

"That's right." Ian nodded. "The Potter Family are descendants of Ignatus Peverell. He was the only one who escaped Death's pursuit. Whatever method he used, his wisdom and caution left his bloodline with a unique resistance of the soul and a talent for concealment. That's why you can keep your wits about you in the presence of death."

Harry blinked, somewhat bewildered, but still straightened up without thinking.

Ian then turned to Ron.

"The Weasley family has a very special bloodline too."

Ron was taken aback and pointed at himself. "My family? What's special about us? We can barely afford gold coins."

Ian smiled. "Poverty has nothing to do with talent. Your family's bloodline is exceptionally active. Think about it: there are seven children in your family, and not one of them is a Squib. In the Wizarding World, that's practically a miracle."

Ron's eyes widened. "That... is a good thing?"

"Of course." Ian spoke mildly. "Most wizarding families have only one or two children in a generation who awaken their magic. The rest are either ordinary or have very little talent. But every member of your family has a distinct quality, from Quidditch talent to the twins' alchemical creativity. That shows your bloodline is powerful and stable, and gives you a strong advantage in passing it on."

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. For the first time, Ron wore a proud expression.

Ian continued, "In my estimation, if the Weasley family had enough resources and education, you could become an extremely powerful family."

Ron scratched his head and smiled, blushing.

He had never imagined that "poor" could have anything to do with a "powerful bloodline."

Ian gently shifted his gaze to Hermione.

"As for you, Miss Granger—your bloodline is an anomaly."

Hermione straightened nervously.

"You have an almost perfect memory and an extraordinarily strong affinity for magic. The purity of your magic even surpasses that of most pure-blood wizards. Do you know what that means? It means that, in some way, your family's ancient hereditary factors suddenly 'awakened' in this generation."

"So my ancestors were once...?"

"Perhaps they had a sealed magical bloodline, or perhaps they were some kind of ancient mixed-blood," Ian replied calmly.

"It may simply have been chance that it became active again in your generation. But whatever the reason, there's no doubt about your talent."

Hermione's mouth fell slightly open, but she didn't know what to say.

She had always thought she was just a Muggle-born girl who had to work hard to keep up with everyone else. She had never imagined... she might have a "bloodline" like this too.

Ian studied her expression and smiled faintly. "Among your year, the only one who could probably compare to Hermione is Susan Bones. After all, she's been receiving magical training from me since she was little."

At the mention of "Susan," Hermione's expression shifted slightly.

For an instant, complicated feelings welled up inside her—envy? Resentment? Or simply a competitive streak? Even she couldn't tell.

Ian didn't continue. Instead, he put away his notebook and summed up in an even tone:

"Bloodlines aren't badges of honor. They're potential. Without thought and effort, they're just a river lying dormant."

He stood and walked to the window.

The night breeze stirred the curtains, and moonlight fell across his face.

"And magic," he said slowly, "has never belonged to those of a certain birth. It belongs to those who dare to explore."

No one spoke.

Harry and Ron fell silent. Hermione pressed her lips together, her expression resolute.

They all understood—

This had been more than a lesson about "bloodlines." It had been a lesson about "self-awakening."