A brief history of spell evolution, Harry's suspicions

Will had no idea what was happening in the Gryffindor Common Room and continued enjoying his carefree days.

Ever since his clash with Yaxley and the others in the common room, his dormitory had become a private room, and nobody called him "Ravenclaw's spy" anymore. At least, nobody said it to his face. He could not be bothered to worry about what they said behind his back.

As for the families behind those students, just as he had expected, they had exerted no influence within Hogwarts.

One day after Charms class, Will approached Professor Flitwick.

"Will, why isn't Miss Lestrange with you today?" Professor Flitwick teased him. The two had become quite familiar with each other, and Professor Flitwick was very fond of this young wizard with his thirst for knowledge and his polite, modest manner.

"I had a few things to ask you, so I let her go and spend time with her friends." Will handed Professor Flitwick his notebook. "Professor, I'd like to know how runes developed into the modern spellcasting system."

Professor Flitwick gave Will a surprised look. "Will, runes are third-year material. There's no need for you to learn about them at this stage."

"Professor, I'm not trying to learn runes. I just want to know why wizards switched from using runes to using spells, and how the two are connected and how that transition happened," Will explained. "That would make it easier for me to understand the modern spellcasting system. When you visited my home, you only explained the connection between emotions and spells."

"All right." Professor Flitwick cast a Levitation Charm on his stack of books. "Let's go to my office."

Will followed Professor Flitwick to his office.

"No one knows who created runes or when they were created. Some say it was Merlin, others say Odin, and still others say Jesus Christ, but those are all merely legends. Ancient wizards did, however, use runes to cast magic. By layering different runes in specific structures, they could produce incredible effects: giving off light, creating flames, summoning monsters, and even distorting the boundary between life and death.

"Runic spellcasting was also exceptionally stable, and once a wizard became proficient, layering the structures was very quick. But there was one problem—difficulty."

"Let me give you an example." Professor Flitwick traced an intricate, twisting pattern in the air with his wand. "Do you recognize this?"

"Sowilo, the sun. It also carries the meanings of light and brightness." Will pronounced the rune in a strange, awkward tone that sounded almost impossible for a human to decipher.

"You've actually started studying runes?" Professor Flitwick was surprised by Will's progress, but continued his explanation. "Every rune in its original form is difficult for wizards to master, because they aren't ordinary syllables or words. They are special characters that truly contain magic. That was why ancient wizards were powerful but few in number."

"And so, after generations of wizards made 'improvements,' the syllables of runes were simplified into incantations. That is why wizards recite incantations to cast spells. As for the structures of the runes..."

Will understood at once. "The layering of runic structures became the wand movements wizards use today?"

"Exactly. That is why I emphasize pronunciation and wand movements when young wizards learn spells: so you can master them more accurately and quickly." Professor Flitwick paused. "The classic example is the wizard Baruffio. While casting a Levitation Charm, he said [S] instead of [F], and found himself lying on the floor with a buffalo standing on his chest. His pronunciation caused an error in the spell's structure. In runic terms, he had used the wrong runic structure."

[You gained new spell knowledge. Charms experience +22]

[You gained new runic knowledge. Runes experience +7]

At that moment, Will realized that he had to take Runes as an elective.

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick. If possible, could I come to you after class to learn more about spells?" Will was no fool. Professor Flitwick helped him earn a good deal of experience every time, so seeking his guidance could only benefit him.

"Of course. If you'd like, how about once or twice a week, in the afternoon or evening?" Professor Flitwick always welcomed students who loved learning.

"Thank you very much, Professor Flitwick."

One afternoon some time later, Neville asked Will for help with the Summoning Charm again. Neville had already grasped the basics and only had a few minor flaws left to iron out. Soon, they left the Room of Requirement and parted at the entrance to the Great Hall. Will headed straight inside, while Neville returned to the common room. Harry and Ron happened to witness the scene.

"What sort of evil experiment do you think that guy's planning to use Neville for?" Ron asked Harry beside him, frowning as he stared at Will in the Great Hall.

Harry scratched his head. "I don't know, but I feel like he really is helping Neville."

"Harry, George and the others told me they keep running into him when they sneak out at night. Think about it. A Slytherin who's always wandering around at night—what does that tell you?" Ron lowered his voice.

"That he can't sleep at night?"

"What if he's looking for that thing too? Remember, Neville saw that dog with us that day. Maybe he's trying to force answers out of Neville." Ron was completely oblivious to the holes in his own argument.

Harry knew what Ron meant—the thing guarded by that terrifying three-headed dog, the thing beneath the Trapdoor.

"Surely... he wouldn't..." Harry's instincts told him Will probably was not a bad person, but Snape's favoritism toward Will had made him somewhat suspicious of Will as well.

Then Harry's gaze followed Will, and he saw him approach Snape. They exchanged a few words, and Snape suddenly looked over at Harry, staring into his eyes. Harry felt a faint pain in the scar on his forehead.

He covered his forehead and lowered his head. Ron caught hold of him in concern.

"What's wrong, Harry? Is your scar hurting again?"

"It must... it must be Snape's doing."

"He realized we suspect his little Dark wizard, so he attacked you as a warning! That has to be it." Ron quickly worked out the "whole story" and spoke through gritted teeth.

Harry held his forehead without saying anything, so Ron helped him back to the common room. Neither of them noticed, at any point, that a young man with a large purple scarf wrapped around his head was watching them from the staff table.

Will still had no idea that Harry and Ron were now suspicious of him. He had just received a permission slip for the Restricted Section, allowing him to borrow books on runes from there.

"Thank you very much, Professor Snape."