"My advice to you is to solidify your foundation first. Your innate magical talent is a shortcut, but taking too many shortcuts can easily lead to neglecting the basics. Don't fall behind in Transfiguration and Charms, and study Herbology and Potions diligently as well. These things may not seem directly related to your talent, but they will help you understand the nature of magic."
Dumbledore spoke, he pulled a book from the stack on the table. The cover had no title, only gold lettering, and it looked like some kind of ancient notebook. He placed the book on the table and pushed it in front of Herman.
"This book is an early wizard's research notes on native magic. It is a private notebook and is not in the Hogwarts Library, or rather, not in any bookstore."
Take a look first, and understand as much as you can. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me next time. But I have a suggestion for you: study levitation magic first, and don't rush into Transfiguration.
While theoretically neither is superior, Transfiguration is indeed more dangerous, or rather, more unstable.
Herman nodded in response as he reached out and took the book. It was heavier than he had expected, and the cover material looked like some kind of tanned leather with slightly frayed edges, indicating that it was quite old.
He put the book into his bag, and when he looked up, he met Dumbledore's gaze.
The old man was looking at him, the smile still on his lips, but there was something new in his eyes, as if he was scrutinizing him, or as if he was confirming something.
"Alright, that's all for today." Dumbledore stood up, walked around the desk to Herman, and held out his hand. "Next time you come, just say the password: Acid Pops, you mean this one?"
Well, it seems the so-called password is just a joke. As long as it's approved by Dumbledore, you could fart at the door and the gargoyles might even think it's a password.
Perhaps this was the effect Dumbledore wanted, such as Snape, who was so serious as if he had lost a relative, having to say the names of candies that were out of character at the door before entering his office to see him.
Dumbledore share of quirky humor, but it's understandable. If he were the headmaster, he might set the password to a dog barking, so that anyone wanting to enter would have to bark a few times first.
"Understood, Headmaster," Herman replied, then turned and walked towards the door.
After descending the spiral stone steps and stepping out of the wooden door, the gargoyle behind him closed up again, reverting to its dozing, head tilted to one side.
Herman stood in the corridor, gently touching the heavy notebook in his bag, then turned and walked to the other end of the corridor.
In that conversation, Dumbledore didn't ask about his arm, mention the Gori, or say anything about Prophecy.
The entire conversation revolved around his talent and which direction he should take, essentially echoing what Professor Flitwick had said. However, it was clear that Dumbledore knew more, even providing him with a textbook and pointing out previously unmentioned aspects: his method of casting spells seemed to be closer to the essence of magic.
Regardless, Herman has temporarily relaxed the tension he felt when he arrived; at least he's gotten through today's ordeal.
After leaving Dumbledore's office, Herman felt much more relaxed than when he arrived.
The heavy notebook was tucked into his backpack, pressed against his back. It would occasionally dig into his shoulder as he walked, but that digging sensation actually made him feel secure.
At least Dumbledore didn't mention the Gori, the Prophecy, or the things on his arm that shouldn't be there. He just talked about his talent from beginning to end, like an ordinary headmaster discussing academics with a student who has some talent.
He walked down the spiral stone steps, and as he passed the seventh-floor corridor, the portraits began to doze off again. Some of the old wizards in the paintings even made soft snores, whether they were really asleep or just pretending, he couldn't tell.
Herman didn't pay any attention. He went down the stairs from the seventh floor to the first floor, and then from the first floor into the corridor leading to the underground area.
The temperature in the air gradually decreased as the floor level dropped, and the number of candles on the stone wall also became much sparser, making the light dim and quiet.
As Herman reached the corner of the corridor leading to the Slytherin Common Room, he suddenly paused.
The heavy oak door in front was pushed open from the inside, and a black figure stepped out from behind it. The hem of his robe swayed gently with his steps, like a bat spreading its wings in the dim corridor.
It's Professor Snape.
Herman reacted almost reflexively.
He moved half a step towards the wall, stood with his back against the stone wall, feet together, hands hanging at his sides, head slightly lowered, adopting a respectful posture.
"Good afternoon, Professor Snape."
His voice was clear and polite, at a volume that was just loud enough for the other person to hear without sounding out of place in the hallway.
Snape's gaze swept over him, lingering on him for a moment.
Those dark eyes remained emotionless, their gaze like a thin layer of ice covering the surface of dark water.
He didn't respond and continued walking.
Herman breathed a sigh of relief, pressed his back even tighter, and waited for Snape to walk past him.
Snape's robe had already passed the edge of his sight, and footsteps were approaching from his side.
In two seconds, the dean will brush past him and walk to the other end of the corridor.
Everything will end like countless times before, with a cold look and a silent departure.
Then the footsteps stopped, and Herman's heart skipped a beat.
Snape stopped about a step to his side.
He didn't turn around immediately, but stood with his back to Herman for about two seconds, the silence more oppressive than any words.
Herman stared at the black figure from behind, feeling his breathing unconsciously slow down.
Snape turned around, his gaze falling on Herman's face with an even deeper intensity than before.
There was something in his gaze that Herman couldn't quite decipher, as if he were scrutinizing someone, or confirming something.
Herman felt a chill run down his spine from that gaze.
His mind raced.
Could it be that Snape found out about how he had verbally taken advantage of Harry?
I hope Snape heard that I mentioned changing Potter last name to Snape last time.
If that's really what happened, then I probably won't be able to leave this corridor today. Maybe I should change my surname to Snape? Perhaps then there's a glimmer of hope.
On the bright side, maybe it's something else entirely. But I don't usually interact with Snape much. My Potions Class grades are average, but I've never blown up a cauldron. My homework isn't great, but I always hand it in on time. There shouldn't be anything that's causing this trouble.
" Mr. Horace," Snape finally spoke.