Herman nodded his thanks, memorizing the words "practice Lumos first," as well as Quirrell's subsequent remarks about the nature of magic.
Just as he was about to take his leave, Quirrell added, his tone more casual than before. "You're smarter than most first-year students, and you have more questions, but that's the attitude a true wizard should have. If you have any other academic problems after class, feel free to come to me anytime."
Herman thanked him and turned to walk towards the castle.
As he walked, he mentally reviewed the conversation. Quirrell's explanation was indeed more in-depth than Flitwick's or McGonagall's, even touching on the connection between magical effects and the spellcaster's mental state, saying something like "magic is the power of the mind."
This is pretty much in line with the original story; otherwise, Lily Potter wouldn't have killed Voldemort out of love.
However, McGonagall or Flitwick never discussed this aspect of the nature of magic in class, probably because for the average first-year student, "reciting spells and making gestures" is already the limit; explaining anything more would be beyond their comprehension and might even have the opposite effect.
But Herman could understand. His way of thinking was already different from his peers, so these things were not a burden for him. On the contrary, they were the most useful parts that could help him get on the right track as soon as possible.
Of course, the so-called starting line probably doesn't apply to Harry; she's a natural talent.
It probably won't work on Neville for long either; he's the main character.
When Herman reached the side gate of the castle, he saw two figures leaning against the stone pillars of the porch, waiting for him.
Draco crossed her arms and kicked the edge of the steps with her toes, her golden ponytail swaying gently with the movement.
Harry stood to the side, arms tucked into her school uniform pockets, looking like a cool, sculpted statue; it was impossible to tell how long she had been waiting.
"Finished talking?" Draco spoke first, her voice tense with a barely suppressed but still slightly displeased tone. "I thought you were going to talk to Professor Quirrell until after dinner."
Herman took two steps closer and asked a few questions about the Bright Light Charm.
Draco pouted, pulled her toes back from the edge of the steps, and stood up straight. "I knew you'd ask that. You stared at Professor Quirrell Professor Quirrell for the rest of the class; it made me wonder if you had a crush on him."
Herman was taken aback for a moment, and could only say that this was indeed the UK, even the little girl was so open-minded.
However, we can't blame Draco. Putting aside the part about Vampire Monster being too bloody and terrifying, Quirrell is indeed handsome, with blond hair, powerful magic, and elegant and composed spellcasting. Compared to the other professors at the school (some are tall, some are short, and there are ghosts and bat spirits), he is definitely the most presentable one.
Perhaps Draco also felt that her previous words were a bit out of character for a young lady, so she added, "If you plan to ask questions for this long after class next time, at least let me know in advance, so that Harry and I don't end up standing like statues at the door."
Before Herman could answer, nor did he dare remind her, "I told you to leave and not wait for me," Harry's voice drifted over from the side, neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for all three of them to hear:
"You stood there for about three minutes before kicking pebbles on the steps, and the rest of the time you just kept looking towards the playground. I was the only one who turned into a statue, and besides, I wanted to go eat, I wasn't waiting for Herman."
Draco's cheeks flushed instantly. "I was... afraid of him, afraid that Professor Quirrell would capture him to help collect the cages. That Vampire Monster is disgusting, who knows if it will still be able to move, and I'm told that if it bites me, I'll get some kind of blood poison, and then I'll have to spend money to buy Blood Poison Potion."
Harry didn't expose her further, but instead turned her gaze to Herman: "What useful knowledge did you learn?"
Herman nodded. " Bright Light Charm, Fulgor, a variant of Lumos. It has a burning effect on dark creatures, but to ordinary people it's just a bright light. The principle is that the power is determined by the intensity of the light imagined by the caster."
He briefly recounted what he had just heard, without adding any further comment.
After listening, Harry was silent for a few seconds, then said, "This spell might be more suitable as a flashbang. This time, Dumbledore take away your flashbang."
Her tone was flat, but the content was slightly malicious. Herman noticed that when she turned and walked into the castle, her pace slowed down slightly, as if she was waiting for him to catch up.
Draco walked on Herman's other side, tilting her head to glance at him. Her tone was much gentler than before. "You're not really going to practice that Bright Light Charm, are you? Didn't you say that the right thing to do when you encounter Vampire is to run away? Professor Quirrell even gave Slytherin extra points because you ran fast."
"He promised I could ask him questions after class. If I didn't do well in my studies, I'd be too embarrassed to ask him any more questions."
Herman casually brushed it off, naturally not saying that he probably wouldn't have a chance to escape if he really encountered Vampire, since they would be targeting him.
Draco paused for a moment, then resumed her normal pace, her tone tinged with resentment, as if her role as the "big sister" had diminished, specifically referring to her perceived close relationship with the professor ( Snape ) and the ability to pull strings.
"Oh, so you've managed to build a good relationship with the professor?"
"I guess so," Herman thought for a moment, then added, " Professor Quirrell probably likes fast runners."
Draco snorted, as if she wanted to refute something, but in the end she just looked away and gazed down the corridor.
As the three walked side by side to the entrance of the banquet hall, Herman subconsciously glanced inside.
Most of the plates on the long table had been removed, leaving only a few empty bowls with soup still clinging to their edges and a few lonely pieces of dry bread.
A few older students sat scattered in the distance, each engrossed in their books, not at all like they were having a meal.
Most of the candles used for lighting had gone out, making the already poorly lit hall even darker.
When Herman turned his gaze away from the empty plates, he could clearly feel that the gaze from Draco beside him was much colder than before.
He glanced to the side and saw Draco staring at the leftovers, her lips pressed into a thin line, the air pressure visibly dropping.
Herman opened his mouth, wanting to say something to ease the tension, but after racking his brains, he couldn't find the right words. He couldn't very well say, "Just consider it a way to lose weight," could he?
He wisely kept quiet, exchanged a knowing look with Harry that said, "This meal is probably not going to happen." Then the three of them stood silently at the entrance of the banquet hall, looking at the empty plates and the House-elf who had already started clearing the tables. None of them took the first step inside.
Then Herman felt Draco's gaze turn to him, and become even colder. Clearly, being hungry had made the young lady very unhappy, and she seemed to want to eat him.