Chapter 165: An Itch in the Heart
The desire for excellence is not a mistake.
Percy simply hadn't received much effective guidance from his parents and teachers.
His mother, Mrs. Weasley, certainly had a positive influence, but she only encouraged him to be a better person, which didn't resolve his confusion.
His father, Arthur, had the opposite effect. As an unseen figure of authority with independent legislative and executive powers, his restraint in exercising his rights made him seem like an unmotivated slacker.
Yet, he wasn't always so restrained. Arthur's abuses of power in his private hobbies (misuse of magic on Muggle artifacts) and personal vendettas (the extensive search of Malfoy Manor) made it difficult for him to provide effective guidance to Percy.
People could hardly imagine the disaster if someone like Arthur became Minister for Magic. Goodness alone cannot guide a great ship far; wisdom is required. Otherwise, Dumbledore wouldn't have considered Fudge over Arthur back then.
Percy always seemed to have a plan, but perhaps no one was more confused than he was.
His confusion lay in having choices. Yes, his excellence presented him with too many options, but he didn't know which to choose.
Then, during that continuously rainy moment, the young man saw light.
Professor Lockhart waved his wand at the sky, and light streamed down, instantly illuminating the path ahead.
Percy prayed for guidance.
And he did receive guidance, but it still didn't resolve his confusion.
Professor Lockhart seemed unwilling to say more, merely directing him to work.
Alright.
Then, work it was.
Percy hoped that by helping the professor diligently, he would receive deeper instruction.
But strangely, as he diligently waved his wand, cleaning every corner, trying to use the Scouring Charm more effectively and easily, his confused and wavering heart actually settled down.
He felt a peace he had never experienced before.
He gradually became somewhat absorbed in the beauty that magic brought him, a kind of beauty he had never felt before.
It was difficult to describe in words. The joy he had previously derived from using magic well came from a sense of superiority compared to others, from the praise of professors, parents, and brothers, and from the admiration or envy of classmates.
However, at this moment, he felt the joy that magic itself brought.
He became increasingly adept at the Scouring Charm, a spell he had instinctively overlooked in the past. The effects of his magic visibly underwent subtle changes.
Finally, he thoroughly cleaned every corner of the small building. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, and the house was so clean it seemed to glow, making him feel immensely satisfied.
But when he went to claim credit from the professor, the professor merely shook his head and said, "Not enough, Percy."
Not enough?
It was already so clean!
Percy was somewhat bewildered, even feeling a subtle anger, a desire for approval that was denied. But he ultimately turned back to continue cleaning the house. After a moment's thought, he began to try using the Reparo Charm to fix some damaged parts.
Then he was criticized.
"That's not how you use the Reparo Charm."
Lockhart had somehow appeared behind him, scrutinizing the paintwork of the staircase handrail that Percy had repaired with the charm.
He shook his head. "You'll erase the century-old history of this old house. Do you understand 'restore to original condition'? You can make it look clean and polished, but you can't destroy its character."
Percy was somewhat lost, at a loss for what to do.
"Breathing, can you understand the concept of breathing?" Lockhart guided. "Breathing is fundamental to maintaining life. It seems like an individual's own affair, but it's actually an interaction between life and the world."
"Magic is the same. It seems like your own affair, but actually, magic is an interaction between you and the object of your spell."
"When you cast a spell, you can't just focus on yourself—a firm will, extraordinary wisdom, wonderful imagination, infinite desire—these are not enough!"
"You must focus on the object of your spell, whether it's a person, an object, or even an event. You must focus on it, enter into it, interact with it, and feel its essence."
"Just like you breathe."
Percy had previously shown extremely high talent in mastering magical techniques, but when it came to grasping these mysterious aspects, he seemed a bit clumsy.
The professor seemed quite disgusted, shaking his head. "If you don't grasp this, don't touch my house again; you'll ruin it."
Percy's face instantly flushed red. He didn't know what to do for a moment.
Fortunately, the professor was willing to give him another chance. He picked up a ceramic cauldron from a nearby shelf and casually smashed it on the floor.
With a crash, it shattered into pieces.
The professor looked down. "36 fragments, which means you have 36 opportunities to try and repair each fragment."
Magic is sometimes difficult to describe accurately with words. All magical theories are actually flawed; they can only serve as guidance to help one find the correct answer.
But this method wasn't suitable for Percy.
He had noticed this when teaching Hermione. These rule-bound children who preferred dogmatic learning shouldn't be given too much theory; it would only lead them astray. Instead, they should be encouraged to try, and after many attempts, the feeling would emerge.
Lockhart cast a Reparo Charm on one of the fragments. Some fine powder on the ground quickly gathered, adhering the fragment back together. Not only that, but some of its imperfections were also repaired, yet it still looked full of the weathered charm of extensive use.
If one carefully observed it, it was as if one could glimpse some stories from the cauldron's past, when its owner used it.
"This is your reference answer."
Saying that, he turned and left.
This was a very old-fashioned teaching method: the master gives the answer, and then the apprentice reflects on how to achieve that answer.
This is how experiences like "feel" and "inspiration" are passed down.
This method is highly inefficient and difficult to standardize. It can only be done through extensive, long-term, one-on-one guidance.
Most crucially, sometimes the master himself has taken the wrong path, and then there's nothing to be done but for the apprentice, once they've grasped this feeling, to reflect and correct themselves.
Percy picked up the repaired fragment and stared at it blankly. He looked at the professor's retreating back with some confusion, then finally crouched down, drew his wand, and began to diligently try.
Around noon, the professor called him to the Hog's Head Inn next door for a meal. He said nothing more to Percy, returning to the small building to continue his own work.
So Percy once again immersed himself in contemplating the Reparo Charm.
Not long after, someone else knocked on the door.
He opened it and found a second-year student, the plump follower trailing behind Malfoy: Vincent Crabbe.
Crabbe hadn't come on his own initiative; Lockhart had called for him.
According to school rules, second-year students weren't allowed to visit Hogsmeade Village on weekends. For Crabbe to come, Professor Lockhart had personally sought permission from Professor McGonagall.
With a 12-year-old wizard who had lost his parents, and a professor willing to teach him more, Professor McGonagall sighed and approved the request, seeing Crabbe's dull, simple demeanor.
But actually, Crabbe was there to work.
This child, who had been taught by Lockhart earlier, clearly got the hang of the tasks quicker. He held a torch, clearing the dark corners of what appeared to be a century-old wooden house, where dark forces might reside.
Interestingly, the two young wizards learning under Lockhart seemed so different.
One was extremely clumsy, the other extremely bright, yet both, with a clumsy and spiritual grace, stumbled along his magical path.
One moved towards "reality," becoming grounded, and letting their spirit bloom.
The other moved towards "mystery," lifting their feet off the ground, their spirit no longer bound.
Lockhart observed the states of the two young wizards with interest, occasionally offering guidance.
"Professor, I found something!"
Crabbe suddenly raised his hand, vigorously waving the torch he held. The flame surged, casting flickering light into the dark corner.
Percy clearly reacted quickly, his steps hasty as he strode over, instinctively shielding the younger student, gripping his wand tightly. "What happened?"
"Yes, what did you find?" Lockhart chuckled, eating an apple he had brought from the Great Hall during lunch. He didn't offer any more hints, just observed from the side to see if they could handle the impending crisis.
"I don't know," Crabbe answered straightforwardly. If he didn't know, he didn't know. He was very direct in this regard. Under Lockhart's guidance, he carefully felt the information coming from the flame again. "It's like an itch in the heart."
"???" Percy, who had been solemn and alert, looked back at Crabbe with a bewildered expression, as if to confirm he hadn't misheard. "An itch in the heart?"
"An itch in the heart?" Lockhart nodded, acknowledging Crabbe's perception of this dark magical force.
Good, he was already touching the depths of magical property.
"It's just—"
Crabbe scratched his head, struggling to describe it. Finally, he could only gesture and scratch his arm. "It's like it feels really itchy, but when you scratch it, you can't reach it. It's deeper inside."
"It's a Dark magical creature."
Lockhart pointed, looking at Percy. "You tell me, what kind of Dark magical creature would cause such an effect?"
"Doxy!" The answer was clear. As a smart, straight-A student, Percy instantly had the answer, needing no further guidance.
"It makes people feel restless and uneasy, but they can't quite pinpoint the source of the unease in their thoughts. If this kind of Dark magical creature appears in a home, it causes wizards and Muggles to experience insomnia, mood swings, waking up startled and unable to fall back asleep, and other problems. But it doesn't affect life forms other than humans."
That's what a straight-A student is.
Percy finally saw a look of satisfaction on the professor's face and couldn't help but puff out his chest, quite pleased.
"So, Percy, how do you solve it?"
.....
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