"Describe roughly what your magic power feels like when you're casting the danger prediction spell."
Although topics about magic flow were somewhat beyond the curriculum for first-year students, Evans believed that Hermione wasn't an ordinary first-year student by any stretch of the imagination.
And as he expected, although Hermione's description was somewhat vague and hesitant, she did manage to articulate the complex flow of magical energy coursing through her during spellcasting.
Continuously scratching notes across the parchment with his quill, Evans would occasionally pause to look up and fire off additional probing questions.
This was all invaluable research data that would provide considerable inspiration for creating subsequent spells and refining existing magical theory.
After all, the spells he created all originated from his unique talents, and when casting them, he would subconsciously follow the talent's natural magical pathways.
This instinctive feeling was completely different from the methodical process of learning a traditional spell from textbooks and practice.
"But Professor, I think there's something fundamentally wrong with this spell." After answering his latest round of questions, Hermione hesitated for a moment, chewing her lower lip before speaking with careful precision.
"Go on." Evans set down his quill completely and gave Hermione his full attention, leaning forward slightly.
"If a spell designed specifically to predict imminent danger requires actively reciting an incantation and conscious magical focus to release it, then I feel this spell is somewhat... inadequate for its intended purpose."
"After all, it can only predict dangers that will occur within a mere 5 seconds, and it consumes an enormous amount of mental energy in the process."
"I'm wondering if there might be a way to transform it into some kind of enchanted object instead?"
As she spoke, Hermione's eyes lit up with genuine excitement, her hands gesturing animatedly as her ideas took shape.
"I've read extensively in the advanced charms texts that certain spells can be permanently fixed onto physical objects. Although such magical operations inevitably weaken the spell's raw power, no matter how much weaker the danger prediction spell becomes, it surely can't become completely useless!"
Listening to Hermione's surprisingly sophisticated magical reasoning, Evans nodded with clear approval.
"That's an exceptionally insightful observation."
He had previously considered transforming danger prediction into a fixed enchantment, but doing so would dramatically increase the difficulty of learning this particular branch of magic.
However, hearing Hermione articulate the problem so clearly, he realized that a spell meant to predict sudden danger would indeed be tragically inadequate if it required active, conscious casting during moments of crisis.
Then let's modify the approach entirely. He'd return home later and dive deep into researching the proper fixation methodologies.
"Do you have any specific suggestions for what type of object would be most suitable to anchor this spell?"
Seeing Professor Kahn not only approve of her unconventional idea but actively encourage its development, Hermione's face practically glowed with happiness.
"I think you could potentially..."
Massive hands pressed close to his barrel chest, Hagrid moved with exaggerated stealth, shifting his enormous frame as slowly and quietly as physically possible. Unfortunately, his heavy leather boots still inevitably produced soft thuds when they contacted the library's ancient wooden floors.
"Fix this spell onto something practical like a pendant or ring..."
The animated conversation drifted from a nearby study table where Hermione and Evans appeared completely absorbed in their magical theoretical discussion, paying no attention whatsoever to the shadowy bookshelf areas.
Perfect! Plenty of room to operate without detection!
With this encouraging thought, Hagrid continued his careful advance, occasionally shooting nervous glances toward the teacher and student deep in their academic problem-solving session.
Evans actually being present in the library was definitely problematic, but still manageable with careful planning.
As long as the professor didn't happen to glance in this direction, Hagrid could slip directly into the Restricted Section undetected. As the school's official gamekeeper, he technically counted as staff, so Madam Pince wouldn't physically stop him from entering the Restricted Section's shadowy depths.
Although general books on that particular topic were readily available in the main library collection, Hagrid distinctly remembered seeing a comprehensive medieval dragon breeding research manual tucked away in the Restricted Section. True, it involved some questionable dark magic applications, but if he carefully avoided reading those specific sections, the remaining content still held tremendous practical value.
Yes, he'd discreetly borrow that specialized text, plus a few completely ordinary supplementary volumes to cover his tracks.
"Hagrid?"
Hearing that familiar voice call his name with obvious curiosity, Hagrid's entire massive body went rigid with panic, his mind going completely blank except for one terrifying thought.
He'd been caught red-handed!
Looking at the enormous figure lurking in the distance, clearly believing himself to be operating with masterful stealth despite movements so obviously suspicious they couldn't possibly be ignored, Evans felt genuinely confused by the bizarre situation.
He had been making every effort to politely ignore Hagrid's presence to preserve the man's dignity, but his overly dramatic sneaking behavior was becoming impossible to overlook.
Why on earth was Hagrid skulking around the library exhibiting such obviously guilty, criminal-like behavior?
Had he actually come to steal books like some common thief?
After remaining frozen in place for several long, awkward seconds, Hagrid mechanically rotated his head like a rusty weathervane, slowly lowered his hands from their defensive position across his chest, and produced what could only be described as the world's most unconvincing smile.
"Oh! No, no, I just wanted to locate a book about... raising hippogriffs properly."
"Raising hippogriffs?" A trace of deep suspicion flashed across Evans's sharp eyes.
Setting aside the fact that Hagrid had immediately confessed to something before Evans had even asked a single question, this type of transparently guilty behavior was raising every red flag imaginable.
Did Hagrid seriously need to consult reference books for basic hippogriff care?
The man was widely considered a legitimate magizoologist in his own right, not to mention he personally raised several magnificent hippogriffs on the school grounds already.
Something was definitely, undeniably wrong with this entire situation!
However, Evans chose not to probe too aggressively, simply studying Hagrid with obvious suspicion before diplomatically withdrawing his piercing gaze.
Sigh. When children grow up and mature, they inevitably develop their own private little secrets and hidden activities.
Even though Hagrid appeared to be several decades older than Evans himself.
"If you need any assistance or expert consultation, please don't hesitate to call on me. I've conducted extensive research into hippogriff behavior and care."
"Yes, yes, absolutely, absolutely!" Hagrid's response came out in a rushed, overly enthusiastic burst.
Displaying what he clearly believed was a natural, delighted expression, Hagrid spun around and marched straight toward the towering rows of dark, imposing bookshelves deeper within the library's interior.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Still heading directly toward the Restricted Section. This situation was becoming even more suspicious by the moment.
Watching Hagrid's unmistakable silhouette disappear into those ominous, shadow-filled bookshelves from the corner of his eye, Evans unconsciously rubbed his chin in contemplation.
Hippogriffs definitely weren't classified as dark creatures by any reasonable magical authority. So how could specialized materials about raising them possibly be housed in the Restricted Section?
That was absolutely, completely impossible under normal circumstances.
Therefore, Hagrid's deliberate behavior of walking directly into the forbidden book collection was extraordinarily suspicious and demanded investigation.
Observing that familiar figure melting into the Restricted Section's depths, Evans's natural curiosity grew more intense with each passing second.
Half a minute later, finally unable to resist his investigative instincts any longer, Evans quietly informed Hermione to continue her independent study for a brief period, then smoothly waved his wand with practiced precision, completely silencing his footsteps as he stealthily followed Hagrid into those dark, mysterious bookshelves.
Hagrid's massive hands carefully brushed over endless rows of ancient book spines, their leather bindings worn smooth by centuries of handling. He didn't rashly grab volumes at random; instead, he methodically identified the specific magical auras and protective enchantments attached to each individual tome.
Most of the books housed here wouldn't display their actual titles on the exterior spines, which meant he needed to exercise extreme caution to avoid accidentally opening certain volumes he definitely shouldn't touch under any circumstances.
Hogwarts's legendary Restricted Section didn't exclusively contain materials related to dark magic and forbidden spells. Some accumulated knowledge itself contained raw, dangerous magical forces that could seriously harm unprepared readers.
This fundamental danger was precisely why borrowing any books from the Restricted Section required an official professor's written signature and explicit approval.
What Hagrid desperately sought wasn't one of those mystically powerful, potentially lethal texts, just a practical research manual. There shouldn't be any residual magical contamination on such a straightforward reference work.
His thick fingers continuously swept past book after book with growing urgency. After carefully examining at least twenty different volumes, Hagrid's eyes finally blazed with triumphant discovery.
He had successfully located exactly the book he'd been searching for!
Carefully extracting the precious tome and clutching it protectively against his broad chest, Hagrid released a heavy, nervous breath.
What he was attempting right now was completely illegal according to school regulations, so he absolutely had to exercise maximum caution to prevent anyone from discovering his activities, especially including Evans.
Although Hagrid knew with complete certainty that Evans would never dream of reporting him to the authorities, his reasons for maintaining secrecy from Evans were entirely different from concealing activities from other people.
Thinking back over the extensive series of events that had unfolded during the past ten years of their friendship, fierce determination flashed across Hagrid's weathered features.
He absolutely could not, under any circumstances, allow Evans to discover what he had recently acquired! At least not until he became thoroughly familiar with that adorable little creature, then perhaps he'd permit Evans to visit and observe.
Although he and Evans maintained an exceptionally close friendship built over many years, Hagrid simply could not bear the emotional pain of watching Evans systematically adopt one irresistibly adorable magical creature after another away from his care!
This time would be completely different. The little one would be raised by Hagrid himself, personally and exclusively!
He, Hagrid, would become that precious little creature's very best friend in the entire world!
With this deeply satisfying thought filling his mind, Hagrid's craggy face displayed a genuinely happy smile as he carefully opened the coveted book in his arms to the very first page.
"Dragon raising? Did you get a dragon egg?"
"WAAAAHHHHH!"
(TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by tomorrow at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)