The next morning at Hogwarts, the castle corridors hummed with the quiet shuffle of students making their way to their classes. Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, glinting off the stone floors and the polished brass sconces. Cela adjusted the strap of her enchanted bag, which contained her notebook, quills, and parchment, feeling a flutter of anticipation in her chest. Today, she had chosen an elective class she was particularly excited for: Magical Runes.
Hermione, walking beside her, looked equally eager. "I've heard about this class from Percy who took this elective class," she said softly. "He said Professor Babbling is… very precise in her methods. She emphasizes understanding the origins of the runes, their meanings, and proper applications. I am very excited to see what she will teach us, Cela."
Cela smiled at Hermione, a warmth blooming in her chest. "I'm looking forward to this class too. I don't know much about Ancient Runes yet, but my grandpa told me that some highly advanced potions—ones only true masters can brew—actually require runes. That makes it a lot more exciting for me."
Hermione's lips curved into a small smile. "So… you chose this elective just because it might give you an edge in potions?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of playful mockery.
Cela chuckled softly and glanced away, almost sheepish. "Well, what can I say? Potions are the only subject I really care about. I grew up in a household where everything revolved around brewing, and our family's known for producing some of the best potions in the wizarding world. I've been studying them since I was little. So yes, it's more than just enjoyable—it's practically second nature."
Hermione shook her head, amused. "Honestly, Cela, you're hopeless. If it were up to you, every class at Hogwarts would probably just be about potions."
Cela laughed, eyes twinkling. "And wouldn't that be wonderful?"
As they reached the door to the Magical Runes classroom, located in one of the quiet towers of the castle, Cela took a deep breath. The room was smaller than many other classrooms, with stone walls lined with shelves filled with ancient scrolls, books, and jars of magical inks. At the front of the room, an ornate wooden desk was positioned beneath a large, glowing magical rune etched into the floor, pulsing with soft, blue light.
Professor Babbling stood behind her desk, adjusting her spectacles. She was a thin woman, with long, dark hair tied neatly behind her head, and robes that shimmered faintly with the faint light of enchanted runes embroidered along the edges. Her expression was stern yet welcoming.
"Ah, you students," she began in a voice that carried a hint of musical resonance, "welcome to Magical Runes. I see many new faces among you and some old ones which clearly didn't pass last year, but no matter. Here, you will learn the foundations of runic magic—the subtle energies, the precise markings, and the ancient knowledge that allows one to manipulate magic through symbols. Magical runes are not just signs; they are conduits of power, channels that can shape, amplify, or protect."
Cela immediately leaned forward in her seat, her eyes sparkling with interest. Hermione, sitting beside her, scribbled in her notebook, her brows furrowed in concentration. "This is amazing," Hermione whispered under her breath. "It's like combining ancient knowledge and modern magic."
Cela glanced at her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, Hermione, I bet you can make the most complicated rune and still impress the professor."
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "You really think so? You might be underestimating me… or overestimating your own abilities."
Cela leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, "Oh, I don't know. I think I might be the one making you blush when we get to the actual exercises."
Hermione stifled a giggle, and Cela's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Careful, Hermione, if you laugh too loud, the professor might suspect us of whispering secrets."
Hermione's lips curved in a soft smile. "And what kind of secrets would we be sharing?"
Cela tapped her notebook, whispering, "Oh, magical secrets… maybe about ancient runes that can amplify charm spells, or protect us from… some nasty encounters."
Hermione chuckled quietly, her hand brushing Cela's briefly as they shared the small moment. Neither of them noticed the subtle warmth spreading through their fingers at the touch and small giggles of sisterhood.
Professor Babbling clapped her hands lightly, bringing everyone's attention back to the lesson. "Now, class, today we shall start with the most basic but essential runes: the protective runes and the runes of empowerment. The first rune we shall explore is the 'Algiz' rune, shaped somewhat like a trident or a branching Y. It is a rune of protection, often used to guard against malevolent magical forces. Observe carefully its shape and the flow of magical energy within it."
She walked slowly around the room, pausing behind a few students to observe their attempts at tracing the runes in the fine sand laid out on their desks. Cela's concentration was absolute; her fingers traced the lines of the rune in the sand, the symbol taking on a faint blue glow as her magic resonated with it.
Hermione frowned at her parchment, her quill hesitating as she scratched another line onto the rune. "Ugh… this is harder than it looks," she muttered, then glanced sideways at Cela's neat work. "How did you finish it so quickly? Yours looks… perfect."
Cela blinked, surprised by the praise, and offered a small, almost shy smile. "It's not perfect. I just… thought about it like a potion recipe. Each stroke is like an ingredient—you need the right balance, or the whole thing falls apart."
Hermione's lips pressed into a thin line. "Of course you'd compare it to potions," she said, half envious, half amused. She looked at Cela's rune again, then sighed. "You really do make it look easy."
Cela leaned a little closer, lowering her voice. "Here—try extending the side branches of the Algiz rune, just slightly. It makes the whole thing steadier, like strengthening a base in a cauldron. Watch."
She sketched a small example in the margin. Hermione followed carefully, her brow furrowed, and after a few adjustments, her rune began to look less clumsy.
"…Oh," Hermione murmured, her frustration giving way to reluctant admiration. "That actually does feel more balanced."
Cela gave a tiny, encouraging nod. "See? You've got it. It's just practice."
Before Hermione could reply, Professor Babbling's voice carried across the room. "Miss Slughorn, do you care to share what you've just explained to Miss Granger?"
Cela froze for a heartbeat, then sat up straighter. "Um… well, Professor… I only noticed that by slightly extending the side branches of Algiz, the rune seems to hold a steadier resonance. I… thought of it like stabilizing a potion's base."
Professor Babbling's eyes lit up. "Excellent observation, Miss Slughorn. Practical thinking like that will take you far."
Hermione watched Cela with a mix of pride and envy, her quill tapping idly against the desk.
Cela bowed her head slightly, a faint flush of pride touching her cheeks.
Hermione leaned over, her eyes flicking from Cela's rune to her own less steady work. "See? I told you… you're brilliant," she whispered, her tone light, but there was a subtle edge of reluctance beneath the praise.
Cela grinned, meeting her gaze. "You always have to make me blush, don't you?"
Hermione gave a soft laugh and nudged her shoulder, though her lips curled in something closer to a smirk than pure amusement. "Perhaps I do. But don't get too smug about it. One of these days, I'll be faster than you."
Cela tilted her head, eyes glinting playfully. "I'll be waiting for that day."
Hermione rolled her eyes, half exasperated, half amused, though her quill was already scribbling adjustments to her rune, determined not to fall behind.