Justin's words stunned Shawn. Unexpectedly, Justin suddenly became passionate, spouting out many words like a machine gun.
"We could totally let Hogwarts students read it for free first! I believe everyone has long been tortured enough by boring magical history, Professor Binns' vague lectures, and those terribly long History of Magic essays!" He said even more excitedly, "If everyone's feedback is good, we can contact publishers to publish it. Think about it: students from more than one magical school need them!"
Shawn didn't answer immediately. He knew that book distribution and publishing were both long processes. "The notes aren't comprehensive," Shawn said softly. He studied History of Magic for the history of magic itself. Even if Justin's idea were feasible, it wouldn't change his learning progress plan. He would complete organizing the History of Magic as planned. However, if other benefits could arise from this, that would also be nice.
"All right, all right, but after you finish the notes, you have to let me try selling them among young wizards, right?" Justin's voice became much quieter, carrying sincere pleading.
Shawn nodded.
Monday at Hogwarts was much noisier than usual. In corridors, classrooms, and common rooms, you could see young wizards enthusiastically discussing something at any time. Shawn was quite puzzled by all this but didn't plan to investigate deeply. He was preparing to head to the hidden classroom.
In the corridor, Shawn suddenly heard a cough. Looking up, he found it came from Sir Cadogan. He had tied himself to a straw, trying to disguise himself as a scarecrow in a beautiful rice field painting. But he forgot to remove his armor and his sword.
Hogwarts portraits often moved around. They sometimes felt no different from furniture. So what could be more entertaining than seeing who could disguise themselves as another portrait the longest? Unfortunately, Sir Cadogan was never good at this disguise. Imagine: he once imitated Lady Violet, sitting in her frame, wearing her hat and talking in a high, comical voice. Probably had the same effect as Professor Snape in women's clothing.
"Ahem..." Shawn heard coughing again. He rather helplessly tore off a page, wrote "Sir Cadogan" in large letters, and stuck it on the portrait.
"Oh! Little Green! You found me again! How sad. Why won't you go discuss Quidditch with them!" Shawn heard a wail.
"Oh, dear Sir Cadogan, you couldn't even last three minutes. Truly poor. Looks like you owe me another bottle of liquor!" Then came a teasing voice.
Shawn turned his head, puzzled. This was the second time he'd heard the word Quidditch. Soon, his confusion was answered. In the corridor, an older wizard broke through layers of young wizards and posted a parchment with gold patterns on the notice board. First-year students immediately cheered—they were going to have flying lessons! This Thursday and Friday.
Shawn also felt some anticipation. This directly resulted in him holding several books when reaching the practice room: Quidditch Through the Ages, Which Broomstick, The Broomstick Servicing Kit, Official Quidditch World Cup Guide.
Among these, Quidditch Through the Ages was the most widely known. When receiving this book from Madam Pince, Madam Pince also told Shawn that this book was practically "manhandled every day, drooled on, and abused by everyone." Shawn felt these were words of praise for any book. Therefore, his interest in this book grew even stronger.
"Lady Ravenclaw left at Hogwarts..." "The diadem, rotating staircases, and portrait." Shawn slightly jumped ahead with Mr. Owl's question, entering the classroom under Mr. Owl's glare.
"Shawn? What are these in your hands..." Justin helped carry away three books, revealing Shawn's emerald green eyes again.
"Wow! Quidditch Through the Ages! I heard getting this book from Madam Pince is nearly impossible." Justin exclaimed softly in surprise.
"Hmm?" Shawn was somewhat puzzled.
"Because a young wizard really used it as a pillow and drooled all over it," Hermione explained somewhat speechlessly.
"So, want to read together?" Shawn placed the books on the table. The longing in Justin's eyes could no longer be suppressed. He was the first to move his stool over, followed by Hermione. Three little heads huddled together.
[Quidditch Through the Ages is one of the most popular titles in the Hogwarts school library. —Bathilda Bagshot, author of A History of Magic]
Opening the book, they found some forewords. The commenting wizard was Mr. Bathilda Bagshot, familiar to Shawn.
[I have been a fan of Quidditch all my life! —Gilderoy Lockhart, author of Magical Me]
This was the barely familiar Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart. Yes, indeed, something he would say, Shawn thought. So Shawn skipped this part and continued reading:
[Those few Animagi who transform into winged creatures may enjoy flight, but they are a rarity. The witch or wizard who finds themselves transfigured into a bat may take to the air, but having a bat's brain, they are sure to forget where they want to go the moment they take flight. Levitation is commonplace. Our ancestors were not content with hovering five feet from the ground. They wanted to fly higher and farther. They wanted the freedom of the bird, not the inconvenience of the feather.]
"Wow! It's Animagus. I've heard of this magical form of Transfiguration. Remember? Professor McGonagall is an Animagus." Justin said quietly.
"And one of only seven registered Animagi in all of Britain!" Hermione lifted her face, looking very proud.
This reminded Shawn of a line: Gryffindor, courage supreme, our Head of House can transform... Well, very fitting. Reading on, Shawn's emerald eyes suddenly brightened.
[Why should the humble broom have become the one object legally allowed as a means of wizarding transport? Why do we not use flying carpets as our Eastern brethren do? Why not fly upon flying barrels, flying chairs, flying bathtubs—why brooms?]