Since Vid accidentally overheard the conversation between Quirrell and the pendant version of Voldemort, he stopped sneaking into those desolate corners. When he didn't have classes, he mostly stayed in the Umbrella House. Fortunately, Michael's enthusiasm for Quidditch finally waned—because Ravenclaw lost to Hufflepuff in the match, and two students got injured, making him feel Quidditch wasn't all that fun.
During Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, Vid focused his observation on Quirrell. Facing students, Professor Quirrell remained the timid, scared, and pitiful Quirrell. When a naughty student asked about the scene of him falling on the stands, he awkwardly and stutteringly replied, "I—I wasn't paying attention—seems like—seems like—someone pushed me—"
The students all showed disbelief on their faces—which student would dare to play pranks on a professor? They all thought Quirrell himself was too agitated and lost his footing but was too embarrassed to admit it.
Of course, no one would suspect Vid of this incident, as he had always been the model student in everyone's eyes—respectful to professors, diligent in studies, never causing trouble, a typical Ravenclaw.
After class, Padma quickly packed her bag and eagerly ran over to ask, "Going to the Umbrella House to do homework?"
Quirrell's teaching wasn't great, but his ability to assign homework was almost on par with Professor Snape. Every time, they had to write more than a foot-long essay, even Ravenclaw students found it daunting.
But after studying at the Umbrella House for a period, Padma seemed to have mastered the secret to essay writing and even grew to enjoy it. Perhaps because after quickly finishing her assignments, seeing those classmates wailing about having too much homework or struggling to write and scratching their heads in frustration inflated her sense of superiority, giving her immense joy.
Vid had seen her chatting in the hall more than once—
"How much homework do you have left?"
"Hm? You still have this much left? I finished my essay in just forty minutes yesterday. It felt quite easy, didn't it? How come you haven't even written the introduction? Weren't you paying attention in class?"
After several instances, people became reluctant to associate with her, so Padma often stayed with her sister. But judging from Pavarti's expression, she tolerated Padma's boasting just to borrow her homework for "reference."
Vid wanted to advise her not to be so showy, but Michael watched Padma's smiling face at the other end of the long table and then said, "Don't you think she's kind of cute like this? As if her face is saying 'Aren't I amazing,' 'Praise me please'—"
He couldn't help but laugh: "Both silly and clever—like a kid."
...Alright then.
Vid swallowed back his words.
He wondered if his mindset was too old, thinking too realistically, which made him unable to appreciate the silly charm of such a girl.
At this moment, Padma was eagerly looking forward to going to the Umbrella House, but behind her, Michael was winking at Vid suggestively.
Vid glanced over, then shifted his gaze back and said, "You go on ahead. I have some questions to ask Professor Flitwick."
Michael was overjoyed, giving a thumbs up and bending it twice in thanks.
Padma was a bit disappointed: "—Alright."
The two of them left together, while Vid packed up and headed to the seventh floor.
He wasn't deliberately giving Michael a chance but truly had matters to discuss with Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick's office was on the seventh floor, generally unlikely to have students come up to such a high level, so it was very quiet. In the long corridor, only the portraits occasionally muttered.
Speaking of which, Vid had never seen another portrait as lively as Griffiths. Most of the portraits in the castle simply stretched or turned their heads; some had never left their own frame.
Like Miss Claudia.
Vid came to an oak door with an eagle carved on it. As it saw Vid, it flapped its wings as if talking to itself, saying, "Vid Gray coming to visit."
A moment later, it said, "Permission granted."
The oak door slid open, and Vid walked inside.
Professor Flitwick's office followed the same style as the Ravenclaw Tower—the room was arch-shaped with thirteen windows surrounding it, offering views of the Ravenclaw Tower and Owl Tower. Sunlight through the stained glass cast vivid patterns on the floor.
Most of the furniture in the room was mini-sized, suited for Professor Flitwick's height. The bookshelf, however, was exceptionally grand, with hundreds of books stacked from the floor to the ceiling, and thick piles of parchment on the ground, most of which were Professor Flitwick's own organized notes. Sometimes, he lent them to students he favored; Vid had two books in his schoolbag now.
"Oh, Vid."
Professor Flitwick's voice came from above; Vid looked up to see the professor standing on a high, self-sliding ladder. The ladder contracted into low steps, and Professor Flitwick jumped directly from it.
He happily said: "I was very pleased with your essay on the Softening Charm. Child, do you have new questions today?"
"Yes," Vid said as he took out notes he'd borrowed before, "I've finished learning everything from Standard Spells: Level 3, and I'd like you to assess my proficiency."
"No problem, hmm... let's start with a Cheering Charm!" Professor Flitwick said.
During the ensuing time, Vid displayed all the dozen or so spells taught in the third year, each successful on the first try, leaving Professor Flitwick nearly faint from excitement!
"Oh, Vid! Oh, Vid! You're certainly a genius!" he exclaimed repeatedly, "Only three months! I watched you progress from knowing nothing to this level today! The progress is too fast! At this rate, you'll reach O.W.L.s standard in less than a year! You're bound to become a remarkable figure in the future!"
Vid chuckled and said, "Professor, I'd like to continue borrowing the fourth level textbooks and notes."
"Of course you can. I've prepared for it long ago! I knew you'd definitely finish before Christmas break," Professor Flitwick flicked his wand, and several books flew over from the table. They were the Standard Spells: Level 4 he used himself, along with the resources, lesson plans he prepared for students, and excellent essays left by previous students.
Professor Flitwick had been teaching at Hogwarts for decades, long since reaching the point where all he needed for a class was a wand. But the notes he wrote in earlier years were never discarded; on the contrary, he carefully organized and preserved them, continually refurbishing them to this day.
Vid's eyes enabled him to quickly learn a spell. But for the same Flame Curse, some could only light a cigarette with it, some could kindle a bonfire, and others could use it to burn down a city.
This was the difference in power.
And in control, some people's Flame Curse would inexplicably leave them charred, while some could control the flame once ignited, allowing it to transform, burn, or extinguish at will.
The cause of such differences lay not only in the difference in magic power but also in the wizard's understanding of the nature of spells.
Vid's eyes helped him "learn," textbooks and library books helped him "understand," while the materials from Professor Flitwick helped him touch the line of "control."