"I feel like you guys have been really secretive lately."
As soon as Albert entered the dormitory, he noticed Fred and the others fall silent, clearly hiding something.
"How can you even say we're secretive?" George rolled his eyes.
"Yes, exactly!" Fred agreed quickly, the two sharing a tacit understanding.
"What were you doing with Professor Brood?" Lee Jordan asked, trying to change the subject.
"Helping him organize some documents. My Ancient Runes are quite good, as you know." Albert wasn't lying, though he kept it vague.
"Like I'd believe that!" Fred scoffed.
"What were you talking about just now?" Albert pressed.
"Guess."
"You're not planning to look for Gryffindor's secret treasure, are you?" Albert eyed them suspiciously, remembering the map.
"Hmm, do you want to come along?" Lee Jordan asked.
"You traitor." Fred shook his fist at him.
"With Albert's help, our chances are better. The Forbidden Forest isn't safe," Lee argued.
"I'd rather not," Albert refused. "You should stay out of the forest. Hagrid's furious—don't risk detention."
"I knew he wouldn't be interested," George muttered. "As long as Hagrid doesn't catch us, we'll be fine."
"Don't go too deep. There's said to be an Acromantula colony in the forest. Be careful not to end up as food," Albert warned casually.
Fred groaned. "No one thinks you're mute if you don't speak."
Albert ignored him, pulling MacDougall's notebook from his pocket.
"What's that?" George leaned over.
"A notebook from Professor Brood's friend. It's about Ancient Runes." Albert flipped through pages, finding a letter from Brood to MacDougall. They've known each other a long time…
"It feels like the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is very good to you," Lee Jordan said, a little jealous.
"Our relationship is good."
"No, frighteningly good," George corrected.
Albert nodded. He believed their bond was based on knowledge exchange—two scholars of Ancient Runes, one guiding the other. Just as McGonagall had said, maintaining correspondence with famous wizards was valuable. His relationship with Brood was simply a step further, strengthened by the professor–student connection.
The notebook revealed Brood's relationship with MacDougall mirrored Albert's own. Their correspondence was filled with discussions of Ancient Runes and related topics.
This part wasn't too difficult for Albert, but it was novel, broadening his horizons.
Later entries showed MacDougall had graduated. He recorded being granted a "special identity," gaining access to ancient documents and learning spells.
"Special identity?" Albert read on.
MacDougall had begun mastering spellcasting through runes.
"I can feel its specialness!" he wrote.
"It's late. Aren't you sleeping yet?" Fred mumbled, half-asleep. "You'll regret it tomorrow."
"I'm sleeping too. Goodnight." Albert yawned, extinguished the light, and fell into deep sleep.
The next morning, he woke at ten. The dormitory was empty. Stretching, he picked up the notebook and continued reading.
MacDougall described ancient magic—powerful but unrefined. The notebook listed spell names but not incantations or gestures, leaving Albert disappointed.
Subsequent pages contained conjectures about runes. MacDougall explored their special qualities but found little.
One detail caught Albert's eye: correspondence with Dumbledore, discussing the idea of making a Patronus speak. But there was no follow-up, and the notebook ended abruptly. Perhaps another volume existed.
"Can I feel its specialness?" Albert murmured, rising quickly and heading to Brood's office.
MacDougall was there, looking tired.
"You've finished reading?" he asked, noticing Albert with the notebook.
"Yes, but I didn't find what I wanted. There should be another half, right?" Albert asked.
"No, there isn't." MacDougall shook his head.
"There isn't?" Albert was stunned.
"Alright, just a small joke," MacDougall smiled. "But truly, there isn't. Do you know why runic writing is considered magical?"
"Because magic is infused when carved?" Albert guessed.
"Yes—and no," MacDougall said softly. "I can't tell you the real answer. My understanding comes from comprehension of runes. Without reaching that level, it's hard to grasp."
Albert listened silently.
"You need three things: skill in runic writing, powerful magic as a foundation, and mastery of ancient spells," MacDougall explained. "You've achieved the first, but your magic isn't strong enough yet, and you're not familiar with ancient magic. Still, you've touched the threshold. Crossing it won't be far."
Albert's mouth twitched. He hated vague statements. You're not a charlatan—explain it clearly! Otherwise, he might as well invest experience points and raise Runes to level three directly.
Suddenly, he thought of something else. "Professor Brood, could you give me a note? I'd like to borrow Ancient Runes books from the Restricted Section."
"Alright." Brood agreed, writing: Mr. Albert Anderson is permitted to borrow books on Ancient Runes from the Restricted Section. Bard Brood.
"Good luck," Albert muttered, taking the note and leaving.
"Why didn't you tell him?" Brood asked, puzzled.
"What's the use? I told you too, and you didn't learn it—you thought I was fooling you," MacDougall replied. "Albert is a genius. We just need to guide him. Trust your judgment."