Creating magic?!
The members were immediately stunned by this statement. Even students who didn't usually pay much attention to the magical world knew that creating new magic hadn't been seen in decades! Of course, this was partly because magical research was rarely disclosed openly; newly created spells were often treated as family heirlooms by the wizards who invented them. But this wasn't something they could do!
"I know you don't yet possess that level of ability. So strictly speaking, what we're doing is expanding an existing spell, broadening its utility to create an effect similar to a new magic!"
"..."
Though they understood the logic, hearing it directly from the professor still felt strange.
"Do you recall the Pressure Charm and the Blinding Light Charm I taught you earlier?"
"These are examples of modifying existing spells to achieve results comparable to new magic."
"But those were my own creations. Tonight, however, you yourselves will modify a spell!"
The students immediately looked up with excitement, their eyes locked on Tver as though they could drown him with their gaze. They had all learned those two spells and were well aware of their power. Now, a third such spell was about to be born from their own hands?!
Their faces flushed with excitement.
Tver nodded and stood up from his chair.
"But before we begin, let's talk about something that happened here in the castle."
"Have any of you heard about Professor Snape wearing a certain outfit?" he asked with an unabashed laugh.
"Hah!"
One student couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, while others tried to stifle their amusement by covering their mouths. Even those who hadn't seen it firsthand had heard vivid accounts from their classmates.
"Now, let's think about this: if we cast that spell directly at Professor Snape, would he wear that outfit again?"
"But Professor, that's a Boggart Banishing Spell—specifically designed to counter Boggarts!" Percy immediately interjected.
The other students looked at Tver in confusion. How could the professor make such an obvious mistake?
Tver nodded indifferently.
"Correct. It's a restrictive spell—limited in its application or target."
"But the point is, my friends," he paused, building up the students' curiosity, "we should never impose restrictions on magic."
"Magic is a boundless creation."
"It springs from a wizard's imagination, and imagination should never be confined by rules!"
The students were stunned by the professor's words. Their mouths hung open in awe, unable to speak. Only their wide eyes reflected the admiration they felt.
"So, our task today is to transform the Boggart Banishing Spell into a Riddikulus Spell, making this magic usable on any object—or even people."
"Don't think pranks are meaningless..."
—"No, we think they're incredibly meaningful!" George and Fred's faces were bright with excitement.
"This is an experiment—an attempt to give confined spells new meaning."
"Then other confined spells, like the Patronus Charm against Dementors, could undergo the same transformation."
"We chose the Boggart Banishing Spell today precisely because it's relatively simple, making it easier for us to study and practice."
"But Professor, we haven't practiced the Boggart Banishing Spell..." Cedric raised his hand, his excitement tempered by concern.
"Don't worry, it's an easy spell. I'll conjure a Boggart for you to practice on."
Tver waved his wand, and a large box capable of holding a person appeared in front of them.
Of course, he couldn't conjure a magical creature.
A Boggart merely peers into one's mind and manifests their deepest fear. So why not simulate one himself? Using Legilimens and Transfiguration, he could create a crude version that would suffice.
Under his guidance, the students lined up and began their Boggart adventure.
Yes, adventure.
Boggarts thrived on fear and surprise to terrify their victims, but these students were some of the best in their year. Armed with knowledge of the Boggart's nature, they had no reason to freeze in terror and fail to cast their spells.
Thus, Tver watched as students transformed the Boggart into clowns and werewolves—creatures that were now forced to wear garish, colorful clothing.
—They were all imagining Snape's female attire, deciding to replicate it on various creatures.
Once everyone had had their turn, Tver quickly intervened before they could go for another round.
"Alright, tonight isn't about playing around," Tver said, dismissing the box and their seats with a flick of his wand. "I assume you've all mastered the Boggart Banishing Spell."
"Now then, let's discuss the possibility of using this spell on a person."
He placed a dummy in their midst and had everyone form a circle around it.
"If we imagine this as our greatest fear, would the spell still work?"
"Percy, care to try?"
"Riddikulus."
Percy flicked his wand sharply, but the dummy showed no reaction.
"Now, here's the strange part. What if I told you that the Boggart I just conjured was actually a Transfiguration of mine? Why would it still work then?"
Tver wore a puzzled expression, his left hand supporting his right, which rested on his chin.
The students gasped, their faces showing the same stunned look—"the world has ended" expressions.
"That's impossible…" Davies muttered, too stunned to come up with a response.
Tver didn't explain right away. Instead, he transformed the dummy into a werewolf—Davies's greatest fear.
"Now, try casting the Boggart Banishing Spell on him again."
"Riddikulus!" Davies said, waving his wand frantically.
This time, of course, there was no way to dress the werewolf in colorful clothes.
"Professor, does this mean the Boggart Banishing Spell only works on Boggarts because we're mentally fixated on that idea?" Bulstrode, who had been deep in thought since the beginning, suddenly spoke up.
Honestly, from what he understood, this felt a bit like a concept from dark magic—one that required the caster's unwavering will.
As if reading his mind, Tver nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. The spell only works when you firmly believe in that idea. But because of that unshakable belief, the spell can only manifest on a Boggart."
"Then we need to shift our perspective now."
"If our unwavering belief is that this spell can be used on others, could it then truly be cast upon a person?"
"So what exactly is the answer…?" Crystal asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Tver shook his head.
"Honestly, I don't know either. That's exactly why we must work together to tackle this challenge, one that could shock the magical world."
"This will be our club's current focus, so—" He glanced at the time. "After club meetings, I also hope you'll reflect on this in your free time and share your insights during our next gathering."
"Do you realize? This club isn't a classroom for lectures—it's for pioneering research at the forefront of magic!"
The students, who had been frowning, immediately perked up.
A problem even the professor couldn't solve!
The cutting edge of magical research!
The thought that these breakthroughs might emerge from their own minds sent waves of excitement through them.
"I'm glad I don't see fear on your faces. With that, our project is officially launched. Our first club meeting is successfully concluded. Thank you all!"
Tver was deeply satisfied that they hadn't been intimidated by the obvious challenges. Or perhaps… they hadn't yet realized the full extent of the difficulties ahead.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on P@treon.
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
[email protected]/BlurryDream