Erwin nodded, still processing the lesson's revelations. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Professor Binns paused, his translucent form flickering slightly.
"Today's session flew by—I haven't felt this lively in ages!" he said with an uncharacteristic chuckle. "Erwin, if you have more questions, drop by my office. Just knock first; no password needed. I tend to drift through walls, and I doubt you'd fancy picking up that habit yet!"
Erwin's lips twitched. A ghost professor cracking jokes? That was a first—and downright bizarre. He bowed politely. "Thank you, Professor."
Binns waved a spectral hand and glided through the classroom wall, vanishing like mist.
Being a ghost had its perks, Erwin mused as he packed his textbooks and headed out. Convenience without the mess of corporeality.
The afternoon's second period was Charms class—Erwin's first since arriving at Hogwarts. Flitwick typically started with theory, not practical spells. Charms could be tricky enough without rushing into the dangerous ones. Take Neville Longbottom: whatever spell he attempted usually turned into an exploding spell. Terrifying, really. Though Erwin had to admit, in a twisted way, it showed a spark of raw talent. Still, he'd keep his distance. No need to get caught in the blast radius.
At least he was sharing this class with Ravenclaw. As the bell tolled, Erwin ushered the Slytherins into the room. The left side was already packed with blue-trimmed robes. They were late, but he couldn't take the blame—not when Draco's dim-witted sidekicks had gotten lost en route to the loo. Two days into term, and they were still bumbling about like lost first-years. Erwin figured their pure-blood status was a mercy; otherwise, with brains like theirs, even the Forbidden Forest's beasts might spit them out, worried about catching secondhand stupidity.
The Slytherins claimed the remaining seats, Erwin sliding into the one next to Hermione without a second thought.
Professor Flitwick entered through the front door, barely reaching the podium's edge. No matter—he tapped his finger lightly, and with a subtle flick of magic, he levitated himself onto the desk atop it.
Erwin's eyes widened. Impressive. A silent, wandless Levitation Charm—on himself, no less. The precision screamed master-level control. Hogwarts did know how to pick its staff. Lockhart notwithstanding, of course.
The students gawked, jaws dropping. Even Erwin had to admit it was slick.
Flitwick stood tall—or as tall as he could—hands clasped behind his back. "Right then! Young witches and wizards, though we've met before, allow me a proper introduction. I'm Filius Flitwick, your Charms professor and Head of Ravenclaw House!"
The Ravenclaws erupted in applause, Hermione's claps the loudest. The Slytherins shot Erwin a glance; he raised a hand and joined in, prompting the rest to follow suit.
Flitwick beamed. "Thank you! Now, before we dive in, a question: Can anyone tell me what charm I just used?"
Erwin and Hermione's hands shot up in unison. No way was he missing a chance to bag house points.
Flitwick's sharp gaze flicked between them, then settled on her. "Miss Granger?"
"The Levitation Charm," she said eagerly. "A silent, wandless one!"
"Spot on! Five points to Ravenclaw!"
Hermione flushed with delight—not just for the points, but because she'd beaten Erwin to the draw for once.
Erwin shrugged it off. Plenty of opportunities left. Five points were five points.
But as the lesson wore on, Erwin started to feel the world's sharp edges. Flitwick lobbed four more questions in half an hour, and both he and Hermione raised their hands each time. Yet the professor picked her three times, only grudgingly turning to Erwin once. Another five points for Slytherin. Barely a consolation.
Where was the impartiality they'd been promised? Swap every professor but Snape for McGonagall, Erwin thought wryly. Snape at least played favorites openly—and in Slytherin's favor.
The Slytherins noticed too, their faces souring. Erwin stopped bothering with his hand. No point farming points in joint classes with Ravenclaw anymore. It wasn't the end of the world; deans favored their own houses. Still, it stung.
With half an hour left, Flitwick wrapped up the lecture. "That's all for today! Time for questions—fire away!"
Erwin's hand was up in an instant.
Flitwick nodded. "Mr. Cavendish?"
"Professor," Erwin asked, "is there a charm that lets people communicate over any distance? Like a conversation, no matter how far apart?"
This was his real aim: unlocking the potential of his Communication Rune. Could it handle long-range calls? Multiple lines, even?
Flitwick tilted his head, puzzled. "Communicate and converse, you say?"
Erwin nodded.
The professor frowned, pacing his perch. "Not that I recall in standard charms... Wait—there is something! I've seen it mentioned before..."
He trailed off, lost in thought, as the class hung on his words.
—