Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 54: Clear Water Like a Spring

The Cerberus incident was just a minor episode and didn't cause much of a stir in Sheen's Hogwarts life.

Professor Flitwick's notes were of great help to Sheehan, although the content was still vague, but there were always traces of knowledge hidden in the ambiguity.

The hand gesture for casting the Clear Water Like a Spring spell is usually described as an "upward-sloping arc".

Miranda Goshak, in "Standard Spells: Beginner's Guide," likens it to "the arc of water flowing from a water-spraying statue," a vivid and intuitive analogy that is suitable for beginners to create their own visuals.

However, in her later work, The Book of Spells, this description was revised to "the beautiful arc produced by natural water flowing against stone."

Unfortunately, I have never heard Ms. Goshak publicly explain the specific reasons for her revisions.

However, in terms of actual spellcasting effect, the latter gesture does indeed bring smoother magic channeling and more stable results—this has been verified many times in my teaching practice.

Therefore, we might speculate that this change was not arbitrary, but rather based on a deeper understanding of spells.

"I think I understand—"

The usual Saturday lethargy at Hogwarts did not extend to this owl-guarded classroom.

Early in the morning, you can see two little heads huddled together, engrossed in studying the books piled on the table.

In the corner of the bookstore, wisps of steam from three cups of honey lemon tea swirled together, blurring two serious faces.

"Want to try?"

Sheen stared at the description for a long time, then spoke to the little witch beside him.

"Of course—Agua—men—ti!"

Hermione confidently waved her wand, the tip tracing a natural arc.

A trickle of water flowed from the tip of Hermione's wand and finally splattered onto the ground.

"To be more exhilarating, more energetic... Oh, what am I even saying..."

Hermione wanted to express her feelings, but found that her words were just as vague as those in the book.
So she let out a soft sigh and could only turn her gaze to Sheehan, hoping he would understand.

"A larger arc, a faster swing of the wand, is that right?"

Sheen first used a cleansing charm to remove the water stains, then described them in detail, making Hermione's eyes brighter and brighter.

“Agua—men—ti!”

[You have practiced the Clear Water Spring Spell once, according to the standards of an apprentice. Proficiency +1]

【Clear Water Like a Spring Spell: Not yet unlocked (27/30)】

[Summoning Spell: Not yet unlocked (1/30)]

[Levitation Spell: Beginner Level (200/900)]

In just half a day, Sheen had already grinded the Clear Water Spring Spell to the point of almost unlocking it.

This wouldn't have been possible without Hermione's help; Miss Granger truly possessed a talent for spells.
Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to become Professor Flitwick's confidant later on.

Sheen used a cleaning spell to sweep away the water stains on the ground, and before he was completely exhausted, he practiced a few more times.

[You have practiced the Clear Water Spring Spell once, according to the standards of an apprentice. Proficiency +1]

[You have practiced the Clear Water Like a Spring Spell once at a beginner level, proficiency +3]

The "Clear Water Like a Spring" spell has been unlocked.

It's not too difficult.

But the feeling of being exhausted was unpleasant; Sheen felt like he couldn't even lift his wand.

He exchanged a glance with the exhausted Hermione, both of them filled with excitement at having learned a new spell.

"And there's the Summoning Charm, Professor Flitwick's notes mention:"
When a wizard summons an unknown item, they do not need to know the item's name, but they do need to know a certain attribute of the item.
While it's not entirely impossible to summon living beings, most living beings cannot be summoned, and those that can be summoned are not particularly worthwhile to summon..."

Hermione rattled off a string of tongue-twisting words that would have baffled anyone else. But Sheehan, who had stayed up all night with Hermione and read through the entire notebook in one go, completely understood their meaning.

After the Cerberus incident, Hermione became even more obsessed with learning spells.
Perhaps due to the pressure of some kind of crisis, she often discussed magic with Sheen.

As for Justin, something seemed to have happened between him and Harry. When he learned that Hermione had insisted on going with him, his momentum weakened considerably.

Hermione is now ignoring Harry and Ron, but Justin has changed his opinion of Harry:

"Sheen, I think there's a huge difference between how I perceived Harry and how I perceived him, especially when I talked to him..."

He even expressed his apology to Hermione to me, and his expression was genuine...

We chatted for a while, and I have to say, if I encountered trouble like that Slytherin,

I also find it difficult to control myself from breaking school rules.

Justin seemed to have some感慨 (feelings of emotion/reflection).
"If this experience taught me anything, it's that you shouldn't judge things before you know the whole story."

Mother is absolutely right.

Sheen nodded slowly, then turned and left the classroom.

He was really curious about Mrs. Finley; she must be radiant.

Justin, the only one left, miraculously brought Hermione a note:
Sorry, Granger

This was both unexpected and yet perfectly reasonable for Sheen.

During his first year, Harry displayed precocity and resilience.

He grew up amidst bullying and neglect in the Dursleyan family, yet he did not become twisted or cowardly.

Instead, it fostered a quiet kindness and a strong desire for justice.

Sheen was probably the wizard who understood this feeling best among all the first-year wizards.

After all, they were all orphans.

If it is the strong sense of self that underpins Sheen's character and prevents him from going astray,
So Harry is pure resilience.

Harry was never a bad kid, nor was he a complete brute.
If he had to describe him, Sheen thought he was a war orphan who deserved some favoritism.

Those childhood memories that were only briefly mentioned in the original work are dark and damp enough to linger for a long time.

Therefore, Sheehan did not think that it was something to complain about for Headmaster Dumbledore to summon Professor Quirrell to Hogwarts and design various dangerous traps on the fourth floor.

If Harry cannot grow up, and if Headmaster Dumbledore cannot use this opportunity to eliminate Two-Face...
So who will deal with Voldemort?

The only thing to be careful about is that you must stay as far away from Professor Quirrell as possible.

Thinking this, Sheen let out a soft breath.

The warm breeze ruffled his hair, making his emerald green eyes even brighter.
The grass was filled with a misty vapor after the rain, and a fresh, earthy scent wafted through the air. You could also faintly smell the musty odor emanating from the oak seats in the stands, soaked by the night dew.

Sheehan found Mrs. Hodge gathering her brooms here, and he hurried over to her:

"Mrs. Hodge, may I practice flying broomsticks here? It won't be long."

Sheen asked the question hesitantly.

"Oh, who do you think I'm waiting for? Mr. Green, use this broom!"

Lady Hodge's hawk-like eyes swept over Sheen, and she tossed him a fairly intact Seven Star Sweep weapon.

"Thank you."

Sheen nimbly mounted his broom, and whether it was psychological or not, he clearly felt the fatigue from practicing spells dissipate somewhat.

(End of this chapter)