A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

On the flat, snake-like head of the basilisk, a large hole pierced through its skull and upper jaw, leaving only two dark, empty holes for its eyes.

Occasionally, gasps of fear would rise from the crowd.

These wizards ranged in age from first or second grade to sixth or seventh grade, but they still couldn't help but swallow hard when faced with the dead basilisk.

One of the young wizards asked the question that everyone was wondering: "Potter and his friends fought this behemoth? How did they manage it?"

No one answered his question.

A Slytherin student couldn't resist getting closer; he reached out his hand, but an invisible barrier repelled him.

"Dumbledore said so, Flint." A sharp voice rang out, and the crowd parted to make way for Professor Flitwick.

He was short, but the young wizards at Hogwarts respected him because he always lectured with passion and treated all the young wizards in the four houses equally.

He went to the front and walked around the basilisk. "What a rare magical creature. I think Hagrid will like it."

……

After the class ended, Felix thought about it and decided to go to the courtyard to take a look.

Dumbledore said at last night's dinner that Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge would be coming today, and he intended to get a closer look at the man.

Rumor has it that he's Dumbledore's yes-man, completely lacking in his own opinions. But Felix doesn't see it that way. A political manipulator, when in a vulnerable position, is even less principled than the best bootlicker.

He walked down the stairs, preparing to cross the auditorium.

Just then, a commotion came from afar, and seven or eight people walked towards them.

"Minister Fudge, please come this way." Professor McGonagall walked ahead.

Behind her was a stocky, short, middle-aged man. He was short and stout, with messy gray hair and an anxious look on his face.

His clothes were a strange hodgepodge: a pinstripe suit, a bright red tie, a long black cloak, and purple pointed boots. He also had a dark green top hat tucked under his arm.

Felix recognized him immediately; it was Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister for Magic. Following closely behind was a tall man dressed as an Auror, who appeared to be Fudge's subordinate.

Following him was a middle-aged man with platinum blonde hair, who was completely wrapped in a long black travel cloak. His face wore a cold, aloof expression, and he carried a wand that looked like a cane.

Looking at his distinctive hair color, Felix had a guess in his mind: perhaps he was from that rather famous pure-blood family—the Malfoys?

Following Malfoy was a woman, whom Felix had met before: Rita Skeeter. She was heavily made up and energetically instructing her two assistants, "Seize the opportunity! The opportunity! Understand? Take as many photos as possible."

The two young men holding the magic camera nodded meekly in agreement.

Felix couldn't help but laugh; it seemed this newspaper celebrity had a very good mental fortitude.

Rita Skeeter, carrying a handbag, began cautiously searching her surroundings as she walked through the auditorium.

She happened to meet Felix's gaze, her pupils suddenly contracted, and her steps became hesitant and unsteady.

Following behind her was Dumbledore, who strolled at the very back. He was the tallest among them, and at that moment, his deep blue eyes were watching everything.

Professor McGonagall saw Felix ahead and stopped. "Oh, Felix. Let me introduce you. This is Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic." Then, she gave a soft snort and reluctantly added, "These two are Lucius Malfoy and Rita Skeeter."

Fudge was enthusiastic enough; he strode forward and extended both hands: "Felix Heap, I've heard so much about you. I've heard the French Minister of Magic mention your name more than once."

Felix subtly withdrew his hand. "He's just written a few books." He had been staring into Fudge's eyes the whole time, but he didn't see much passion in them.

He then looked at Rita Skeeter and whispered, "Rita."

The woman with exaggerated curly hair greeted him awkwardly, "Hello, Mr. Haip." She was unsure whether to pretend she didn't know him, and whether revealing his secret would cause her any trouble.

But if Felix wasn't mistaken, Fudge and Malfoy's expressions changed simultaneously at that moment.

That's really sharp... I guess you'd be a real celebrity in the world of fame and fortune.

Felix nodded to Malfoy, but the two didn't interact much.

But Lucius Malfoy stared at him silently for two seconds with his gray eyes, then gave a reserved smile and extended his right hand: "Hello, Mr. Hyp."

Felix was surprised, but he also extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Professor McGonagall continued to lead the way, while Felix had quietly strolled to the back of the group and walked alongside Dumbledore.

The two trailed the group at a distance, talking quietly to each other.

"Felix, it's wrong to abuse Legilimency," Dumbledore blinked. "It will take away a lot of your fun and make you more prone to boredom with the world."

"Is this based on your experience?"

"Everyone has a youthful phase." Dumbledore didn't answer directly, but Felix understood the underlying meaning—young people are always prone to making mistakes.

So he said, "I am still very young, Headmaster Dumbledore. Besides, I have only sensed a little of his true emotions, which helps to understand him better, doesn't it?"

Dumbledore didn't press the matter; instead, he asked with interest, "What did you sense?"

"Are you interested in the Minister of Magic's ideas?" Felix countered.

"No, Felix, I can see through him without Legilimency at all. This is perhaps the only thing I have mastered in my hundred years of life without having to actively learn it."

Felix was somewhat surprised. Dumbledore shouldn't be telling him these things, right? When did their relationship become so close?

The two then fell silent.

When they reached the courtyard, Professor McGonagall had already led Fudge and the others to stand in front of the Basilisk. Neither Felix nor Dumbledore pushed forward; they stood on the periphery of the crowd.

Hagrid stood awkwardly in the corner. Felix overheard the young wizards' conversation and quickly understood what was going on.

Hagrid had just been pleading with Professor Flitwick to undo the magic surrounding the basilisk, wanting to experience its allure up close...

Do wizards who study magical creatures all think like this?

So, how many seconds until Professor Kettleburn arrives on the battlefield? Felix wondered absentmindedly.