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Harry Potter: I Get Stronger by Taking Loans - 56
🕑 Added 2025-10-03 19:04:40 +0000 UTCChapter 56: History of Magic, Letter to Newt
The History of Magic classroom was quiet save for the scratch of quills and the occasional rustle of parchment—sounds that would soon be drowned out by Professor Binns's monotonous droning. Leo gently flipped through his textbook when suddenly, Professor Binns floated directly through the blackboard into the room.
The ghostly professor had been teaching History of Magic for longer than anyone could remember. According to Hogwarts folklore, one morning he'd simply woken up and gone to teach—not noticing he'd left his body behind in the staff room fire. Leo couldn't help but suspect that Binns continued teaching partly because of his encyclopedic knowledge of ancient history, but also because hiring a ghost meant no salary expenses.
"In my class, I only speak facts!" Binns announced in a voice that carried no emotional inflection whatsoever, like an old machine droning on endlessly.
This monotonous tone made the young wizards nod off continuously, as effective as a Sleeping Charm. Terry, fighting to keep his eyes open, saw Leo with his chin propped on one hand, listening to the dry historical recitation with apparent interest.
"Lucien, don't you find this boring?" Terry whispered.
"It's alright."
In Leo's view, History of Magic was considered dull for several reasons. History itself—aside from dramatic events or surprising revelations—was generally dry material. Professor Binns made it worse by sticking only to verified facts, completely omitting the more interesting myths and legends that might capture student interest.
Additionally, young wizards were accustomed to professors occasionally demonstrating impressive magic during lessons. But ghosts could no longer perform complex spells. This purely theoretical lecture was as torturous as Quirrell's Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
Seeing Terry also starting to doze off, Leo said softly, "History is also a very important kind of knowledge. Sometimes when you can't understand what's happening now, looking through history books might reveal similar patterns."
"Perhaps magic progresses, but have wizards really changed that much? The history of magic is ultimately the history of wizards—their choices, their mistakes, their triumphs. Understanding the past helps predict the future."
When class finally ended and Professor Binns departed through the blackboard, most students hadn't even realised the lesson was over, still in a half-asleep state.
Leo picked up his textbook and left the classroom. After walking a few steps, he called to the young witch ahead, "Hermione, aren't you waiting for Harry and Ron?"
Hermione shook her head, her bushy brown hair bouncing, "I tried calling them just now, but Harry was muttering about boomslang skin venom needing to boil for five minutes, and Ron kept shouting about fish, chicken legs, and meatballs. Neither of them woke up when I called."
Leo smiled. Harry was really working hard at his studies, even dreaming about the homework assignments. As for Ron, well, this kid was clearly very healthy.
"Yesterday when I chatted with Harry, he mentioned the three-headed dog again, but he's already forgotten which room it was in..."
Hermione suddenly looked at Leo warily, "That creature is very dangerous. Even if you have that miraculous healing potion, you can't rashly approach it!"
The little girl was quite alert—worthy of being the early backbone of the trio. And she'd mistaken the Qilin saliva for a healing potion, which was probably a normal assumption.
A few days ago he'd seen Ron secretly collecting a bottle of saliva from Fang—presumably trying to replicate Leo's 'healing potion' with unfortunate materials. Whatever—he should find an opportunity to remind him to throw it away before Ron tries to use it on someone.
"No, I just think it's natural you all forgot the route, since you were quite panicked at the time."
This made Hermione indignant instead. The girl snorted lightly, "I didn't forget. Coming out of the trophy room, turn right up the stairs, wait for the stairs to turn..."
Listening to Hermione describe the route to the three-headed dog's room in precise detail, Leo nodded with a smile. Children were so transparent—intelligence acquired.
He'd go borrow some blood from the three-headed dog to make adhesive, then start creating and assembling the mechanical animal's form.
Three-headed dogs were also magical creatures, but unfortunately there was only that one specimen upstairs, not a population. As an observation subject, the recorded data would be incomplete.
He'd now documented three magical creature species: Mooncalves, Diricawls, and Acromantulas. Two more and he could repay the pet growth loan. Thanks to the animal affinity brought by Aurelius, this task was progressing much more smoothly.
He should complete this loan as quickly as possible. He could also write to Newt asking if he could obtain some Erumpent explosive fluid. After creating the explosive potions, he could try developing special alchemical ammunition.
"Hey, speaking of which, Leo, Harry's relationship with you seems really good lately."
Leo nodded casually, "Indeed, he asked me about some knowledge."
"No wonder. I've seen him memorising things from little cards even while eating these past few days." Hermione paused, asking with some anticipation, "By the way, are you going to the library this weekend?"
Facing Hermione's invitation, Leo considered his schedule. These next few days he needed to attempt alchemy work—whether mechanical animals or special ammunition, both required practical experimentation. He might not actually have time for the library.
"If I have time, you'll run into me. I'm heading out now." He smiled warmly. "Also, your memory is excellent."
With that, Leo waved goodbye, preparing to visit the Forbidden Forest again to find another magical creature to document.
Though it was clearly praise and Leo's tone was sincere, Hermione still felt something was slightly off about the compliment.
In the Forbidden Forest, Leo held a fluffy ball, weighing it gently before tossing it up.
"Squeak!" The Puffskein made a soft sound.
Leo controlled two quills simultaneously. One rapidly recorded: Puffskein. Spherical body covered in soft fur. Gentle nature, won't resist being tossed around...
The other quill wrote on a separate parchment:
Dear Mr Newt Scamander:
I am Leonardo Grafton. Thank you for answering my questions about learning Undetectable Extension Charms.
Regarding the stability of magical power solidification, I have successfully mastered the technique, but in terms of spatial expansion...
Additionally, when recently creating an alchemical item, I may need Erumpent explosive fluid. I wonder if you might be able to assist...
After sealing the letter in an envelope, he placed it in a small satchel and hung it around Aurelius's neck.
"Aurelius, with a known address, can you use Apparition to teleport directly there?"
Leo asked this because when wizards used Apparition to places they'd never been, they risked splinching—arriving with body parts left behind or in the wrong places. Although Aurelius's Apparition abilities far exceeded those of human wizards, Leo still wanted confirmation.
"Don't worry, Master, no problem. At most there might be a slight error in positioning. I can try a few more times then, or if the distance isn't too far, I can just fly over."
Leo patted the Qilin's head affectionately, "Well, when you go deliver the letter tonight, be careful and return quickly. Also, remember to be polite."
Aurelius shook the small satchel on its neck, "Understood. Master already taught me proper manners."
