Chapter 58: The Charm of Spirituality?

Edward had barely taken a few steps out of the classroom when he felt a sudden stir in his mind, as if his protective charm was reacting. [The pursuit of inner exploration and the meaning of life have made you more spiritual.] [Spirituality Charm (Level ?) Activated] [Effect: ???] Edward was utterly baffled by this sudden activation of a "Spirituality Charm." What's with all the question marks, little charm? Level? Effect? What's the point of a charm if it's all question marks? And he had no clue what knightly virtue he'd embodied to trigger it. Could it be because of his strange journey through the dreamlike haze of the Mirror of Erised? A flood of questions swirled in his head, turning his thoughts into a jumbled mess. "Edward, don't you have something to say to Draco and me?" Daphne's cool voice snapped him back to reality. He immediately realized that, despite not saying much in front of the professors, Daphne was clearly holding a bit of a grudge. You got stuck in that mirror and forgot all about us! she seemed to be thinking. You should've come straight to us after leaving Snape, not gone for a jog upstairs! If you hadn't done that, none of this mess would've happened! Draco shared her sentiment, though his relief at the misunderstanding being cleared up outweighed his annoyance. Thank Merlin nothing actually happened, or I wouldn't even have the chance to tell my dad! "Daphne, Draco, I'm really, really sorry. This is all my fault," Edward said earnestly. "I'd like to make it up to you. Any ideas?" Draco's eyes lit up. "Well, since you're offering, how about letting me copy your homework—" Before he could finish, Daphne smacked his outstretched hand hard. "Edward, I think the best way you can make it up to us is by teaching us some spells," she said seriously. "More work? We're already drowning in class assignments, and you want him to teach us spells? Are you insane?" Draco rubbed his sore wrist, incredulous. "Can you use your brain for once?" Daphne shot back. "Since we started at Hogwarts, have we been short on danger? Devil's Snare, a troll someone let loose, a cursed broom, rogue Bludgers, a shadowy figure among the staff, and now a mirror that sucks people in! Don't tell me you can just ignore all that because it hasn't happened to you directly." She crossed her arms, her face dripping with sarcasm. "Honestly, I don't trust the teachers to handle this. They haven't solved a single one of these problems. But you, Edward—you're different. Compared to those clueless professors, you're actually reliable. So, to prove your apology and sincerity, teach us some spells." Draco, listening, started to see her point. With all these crazy incidents, he'd be dead several times over if he'd been in Edward's shoes. Yet Edward always came out on top. At least learn some defensive spells, right? Relying on that stammering fool Quirrell? No thanks. "Fine, I'm in," Draco said. Looking at the two Slytherins clearly ready to milk this opportunity, Edward nodded thoughtfully. Daphne had a point. Hogwarts was supposed to be the safest place, but it was practically a danger zone right now, and teachers couldn't babysit students 24/7. Edward had his Breathing Technique and quick mastery of spells, so he wasn't worried—but what about the others? He couldn't teach the Breathing Technique; even if he wanted to, Daphne and Draco probably wouldn't endure its grueling training. So, teaching basic defensive spells was the next best thing. It'd be both a way to make amends and genuinely help them, which made Edward happy. "Since you're both on board, I'm in too," he said quickly. "That's more like it," Daphne replied, a hint of smugness in her voice. Edward caught on—her "grudge" was partly an act to guilt him into teaching them spells. Well played, Slytherin. "But where are we supposed to practice?" Draco asked as they walked. "Not sneaking out at midnight to practice in the corridors again, right?" The memory of their nighttime duel still haunted him. "Don't worry about the place. I've got it covered—somewhere safe, where no one will find us," Edward said, already forming a plan. "If you're both ready, meet me after dinner tonight. Sound good?" "But first, I think it's time we hit the Great Hall for some food." As if on cue, Edward's and Daphne's stomachs growled in unison. The afternoon's chaos had worn them out. Draco's smirk at their hunger was quickly shut down by Daphne's glare, and he clamped his mouth shut. Though he couldn't curse as freely around Edward and Daphne, Draco had to admit his urge to swear had lessened—except when it came to that Savior Potter. At the Great Hall, Draco watched Edward and Daphne devour their food and chug two large glasses of pumpkin juice each. Even he, who'd already set down his fork, felt tempted to grab another sandwich. But catching Potter's glance from the Gryffindor table, he sat up straight, dropped his hand, and shot a venomous glare back. When Edward and Daphne finally finished, Edward said, "Follow me." The trio left the Great Hall, climbed the stairs, and, under Edward's lead, wound through the castle until they stopped before a statue. It depicted a bald wizard holding a goblet, his face oozing flattery. "This is Gregory the Smarmy," Daphne said, as if reciting a textbook. "He invented a Flattery Potion that makes the drinker think the person who gave it to them is their best friend." "Thanks for the history lesson, Daphne, but you're starting to sound like that Gryffindor know-it-all," Draco said, waving a hand impatiently. "So, why are we here?" Edward gestured for them to step back and drew his wand. "Stand back a bit." Pointing at the statue, he murmured, "Partis Temporus." With a grating screech of stone against stone, the statue split in two, revealing a dark passageway behind it.