0361 Why us?

Words : 1044 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

0361 Why us? The flickering candlelight cast wavering shadows across Hermione's pensive features as she blinked her large, cinnamon-hued eyes thoughtfully, her brow furrowing slightly. However, she wasn't particularly surprised by the professor's words. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence. Hagrid would occasionally leave Hogwarts on business, and Professor Dumbledore frequently left Hogwarts as well to handle his own affairs. Hermione's gaze drifted towards the corner of Professor Watson's desk, where a thick, haphazard stack of unopened letters lay, their envelopes adorned with intricate wax seals and elegant calligraphy. One could guess as to the numerous academic conferences or high-end meetings to which the professor was regularly invited. 'But teaching assistants—' Hermione's train of thought was interrupted by the sight of Neville fidgeting uneasily in his seat, his fingers twisting anxiously in his lap. Instinctively, his wide, earnest eyes sought out Hermione's, hoping to get a hint as to how to proceed, but Hermione also looked bewildered. If it were Charms or Transfiguration class, Hermione felt confident she could handle it. In fact, she would be overjoyed, as it would represent the professor's recognition of her abilities. But Professor Watson's physical education class... Hermione was puzzled. What could she do? In stark contrast, Luna's expression remained one of calm indifference, as though the prospect of participation or non-participation held no particular significance for her. Her large, silvery-grey eyes showed a distant, dreamy quality, as if her mind had already wandered to realms unseen by eyes. "What's the matter, you're not happy about it?" Bryan raised an inquisitive eyebrow, though his face remained calm and wasn't particularly stern. Hermione hesitated for a moment before nervously saying, "Professor Watson, could you tell me why you chose us? What I mean is, we're not the best students, are we? Currently, the top performer is Cedric. Oh, and Harry and Malfoy are doing well too." "Temporary victories or losses are not my main concern," Bryan shook his head calmly, his voice resonating with a measured certainty. "Of course, I do need to explain to you. First, Mr. Longbottom—" Bryan's gaze shifted towards Neville, taking in the sight of the young man clenching his fists nervously, his knuckles whitening with the intensity of his grip. A gentle, reassuring smile curved Bryan's lips, making his expression more mellow and gentle. "Don't be nervous, Mr. Longbottom. Hmm, I chose you because of your outstanding talent. Talent comes in many forms. For instance, due to an intelligent mind, focused on studying, and a reverence and thirst for knowledge, Miss Granger excels academically. Similarly, Harry became the youngest Seeker in a century thanks to his sharp reflexes and physical balance. "As for you, Mr. Longbottom, your magical talents are lacking, but in terms of physical abilities, you may even surpass Harry. It's just that certain weaknesses in your personality have overshadowed your exceptional qualities, only allowing them to be revealed under specific circumstances." Neville blinked rapidly, his eyes widening in bewilderment, as if struggling to comprehend the implications of Professor Watson's words. Hermione, however, understood the essence of the statement, yet remained unconvinced, her skepticism evident in the purse of her lips and the subtle narrowing of her eyes. Professor Watson probably meant that Neville's timid personality prevented him from showcasing his courage, overshadowing his innate strengths. But so what? Those Muggle athletes, though undoubtedly possessing exceptional talents, could never hope to become outstanding wizards, their abilities rendered moot in the arcane realm of magic. Seemingly aware of Hermione's lingering doubts, Professor Watson pursed his lips contemplatively before continuing his explanation. As Luna got into a heated argument with the ever-rational Hermione right before his eyes, a contemplative look flickered across Bryan's face. His right hand moved subtly behind his back, the calloused pad of his middle finger pressing firmly against the tip of his thumb. Snap! The sudden, sharp sound reverberated through the room, catching Hermione – in the midst of her valiant efforts to convince Luna to abandon her fanciful beliefs – off guard. She subconsciously turned her head towards Professor Watson, her eyes widening in surprise. But at that precise moment, a fierce gust of wind suddenly whipped through the steady drizzle outside, the powerful, inexplicable blast sweeping past the classroom windows and causing the glass panes to rattle discordantly in their frames! "Whoa!" While Hermione and Neville remained dazed, their senses momentarily overwhelmed, Luna reacted as if she had seen something incredible. In a flurry of motion, she leapt up onto the sofa, as her eyes widened in an expression of mingled fear and exhilaration. Facing the bewildered gazes of her confused classmates, Luna raised a trembling finger, pointing it towards the window as her voice rang out, laced with equal parts of nervousness and breathless excitement. "Heliopath! A group of Heliopaths just ran by!" "Wh—What's that?" Neville stammered, his shoulders instinctively hunching inward as if bracing for an unseen impact, his unease palpable. "Massive, fire-breathing creatures that race across the land, burning everything in their path to ashes," Luna stated matter-of-factly, her tone that of a seasoned magizoologist lecturing on the habits of a particularly fearsome species. "But I didn't expect them to fly!" Hermione's lips were pursed into a thin, pale line, her expression comical in its inability to conceal her utter skepticism at Luna's latest fantastical claim. 'Just as I thought—' Bryan nodded inwardly, a look of understanding dawning upon his features. Luna Lovegood—this young girl's keen perception of magic had reached the point of being able to 'manifest' it. For many years, she was the first witch Bryan had encountered whose sensitivity to magic was higher than his own. "I have something here—" Professor Watson strode back towards his desk, pulling open a drawer to retrieve a brand-new notebook. He then returned to the sofa and handed the notebook to Luna. "It teaches how to 'see' Wrackspurts, among other creatures." As Luna's wide, silvery eyes met his, shining with a close sense of wonder and recognition, Professor Watson's smile broadened slightly. "If you're interested, you can study it first, Miss Lovegood." ******************************* For More Chapters; /FicFrenzy

0361 Why us?

Comments (0)