Chapter 723 - Actualities Ⅲ

A bit serious for a Hufflepuff, but Quyen had found Olympia Branstone to be rather sincere if not overly blunt at times. In fact, the two girls were on their way to becoming rather the best of friends as they found that they had similar likes and dislikes. Even more importantly, Quyen found a good friend, who liked romance novellas just as much as she did even if Olympia did not look like it at first glance. It was a bit late in their lives to form such a strong friendship, but they were both profoundly glad they had found a true friend in each other. Their only regret was that they had not become friends sooner.

Although that likely would not have been possible considering that the two of them had been a bit of a berk in their younger years. They likely would have hated each other on sight. And they had considering how they had avoided each other until their 5th year despite having shared several classes since their 1st year at Hogwarts.

Far more importantly as a direct consequence, Quyen was able to openly turn down the friendship advances of Hortense Sicca and Gertrude Fowl as Olympia Branstone was a pureblood and a Prefect at that. Even Quyen's parents agreed on her choice of friends and applauded Quyen for the first time in memory on her excellent decision-making. (As if their opinion had ever really mattered).

The class stares at Hortense Sicca for her audacity to speak in such a disrespectful tone to the Ancient Runes Professor and Head of Gryffindor and much less for Gertrude Fowl to openly snicker out loud. The Slytherins in the classroom shook their heads with disappointment. They were going to lose house points for sure thanks to the two clueless snobs. Even the Hufflepuff's were shocked at Hortense Sicca's words. Professor Babbling was in every right to not only dock points from Slytherin but assign them detention.

Professor Babbling arches her brows at the Slytherin girl and says, "Miss Sicca, and Miss Fowl, 5 points each from Slytherin for impertinence, and a week of detention to be served with Caretaker Filch starting tonight, " causing both girl's face to darken with anger and hatred. "And in response to your question, Miss Sicca, those that fail to carve runes through their wands it is not because of their failings but of contradicting elements. Can anyone tell me how that might occur?"

Hortense Sicca folds her arms over her c.h.e.s.t and begins to sulk, while Gertrude Fowl scowls at Professor Babbling for her actions. Professor Babbling pays them no mind as she arches her brows at the classroom expectantly at the classroom awaiting a response. Sitting next to Quyen is the somber Hufflepuff Prefect with light brown hair and light-colored eyes. Olympia Branstone fiddles with her fringe and pats her updo once to ensure that it is neat, before raising her hand.

Professor Babbling motions for Olympia Branstone to speak. With a somber expression, Olympia begins to speak. "Well, the two most common reasons are due to the wand core or the wand wood. Take for an example, someone with a phoenix feather core wand might have difficulty carving any runes related to cold or water as well as rune stones that symbolize the element of water. That would indicate that most scripts would be difficult to carve as rune scripts containing runes associated with the water element are many. It would be unfair to suggest that said individual is weak, but simply that the natural two elements would be in constant clash making it an impossible feat to accomplish."

"However in retrospect say such in the example of Prefect Prince using a silver knife as a magical conduct, the individual would be able to carve the required rune on the said element that is naturally in opposition to that of the wand," Olympia steadfastly answered. "That is not to say, that a different use of a tool is easy to master nor much less use, but it does permit the rune carver in question to bypass the natural clash of elements that did not permit the carving in the first place."

"An excellent explanation, Prefect Branstone. Ten Points to Hufflepuff!" Professor Babbling said in approval of the explanation causing Olympia to share a small happy smile with her friend, Quyen at the praise.

Seeing some of the students eagerly murmuring to each other, Professor Babbling continues, "For those that have trouble carving as Prefect Prince, there is more than one type of tools to use. I recommend that you try with several over the course of the year until a proper fit is found. The use of said tools can be used during the final examination of the O.W.L.'s and the seventh year, N.E.W.T.'s. Naturally, all tools to be used must be submitted before the exam to be checked and to ensure there is no added enchantment to aid the students during the examination."

The students prospectively cheer as those with similar issues like Rowan perk up. These students excitedly gaze at each other after the explanation vowing to be the first to reach the library to find the book. No doubt, the Librarian Pince would find several students fighting over the copy of the book. But that would cheer up the prickly, librarian's heart at such a miraculous sight.

Seeing that there are no further questions, Professor Babbling claps her hands together and instructs them to commence carving. She slowly walks from desk to desk studying her pupils already presented carving and offering them feedback. She also gave them suggestions on how to better improve their rune carving technique. It was a good class, and rather productive for most of those present as they found the path or means for hope.

Although by the end of the day, the news of different tools permitted in rune carving would spread to the rest of Professor Babbling's students. It truly was a fight at the library for the few copies of the books causing the Librarian, Miss Pince to be forced to order more books to feed the impatient students. It was a strange occurrence, but Miss Pince had learned not to ask as to the reason why and simply just accommodate the students when she could lest they destroy her precious books!