Hogwarts: The Greatest Wizard

Chapter 91: Conversation with Pandora

Pandora shook her head and said,

"It's nothing. Ancient magic was recorded in magic script. Aside from us heirs, there are few wizards in the magical world with such a high level of proficiency. You can still help me. Besides, I can teach you alchemy in my spare time."

Phineas nodded.

"Then I'll be in your care. Sorry for the trouble."

Pandora waved her hand dismissively.

"It's no trouble. Luna will be glad to have a playmate around. Neither her father nor I have the sort of temperament to play with children. We're usually absorbed in our work. As a result, she's grown up with a rather... unique personality."

Phineas nodded in understanding.

"Since I'll be staying for a while, I'll leave the household duties to my house-elves. They've looked after me since I was a child and are quite experienced in caring for young ones."

Pandora paused, visibly surprised.

"Where are your parents?"

Her question caught Phineas off guard. He hadn't expected anyone in the magical world to be unaware of the Black family. But considering Pandora's reclusive, scholarly nature, it made sense. Unlike Xeno, who worked as a magical editor and stayed informed, Pandora was a pure academic, devoted entirely to ancient magic. Clearly, Xeno had shielded her from worldly affairs, maintaining a closed environment so she could focus on her research undisturbed.

That also meant Phineas didn't need to waste energy hiding things. Though he believed Pandora would accept him regardless—given her role as Ravenclaw's heir and her dedication to scholarship—less trouble was always welcome.

Later that day, Pandora didn't begin teaching him right away. Instead, she helped him settle into a room and started with a discussion.

"You've heard the legend that the Founders used magic words to cast spells, haven't you?"

Phineas nodded.

"Yes, and many believe that the strength of ancient magic comes from the use of those words."

Pandora agreed.

"Indeed. But we both know that magic texts predate the Founders. During their time, the tradition of magical script hadn't been completely lost. That's how Lady Ravenclaw was able to leave such a thorough inheritance."

Phineas nodded again.

"Exactly. That's also why the inheritance doesn't include the basics of magical script—because in her time, those things were readily available through other channels."

Pandora sighed.

"It's a pity that Lady Ravenclaw didn't foresee the complete loss of magical script over the centuries. Now only fragments remain. We must work hard to restore the lost knowledge and power of those scripts."

Phineas echoed her thoughts.

"Especially today—many wizards study ancient magical texts, but only on the surface, like a foreign language. Few treat them as truly magical, worthy of in-depth study and spellcasting."

Pandora nodded thoughtfully.

"That's where alchemy comes in. In essence, alchemy breaks matter down and rebuilds it. Ancient scripts play a key role in that process. So most wizards who still understand the power of magical text have a foundation in alchemy. Even so, almost none can actually cast spells using it. Dumbledore may be one exception—he's our senior, after all. I've done some work in this area myself, but my focus is more on using the script than on casting. On the other hand, my predecessor—Senior Lily—had deep expertise in ancient spellcasting. She made remarkable progress in that field. It's just… such a pity what happened to her..."

Hearing this, Phineas realized Pandora truly was unaware of the events surrounding the Potter family. Or perhaps she only knew what Xeno had chosen to tell her. Regardless, it seemed Lily Potter had been her mentor, which explained her knowledge and the emotional tone in her voice.

Suddenly, a thought struck him—perhaps the magic that had protected Harry Potter was an ancient spell, cast using magical script. That would explain how it had lasted over a decade.

Pandora noticed the change in his expression and nodded.

"It seems you've realized it. Yes, the spell that protected Harry Potter must have been ancient magic. I believe it was a composite spell involving symbols for death and rebirth, the sun, oak trees, graves—and at its core—joy, delight, and love."

Phineas frowned in concentration, thinking through the spell components she mentioned.

"I understand how those runes could form a spell of life and death… a protective spell that saved Harry. But… what about the meaning behind those three particular runes?"

Pandora explained,

"Your understanding is close, but there's more. After I heard about what happened that night, I reconstructed the scene. I believe Harry wasn't protected by just one spell—there were three."

Phineas blinked in surprise.

"Three spells?"

"Yes," Pandora said. "Based on photos and reports from that night, James Potter died first, then Lily. I believe James cast a protective spell in his final moments—most likely the Sun Rune spell. It was probably taught to him by Lily and targeted not at her or their son, but at the Dark Lord himself."

Phineas's eyes widened.

"You're suggesting the spell that protected Harry was actually a combination spell?"

Pandora nodded slowly.

"Exactly. That's what I've come to believe."