Man of Archives

Chapter 10

Myrtle's gift was more than just a present from a girl to a boy; it was something unique and almost impossible. My magical power and control over magic both increased. The morning after Halloween and its intriguing conclusion, I tried to determine if anything within me had changed.

And yes... something had. My magic now responded much more easily and quickly. It's difficult to put into words. The best comparison would be like applying grease to a squeaky mechanism designed to open something. Previously, I had to push the "door" with both hands; now it spins with just a light nudge of a finger. It's an abstract comparison, but not a bad one.

In addition, my skills in certain areas also improved. This is even harder to describe, but not more difficult than a rebirth. For example, Transfiguration became much easier for me, and my coordination and dexterity in spellcasting improved. Charms also became easier, though I wouldn't call it a significant leap. I think I could have reached the same level after several months of active practice in this area of magic.

But, let's say, my personal power grew by about thirty to forty percent. This is a huge increase, which I believe places me among the upper echelons of wizards in terms of strength. Skills will come with time, I hope.

Additionally, my Archive magic became more efficient at loading and analyzing books, with a pleasant ten percent increase in speed.

Myrtle's gift quickly proved its value when I was studying Dumbledore's books. They were both fascinating and extremely useful for deepening my understanding of Transfiguration. Practicing some of the more intriguing spells using the headmaster's notes could enhance the quality of Transfiguration by several orders of magnitude. In class, the increase in my power became apparent, as spells were now much easier and faster to cast.

The other students didn't notice. I'm not sure if the teachers did, but I suspect they did. However, they didn't mention anything or even hint that they had noticed.

Oh well.

The following weekend, I visited Hogsmeade with Isolde. Her maid, Dorsani, accompanied us but stayed mostly in the background. Hogsmeade is a small village popular with students since, starting from the third year, they can visit on weekends.

The village is entirely inhabited by wizards, so spells can be cast freely without worrying that someone might see and misunderstand. The village consists of several streets. The main one is High Street, home to a very popular candy shop among students called "Sweet Kingdom." There's also the stationery store "Pisarro," the town hall with an owl post, and several eateries with different themes. The most popular spot is the "Three Broomsticks" pub, owned by Charlotte Rosmerta, the object of many teenage boys' fantasies. She's a sexy woman who doesn't shy away from showing it.

Of course, there are many other interesting shops that students love to visit and spend their savings.

"Shall we go to a tea shop?" I asked Isolde.

"Rosy Lee's Teabag?" she asked.

"Sure," I confirmed.

The tea shop wasn't on the main street, but it was still quite popular among students who wanted a quiet place outside of Hogwarts. It offered a wide variety of tea drinks, making it a decent spot to relax.

The building was decorated in light tones, which pleasantly set it apart from the others. Soft music played inside, just loud enough to be soothing. A few students were already there, engaged in their own activities.

We chose a table by the far wall and waited for the waitress. A short girl approached us, bearing a strong resemblance to the owner—likely her daughter or some close relative. I'm inclined to think she was the daughter.