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He looked left and right, making sure no students were paying too much attention to them, before leaning in close to Viktor. His eyes were wide and round, and he couldn't wait to ask, "How did it feel? I mean—the diadem! You used it last night, didn't you? What was it like? Oh, Merlin's beard! That's Rowena Ravenclaw's creation! A true legend!"
"Is it—is it like the legends say? Does it make your mind as fast as lightning? Give you a photographic memory? Did you feel a vast ocean of knowledge pouring directly into your head? Does it help with research? A massive help, right?"
His questions hit like rapid-fire.
His tiny frame trembled slightly with excitement, his face completely written with endless yearning and curiosity for the power of a Founder's relic.
Viktor completely understood how he felt.
As the Head of Ravenclaw House, Professor Flitwick's reverence for the Founder was carved into his very bones. Getting this close to the diadem, and actually witnessing it being handed over for someone to use, was undoubtedly an incredibly thrilling event for him.
Viktor cut off a piece of roast lamb chop, unhurriedly popped it into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Only then, under Flitwick's practically burning gaze, did he answer with a smile.
"It felt very... unique, Professor Flitwick. And it did indeed help me immensely."
"However, it isn't like some of the more exaggerated legends claim. It doesn't just download a massive amount of knowledge directly into your head. Headmaster Dumbledore was right; it acts more like an incredibly powerful 'cognitive tool.'"
"When you wear it, you enter an absolutely tranquil, hyper-focused state. Outside interference practically vanishes. More importantly, it helps you organize, catalog, and access the knowledge you already possess. It makes your thought processes incredibly clear and efficient. It even... lets you re-examine what you already know from entirely different angles, sparking new inspirations and connections."
"For research and studying," Viktor summarized with absolute sincerity, "it is truly a priceless treasure. It's entirely worthy of being Madam Ravenclaw's diadem. Its design philosophy and underlying magical principles still feel brilliantly advanced even today."
And just that description alone was more than enough to send Professor Flitwick into a frenzy of excitement.
"I knew it! Oh, I just knew it!" Professor Flitwick pumped a tiny fist in the air, nearly knocking over his goblet of pumpkin juice. "Enlightening the mind, not simply handing over wisdom! That is Madam Ravenclaw's true philosophy! The diadem is a tool, a catalyst, a key to the mind palace! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
He rambled on for a while, expressing his sheer thrill and awe at the Founder's wisdom. It took him quite a bit of time to finally calm down and actually start eating his lunch, though the huge smile never once left his face.
Viktor smiled and continued his meal. His mood was exceptionally bright, buoyed by his breakthrough that morning and his colleague's infectious joy.
---
Shortly after lunch, it was time for the fifth-year Care of Magical Creatures class.
Today's lesson took place inside the expanded space of Viktor's suitcase, specifically in an area simulating the forested edges of the Scottish Highlands.
The weather was magically regulated to be clear and comfortable. A gentle breeze rolled through, carrying the fresh scent of grass and timber.
Perhaps because he was in such a good mood, Viktor didn't start the class with his usual heavy theoretical lecture or a high-pressure pop quiz.
Instead, he divided the twenty-odd fifth-years into small groups and handed out basic survival kits. They contained a limited supply of water, compressed rations, a simple tent, and some basic Essence of Dittany.
Then, he assigned them a practical task: a simulated wilderness survival and magical creature rescue mission.
"Your mission is to safely survive in this simulated zone for the next hour and a half."
"During this time, you must use what you've learned to find a safe campsite, identify edible plants, and handle any simulated hazards you might encounter. But most importantly..."
He pointed deep into the forest. "There are several 'injured' magical simulations out there, ranging from Bowtruckles to Mooncalves."
"You need to work together as a team to locate them, assess their 'injuries,' and 'rescue' them using the correct, gentle methods."
"Remember: staying calm, observing, using proper technique, and minimizing their distress is the absolute core of conservation work."
The young wizards looked a bit stunned at first, but their eyes quickly lit up!
This was infinitely better than sitting in a classroom memorizing textbooks or staring at stuffed specimens to learn identifying traits! It was full of challenge and a genuine sense of uncharted adventure!
"Remember, safety first. If you encounter a 'danger' you absolutely cannot handle, send up a red flare spell. However, be warned: every time you use the flare, your group's overall grade will drop by one letter."
Viktor added the caveat, then waved a hand. "Now, get to it! I hope you and the 'animals' get along swimmingly!"
Over the next hour and a half, the suitcase space was filled with the sounds of excited, nervous chatter and cautious footsteps.
There were muffled gasps of discovery when they found the "injured" creatures, and looks of intense concentration as they attempted Healing Charms or Soothing Spells.
Viktor moved silently through the trees, observing the performance of each group. He nodded occasionally, and shook his head at other times.
Every so often, he would step in to correct a clumsy technique that might have caused secondary harm to a simulated animal.
And sometimes, just to keep things spicy, he would secretly drop a little "surprise" on the groups that were performing exceptionally well—like using Transfiguration to whip up a Mountain Troll and ambush them.
By the time class ended, most of the students looked physically drained, but their faces were flushed with sheer excitement and satisfaction.
They animatedly discussed everything they'd just been through. They compared which group had found the most "casualties," whose techniques were the most textbook-perfect, and whose encounters had been the most terrifyingly close calls.
Watching their vibrant energy, Viktor's smile deepened.
"It looks like everyone had a highly productive and entertaining time." He clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention back to him.
"Today's practical exercise was designed to give you a much deeper understanding of our field. Caring for magical creatures isn't just about reading about them in a book. It's about knowing how to actually coexist with them in the field, and providing the right kind of help—without making things worse—when they need it. I hope you all learned something valuable today."
The students nodded in agreement. There was a genuine, vivid spark in many of their eyes now, something entirely different from the dull glaze of pure rote memorization.
"So, as a reward for your enthusiastic participation today, and..." Viktor paused, his smile suddenly growing far, far too bright. "...as advanced preparation for the even more complex situations you might face in the future."
He gave his wand a flick. A massive stack of thick parchment scrolls materialized out of thin air, zooming with terrifying precision straight into the hands of every single student.
"This is a comprehensive review and expansion packet covering everything from today's simulation. It includes creature habits, common injury identification and treatment, and basic wilderness survival rules."
"Three scrolls of test papers per person. It covers multiple-choice, short-answer, and situational analysis questions. I expect you all to do your very best," Viktor said, his eyes curving into cheerful crescents.
He completely ignored the way the excitement instantly froze on the students' faces, or the way their eyes slowly bulged in absolute horror.
"Make sure you properly consolidate today's 'combat experience.' Class dismissed!"
"NOOOOO!!!"
"Professor!!!"
"Three scrolls?! Oh, Merlin!"
The fifth-years, who had been riding high on adrenaline just seconds before, instantly erupted into a chorus of pure agony.
Viktor watched the students plummet from paradise straight into 'Homework Hell,' looking as though they wanted to cry but had no tears left, practically beating their chests in despair.
In a thoroughly fantastic mood, he tucked his wand away, turned on his heel, and strolled briskly out of the suitcase space, leaving an absolute scene of misery in his wake.