Chapter 48 Expensive Textbooks
Professor McGonagall's words didn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm.
Ron, for example, was extremely excited: "That's enough! Just sense myself before bed each day, and I won't need a wand. That's so cool!"
He closed his eyes, his hands clenching as if controlling something nonexistent.
Professor McGonagall poured cold water on this idea again.
"Actually, wands are only used in Europe and America. Other regions don't use wands as their medium for spellcasting. For example, the Vargadu School of Magic in Africa. Their students use hand gestures as spellcasting actions, using their own hands as the medium." "
Mr. Weasley, if you really want to get rid of your wand, you should order the Vargadu School textbooks. They're much more effective and useful than the philosophical books."
"Moreover, constantly correcting pronunciation, writing articles, waving your wand, and feeling the rhythm of your own magnetic field and the Earth's magnetic field when casting spells is itself a form of training." "
So, Mr. Granger, instead of rubbing your hands together, you should practice casting spells more."
Okay, so you're not going to let me off the hook, are you?
What did I do to offend you?
Basil was exasperated.
Professor McGonagall's mention of the philosophical school of thought reminded Basil of meditation in fantasy novels.
In fantasy, wizards and sorcerers cultivate their spiritual power through various methods.
Some, like the philosophical school, seek power inwardly, while
others visualize powerful objects, celestial bodies, or magical creatures to enhance themselves.
To be honest, the moment Riddle appeared, he specifically asked him
if there were any similar methods.
The answer was no.
All wizards grow stronger through continuous spellcasting and learning increasingly difficult new spells.
Voldemort's self-transformation and creation of Horcruxes to split and purify himself, and Dumbledore's philosophy of love, were not mainstream.
Yet, these two unconventional figures became great wizards.
This philosophical school of thought is also unconventional in the magical world.
Perhaps...
So, after class, when all the other students had left the classroom, Basil stopped Professor McGonagall.
"Could you tell me about the Philosophical School? I'd like to learn more. To understand why simply gazing into oneself can grant one the power of instantaneous action, almost like a magical creature's innate ability."
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ruffle Basil's blond hair. "I can recommend some books to you. At least you won't let the content interfere with your studies."
She elegantly waved her wand.
A piece of parchment and a quill pen filled with ink flew out of the classroom.
The quill pen tip danced across the paper, leaving delicate handwriting and a signature:
*The Universe in the Human Body*, *Ditch the Wand, Feel Light*, *The Legendary Wizard—Benjamin*,
Minerva McGonagall
. "The books of the Philosophical School are all in the forbidden section. This was a decision made in the 17th century by the then-headmaster, Delis de Winter, because this school was very popular at the time, leading to a large number of students being unwilling to study it."
At this point, Professor McGonagall adjusted her square-rimmed glasses, her eyes becoming stern.
"So, Basil. I don't want you to share these books with your classmates, especially Mr. Weasley."
Basil nodded repeatedly.
Professor McGonagall, seeing his nod, continued, "The last of these three books is more autobiographical. Well, like Lockhart's. You must learn to ignore the long, self-aggrandizing sentences."
She hesitated again as she handed the parchment to Basil.
"Basil, you can read the last one carefully, following my instructions."
"You'll need it next semester."
"Will we need it next term?" Ron repeated.
After Professor McGonagall and Basil parted ways and went back upstairs to her office, study, and bedroom,
Ron, Harry, and Hermione, who were hiding in classroom 11, jumped out.
They had overheard the entire conversation.
Professor McGonagall's last sentence had piqued their curiosity.
Even Ron, who was essentially being singled out for criticism, didn't bother to complain.
Looking at the three of them, whose eyes were filled with question marks,
Basil shrugged. "I happen to know that. But it's just hearsay. Don't go around telling everyone."
Harry and Hermione immediately stared at Ron.
Ron reluctantly nodded.
Influenced by Basil, he was now quite a gossip, always spreading rumors.
Basil continued, "As you know, no one can stay in the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher's seat for more than a year."
"So, often after finding a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the school will look for a new candidate a year or even two years in advance."
Hermione immediately raised her hand (Ron and Harry exchanged a look of disdain), she loved to answer first.
"I know, Gilderoy Lockhart! In fact, I've wanted to buy his books for a while now. They're all bestsellers. But unfortunately, I've almost spent all the Galleons I've exchanged."
"I was planning to buy them next year. Which textbook?"
"Which one?" Basil sneered. "All of them. 'Breaking Up with the Ghost,' 'Traveling with the Ghouls,' 'Holiday with the She-Devil,' 'Traveling with the Trolls,' 'Boat Trip with the Vampires,' 'Wandering with the Werewolves,' and 'A Year with the Tibetan Yeti,' seven books in total. Five Galleons each, 35 Galleons in total."
"35 Galleons!" Ron gasped, seemingly about to faint.
"Is that expensive?" Hermione, the daughter of a middle-class British dentist, looked puzzled.
"Very expensive!" Harry, a true rich kid but who had experienced poverty, nodded empathetically.
Ron blushed. "Next year, five of us will be attending Hogwarts. That'll add up to 175 Galleons (Bagil blurted out from the side). According to past practice, second-year students only need to buy one book, *Standard Spells (Level Two)*. Even if the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor tries to squeeze some money out of us, he'll only designate one book as the new textbook. Lockhart is such a bastard—"
Ron sighed.
"I know we're not poor, but my parents just don't have a habit of saving. I really don't know how they got so much money."
Hermione was still a little confused.
She bluntly stated, "It's normal for textbooks to be expensive. Harry, you've been to school in the Muggle world, right? In fact, any bookstore will have books costing at least tens of pounds. Renting them will cost around 10 pounds. In Muggle schools, textbooks cost about 450 to 600 pounds a year, which is 50 to 120 Galleons a year. Not to mention that if you want to study well, you have to buy extra books." "
Actually, books in the wizarding world are very cheap. And one book can be used for several years. For example, 'A History of Magic' can be used for seven years."
Ron was furious.
He knew he was right, but he didn't know how to refute it. He just stubbornly looked at Hermione, unconvinced.
Tightened reason restrained him from swearing.
Basil stepped forward. "Hermione, why don't you look at how much other books in the wizarding world cost? How do you compare Lockhart's books to those?"
"Expensive is expensive. In fact, even globally, textbooks in Britain and America are ridiculously expensive. Students from ordinary families have to take out loans to go to university."
"The wizarding world isn't as outrageous as the Muggle world. It's obvious Gilderoy Lockhart is just making money. Making a fortune."
"I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking." (
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