Draco had already started blowing snot bubbles in his sleep.
Harry held on for a while longer, but in the end, his head tilted to the side and he fell asleep as well.
Even the studious Ravenclaws couldn't resist. Many little eagles succumbed to the hypnotic effect, which was even stronger than a lullaby.
Hermione struggled to stay awake, diligently taking notes. In this regard, Karmit genuinely admired her.
Miss Know-It-All deserved to be a top student.
Even he was finding it hard to endure.
History of Magic was perhaps the longest class of all.
But it could also be the shortest. Because students often slept through it, and when they woke up, the lesson was already over.
When the bell rang, the students felt as if they had been granted amnesty.
They rushed out of the classroom, afraid that if they lingered for even a second, the hypnotic chant would start up again.
As she packed her things, Hermione complained to Draco and Harry.
"My goodness. I always thought math was the most sleep-inducing subject. I didn't expect there to be something even worse."
Draco said, "I really can't accept History of Magic. It's pure torture."
Harry nodded vigorously in agreement.
Just then, Draco noticed his cousin walking toward the lectern.
Seeing the professor about to float away, Karmit quickly called out, "Please wait, Professor!"
Binns turned his head. "Do you have a question?"
"Yes," Karmit said. "There are some issues troubling me. If you have time, I'd like to ask you about them."
Binns looked at him with mild surprise. "Interesting. You're the first student to ask me questions after class. What's your name?"
"Karmit Black."
"Black?" Binns exclaimed. "The Black family I know?"
"There's only one Black family in the wizarding world," Karmit replied calmly.
Binns nodded. "Very well, Mr. Black. What is your question?"
"It's about magical sigils."
Binns frowned. "Magical sigils? Of course. Your Black family has a sigil inheritance. You want to ask why sigil inscription always fails, don't you?"
Karmit froze for a moment.
"Professor, why would you think that?"
"Because a long time ago, someone from your Black family asked me the same question," Binns replied.
"Though he asked it during class. I suspect he was just trying to derail my lecture and make things more interesting."
"So then, Professor Binns," Karmit said, "what is your answer to that question?"
"The answer is very simple," Binns replied. "Magical sigils require an extremely special kind of talent.
Some people believe sigils only require memorization and careful inscription, but in truth, sigils are the discipline that relies on talent the most.
"That is precisely why sigils fell into obscurity. If that's why you came to me, then you already have your answer.
Don't waste your time on sigils. You'll find that the time you invest will be a complete waste."
"But I believe I do have talent in sigils," Karmit said calmly.
Binns smiled faintly. "The Black family has never lacked people with such confidence. Unfortunately, they all failed in the end. You will be no exception."
Before Binns could finish speaking, Karmit took out the two wooden boards he had engraved and placed them on the lectern.
Binns froze.
Then he floated over and examined the boards carefully.
"These… you carved them?"
"Yes," Karmit replied. "Just before coming to class."
Binns frowned deeply and looked up at him.
"Come to my office."
With that, Binns rose into the air and drifted straight toward the wall.
Karmit followed behind him.
Naturally, Karmit had to use the door.
At the entrance to Binns' office, Karmit stopped. Because no one had opened the door for him.
Binns' head emerged from the wall.
"Why are you still standing there?"
"Professor," Karmit said, "I don't believe I've mastered the ability to walk through walls."
Only then did Binns react.
"My door doesn't have a password. No one usually comes here, and I don't use the door myself. Just push it open."
Karmit pushed the door.
It creaked loudly.
He was genuinely worried the door might fall apart in the next second. It was obvious it hadn't been opened in a very long time.
When it finally opened, a cloud of dust puffed out. Karmit waved his sleeve and stepped inside.
The office itself was fairly clean, though extremely simple.
There was only a desk and a sofa.
The desk was completely empty.
Clearly, the ghost professor had no need for lesson plans. After all, he didn't even use books while teaching.
That was also one of the reasons students disliked History of Magic.
You had to search through textbooks to find what Binns mentioned, and often you couldn't find it at all.
Because it might not even belong to your level of study.
Binns said, "There are carving knives and wooden boards in that drawer. Take them out and carve something for me to see."
Karmit nodded.
He opened the drawer.
Inside were a carving knife and a stack of wooden boards.
Karmit was surprised.
Had he accidentally found Hogwarts' true sigil expert? Could Binns be the one who actually mastered magical sigils at Hogwarts?
If so, that would be an incredible gain.
Karmit took out the knife and boards and leaned over the desk, beginning to carve.
Binns floated behind him, carefully observing every movement.
When the sigil in Karmit's hand took shape, Binns exclaimed in astonishment.
"It actually worked. That shouldn't be possible. In this era, there shouldn't be anyone capable of successfully learning sigils."
Karmit looked up at the floating professor.
"Professor, what did you mean just now by 'this era'?"
"Answer me first," Binns said. "When you carve sigils, do you feel anything unusual?"
"Yes," Karmit replied. "When the sigil forms, I feel a warm current being drawn out from my arm."
Binns looked Karmit up and down.
"I never imagined such a case truly existed. Black, I can congratulate you now. You do indeed possess the talent to learn magical sigils."
Karmit rolled his eyes.
Wasn't that obvious already? Did it really need to be stated?
"So then, Professor Binns," Karmit said, "can you answer my question now? What exactly is this so-called talent for magical sigils?"
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath