"Then I want to learn that spell."
Cassandra's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Teach me."
She pointed dramatically toward the sky.
"That Lightning Spear is far cooler than anything Professor Flitwick teaches."
Liam couldn't help laughing.
Trust Cassandra to judge magic by how impressive it looked.
"Fine."
His answer came easily.
He had already planned to teach it to her eventually.
"But there are conditions."
Cassandra immediately straightened.
"What conditions?"
"You don't use it recklessly."
His expression became serious.
"The spell is extremely lethal."
Unlike many classroom charms, Lightning Spear wasn't designed for dueling practice.
It was designed to kill.
A direct hit could easily be fatal.
"If you lose control, someone could die."
Cassandra's excitement cooled slightly.
Liam continued.
"And if you kill someone at Hogwarts, you'll end up in Azkaban."
His silver eyes met hers.
"I don't want that."
The sincerity in his voice made Cassandra's heart skip slightly.
She quickly nodded.
"I know."
Her tone became serious as well.
"I won't use it on other students."
Then she added proudly:
"I rarely use dangerous spells anyway."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
Considering some of the things she'd attempted during their duels, that statement was highly questionable.
Still, he decided not to argue.
"Then listen carefully."
Cassandra immediately focused.
"The foundation of Lightning Spear is mental locking."
Liam pointed toward the clouds overhead.
"When casting, your wand isn't aimed at the target."
"It isn't?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"The wand is used to guide magical power upward."
Understanding slowly appeared.
"So I can't use the wand to track an opponent."
"Exactly."
Liam nodded.
"You must lock onto them using your own mind."
Cassandra frowned thoughtfully.
That already sounded difficult.
Liam continued.
"After that, you divide your attention into two separate tasks."
"Two?"
"One part controls the magical power guiding electricity through the clouds."
"The second?"
"Controls the Lightning Spear itself."
He gestured toward the sky.
"While one spear is descending, you're already forming the next."
Realization dawned on Cassandra.
"So it's continuous attack magic."
"Exactly."
The more she listened, the more terrifying the spell sounded.
No wonder she had been overwhelmed.
A caster capable of maintaining Lightning Spear could bombard an opponent relentlessly.
It was an incredibly oppressive combat style.
By the time Liam finished explaining the fundamentals, Cassandra's eyes were shining even brighter than before.
Fortunately, before she could demand immediate lessons, another matter interrupted.
After separating from Cassandra, Liam headed toward the Hogwarts Library.
Along the way, a massive figure emerged from near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"Liam!"
Hagrid waved enthusiastically.
Liam changed direction.
"Something wrong, Hagrid?"
The half-giant scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Not exactly."
He seemed unusually hesitant.
"There's someone who wants to meet you."
Liam immediately became curious.
"Who?"
"Firenze."
"The centaur?"
Hagrid nodded.
"The leader of the centaurs."
Now that was unexpected.
The two walked toward Hagrid's stone hut while talking.
"I told Professor Dumbledore about it."
Hagrid glanced at Liam.
"He said you're free to go if you want."
Liam considered the invitation.
A centaur seeking him out was certainly unusual.
Particularly Firenze.
As far as Liam knew, centaurs rarely involved themselves in wizard affairs.
"Can it wait until tonight?"
Hagrid nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"I promised Hermione I'd meet her in the library first."
"No problem."
Hagrid looked relieved.
"Just come by after dark."
Then his expression became more serious.
"And try not to let the other students find out."
Liam understood instantly.
The Forbidden Forest was dangerous enough already.
The last thing Hogwarts needed was curious students attempting to follow him.
"I'll be there."
Hagrid smiled broadly.
"Good."
They parted ways shortly afterward.
As Liam walked toward the castle, his thoughts drifted toward the centaurs.
Perhaps they wanted to discuss the giant Patronus Dragon.
Or Voldemort.
Centaurs were famous for divination.
If anyone possessed useful information regarding Voldemort's whereabouts, it might be them.
Whatever the reason, Liam intended to find out.
The Hogwarts Library was unusually quiet.
As expected, Hermione occupied her usual seat.
A stack of books nearly obscured her completely.
Liam sat down beside her.
"Good afternoon, Hermione."
She immediately looked up.
A smile appeared.
"Good afternoon, Liam."
Then something strange happened.
Hermione hesitated.
For several seconds.
Clearly gathering courage.
Finally, she spoke.
"Liam..."
"Hm?"
"We're friends, right?"
The question caught him completely off guard.
"Of course."
He looked genuinely confused.
"We're good friends."
Hermione visibly relaxed.
Then she blurted out the rest.
"What Cassandra is willing to do for you, I'd do too."
Liam blinked.
Hermione immediately turned red.
But she forced herself to continue.
"We're friends."
Her voice grew firmer.
"I won't be worse than her."
For a moment, Liam didn't know whether to laugh or feel touched.
In the end, he chose honesty.
"Thank you."
The answer made Hermione smile.
Then Liam changed the subject.
"Actually, I do need your help with something."
Hermione straightened instantly.
The reaction was immediate.
Like a soldier receiving orders.
"What is it?"
"I'll help."
Liam reached into his pocket and produced one of the silver dragon scales.
The scale glimmered under the library lights.
Hermione took it carefully.
Then she froze.
Several seconds passed.
She turned it over.
Examined it again.
Then frowned.
"I've never seen this before."
That answer wasn't encouraging.
"No dragon species I know has scales like this."
Liam wasn't surprised.
He already suspected as much.
Hermione continued studying it.
"I'll investigate."
Her expression became serious.
"Give me a few days."
"Take your time."
Liam smiled.
"It's not urgent."
Hermione immediately shook her head.
"It is."
Liam blinked.
She looked away slightly.
"You asked me."
The answer was so straightforward that Liam couldn't help smiling.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Hermione nodded firmly.
Then another thought occurred to Liam.
"Actually."
He extended his hand.
"Could I borrow the hairpin I gave you?"
Hermione immediately touched the silver hairpin holding back part of her hair.
"The one you made?"
"Yes."
Carefully, she removed it and handed it over.
Before releasing it, however, she added:
"Be careful."
Liam looked amused.
"It's durable."
"It's the first gift you ever gave me."
The words came out so quickly that Hermione immediately turned red again.
Liam paused.
Then smiled gently.
"I won't damage it."
He examined the hairpin.
"The defensive enchantments aren't complete yet."
Hermione tilted her head.
"Really?"
"I originally only had time to inscribe protection against the Killing Curse."
Her eyes widened.
Liam continued casually.
"I still need to add countermeasures for the other two Unforgivable Curses."
Hermione nearly dropped the book she was holding.
Liam spoke as though such things were completely normal.
To him, perhaps they were.
"I'll return it tomorrow."
Hermione nodded.
Then immediately stood up.
"Right."
She gathered several books.
"I'm going to start researching dragon scales."
Liam laughed.
"Already?"
"You said it was important."
Before he could reply, Hermione was already heading deeper into the library.
Watching her go, Liam couldn't help appreciating how reliable she was.
That evening, Liam completed the additional enchantments on Hermione's hairpin inside his suitcase laboratory.
Then he waited.
Hours passed.
The castle gradually grew quiet.
By ten o'clock, most students were asleep.
Perfect.
A Disillusionment Charm settled over him.
Moments later, Liam slipped silently from the Slytherin common room and headed toward Hagrid's hut.
Tonight, he intended to discover why the centaurs wanted to meet him.
....
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