Chapter 108: Chapter 107 "History of Magic"
The third week of the school year they have brought with it a noticeable surge in homework for the fourth-year students at Hogwarts. A chorus of complaints echoed through the halls as the students lamented the increased workload, especially in Professor McGonagall's transfiguration class.
In response to the grumblings, Professor McGonagall, with her eyes gleaming behind her square-shaped spectacles, addressed the class with a sense of authority.
"You are entering a crucial phase in your magical education!" she declared, her gaze piercing through the lenses. "Your OWL exams are looming—"
"But we won't be taking the OWL exam until the fifth year!" Blaise raised his hand in protest.
"Perhaps, Mr. Shabini, but trust me, thorough preparation is essential! In this class, only Mr. Malfoy has managed to turn a hedgehog into a satisfactory pincushion. And let me remind you, your pin cushion will still quiver in fear when someone approaches it with a needle!"
Meanwhile, Professor Binns concluded his lecture on the goblin rebellion, transitioning the fourth-year students to the preparation for the upcoming fifth-year OWL exams.
The focus shifted to the extensive history of the wizarding world, tracing its roots back to the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
The wizarding world's historical records were first documented during this period, marking the beginning of the magical civilization.
While many of these records were either lost or incompletely preserved, the wizarding world started to take shape during the time spanning from 500 BC to the fourth century AD.
Historians collectively labeled this era as the "Ancient Age," aligning with the Muggle world's "Classical Age" in their respective histories.
The prehistoric era, predating the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Greece, was not within the scope of the OWL exam and, thus, remained untouched in the classroom discussions.
During the times when the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece were flourishing, the Ollivanderfamily officially emerged in the Mediterranean countries, establishing a lineage dedicated to magical wandcraft.
In ancient Greece, notable figures such as the infamous Helbo, the enchanting Circe, the invincible Andros, and the Prophet Poussos captured the admiration and awe of thousands.
Following the conclusion of the ancient era, the world entered what is commonly referred to as the "Middle Age," spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. The tenth century, in particular, shone brightly, marked by the presence of influential figures such as the four founders of Hogwarts, the founder of Durmstrang, Merlin, Morgan Leffe, Kleona, Morrigan, and the goblin king Ragnac I.
(Note: Kleona, an Irish female druid and seabird Animagus, discovered the use of moonflower, proficient in bird language and healing magic, as depicted in the chocolate frog picture.)
(Note: Morrigan, an Irish witch and crow Animagus, served as the ancestor of the Sayre family and the founder of Ilvermony, Isolt Sayre, according to Pottermore.)
In the subsequent generations, noteworthy individuals emerged, including Hengist of Woodcroft, the founder of Hogsmeade; Armand Malfoy, founder of the Malfoy family; and the three Peverell brothers, creators of the Deathly Hallows. Additionally, peculiar figures like Yurik, who sported a jellyfish as a hat, added a touch of eccentricity to this era.
(Note: The Peverells' third granddaughter married into the Porter family in the 13th century, with two generations reversed. The three brothers lived in the 11th century, arriving in Great Britain alongside the Malfoy family around the same time.)
The period following the Middle Ages, spanning from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, is termed the "Early Modern Age" by historians. Notable figures of this era include Nicolas Flamel, Paracelsus, the founder of Ilvermony; Isolt Sayre and Azkaban; Ekrizdiz, and the Silver Spears each contributing to the magical landscape in the recent centuries.
After that, the historical period from the 19th century onward is collectively referred to as the "Modern Age" in the wizarding world. Despite Professor Binns's lectures maintaining their characteristic monotony and inducing drowsiness among the young wizards in the audience, the realization that this content would be part of their exams prompted many to rouse themselves to take notes reluctantly.
In stark contrast, Skyler listened with great enthusiasm. For him, an understanding of magic was not just a necessity but a genuine interest. The soul of an adventurer hidden within him craved ancient stories and legends, making the history of magic a captivating subject.
One notable exception to the tired crowd was Morag. Seated on the left side of Skyler, she diligently transcribed the lecture, displaying a keen interest. On the other hand, Daphne, occupying the right side of Skyler, succumbed to slumber within the initial ten minutes of the class.
Upon the ringing of the dismissal bell, the restless freshmen promptly exited the classroom. Unaffected by the commotion, Professor Binns remained stationary on the podium, observing their departure.
Seizing the opportunity, Skyler approached Professor Binns with a question, "Professor, may I delve into the origins of magic?"
"Oh, you truly are a young scholar," responded Professor Binns, his ghostly visage displaying a twitch of surprise. While his memory of names remained elusive, he vaguely recalled this young man, who had previously articulated insightful views on the goblin rebellion. "And who might you be?"
"I am Malfoy, Skyler Malfoy, Professor."
"Mr. Malfoy, answering your question is no easy task. Ancient history has bequeathed us scant written records, and the wizards of that era seldom chose the path of becoming ghosts to enlighten future generations..."
"The prevailing belief is that magic originated in ancient times," Professor Binns began. "During this era, the world was vastly different from its current state. The landscapes were barren, and the climate unforgiving. Only the most formidable species could endure. Rather than the human wizards we know today, the dominant entities were the immensely powerful ancient dragons and giants."
"The precise appearance of these ancient dragons and giants eludes us, but we can draw inspiration from their descendants—the remnants being giant dragons and giants. These forebears differed significantly from their offspring. Possessing robust bodies adapted to exceedingly harsh environments. They wielded the potential to bring about cataclysmic destruction. This power, in essence, served as the prototype of magic."
"In that bygone era, various other species coexisted, including the ancient elves—precursors to our contemporary elves. Yet, their power paled in comparison to the destructive might of the races mentioned above. Furthermore, numerous archaeological findings suggest a penchant for peace and order among these species, with an aversion to chaos and war. Consequently, they opted not to withdraw from the world. This led the ancient dragons and giants to engage in a protracted war as they vied for the scarce resources available."
"Subsequently, beings of considerably lesser stature and strength, namely humans, made their appearance. Despite their seemingly unassuming nature in such an environment, humans possessed robust reproductive capabilities and an unwavering will to survive. The emergence of ancient humans and the subsequent mutations they underwent could be viewed as the initial magical upheaval in human history."
"This particular power, termed the 'Power of Chaos' by subsequent generations, stands as the inaugural source of mankind's magical abilities. Passed down through the bloodlines, it continues to be transmitted from generation to generation, giving rise to the diverse wizarding families we recognize today. Partial insights into these origins can be gleaned from the literature of ancient pure-blood wizarding families. This likely contributes to the persistence of the idea of pure-blood supremacy among certain wizards."
So, this is the origin of what we call bloodline power. With numerous uncertainties cleared up, Skyler, eager for more knowledge, continued his inquiry: "Professor, you mentioned that this is the initial source of human magic power. Does that mean we have other sources of magical power?"
"Absolutely, young one. You're quite perceptive," Professor Binns commended, pleased with the attentive students. He elaborated, "Despite the dominance of chaos's power, humans, while seemingly feeble, swelled in astounding numbers. The ancient dragons and giants, diminished by prolonged warfare, found their populations dwindling. To bolster their ranks in war, they began recruiting humans, offering a share of their intrinsic bloodline power to those willing to align with them. This marks the genesis of the second generation of human magic—the power bestowed by the two major races, the dragons, and the Titans. These three magical powers have historically been acknowledged as the roots of all magical abilities among human wizards."
Skyler nodded in understanding. Far from fatigued after his lengthy discourse, Professor Binns seemed to relish the discussion. Undoubtedly, his disposition was influenced by his ghostly nature.
"Does this explanation make sense to you?" Professor Binns asked kindly.
"Yes, it does. Thank you for clarifying, Professor Binns," Skyler expressed his gratitude.
"If you ever have more questions about the history of magic, feel free to approach me. Students as diligent as you are is a rare find nowadays," Professor Binns remarked contentedly, stowing away the ethereal textbook before gliding out of the classroom. "Until next time, Mr. Malfoy."
It was a rare occurrence for Professor Binns to recall a student's name, a testament to the impact of Skyler's recent inquiry.
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