Chapter 337 Arithmancy And Controversy

The discussion continued until the four finished their lunch in the Great Hall.

"What shall we do once we acquire that object?" Ron said, looking towards the Forbidden Forest. "Given that the power of that object helped Sirius create the Marauder's Map, perhaps it can assist us in enhancing our magic..."

"It's not a good idea. Strength should naturally build up gradually on its own, rather than relying on the enhancement of magical objects," Hermione frowned and said, "Moreover, we may not necessarily obtain that object. Sirius mentioned it was a very difficult challenge."

"With Evan there, no challenge will be an issue," Ron said nonchalantly. "Besides, the four of us are Gryffindor students, as it is something he left behind..."

"Alright, the same words... you've said it many times before. We can discuss this matter after the exam," Hermione said, pulling out a heavy magic book from her bag. "Regardless of what Gryffindor has left behind, all I want now is to review Arithmancy before the exam."

Hermione gestured to Evan and Harry, then turned around and walked towards the library.

"She must be crazy, right!" Ron exclaimed in surprise. "With the Gryffindor's Treasure Key and the adventure with the Centaur colony ahead, how can she only think about her exam results?"

"I think Hermione is right," Harry replied, concerned. "Now that we haven't done well in some exams, Divination is a crucial opportunity, but I know nothing about it. I can't foresee the future through the mist..."

"Come on, we all know it," Ron commented, pointing his thumb towards Professor Trelawney's tower disdainfully. "She's a complete fraud."

"Yes," Harry agreed, "but I hope we don't get too low a grade."

"Professor Trelawney likes hearing people predict tragic events," Evan suggested. "If you can't see anything in the crystal ball for a while, you can make up something like what she's been talking about, sticks, hawks, and so on."

"Yes, that's just what we need," Ron concurred. "Predicting that we'll endure misfortunes, that death and fear will go hand in hand..."

"We'll go to the exam and reconvene in the Common Room later," Harry said.

Watching their backs, Evan shook his head.

Unsurprisingly, next year, he should be like them, relying on inventing his own unfortunate future to appease Professor Trelawney and pass the Divination exam.

He should be like them next year, relying on inventing his own unfortunate future, hoping to please Professor Trelawney and pass the Divination exam.

After parting ways with Harry and Ron, Evan returned alone to the Common Room. Since all the exams for the first and second years had concluded, the atmosphere in the Common Room was very relaxed. Everyone gathered to talk, laugh, and discuss their achievements.

Evan did not join them. He reviewed various articles that were to be submitted to 'Magic Hogwarts' and played a few wizard's chess games with Colin. As the sky gradually darkened, the others began to head to dinner, and he waited a while until Harry, Ron, and Hermione returned to the Common Room.

"How did it go?" Evan asked, standing up.

"It was a disaster!" Harry replied. "Except for the scars on the table, I saw nothing in the crystal ball, so I made some things up."

"Me too!" Ron added, "I said I was going to meet a Centaur tonight. I don't think she believed it. She kept asking if the Centaur was going to kill me and all that nonsense."

"I told you ages ago that Divination is a waste of time. Next year, you two should study Arithmancy with me," Hermione remarked. "Compared to the futile Divination, Arithmancy is highly structured, and everything is analyzed in the evolution of numbers."

"Give me a break, we can't deal with this!" Ron shook his head repeatedly. "Those numbers seem to be a headache, like the muggles' learning content. I know they call it science. Think about it. How can a normal wizard grasp these things?"

"The numbers are the charm of Arithmancy," Hermione was relentless.

"Only those foolish muggles could learn such things, I can't..."

"RON!" Hermione said, unsatisfied, raising her voice.

"Let's go down for dinner. We can discuss this on the way. It's a long journey to the Centaur colony deep in the Forbidden Forest," Evan hurriedly interjected, "Come on, we shouldn't keep Sirius waiting too long."

Hermione hesitated a bit and seemed very concerned about Ron's opinion on Arithmancy, especially when he said that only foolish muggles would learn it.

But in the end, she said nothing.

Harry returned to his room and took the invisibility cloak. They went down for dinner with the others, but did not return to the Gryffindor Tower after that.

Evan asked Colin to cover for them, and the four moved cautiously for a while.

Harry hid the invisibility cloak under the front of his robe, and had to cross his arms all the time to conceal the bulge it created in his clothing.

They sneaked into an empty classroom near the gloomy entrance hall, leaned against the door, and listened for a while until they were sure no one was nearby.

"I can transform, you three use the invisibility cloak," after Evan finished, he turned into a black cat.

"This is amazing; I also want to learn Animagus Transfiguration," said Ron enviously, looking at Evan, who turned into a black cat.

"Then you need a deep theoretical foundation in Transfiguration, and powerful magic as support for your first transformation," Hermione said casually. "This is very esoteric magic, not to mention underage wizards, many powerful wizards can't do this."

"But, Evan did it?"

"He is strong enough to master powerful magic suddenly," Hermione said bluntly, because because of Arithmancy, she was still angry with Ron. "And you are different. Don't talk about that magic and deep metamorphosis. You don't even want to understand simple numbers. I think what you need now is to read more books instead of fantasizing about mastering such illusory and profound magic..."

Ron's ears were visibly red at Hermione's words.

Evan jumped on Hermione's shoulder and gestured for her to calm down and not overdo it.

Due to Hermione's outburst, the atmosphere became slightly uncomfortable. Ron blushed and seemed to want to apologize to Hermione, but he opened his mouth and didn't actually say anything.

After a while, Harry lowered his voice and said, "There's no one outside. We'd better hurry!"

So the three of them put on the invisibility cloak, huddled together underneath it, and tiptoed through the Great Hall. Evan followed them and they walked up the stone stairs to the door.

By that time, the sun had set behind the Forbidden Forest, and the dark yellow glow illuminated the treetops, while a cool night breeze blew from the north.