"Let's continue. The density of the flow of magic. It depends directly on the wizard's mind. The exact connection to its various aspects is unclear, but one thing is certain - the older the wizard, the denser the magic he can give off."

"Something similar was said by Professor Flitwick." ​​

"Great. I'm glad he told you such subtleties. I'm sure the professor is very interested in you. Well, and in his project. But not the point. Let's get back to the practicality of this knowledge. Why do I believe that Voldemort is a product of chimerology, aside from his appearance? The way his magic is felt when he casts his spells. There's too much of it rushing into space in seconds, and that's what happens with very large spell structures. At the same time, the magic is noticeably less dense than Dumbledore's - you can feel it, too. As the saying goes: "It's breathtaking" when there is very dense magic around. And just the feeling of magic itself - it's not quite human. Not everyone can feel that either, but because I practice necromancy, I can also boast of sensitivity."

"What about Hermione or me?"

"Your magic is felt within human limits but on edge. Yes, and the density of magic is noticeably higher. Hermione's magic is within normal limits, but the density is quite high, indicating a developed mind. Perhaps it is the result of your constant wild training. Perhaps if I had started seriously practicing magic at the age of eleven, I would have achieved more by now. I'm much more interested in your ability to accelerate at your age. The interesting thing is that when I examined and diagnosed your body, I could see quite clearly that your current abilities are far, far from the limit."

"Speaking of acceleration. Lady Greengrass..."

"You could just say 'teacher.' By name, I'm afraid, your upbringing won't allow it."

"You're right. So, teacher, what's the deal with acceleration in general? What are the limits?"

"A normal human can accelerate to almost twice his body's current limit through magic. Magic is certainly omnipotent, but further acceleration and increase in other physical parameters without changing the body is impossible. Or spell, of course. Suppose, as I was able to understand, you are able to accelerate your perception five times, and the body so far only two, but at the same time, you are physically stronger just like that, more than twice. I've achieved about the same results through chimerology, but a decision like that has consequences."

"Consequences? Oh, I can guess..."

"Yes. I already have two wonderful girls, which is why I decided to take this step. More changes can give even more gains in various parameters. Still, as a woman, I want to be beautiful, and my vision of beauty doesn't imply various... unnecessary or inhuman nuances."

"It's amazing the frankness with which you talk about such things."

Delphine leaned back in her chair.

"We signed a contract, and information about each other's secrets is safe. Also, I'm not a little girl to be shy anymore, and I prefer frankness in our collaboration. Yes, in addition to your training, I am certainly interested in the reasons for your abilities, which have entailed almost no change in your appearance. I am interested in this as a specialist, but also simply as a witch striving for power. In exchange, I can give you information about necromancy. Other ways to get it is problematic - not the most common discipline. But I can assure you, and you yourself should have understood from the contract, that such an exchange of information implies only personal use without any transfer to the side."

"That's understandable."

"Good. Then, let's begin our training with transfiguration. Unlike my other disciplines, your knowledge and skills in transfiguration are not much higher than in school. And there's not much information on it in the school library."

Rising from her desk, Delphine walked over to one of the bookcases and pulled out a couple that didn't look new but were well-groomed. Placing them in front of me, she went back to her desk.

"Let's start with the first chapter. How do you feel more comfortable studying?"

"Memorize everything and then analyze."

"Go ahead."

The study process went on as it always does in my case - learned quickly, processed with Rowena's help, understood. Delphine was a little surprised, asked around cursorily, and gave me the assignment to keep learning. In the end, two books were finished before lunch, after which I was safely kicked out to that very lunch, where I sat next to Hermione in the Great Hall...

"How's your first day?"

"Learning books."

"Books are good," Hermione nodded, busying herself with some round rissoles.

After a silent lunch, we moved on to tea in large mugs.

"Do you remember that we have to go to Flitwick after Charm's class today?"

"Yes, except I forgot to tell Lady Greengrass."

"Be sure to tell her."

"How could you ever forget something when studying occlumency?" grinned Hermione with playful indignation, adding a couple of sugar cubes to her tea.

"Didn't give it much thought. I don't understand it myself."

"I guess it's no big deal," the girl took a sip of tea with sugar and nodded contentedly. "Have you noticed how everyone started to dislike Harry?"

"Yeah."

"I wonder why someone put his name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"Do you believe in that?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded again and looked at Potter. "It's unlikely he could bypass the protection himself, and it's unlikely the Goblet would accept a parchment with his name on it from another person."

"Why are you so sure about the second one?"

"I read about the magic of the name. Even not particularly advanced charms can verify a match of signature and person. And these charms are many hundreds of years old. I don't think the Goblet of Fire is the product of more primitive magic."

"Perhaps. Whoever threw Potter's name by tricking the Goblet didn't do it for good. That's where people die."

"That's right, Max," Hermione looked at me. "I'm really worried about you."

"Thanks, of course, but I'll give it my all, and I won't go into the frying pan without a guarantee of victory."

"That's good. Yes..."