Chapter 285: Ancient Runes and Professor Babbling
Rita Skeeter's report may have caused a brief stir, but it didn't last long.
From the second week onward, rain settled over Hogwarts, mostly incessant. The gloomy skies and relentless drizzle dampened everyone's spirits, while the damp cold seeped into the castle walls, leaving many young wizards with colds. Madam Pomfrey had to prepare a large quantity of Pepperup Potion much earlier than usual. Although the potion worked instantly, it made those who drank it puff like old steam locomotives for several hours afterward.
George, who caught a cold, joked that he now looked like an actual steam engine. Fred found it amusing, and although he was perfectly healthy, he went to Madam Pomfrey to ask for a dose of Pepperup Potion as well. The two of them then walked around together, billowing steam in sync.
Under these wet, gloomy conditions, Kyle finally had his first Ancient Runes class.
The Ancient Runes classroom was on the third floor of the West Tower. The professor in charge, Bathilda Babbling, was a witch in her forties with grayish eyes. Rumor had it that she'd been teaching at Hogwarts for more than fifty years, though no one knew if that was true.
As the most challenging subject at Hogwarts, Ancient Runes attracted few students. Only sixteen people filled the classroom—this was everyone who had chosen the course from all four houses.
When the class started, Professor Babbling surveyed the group, a bit surprised.
"So many students this year?" Her voice sounded as if it were coming through a long tunnel.
"This is a large number?" whispered Kanna, who had also chosen the course. "Are there usually so few people?"
Though Kanna's voice was barely audible, Professor Babbling caught it. "Last year there were nine, and the year before that, just seven," she replied. "This classroom is rarely full, even with ten."
Professor Babbling wasn't as stern as she appeared. After answering Kanna's question, she added, half-jokingly, "Sometimes I wonder if I should combine all five years into a single class so I'd only have to teach once a week. Then, the rest of the time, I could go on holiday to other countries. But, alas, your Headmaster Dumbledore always refuses."