Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 44 Merlin in the History of Magic

Back in the tower, the four of them immediately collapsed onto their beds. Karen had barely closed her eyes when she drifted off to sleep.

"Karen...Karen!"

Someone was gently shaking his shoulder. Karen struggled to open his eyes and saw Fabian's face.

"Lunchtime," Fabian said, "if you don't get up now, there won't be anything to eat."

Karen sat up groggily, but her energy had recovered considerably.

In the common room, several second-year students were playing Wizards Chess. Seeing the group of four appear, a girl smiled and said, "Our 'Spell Genius' has finally woken up?"

Ernesto slightly raised his chin, but then turned his face away, somewhat embarrassed. Wesley, on the other hand, gave an exaggerated bow: "At your service, ma'am! Would you like me to unlock it for you?"

A burst of laughter immediately filled the lounge.

In the auditorium, lunch was nearing its end. The four quickly ate their fill, preparing for the afternoon's history of magic class.

"To be honest, I might fall asleep in class," Wesley said, munching on a chicken leg. "Professor Binns' voice is more effective than sleeping pills."

"I've never listened to a single history of magic class in its entirety," Karen admitted. "Either I was too sleepy and fell asleep, or... I made up an excuse to skip class."

Fabian adjusted his glasses: "Today's topic is Merlin's role in the wizarding world and Muggle history. It's actually quite interesting."

"Provided you can stay awake," Ernesto said dryly. "The last time I tried to take notes on Professor Binns' lectures, I found myself drawing a bunch of snoring little figures on parchment."

"I'm going to listen carefully this time," Karen said. "Professor Binns' lectures may be monotonous, but the content should be very valuable."

Karen decided to pay attention this time. As a time traveler, he had a natural interest in the history of magic in the Harry Potter world, but he had missed the previous classes either because he was too sleepy or because he had something to deal with.

Ernesto seemed about to argue, but ultimately just shrugged. "Suit yourself. But don't blame me for not warning you, Professor Binns's lectures are more effective than the potion of life and death."

After lunch, the four went to the History of Magic classroom. It was a large, dimly lit classroom with heavy curtains covering the windows, and only floating candles provided illumination. Karen guessed that this was to match Professor Binns' ghostly properties.

Professor Binns's entrance into the classroom was truly impressive—he emerged directly from the blackboard, as if it weren't a solid wall. This withered little old ghost began his lecture in an appallingly monotonous voice, skipping even a self-introduction.

"Today we continue with Merlin's role in the Middle Ages," Professor Binns' voice seemed to come from afar, carrying a strange buzzing sound, "paying special attention to his art of balancing his dual identities in the Muggle and wizarding worlds."

Karen forced herself to stay awake and opened her notebook. Professor Binns' voice was indeed like some kind of lullaby; the tone and rhythm of every word were almost identical, making one's eyelids unconsciously heavy.

Karen pinched his thigh hard, forcing himself to concentrate. Beside him, Wesley yawned, his redhead drooping. Fabian tried to stay awake, pushing up his glasses, but his eyelids were drooping too. Only Ernesto remained alert, though Karen noticed he was drawing constellations in the margins of his textbook.

"Merlin, as King Arthur's advisor," Professor Binns continued his hypnotic narration, "is depicted in Muggle history as a wise wizard, but in our records, he was actually a secret member of the Wizarding Council, the precursor to the Ministry of Magic, dedicated to maintaining order before the enactment of the Law of Secrecy..."

Karen's quill pen flew across the paper, but his thoughts began to drift. Merlin's dual identity in two worlds… how similar it was to his own situation—a time traveler who knew the "future," an existence that traversed the perceptions of two worlds. He suddenly felt an unprecedented interest in the course.

"...Merlin foresaw the inevitable separation of Muggles and wizards," Professor Binns' voice seemed to come from afar, "and therefore he meticulously planned a series of events at Camelot's court to ensure that evidence of magic's existence could be reasonably denied..."

"...Interestingly, Merlin himself was actually a Slytherin," Professor Binns' words suddenly caught Cullen's attention, "which contrasts sharply with the image later generations have portrayed him as the epitome of a 'white wizard'..."

The snoring in the classroom gradually increased. Karen saw that even the usually studious Fabian was slumped over his desk, his glasses askew. Wesley was fast asleep, a trace of drool still clinging to his lips. Only a few students were still struggling to stay awake.

Karen pinched his thigh again; the pain temporarily banished his sleepiness. He stared intently at Professor Binns, trying to extract valuable information from the monotonous voice.

"...Modern wizards have generally misunderstood Merlin's true stance. He was neither a proponent of pure-blood superiority nor a Muggle enthusiast, but rather he saw the limitations and values ​​of both worlds..."

Ernesto suddenly whispered, "My grandfather always said that Merlin was a defender of pure bloodlines, but it seems there might be some twist to that."

"History is often interpreted by later generations according to their own needs," Karen responded in a low voice. "The truth is usually more complicated."

Professor Binns continued recounting how Merlin was gradually deified in Muggle history, while in the history of magic he was claimed by different factions. The more Karen listened, the more she felt that this legendary wizard was like a master of balance, walking a tightrope between two worlds.

When the bell finally rang, less than a fifth of the students in the classroom were awake. Professor Binns seemed completely unconcerned, floating straight back to the blackboard and disappearing without even saying "get out of class dismissed."

"Merlin," Wesley rubbed his eyes as he woke up, "I dreamt I was being chased by a talking lock that kept shouting 'Open the Alohomora'..."

Fabian adjusted his glasses, looking ashamed at his almost blank notebook: "I fell asleep again. Karen, you actually managed to stay awake?"

Karen showed off her densely packed notes and thoughtful annotations: "The content is actually quite interesting, but the professor's way of expressing it... needs improvement."

Ernesto glanced curiously at the notes: "You've written down a lot of points that aren't in the textbook. My father would definitely object to most of them."

"That's the meaning of education," Karen said, closing her notebook, "to be exposed to different viewpoints and then form your own judgment."

As the four walked out of the classroom, the setting sun had already bathed the stone walls of the corridor in gold. Karen's thoughts were still lingering on Merlin's dual identity, which made him rethink his own situation. Perhaps he didn't have to completely choose between the magical world and the Muggle world, but could find his own balance, like Merlin.