Ciphers And Codes (Sept 6)
Jul 11, 2018 0:19:58 GMT -6
Post by Snick on Jul 11, 2018 0:19:58 GMT -6
Elizabeta paced the ritual room slowly, mentally going over everything she knew about the rituals so far since she joined Novus Ordo Secolorum. So many rituals were still very much a mystery to her. Oh she knew the words and what one needed to do when pledging, taking the oaths, not to mention all the trails to prove one's worth. But there were many other rituals she did not know of yet. Each one also had their own hidden meanings, some of which she discovered in reading the charter books, at least the ones available for members.
The symbols on the floor however, she was seeing with a new light. That test she failed so miserably, revealed there was hidden meanings, codes and ciphers which mean something completely different. There was too much she wanted to learn here to risk failing renewing her pledge. Professor Glassman gave her a chance to make up for her mistake and she intended to succeed and prove she was not one to make the same mistake twice. It also meant she had to be extra careful around Llewellyn, she had to be more clever than him and that won't be easy.
"So much I want to do and learn, not enough time to do it." She muttered to herself. A part of her hoped she didn't get appointed again to the dance committee, that time could be better spent. The Legacy Council, however, had more advantage for her than organizing dances. Wait..more time... "I am an idiot."
Elizabeta had a time turner, she could make all the time she wanted. She didn't want to abuse it however but now that she reminded herself she could make use of it. Afterall it was to allow her to attend all her classes and clubs without conflict, she would need as much if not more time to do research and study to ensure her grades never slipped. She just had to make sure she kept a careful record of what and where she was doing something at any given time of the day. Never be seen, number one rule given to her when she was allowed the use of a time turner.
Flipping a few pages of her notebook, which she had been recording the symbols and trying a few different combinations and translations to try and figure out hidden meanings, till she found a blank sheet she wrote down the time and date and what she was doing at this moment. Might as well start now to keep track.
Walking across the room she pushed aside the round carpet, curious to see if the pattern she had photographed changed...at first glance it looked the same but given how elaborate it was, it would be hard to spot changes. She carefully started examining the images, seeing what she can figure out.
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It wasn't long after she pushed the carpet aside that Howard Glassman appeared at the door, leaning against the door frame and peering at her over the rims of his horn-rimmed glasses. "Is there something in particular you're looking for, Miss Romani-Nicoli? A hidden secret, or perhaps some bit of arcane knowledge that we don't teach at the school? Or are you perhaps wondering if your movements are being tracked and accounted for in anticipation of another breach of faith?"
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Elizabeta turns and looks over at Mr. Glassman, a part of her not all that surprised he showed up. She gave have him a polite nod. "The former two more than the latter." She replied.
"When I looked upon these symbols before it never occurred to me they could be a code. It let me rather curious so I decided to come down and see if I can figure out how it works. Only so much I can do just looking at it as Mr. Llewellyn had photos with sections cut out...but I have no intention of asking him more about how he decoded it."
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"He figured it out because I gave him the photograph and told him how to decode it." Howard said simply. What more was there to admit? "The words were written in three concentric circles equidistant from one another, and then I split them in the middle and rotated them. To a partially-trained eye, they might appear to be a combination of Celtic ogham runes and some elder futhark, which was the effect I had intended."
"It was a test, the sole function of which was to be revealed to you as such, whether you passed or failed. I can assure you, others are being tested in a similar manner even as we speak. The book on that lectern, the tapestry in the attic, the sigils on the skull in the common room library, the secret code in the stained-glass window... they all have a similar message encoded in them -- See me in my office. The chess notation was a private joke between Ted and myself, but other than that, it is no different than the others."
"Our legacy is a mystery tradition. Our power is based on secrecy and trust. Most of our graduates achieve great wealth and power because we know the secrets to acquire and maintain such things. You could go into the world penniless and our alumni would find ways to help you along towards your goal, knowing that you will do the same for those that follow you. In that way, it's rather like a pyramid scheme that you can actually attain success from."
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Elizabeta listened intently as Professor Glassman talked. Everything he said describing what Novus Ordo Secolorum was all about and what alumni rose to be was the very reason she worked hard to be accepted. Why she will work even harder to give Glassman the most detailed report about the Lighthouse, and the most accurate, ever written before. At least to her knowledge.
"It is a very way to help climb the ladder to power and wealth." Elizabeta agreed, "I have no intentions of falling off that ladder, even if I did slip once."
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"Do you want to understand the rituals that we perform in this house? The esotericism, the secrecy, the initiations?" He asked rhetorically. "Some think that our rituals are a form of ancient magic. Some believe they are a new, emergent form of magic, and still others believe they are a bunch of claptrap Muggle occultism that we incorporate into our practices." He said, taking out his wand and waving it at the floor. The runes Elizabeta had been studying disappeared, only to be replaced so-called "Magic Circle" of sorts, composed of concentric circles, geometric patterns like a Star of David, and arcane writing in ancient Babylonian, Hebrew and Aramaic.
"When you and the five other candidates who were taken in in that year were brought down here to be initiated into this house, we blindfolded you, placed each of you at one of the points of this hexacle, chanted, made you swear oaths with the point of a sword poised above your hearts, led you through the performance of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, and had you invoke the Elements of air, fire, water and earth." He said, waving his wand again. The magic circle disappeared, and a "Smiley face" appeared in its wake.
"Obviously, the oaths weren't a magically-binding contract, or some form of unbreakable vow." He said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. "But you cannot deny that they had a profound effect upon you. After that ritual, the six of you experienced an average seven percent improvement in your grades, tardies to classes were reduced by fifteen percent, but you also experienced a bit of alienation from other students at the school and lost at least one good friend each. On average."
"Some students will always have problems with some areas of magic. Very few have the precision to master potion-making, for instance, while others lack the instinct to master divination. But one thing I can tell you for certain is that mastery of magic comes from belief in it. Faith in it. I can prove to you that human transfiguration is possible, but I can't make you have faith in it -- in your ability to make it happen. That's why magical training begins when you turn eleven. When you're younger, you have absolute faith in magic, but zero control. As you get older, you gain the control you need to master it, but lose the faith. Eleven, then, is the happy medium between the two."
"So. The ritualism, the mysteries, the secrets... Maybe they are, as some have suggested, total bunkum. Maybe they are a deeper and more powerful magic than that taught by the school. Do you know who gets to decide that? You do. The meaning and the power and the value are yours to question and to discern."
"So, I have once again demonstrated great faith in you by revealing this to you, even though I have revealed very little." He said, turning to look at her. "Do you understand what I have told you?"
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Elizabeta thinks over what Mr. Glassman told her and found it quite inspiring. The changes in her when she became a member of the Skulls were not quite as he revealed as average, save her magical skill improved. Whether that was simply because she worked harder or the rituals and trust she had to put into Mr. Glassman and the student head of the Legacy for initiations, Elizabeta wasn't certain at this time.
"I do, Professor." Elizabeta had a huge respect for Professor Glassman, it warred with her respect for Professor Llewellyn but now she knew who she was totally loyal to. After all she was far more interested in the power of dark magic than just the best way to defend against it. But it wasn't because she wanted to be evil or cruel, more...the raw power and magic certainly was a great way to power. Looking at the Potions Master, she smiled. "It certainly is a very different way to view all we do here, and how magic is more about our faith in it than those very rituals."
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"I see." He adjusted his glasses a little and turned to regard her. "So, then perhaps you would like to wager a guess as to why our legacy, more than the others, was determined to help House Elves in this nation secure, once and for all, their freedom? Mind you, everyone has theories about this, too, but I can tell you that it's not because 'it was the right thing to do.'" A bit of a sneer appeared on his face as he said this.
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"House Elves are rather unique magical beings, long living very energetic and possess potent magic but innately unable to kill wizards or even each other. This doesn't mean they cannot defend themselves just they will do their best to avoid killing an opponent. Being freed they will, as a race, be grateful for the group of wizards responsible for ensuring their freedoms. They make powerful allies." Elizabeta replied after a moments thought. "Most are still very happy to serve and serve loyalty if treated well and provided for."
"Father has a couple elves working on the reserve. As the elves can move about invisible and the dragons, even the Peruvian's, don't see them as a threat nor food so it does make it easy for the elves to get close and check for injures or signs of illness. They are paid a high wage for the extra risks so my father doesn't have them work full time. They seem happy with the arrangement."
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"An apt guess, but it's mostly wrong." Howard replied. "House Elves can create magic by willing it to be so; they don't need wands or potions or magical trinkets to do so. Conversely, the other great magical race, Goblins, wield magic solely by trinkets. Very powerful trinkets. Witches and Wizards can sometimes create magic without paraphernalia, but it's wild and uncontrollable. We can forge magical devices, but they pale in comparison to those of the Goblins."
"The distinction then, is that our kind of magic is the magic of doing. Goblin magic is the magic of making. And the magic of elves is the magic of being. Like the Zen of the Muggles. What we seek to learn from the Elves is that sort of magic. The magic of being. The state where they have both faith and control. We also hope to learn the magic of the Goblins, as well. When we can be, make and do, what could possibly be beyond our reach to accomplish?"
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"Nothing." Elizabeta replies, completely captivated by the concept. To be able to wield magic as effectively as the elves do without use of a wand or device, now that is total power. Nothing could stop a witch or wizard who had that control. "That would be quite an accomplishment...to master the 'being' of magic." Without even realizing it she had walked up to the professor, stopping just at the edge of his personal space, looking up at him with rapt interest in what he was saying.
"Have you achieved this, Professor?"
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"No." Howard said, shaking his head slightly. "No, I have not. Not yet. And it is possible that it is something that I am too old, too set in my ways, too... Jaded to discover. Maybe it is something that only future generations will be able to master. But that is the reason that we must continue to strive for such a goal, for all the good it can achieve in the world. That was the reason for our Legacy. Novus Ordo -- A New Order. We have been working towards goals like these since our inception."
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"It certainly is something to strive for." Elizabeta agreed. "I am young and not yet set in my ways, nor all that jaded I don't think as I enjoy learning new things and even different ways to view concepts I had not considered before."
Being flexible in learning was something Elizabeta knew, as there was always more than one way to achieve a goal. Being too unwilling to make a sacrifice she learned would only make her goals all the harder to achieve or too easy foiled. No she had to think beyond a linear path to what she truly wanted. Let the paths to her goals be many, so she can easily adjust each step as required. Maybe not something she could do in all aspects of life but following the status quo would get her nowhere.
"How should one begin such a quest, Professor?" She asked, willing to learn whatever he had to teach. A reckless part of her wanted to touch him but she did not. Seducing a teacher to reach a goal was not a path she wanted to take. She had more respect for herself than that, not to mention she fully intended to remain untouched till the time she did find a suitable husband. Somebody who could directly or indirectly further her along the path of her ultimate goal.
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"That all depends on what you think your strengths truly are, Miss Romani-Nicoli, and how best to use them. Some people believe that, if they achieve a greater understanding of the way magic works, they will be able to do so. Some search for a more holistic, meditative, spiritual approach to it. Others fall into a category that I refer to as 'Magical transhumanists' and often resort to physical or surgical alterations to their bodies. Some are even delving into the arena of Muggle neuroscience and genetic manipulation under the belief that they can find the parts of our brains or our genetic codes that can unlock those abilities. But so far, none have found any appreciable success."
"Now... As complimentary as I found your... Attraction to me, I do think I will take my leave. Don't stay up too late."
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"It will definitely give me something to research further into, Professor." Elizabeta replied, thinking the key would have to be in how incidental magic worked and how early wizards and witches learned how to focus magic. It was all through rituals and whatnot but was that just a method to bring the mind into focus or simply, as Professor Glassman find absolute faith in one's magic and believe it will work, regardless of what 'tool' is used to focus it.
When Professor Glassman announced he was leaving she was disappointed but not because she was hoping to gain his affections but more because she had so much more questions to ask him. Such has what he felt about religion and that sort of faith, especially in miracles. But he did not seem inclined to talk more about the subject right now.
"Good night Professor. I will not stay up too late, I have quite the class load come morning." She smiled at him in a appreciative manner. "I look forward to a chance to talk further on this subject in the future."
The symbols on the floor however, she was seeing with a new light. That test she failed so miserably, revealed there was hidden meanings, codes and ciphers which mean something completely different. There was too much she wanted to learn here to risk failing renewing her pledge. Professor Glassman gave her a chance to make up for her mistake and she intended to succeed and prove she was not one to make the same mistake twice. It also meant she had to be extra careful around Llewellyn, she had to be more clever than him and that won't be easy.
"So much I want to do and learn, not enough time to do it." She muttered to herself. A part of her hoped she didn't get appointed again to the dance committee, that time could be better spent. The Legacy Council, however, had more advantage for her than organizing dances. Wait..more time... "I am an idiot."
Elizabeta had a time turner, she could make all the time she wanted. She didn't want to abuse it however but now that she reminded herself she could make use of it. Afterall it was to allow her to attend all her classes and clubs without conflict, she would need as much if not more time to do research and study to ensure her grades never slipped. She just had to make sure she kept a careful record of what and where she was doing something at any given time of the day. Never be seen, number one rule given to her when she was allowed the use of a time turner.
Flipping a few pages of her notebook, which she had been recording the symbols and trying a few different combinations and translations to try and figure out hidden meanings, till she found a blank sheet she wrote down the time and date and what she was doing at this moment. Might as well start now to keep track.
Walking across the room she pushed aside the round carpet, curious to see if the pattern she had photographed changed...at first glance it looked the same but given how elaborate it was, it would be hard to spot changes. She carefully started examining the images, seeing what she can figure out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't long after she pushed the carpet aside that Howard Glassman appeared at the door, leaning against the door frame and peering at her over the rims of his horn-rimmed glasses. "Is there something in particular you're looking for, Miss Romani-Nicoli? A hidden secret, or perhaps some bit of arcane knowledge that we don't teach at the school? Or are you perhaps wondering if your movements are being tracked and accounted for in anticipation of another breach of faith?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeta turns and looks over at Mr. Glassman, a part of her not all that surprised he showed up. She gave have him a polite nod. "The former two more than the latter." She replied.
"When I looked upon these symbols before it never occurred to me they could be a code. It let me rather curious so I decided to come down and see if I can figure out how it works. Only so much I can do just looking at it as Mr. Llewellyn had photos with sections cut out...but I have no intention of asking him more about how he decoded it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"He figured it out because I gave him the photograph and told him how to decode it." Howard said simply. What more was there to admit? "The words were written in three concentric circles equidistant from one another, and then I split them in the middle and rotated them. To a partially-trained eye, they might appear to be a combination of Celtic ogham runes and some elder futhark, which was the effect I had intended."
"It was a test, the sole function of which was to be revealed to you as such, whether you passed or failed. I can assure you, others are being tested in a similar manner even as we speak. The book on that lectern, the tapestry in the attic, the sigils on the skull in the common room library, the secret code in the stained-glass window... they all have a similar message encoded in them -- See me in my office. The chess notation was a private joke between Ted and myself, but other than that, it is no different than the others."
"Our legacy is a mystery tradition. Our power is based on secrecy and trust. Most of our graduates achieve great wealth and power because we know the secrets to acquire and maintain such things. You could go into the world penniless and our alumni would find ways to help you along towards your goal, knowing that you will do the same for those that follow you. In that way, it's rather like a pyramid scheme that you can actually attain success from."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeta listened intently as Professor Glassman talked. Everything he said describing what Novus Ordo Secolorum was all about and what alumni rose to be was the very reason she worked hard to be accepted. Why she will work even harder to give Glassman the most detailed report about the Lighthouse, and the most accurate, ever written before. At least to her knowledge.
"It is a very way to help climb the ladder to power and wealth." Elizabeta agreed, "I have no intentions of falling off that ladder, even if I did slip once."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Do you want to understand the rituals that we perform in this house? The esotericism, the secrecy, the initiations?" He asked rhetorically. "Some think that our rituals are a form of ancient magic. Some believe they are a new, emergent form of magic, and still others believe they are a bunch of claptrap Muggle occultism that we incorporate into our practices." He said, taking out his wand and waving it at the floor. The runes Elizabeta had been studying disappeared, only to be replaced so-called "Magic Circle" of sorts, composed of concentric circles, geometric patterns like a Star of David, and arcane writing in ancient Babylonian, Hebrew and Aramaic.
"When you and the five other candidates who were taken in in that year were brought down here to be initiated into this house, we blindfolded you, placed each of you at one of the points of this hexacle, chanted, made you swear oaths with the point of a sword poised above your hearts, led you through the performance of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, and had you invoke the Elements of air, fire, water and earth." He said, waving his wand again. The magic circle disappeared, and a "Smiley face" appeared in its wake.
"Obviously, the oaths weren't a magically-binding contract, or some form of unbreakable vow." He said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. "But you cannot deny that they had a profound effect upon you. After that ritual, the six of you experienced an average seven percent improvement in your grades, tardies to classes were reduced by fifteen percent, but you also experienced a bit of alienation from other students at the school and lost at least one good friend each. On average."
"Some students will always have problems with some areas of magic. Very few have the precision to master potion-making, for instance, while others lack the instinct to master divination. But one thing I can tell you for certain is that mastery of magic comes from belief in it. Faith in it. I can prove to you that human transfiguration is possible, but I can't make you have faith in it -- in your ability to make it happen. That's why magical training begins when you turn eleven. When you're younger, you have absolute faith in magic, but zero control. As you get older, you gain the control you need to master it, but lose the faith. Eleven, then, is the happy medium between the two."
"So. The ritualism, the mysteries, the secrets... Maybe they are, as some have suggested, total bunkum. Maybe they are a deeper and more powerful magic than that taught by the school. Do you know who gets to decide that? You do. The meaning and the power and the value are yours to question and to discern."
"So, I have once again demonstrated great faith in you by revealing this to you, even though I have revealed very little." He said, turning to look at her. "Do you understand what I have told you?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeta thinks over what Mr. Glassman told her and found it quite inspiring. The changes in her when she became a member of the Skulls were not quite as he revealed as average, save her magical skill improved. Whether that was simply because she worked harder or the rituals and trust she had to put into Mr. Glassman and the student head of the Legacy for initiations, Elizabeta wasn't certain at this time.
"I do, Professor." Elizabeta had a huge respect for Professor Glassman, it warred with her respect for Professor Llewellyn but now she knew who she was totally loyal to. After all she was far more interested in the power of dark magic than just the best way to defend against it. But it wasn't because she wanted to be evil or cruel, more...the raw power and magic certainly was a great way to power. Looking at the Potions Master, she smiled. "It certainly is a very different way to view all we do here, and how magic is more about our faith in it than those very rituals."
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"I see." He adjusted his glasses a little and turned to regard her. "So, then perhaps you would like to wager a guess as to why our legacy, more than the others, was determined to help House Elves in this nation secure, once and for all, their freedom? Mind you, everyone has theories about this, too, but I can tell you that it's not because 'it was the right thing to do.'" A bit of a sneer appeared on his face as he said this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"House Elves are rather unique magical beings, long living very energetic and possess potent magic but innately unable to kill wizards or even each other. This doesn't mean they cannot defend themselves just they will do their best to avoid killing an opponent. Being freed they will, as a race, be grateful for the group of wizards responsible for ensuring their freedoms. They make powerful allies." Elizabeta replied after a moments thought. "Most are still very happy to serve and serve loyalty if treated well and provided for."
"Father has a couple elves working on the reserve. As the elves can move about invisible and the dragons, even the Peruvian's, don't see them as a threat nor food so it does make it easy for the elves to get close and check for injures or signs of illness. They are paid a high wage for the extra risks so my father doesn't have them work full time. They seem happy with the arrangement."
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"An apt guess, but it's mostly wrong." Howard replied. "House Elves can create magic by willing it to be so; they don't need wands or potions or magical trinkets to do so. Conversely, the other great magical race, Goblins, wield magic solely by trinkets. Very powerful trinkets. Witches and Wizards can sometimes create magic without paraphernalia, but it's wild and uncontrollable. We can forge magical devices, but they pale in comparison to those of the Goblins."
"The distinction then, is that our kind of magic is the magic of doing. Goblin magic is the magic of making. And the magic of elves is the magic of being. Like the Zen of the Muggles. What we seek to learn from the Elves is that sort of magic. The magic of being. The state where they have both faith and control. We also hope to learn the magic of the Goblins, as well. When we can be, make and do, what could possibly be beyond our reach to accomplish?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Nothing." Elizabeta replies, completely captivated by the concept. To be able to wield magic as effectively as the elves do without use of a wand or device, now that is total power. Nothing could stop a witch or wizard who had that control. "That would be quite an accomplishment...to master the 'being' of magic." Without even realizing it she had walked up to the professor, stopping just at the edge of his personal space, looking up at him with rapt interest in what he was saying.
"Have you achieved this, Professor?"
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"No." Howard said, shaking his head slightly. "No, I have not. Not yet. And it is possible that it is something that I am too old, too set in my ways, too... Jaded to discover. Maybe it is something that only future generations will be able to master. But that is the reason that we must continue to strive for such a goal, for all the good it can achieve in the world. That was the reason for our Legacy. Novus Ordo -- A New Order. We have been working towards goals like these since our inception."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It certainly is something to strive for." Elizabeta agreed. "I am young and not yet set in my ways, nor all that jaded I don't think as I enjoy learning new things and even different ways to view concepts I had not considered before."
Being flexible in learning was something Elizabeta knew, as there was always more than one way to achieve a goal. Being too unwilling to make a sacrifice she learned would only make her goals all the harder to achieve or too easy foiled. No she had to think beyond a linear path to what she truly wanted. Let the paths to her goals be many, so she can easily adjust each step as required. Maybe not something she could do in all aspects of life but following the status quo would get her nowhere.
"How should one begin such a quest, Professor?" She asked, willing to learn whatever he had to teach. A reckless part of her wanted to touch him but she did not. Seducing a teacher to reach a goal was not a path she wanted to take. She had more respect for herself than that, not to mention she fully intended to remain untouched till the time she did find a suitable husband. Somebody who could directly or indirectly further her along the path of her ultimate goal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"That all depends on what you think your strengths truly are, Miss Romani-Nicoli, and how best to use them. Some people believe that, if they achieve a greater understanding of the way magic works, they will be able to do so. Some search for a more holistic, meditative, spiritual approach to it. Others fall into a category that I refer to as 'Magical transhumanists' and often resort to physical or surgical alterations to their bodies. Some are even delving into the arena of Muggle neuroscience and genetic manipulation under the belief that they can find the parts of our brains or our genetic codes that can unlock those abilities. But so far, none have found any appreciable success."
"Now... As complimentary as I found your... Attraction to me, I do think I will take my leave. Don't stay up too late."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It will definitely give me something to research further into, Professor." Elizabeta replied, thinking the key would have to be in how incidental magic worked and how early wizards and witches learned how to focus magic. It was all through rituals and whatnot but was that just a method to bring the mind into focus or simply, as Professor Glassman find absolute faith in one's magic and believe it will work, regardless of what 'tool' is used to focus it.
When Professor Glassman announced he was leaving she was disappointed but not because she was hoping to gain his affections but more because she had so much more questions to ask him. Such has what he felt about religion and that sort of faith, especially in miracles. But he did not seem inclined to talk more about the subject right now.
"Good night Professor. I will not stay up too late, I have quite the class load come morning." She smiled at him in a appreciative manner. "I look forward to a chance to talk further on this subject in the future."
