Back in the Great Hall, Andy's footsteps faltered slightly.
Compared to the usual bustle and noise, the Hall now seemed a little sombre. Everyone was whispering, and there was a palpable air of tension in the air.
Professor McGonagall stood on the raised platform in the Hall, her face looking grim as she peered over the crowd, lips pursed, not saying a word.
The Head Boy and Girl and the prefects of each house were busy maintaining order, especially the Gryffindor and Slytherin prefects, whose faces looked particularly grave.
Andy returned to his seat and nudged Hermione, asking, "What's going on?"
"Oh, Andy, you're back."
Hermione's face looked a little ashen as she whispered in Andy's ear, "It was horrible! If Professor McGonagall hadn't appeared in time, they would have almost started fighting again."
Andy raised an eyebrow and turned his head to look in the direction of Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Had the conflict between the two sides escalated to this extent?
As the saying goes, it is better to divert the flood than to block it.
The eternal rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin went way back, and they now had fresh grievances. The Battle of Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic's arrest operation last night had only added to the blood debt between them.
If hatred cannot be vented, it will naturally accumulate deeper as it festers inside.
Andy could fully envision how the three houses would oppress Slytherin when the news of Voldemort's death announced.
Although it may be an exaggeration to say that they would persecute them mercilessly.
They would definitely ostracise them, adopt a cold attitude towards them, and bully them.
After thinking about it, Andy suddenly asked in a low voice, "Hermione, has anyone contacted you?"
"What?" Hermione was taken aback.
"It's best if no one has,"
Andy explained, "I'm worried that they want to unite to exclude Slytherin. If someone approaches you, just say that we need to focus on our studies and don't have much time for other things."
Hermione nodded slightly. "I don't want to get involved in this either."
Seeing this, Andy didn't say anything more.
The young wizards born in peaceful times would find it hard to understand the cruelty of war. They were not mature enough, and when they felt hatred and resentment, they just wanted to let it out.
In contrast, the adult wizards who had experienced the last wizard war would be much more cold and rational.
But it wasn't really such a big deal.
Time would eventually dull the pain.
After giving Hermione his advice, Andy let the matter go from his mind.
He ate and drank his fill.
Afterwards, he devoted all his energy to his studies.
***
That night, when Andy returned to his dormitory,
His roommates did indeed bring up the idea of a boycott of Slytherin.
In fact, with the Death Eaters causing trouble on several occasions, young wizards from all three houses had relatives who had died at the Death Eaters' hands.
Young wizards are hot-blooded and would put friendship first, so they quickly band together. Even if they didn't want to get involved at first, they would have to do so out of consideration for their friends.
Andy already had a solution to this problem.
Study comes first! There's no time for silly things like this.
In social interactions, learning to say no is an important social skill.
It can save you a lot of trouble.
But there's a right way and a wrong way to say no.
A blunt refusal will only offend your 'friends'.
Although he doesn't care, it can't be the same for others.
The best way to say no is to sound like you agree with their idea, but unfortunately, you can't help them.
This is the beauty of rhetoric.
The next morning, Hermione mentioned the matter with a worried look – she had faced the same problem.
"What did you say?" Andy asked.
"I said that we have to concentrate on our studies and that we usually don't get along with Slytherins,"
Hermione sighed, "I thought that once Voldemort was defeated, everything would be fine, but I didn't expect…"
Andy shrugged, "This is a class conflict. Voldemort is only the representative of the class, not the creator. Even without Voldemort, the conflict would still exist."
"Of course, Voldemort's actions have aggravated the conflict between the two sides."
After a pause, Andy changed the subject, saying, "Never mind, let's not talk about this. Time will heal some wounds, and both sides will calm down eventually."
Although he said so, Andy did not have much confidence.
When class conflicts reach a certain level, unless one side gains an absolute advantage, it will be a deadly struggle.
People will fight to the death for wealth, and birds will die for food.
This cannot be stopped by rationality or reasoning.
But...what does any of this have to do with Andy?
"Andy, I figured something out last night," Hermione broke the silence.
"What?" Andy blinked.
"Emotions!"
Hermione continued, "Aren't you studying the power of the mind? So I was wondering, in the depths of the human heart, does hatred last longer or does love last longer?"
"Oh? What's your conclusion?" Andy's eyes lit up.
Andy had considered this question a few years ago.
An unforgettable hatred can last a lifetime.
Of course, the same goes for love.
However, hatred is more easily remembered than love.
"In fact, no matter what kind of emotion it is, we are very susceptible to the influence of our surroundings."
Hermione said with a thoughtful expression. "When everyone shares the same idea, if you don't, you will be seen as an outlier."
"Last night... I felt it very deeply!"
Hermione's expression became a little complicated when she said this.
Andy sighed, "Humans are indeed very susceptible to the influence of the group."
Hermione continued, "Love and hatred are completely opposite emotions. When these two emotions accumulate to the extreme, people will risk everything, even their own lives, for it."
That's true!
Andy nodded thoughtfully.
When it comes to risking everything, the first person Andy thought of is Harry's mother, Lily Potter.
She sacrificed her own life willingly for Harry, and that's what made her able to rebound Voldemort's killing curse.
"Andy!"
Hermione gathered her thoughts and continued, "I think...you shouldn't focus on studying the magic of love, but instead understand the nature of love first."
"Love is selfless devotion."
"It is a great power in itself!"
Andy pinched his chin, with a thoughtful look on his face.
The nature of love...
The 'love' here is not just about romantic love.
Or rather, romantic love is just one type of 'love'.
Fathers' love, mothers' love, love for one's homeland and culture, love for the world and nature. Perhaps love is, as Hermione said, a willing and selfless act of devotion.
There is no denying that love can truly inspire human strength.
Andy could think of countless examples.
But...
How to combine the power of love with the power of magic is what Andy needs to consider.
"Exactly."
Andy nodded, saying, "But these are just theoretical concepts. I need practical approaches."
Of course, Hermione knew this.
She had not brought it up for no reason.
"Andy, the opposite of love is hate!"
Hermione said solemnly, "And hate is the source of the power of dark magic."
"For example, the killing curse!"
----
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