A Secret Lesson at Hogwarts
(A Story for young adults, those young at heart, and all Harry Potter fans)
A gaggle of Hogwarts students, their robes askew and faces alight with curiosity, once gathered around me in the shadowy depths of the library. “Professor”, they whispered, their voices hushed with reverence, “Tell us of “the Secret One”. Our teachers speak only of potions and charms, but not of the Secret One who first conjured real magic into being.”
I smiled, a twinkle in my eye. “Ah, but my dear students,” I replied, “each subject you study, every potion you brew, and every charm you cast, whispers of the Secret One in its own mystical tongue. Listen closely, and you shall hear the echoes of His divine hand in every incantation.”
“Imagine, if you will,” I began, “a most extraordinary apothecary, its shelves brimming with shimmering glass bottles and bubbling cauldrons. Within each jar, a wondrous elixir, brewed with ingredients gathered from the farthest reaches of the enchanted world, each measure precise and potent… Surely, such a wondrous place would speak of a master alchemist, a potioneer of unparalleled skill. So much so that, even our legendary Headmaster Albus Dumbledore wishes he could be an apprentice at the feet of such a Lord of Magical Medicine.”
“And so it is with our Earth,” I continued, “a living apothecary, teeming with millions of species of magical creatures and fantastical plants, each a vessel brimming with life-giving remedies. This Earthly apothecary, far grander than a thousand Diagon Alleys, whispers of a Divine Healer, a Genius Scientist who breathed life into every beast and bloom.”
“Consider, too,” I beckoned, “a wondrous workshop, where enchanted looms weave shimmering fabrics of a thousand hues from a single thread of gossamer silk. Would not such a marvel reveal the hand of a master weaver, a craftsman of extraordinary talent?
Now, isn’t this exactly what the Earth does every day, mixing the dirt under our feet with some water, to weave spectacular flowers of every color that decorate the valleys and mountains around Hogwarts, growing thousands of kinds of fruits and plants that give life to every living being, from Owls to Centaurs, from Hedwig to Buckbeak… I see you roll your eyes when I said plants Mr. Weasley, but where do you think the flour for your favorite muffins come from? And the lamb chops you love to eat, and the chocolate milk you jug down every morning, and the wool socks you wear; don’t they all come from this cute little animal we call lamb, who graze on some dry grass and magically turn them into all these wondrous delights?
So, our Earth, my young apprentices, is like a celestial machine, a contraption with a thousand heads, each head containing a thousand factories, with countless cogs and wheels whirring in harmonious symphony. It is a masterpiece far surpassing any human invention, a testament to the Master Craftsman who set the stars and planets in motion and breathed life into the very air we breathe.” Noticing the now wide open eyes of Hermione, I continued, “Yes, Miss Granger, it is most curious indeed.”
But there is more: “Picture now,” I urged, “a secret vault, hidden deep within the bowels of the Earth, overflowing with treasures beyond imagination. Gems that shimmer with the light of a thousand stars, charming artifacts that whisper secrets of forgotten ages, and natural potions that hold the power to heal or harm, all stored more securely than Gringott Wizarding Bank’s cavernous underground caves. Surely, such a trove would speak of a Powerful Guardian, a Keeper of untold riches.”
When was the last time you took a ride in a car, or a train, or a plane… without feeling a single bump on the road?
“Just like that, our Earth is like this hidden vault, except that it is also a most magnificent spaceship that sails through the cosmos, traversing a distance of twenty-four thousand years across the Universe in a single revolution around itself, while carrying within it millions of wondrous creatures, each with its own unique needs and desires.
When spring arrives, the treasures buried deep inside the Earth’s vaults all begin to emerge from under our feet, like magical caravans loaded with enchanted fruits and dazzling flora, nourishing each and every creature who braved the harsh winter months. This Earth, this gigantic Spaceship, carries within it the very essence of magic, a testament to the Provider, the Keeper, the Orchestrator of all creation.
“Imagine an army,” I declared, my voice rising with excitement, “comprised of tens of millions of warriors, with breathtaking variety of shapes and sizes, each equipped with their own unique spells, enchanted weaponry, and mystical armor. A wise and powerful commander, with a flick of His wand, provides for each and every one, ensuring their needs are met and their powers harnessed for the greater good.
Just like that, every spring, upon the face of our Earth, a new army arises. This divine legion, comprised of magical creatures and fantastical plants, is equipped with a dazzling array of enchanted garments, mystical sustenance, and most potent spells. Yes, many even arrive wearing their unique invisibility cloaks that let them blend into surroundings so perfectly that their predators pass them by without even noticing. All of this is orchestrated with impeccable precision by a single, Supreme Commander, a testament to the Ruler, the Lord, the Orchestrator of this Earthly Realm.”
“Finally,” I whispered, “envision a city of dreams, bathed in the ethereal glow of thousands of enchanted lanterns that float effortlessly through the star-studded sky. These lanterns, fueled by an inexhaustible source of magic, illuminate every corner of this wondrous realm. Surely, such a spectacle would speak of a Master Enchanter, a Wizard of unimaginable power.”
Imagine your weekly chore was to refuel the Sun and the Moon…
“In the grand city of our universe, the stars that adorn our skies are just like these floating lanterns. Some, according to the ancient lore of cosmography, are a million-million times larger than our Sun and move with the speed of a thousand enchanted broomsticks.” Then I turned to Harry: “Yes, my dear boy, a thousand times faster than your Firebolt. Imagine that.” I continued, “Yet, they maintain perfect harmony, never colliding with each other or dimming, their bright flames burning eternal.”
Our Sun, a celestial beacon a million times larger than our world, has illuminated the cosmos for countless eons. It serves as both a radiant lamp and a warming hearth in this divine guesthouse. To sustain its fiery glow, it would require an ocean of dragon’s blood, mountains of phoenix feathers, or a forest of Whomping Willows every single day. Yet, it burns bright without any of these earthly fuels, a testament to the infinite power and dominion that governs the celestial dance of the stars.
These celestial bodies bear witness to the King, the Illuminator, the Orchestrator, the Creator of this magnificent Universe, inspiring awe, adoration, and reverence in all who behold their splendor.”
So, perhaps your teachers don’t tell you about the Master of All Masters, the Unique Originator of the Universe, because everything around you already whispers of the Creator in its own mystical tongue. Listen closely, and you shall hear the echoes of His divine hand in every incantation…