"I'm glad you've realized there's more to Arithmancy than figuring out who your perfect boyfriend is by the numbers that correspond with the letters in his name," John agreed, watching her explain with an enthusiasm that seemed lacking in most of his other NEWT students. Not that there weren't other students who seemed to enjoy the subject, but he could tell that her interest was deeper in the subject.
"I agree about the numbers speaking to you. I like that they can be manipulated into doing whatever you want them to do. Arithmancy is indeed the purest magic there is, because it's the foundation for almost every spell there is. Once you've grasped the basics, a whole world is opened up to you, and you're right -- you can begin to write your own spells, with your morals being your only limitations."
John sat back in his chair, thoroughly satisfied that there was someone else who seemed to get it. "I've always had a passion for the equations," he explained. "My old schoolmate and I came up with all sorts of spells when we were rooming together at AMA. I like figuring out where different objects and people get their magic, and I've found that Arithmancy helps me with that, too. It makes it easier to fight when you know where something's drawing it's power."
"What are some of the things you're trying to do?"