The following day, John made his way to the Potions classroom. As soon as he took his seat, an empty space formed around him, as if by magic. When the Gryffindor students arrived, they couldn't help but notice John, who seemed to stand out from the crowd. Both Hermione and Neville cast worried glances in his direction, but John simply shrugged, offering them a reassuring look that suggested everything was under control.
As class began, Professor Snape entered the room, moving with a peculiar grace that made his robes billow out behind him, reminiscent of a bat caught in a gust of wind. He announced, "This class doesn't require the use of your wand or the utterance of spells." Positioning himself firmly at the podium, Snape folded his arms and surveyed the students with a piercing gaze, launching into his introductory speech. "I can teach you how to bewilder the mind, ensnare the senses," he declared. "I can show you how to achieve fame, brew glory, and even how to stopper death."
John couldn't help but smirk at these grandiose claims. If such teachings were truly possible, he mused, would Voldemort have pursued Horcruxes with such fervor? His thoughts briefly wandered to his own magical abilities, which had improved after recent training.
His stats appeared before him:
- Magic Power: Level 1 (20/100)
- Curse: Alahoo Hole Opening (Level 3)
- Skills: Short Weapon Proficiency (Level 7), Polearm Weapon Proficiency (Level 6), Heavy Weapon Proficiency (Level 3), Hot Weapon Proficiency (Level 1)
- Blessings: Physical Fitness, Quick Attack, Precision
John calculated that with a day's training, he could increase his magic power by five points. He pondered the possibility of adding some weights to his room for additional training.
Snape, meanwhile, had not missed John's momentary distraction. Fixing him with a disdainful look, Snape's voice dripped with sarcasm. "It seems some of you arrived at Hogwarts already basking in a certain notoriety, possessing a modicum of useful power, which apparently grants you the arrogance to disregard my class."
John's attention snapped back to the present, just in time to catch Malfoy's gleeful expression. With an impassive face, John picked up his quill, a simple action that inexplicably caused Malfoy's smile to falter.
Despite Snape's evident disdain for John, there was someone else in the room whom Snape found even more irksome. Without hesitation, he turned his attention to Harry Potter. "Mr. Potter," Snape began, "tell me, what happens if you add daffodil root powder to a wormwood infusion?"
Harry, having been raised in a Muggle household until recently, had no idea and shook his head. Snape, ignoring Hermione's eager hand, pressed on with his questioning, clearly intent on embarrassing Harry.
As the exchange continued, John couldn't help but chuckle. This was, after all, a scene he remembered well from the stories. His amusement, however, only served to redirect Snape's ire towards him.
"Mr. Wick, perhaps you can enlighten Mr. Potter with the correct answers," Snape said, turning his gaze to John.
Caught off guard, John momentarily wondered how he had become involved. Then, a notification appeared, presenting him with a plot task: answer Professor Snape's questions correctly to receive the blessing of "Scholar," which would enhance his learning efficiency for two hours each day.
Realizing the opportunity, John quickly gathered his thoughts. Fortunately, he remembered the answers to Snape's infamous three questions. Standing confidently, he replied, "Adding daffodil root powder to a wormwood infusion produces the Draught of Living Death. Bezoars can be found in the stomachs of goats. And there is no difference between monkshood and wolfsbane; they are the same plant."
The classroom fell into stunned silence as John confidently answered each question, his smile modest yet triumphant. Malfoy's hopes of witnessing John's humiliation were dashed, his smile freezing in place. Snape, taken aback by John's knowledge, could only watch in surprise. It was particularly frustrating for him that his objective had not been met. With a cold tone, he announced, "Sit down. Five points to Slytherin and five points from Gryffindor." Fairness was key; Slytherin deserved their points just as Gryffindor deserved their deductions. John, nonchalantly shrugging, took his seat, reminding himself of the fortune of being under a master's protection. Snape's suppressed anger, unable to be directed at John, found its way to the other students. Malfoy, previously smug, now appeared as docile as a tamed pony. Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors looked at John with admiration, as if he were a hero.
After Potions class, the Slytherins exited in groups, leaving John to walk alone amidst them.
In the dining hall, John faced the so-called British cuisine with a sigh. Despite years of acclimation, he occasionally found himself longing for Chinese food. Hermione approached John, noticing his struggle with a fork and a skinned potato, and expressed her concern, "John, are you okay?"
She was worried about his standing in Slytherin, but she had underestimated John's resilience. Pondering why anyone would bother eating potato skins, John responded casually, "Of course, can't you see they're all afraid of me?" However, to reassure Hermione, he decided to confront Malfoy.
Catching sight of Malfoy, John called out to him. Malfoy stopped, eyeing John warily and instinctively stepping back. Embarrassed by his own reaction, Malfoy snapped, "Wick, what do you want?"
"If you dare to say it, I dare to send you back to the hospital wing," John replied with a disarming smile, which only made Malfoy stiffen. John clapped him on the shoulder, adding, "Don't worry, I'm not a monster. We're all classmates here. There's no need for hostility."
Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy's companions, visibly shuddered and nodded in agreement at John's words. Malfoy, glancing at his two lackeys, called them "idiots" before addressing John, "I refuse to be your friend. Don't think you can act superior just because you bested me in a surprise attack. True wizards settle their scores with magic, not fists!"
John, withdrawing his hand, proposed, "Fine, let's have a proper duel then. Nobles like you enjoy duels, don't they? I'll oblige." The reminder of their last encounter made Malfoy visibly panic, his neck still aching from the memory. Without another word, Malfoy turned and left in a huff.
John returned to his seat, assuring the astonished Hermione, "See, everything's fine." Hermione, still processing the exchange, nodded. Though she found John's approach unconventional, she shifted the conversation to potions, a topic that quickly overwhelmed John. He hastily finished his meal, leaving the potato skin untouched, and excused himself, feeling out of place among the few he knew and the many he didn't.
As owls flew into the Great Hall, delivering messages and packages, Neville received a memory ball.
Hogwarts offered a unique rhythm of life, with short class periods, ample rest, and weekends off. John took advantage of this schedule to exercise by the Black Lake, carrying a stone the size of a human head on his back, reveling in the tangible sense of his increasing magical power. It felt like leveling up in a game.
Aware of the dangers lurking within the Harry Potter world, John remained vigilant. He had encountered Professor Quirrell that week, the man's foul stench leaving a lasting impression. Although John's knowledge of the series was primarily from the movies, with much of the original plot forgotten, he vividly remembered Quirrell's secret - the presence of Voldemort. He hadn't recognized Quirrell at the Leaky Cauldron, but now, the truth was unmistakable. Yet, John wondered how the story would unfold from here, given his limited recollection of the events to come. The thought of how even the formidable Dark Lord could tolerate such a foul stench lingered in John's mind. He couldn't recall all the details, but he vividly remembered that Quirrell, ultimately possessed by Voldemort, was defeated by Harry. John mused to himself, "This danger cannot be overlooked. We must enhance our strength at the earliest opportunity." He understood that reality was far removed from fiction, where even the slightest peril could prove deadly.
Discarding the stone he had been idly toying with, John glanced at his soiled clothes and pondered where he might acquire some weight-training equipment. His resolve to strengthen himself was clear; he knew he couldn't afford to be unprepared.
---
The second week of school ushered in another remarkable experience in the wizarding world: flying lessons.
Flying lessons were anticipated with a mix of excitement and anxiety by the students. For many, it was their first real taste of magic that allowed them to break free from the constraints of the ground. The open sky represented a world of possibilities, and the thought of soaring through the air was exhilarating.
As the students gathered on the field, broomsticks laid out in neat rows before them, the air buzzed with nervous energy and eager anticipation. John stood among his peers, his thoughts momentarily drifting away from the dangers that lurked within the castle walls. Here, in this moment, he was just another student, eager to learn and experience the joy of flight.
The instructor, a seasoned witch with years of flying experience, began the lesson with a demonstration. She explained the basics of broomstick control with a clarity and precision that captivated the students. John watched intently, absorbing every word and movement, understanding that mastery of flight could be another tool in his arsenal.
As the lesson progressed, the students took turns attempting to mount their broomsticks. Some managed with a natural grace, while others struggled with the initial awkwardness of bonding with their magical conveyance. John approached his broomstick with determination, whispering the command to rise with a confidence that belied his inexperience. To his delight, the broomstick leapt into his hand, a perfect extension of his will.
The thrill of the first ascent was indescribable. The ground fell away, and the cool air rushed past, a tangible reminder of the freedom that flight offered. John maneuvered his broomstick with cautious enthusiasm, each turn and ascent a learning experience. He felt a sense of liberation, a temporary escape from the weight of the dangers he knew they all faced.
As the lesson drew to a close, the students descended back to the earth, their faces alight with the joy of their newfound skill. John touched down, a sense of accomplishment filling him. He knew that the path ahead was fraught with challenges, but moments like these served as a reminder of the wonders of the wizarding world, a world worth protecting.
Determined more than ever, John resolved to continue strengthening himself, not just in body, but in spirit and skill. The dangers ahead were real, but so were the opportunities for growth and the bonds of friendship forged in the face of adversity.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge