Chapter 13: The Divine Edge is Shadowless
It had been three days since I went to Hogsmeade.
On the second day, Kate somehow found out the address I use to receive letters—an address I set up specifically under the name Alexander Smith. She also joined the letter chat group.
But surprisingly, this brought more than just minor inconvenience—it gave me access to a treasure trove of gossip, most of which never appeared in the original book.
Even better, Kate told me their unauthorized trip to Hogsmeade had been reported. Yet, despite that, Professor Flitwick didn't punish anyone. The report lacked evidence.
According to Kate's little investigation, the informant was a red-haired boy named Percy—surname Weasley. Apparently, this Percy fellow always paid special attention to Penelope, which was rather suspicious.
And when Penelope found out it was Percy who reported them, she decided to "punish" him. Kate didn't explain how exactly, but it seemed she played a part in it too.
In the original story, Penelope's personality tended toward quiet loneliness. She would often leave the common room to read in the library, which might've been when Percy started chatting her up.
But now? Ha. Hahahahahaha.
---
It was another day of heavy reading. Alexander couldn't help feeling slightly strange as he flipped through his books:
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
Curses and Counter-Curses
The Theory of Magic
The Standard Book of Spells, Elementary
Standard Book of Spells, Level 2
Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3
Standard Book of Spells, Level 4
The Major Discoveries of Modern Magic
As he waited for more books, he noticed something odd. Aside from the brief incantations and wand gestures, the books spoke heavily about spiritual concepts.
Transfiguration was the strangest. The spell itself, when translated to Chinese, was simply "transform me." But the books on Transfiguration were filled with warnings, consequences of improper use, and theoretical analysis.
The Theory of Magic contained baffling contradictions:
The spell is merely the key, not the door.
One magic might have many spells.
Simpler spells are more popular.
Spells are best learned in their native countries.
A name is the shortest spell.
In short, everything was based on personal experience.
Alexander had suspected as much—this idealistic, subjective nature of magic was hinted at in the original books—but the depth surprised him.
Take Snape's "Sectumsempra," for instance.
In the original, it was written in the Half-Blood Prince's old Potions textbook: just the phrase "Sectumsempra – for enemies." Nothing else.
Yet when Harry Potter uttered the incantation, it worked. No formal training. No magic network. Just spoken words.
"Jack, find me some books on spell development," Alexander requested.
"Right away, Master Alexander."
Ten minutes later, Jack returned with a towering pile:
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Spells
The Spellbook
Decrypting Magic
Stan Smith's Magic Lessons
One of the books read:
> Move instantly, create flames, part the sea—we are all gods.
To name your power is to shape it. Name it, classify it, spread it—it becomes a spell.
The mediocre study spells. The wise create them. Give birth to phenomena, express wishes, name them, and pass them on.
That is magic.
No wonder a single magical phenomenon could have multiple spell names, Alexander thought. They're just different expressions—like how death wears many masks, or the wind whispers under many names.
"Sectumsempra" was simply a name for the phenomenon of invisible injury. But it had been born of malice. So unless you were its creator, it was nearly impossible to understand the curse's emotional origin—or reverse it.
In the original, Snape had slashed George's ear with it. And Tonks and the entire Weasley family could do nothing about it.
Alexander recalled Snape's emotion when healing Malfoy, and the sing-song cadence of strange spells he used.
"Sectumsempra," Alexander whispered.
An invisible blade flew forth—crash!—the cup on his desk shattered.
Alexander felt a surge of energy and activated his Detection skill.
The spell carried emotions of regret, resentment, and a deep yearning to harm and destroy.
His Thinking skill kicked in.
Inside the Memory Palace, a book flipped open: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33: The Prince's Tale.
> "James raised an invisible sword. 'Gryffindor! There's bravery buried deep in your heart!' Just like my father."
Snape had once longed to be in Gryffindor. But ambition led him to Slytherin. He was separated from Lily, and his resentment grew.
The one he hated was James. And maybe the rest of the Marauders.
Years later, when Snape faced Lupin again, his twisted, sallow expression startled Harry.
It wasn't just anger. It was hatred.
That look—Snape wore it every time he saw James's reflection in Harry.
That was why Harry, even with his Sense Motive skill maxed out, misjudged Snape in the first book. It was also because Snape was too good at hiding his feelings.
Then Alexander remembered Malfoy's wounds:
> "Blood gushed from Malfoy's chest and face—as if struck by an invisible sword."
Harry wasn't just lucky—he had an unnatural sensitivity to magic. This wasn't just intuition anymore.
Then it happened.
Alexander felt as if he had connected with something. A series of strange, musical spells poured from his mouth.
He signaled Jack, who was still struggling to repair the cup.
"Let it be," Alexander said calmly, then spoke the counter-curse. "Restore!"
The cup reassembled itself perfectly.
Charms Lv2 (49%) → Lv3 (59%) ↑
"I've mastered the most elegant way to break a curse," Alexander thought proudly. "But that's only because I have the advantage of divine perspective. If I were limited to ordinary spells, I'd need to level up Detection further."
He shuddered as he recalled once trying to analyze the Avada Kedavra curse. The moment he started, a primal fear of death forced him to abort.
What was hidden behind that spell?
Back when Voldemort was sixteen, he left the orphanage to seek out his Gaunt relatives. That was probably during his fifth or sixth year at Hogwarts.
That same summer, he used Avada Kedavra—with Morfin Gaunt's wand—to murder the Riddle family.
Originally, Alexander thought Voldemort had invented the curse then.
But now, with clearer thinking, he remembered something overlooked:
In 1717, the Ministry of Magic officially designated Avada Kedavra, Cruciatus, and Imperius as the "Three Unforgivable Curses."
That meant the Killing Curse had existed at least two centuries before Voldemort's birth.
Tom Riddle was born on December 31st, 1926.
I need to read more, Alexander thought, eyes shining.
Then he remembered something else.
"…My Charms is only Level 3?"
He opened the stats.
Charms Lv3 (59%) [God of War Lv5, Armor Protection Lv2]
"Well, that explains it."
(End of Chapter)
--------------------------------+--------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 30 advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at patreon.com/Translatingfanfics