[Note: Read up to Chapter - 101 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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"The first spell you'll be learning is the Levitation Charm!"
At the front of the room, Professor Flitwick stood perched on a precarious stack of books, doing his best to see over the desk and keep an eye on his students.
"Right then, everyone—wands out!" he called cheerfully.
"Now remember, there are two key things when casting a spell: the wand movement and the incantation. You've got to pronounce it clearly!"
He paused, then added, "Of course, with certain spells, a strong intent is just as important."
"The incantation for the Levitation Charm is: Wingardium Leviosa," he said, demonstrating the swish-and-flick motion.
"Swish it, flick it, and speak the words at the same time—like so!"
As Professor Flitwick gave his instructions, the students below, barely able to contain their excitement, began waving their wands with varying levels of enthusiasm.
"In front of each of you, you'll find a feather. That's what you'll be practising on. Try to make it float!"
The professor scanned the room, watching as the students tried again and again. His voice floated above the muttering spells and rustling robes, offering corrections and encouragement.
"Ms. Abott, a bit more confidence! And keep your wrist steady!"
"Mr. Boot, enunciate, my boy! The chant needs to be crystal clear!"
"Mr. Goldstein, no need to brandish your wand like you're duelling! Ease up a bit!"
"Don't worry, everyone," he added with a chuckle. "Casting your very first spell can be tricky business—but you'll get there with a bit of patience."
As the class began to find its rhythm, Flitwick's guidance picked up pace. He moved briskly around the room, correcting postures and praising effort.
Just then, Terry raised his hand and asked, a little uncertainly,
"Professor, is it really meant to be this difficult? And are you absolutely sure we've got to say the spell aloud to make it work?"
"What was that?" Flitwick turned around, momentarily thrown off.
"Look at Aris, sir! He didn't say a word, but his feather floated anyway!"
"Yeah, I saw it too," Anthony added quickly. "And he barely even moved his wand—looked a bit half-arsed, to be honest…"
The moment they spoke, all eyes in the classroom snapped to Aris.
He awkwardly flipped through the book on his desk, pretending to be absorbed, while glancing sideways at the two loudmouths sitting beside him.
Truth be told, he hadn't spoken the spell aloud. But his wand movement had been spot-on. The trouble was, the Levitation Charm was far too basic for him. Without thinking, he'd instinctively used a silent cast—something he'd mastered a week ago.
Unfortunately, that little slip hadn't gone unnoticed by Terry and Anthony, who decided to blurt it out in front of the whole class—and worse, to the professor.
"Professor, actually I…" Aris began, trying to smooth over the growing tension.
Dozens of eyes stared at him with a mix of awe and suspicion, and some whispers suggested that even Professor Flitwick might've been tricked.
Not the sort of attention he wanted.
If the professor turned out to be the type to take things personally, this could spell trouble.
But then—
"Brilliant! Absolutely spot-on casting!" Flitwick beamed, clapping his tiny hands in delight.
He looked at the feather floating above Aris's desk, spinning gently in the air with fluid grace, as though it were dancing.
"A flawless Levitation Charm—splendid work! Two points to Ravenclaw!"
The class murmured in excitement.
"Mr Shafiq, how'd you manage that? You really didn't speak the incantation at all?" Flitwick asked, eyes wide with interest now rather than suspicion.
"Erm… well, Professor…" Aris began, trying to figure out how to explain a first-year knowing silent casting without sounding like he was taking the mick.
Before he could continue, Terry piped up again, loud and proud as ever.
"Professor, I'm quite sure Aris didn't say a word!"
"Yes, I can back that up!" Anthony chimed in earnestly, ever the eager witness.
"Well… I did use silent casting," Aris admitted, letting out a small sigh of resignation.
He had originally planned to unveil his talents gradually—give the professors time to get used to him. But clearly, that plan had gone straight out the window.
Still, maybe this wasn't such a bad thing. If he played it right, it might just win him the right to skip a few of the more basic lessons altogether.
"A silent spell, is it?" Flitwick's eyes went wide with surprise, practically sparkling as he stared at Aris like he'd just found a rare gem.
"Would you mind demonstrating it again, Mr Shafiq?"
"Of course, Professor." Now that the cat was out of the bag, Aris figured he might as well go all in.
He let the feather drop gently back onto the desk and cut off his magical flow. Then, with a casual flick of his wand and no audible incantation, the feather lifted smoothly into the air once again.
It floated in graceful arcs above the classroom—calm, steady, and precise.
Then, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Aris guided it to land squarely on Terry's head, ruffling his hair like a freshly plucked chicken.
A fair little punishment for being such a loudmouth.
"Brilliant! Absolutely marvellous!" Professor Flitwick clapped his hands, practically bouncing with excitement.
He scrambled onto the stack of books at the front of the class so everyone could see him properly.
"Class, what Mr. Shafiq has just demonstrated is a more advanced technique—silent casting! Now, just because he didn't say the words aloud doesn't mean the spell doesn't need incantation in general. It takes years of practice, and you usually won't learn this until after you've sat your O.W.L.s!"
Then he turned back to Aris, beaming. "But Aris has managed it as a first-year… Truly remarkable!"
"Unbelievable—Mr. Shafiq, you've truly blown me away!"
"I've never come across such an exceptional student. Even Professor Dumbledore—Hogwarts' most celebrated genius—might not have managed this at your age!"
"This kind of talent… it's utterly unprecedented!"
The young witches and wizards looked between an elated Professor Flitwick and the ever-smiling Aris, unsure how to react.
Meanwhile, Aris himself was starting to feel a tad awkward.
And who could blame him? Being praised to high heaven in front of a full classroom—compared to Dumbledore, no less—was enough to make anyone squirm.
That compliment was far too heavy a crown to wear casually.
It felt just like one of those award assemblies in a Muggle school playground, with the entire student body staring while the loudspeaker rambled on about your 'great contributions'.
Absolutely mortifying.
Professor, if you really must sing my praises, couldn't it wait until we're behind closed doors? Aris grumbled inwardly. This is a first-class ticket to social death.
Sure enough, once the initial shock wore off, the other students began turning to Aris with wide-eyed fascination.
Their stares were practically burning holes in his robes—it was as though they might mob him any second.
Quite unsettling, really.
"Aris, that was amazing!"
"Can you teach me how to do that?"
"He's totally going to be a legend at Hogwarts by the time we graduate!"
"Merlin's beard… stronger than the great Headmaster Dumbledore? That can't be real!"
"This is mental… absolutely mental!"
Professor Flitwick watched Aris, now completely surrounded by curious and admiring classmates, and the excitement in his eyes slowly shifted into something more resolute.
In that moment, he made a quiet decision.
I must report this to the Headmaster straightaway… and from now on, Aris deserves special attention and guidance.
Perhaps—just perhaps—the wizarding world was on the brink of seeing a second Dumbledore… or someone even greater.
And this remarkable student hailed from Ravenclaw!
Flitwick's thoughts drifted back to what Aris had said during the feast the night before.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought struck him.
Maybe—just maybe—this boy can truly make it happen!
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 101 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]