As Char recited the standard incantation, he focused intently on keeping his magic output steady and controlled. At the tip of his ash wand, a small but steady light appeared—a gentle, unwavering glow.
It wasn't dazzling or showy, but it was perfectly stable.
Professor Flitwick's eyes widened in surprise. After a moment, he broke into applause.
"A beautiful Lumos charm! Hufflepuff, plus three points!"
The Ravenclaw eagles looked up, startled. The best of them usually only earned a single point for their efforts, even though Professor Flitwick was their own Head of House. Three points for a Hufflepuff? They turned to look at Char's spell, and after a moment of silence, had to admit—it really was steadier than any of theirs.
Still, the Ravenclaws were undaunted. Confidence flickered in their eyes. With enough practice, they'd catch up soon.
The Hufflepuff table, meanwhile, erupted in applause for Char. He smiled, feeling a quiet glow of pride and belonging.
Yet Professor Flitwick's gaze lingered on Char with a complicated expression. He'd noticed Char's improvement—last class, Char's magic had been far less controlled. Clearly, Char had practiced diligently, perhaps more than anyone else. But Flitwick couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Talent was a cruel thing. Hard work could only take a wizard so far. Some spells—like the Patronus, or even the deceptively simple Shield Charm—were out of reach for most, no matter how hard they tried.
Still, Flitwick was determined to encourage his students. He smiled and addressed the class.
"In four weeks, we'll have a small test on the Lumos charm. The four students who perform the best, or show the most progress or unique understanding, will get a special reward: I'll create a fun, exclusive spell just for them!"
The classroom buzzed with excitement. Even the Hufflepuffs, who usually preferred comfort over competition, were swept up in the thrill. A spell crafted by Professor Flitwick himself? That was the stuff of legend!
Char noticed the way Flitwick's eyes lingered on him, and he understood. Whether it was out of kindness, respect for Professor Sprout, or a genuine desire to inspire, Flitwick was offering him a chance—a little extra encouragement for a student whose magical talent was, by Hogwarts standards, unremarkable.
Char felt a warmth in his heart. Most Hogwarts professors, he realized, truly cared about their students. Even if they had sharp tongues or strict rules, they wanted to see every child succeed.
But Char's excitement wasn't just about having a spell to call his own. He knew that even a simple spell, if tailored just right, could be incredibly useful. The Lumos charm, for instance, was more than a magical flashlight. Certain magical plants, like Goldfish Vine, thrived under its glow. Char's background in agronomy told him that different plants responded to different frequencies of light. If he could work with Flitwick to develop a custom Lumos variant, he might accelerate his plants' growth—and, by extension, his own magical progress.
He grinned to himself. "Four weeks… By then, all my Goldfish Vine should be mature. My magical perception will be much stronger. I'll be able to cast Lumos with even more power and stability."
But Char knew he couldn't rest easy. Hogwarts was full of prodigies and oddballs. He'd have to work hard to stand out. Fortunately, he had a secret weapon: stamina. Most young wizards tired quickly from repeated spellcasting—their arms ached, their focus wavered. But Char, with his superhuman endurance, could practice as long as he liked.
So, for the rest of the lesson, while others flagged and paused to rest, Char kept going.
"Lumos!"
"Lumos!"
Again and again, his wand traced the arc, his voice steady, his magic unwavering. The light at his wand tip grew brighter, more stable, more refined with each attempt.
The Ravenclaws, who'd started out competing with him, soon had to stop, rubbing their sore arms and watching Char in disbelief.
"Is he… not tired?" one whispered, eyes wide.
But Char just kept going, lost in the quiet joy of practice, his mind already dreaming of new spells, stronger magic, and a greenhouse full of thriving, magical plants.
__________________
Power stones is my fuel to keep doing it.
Hey there If you want to read 20+ chapters ahead? Join me on Patreon.com/ coolperry
All chapters will be free later, but early access is there if you'd like to support.
Appreciate you being here