Magic is a complex and intricate subject. For most, reaching a high level in just one branch is incredibly difficult. To innovate and develop in multiple directions is something only a select few truly powerful individuals are qualified to do.
While Professor McGonagall was strong, she wasn't quite that strong.
Regarding Alchemy, Professor McGonagall could only say she "knew" it, but with her primary focus on Transfiguration, she hadn't ventured very far down that path.
In fact, her initial study of Alchemy was merely to explore the greater possibilities of Transfiguration, hoping to directly generate alchemical items through it.
After her exploration yielded little success, she didn't pursue Alchemy any further.
However, even so, it was enough to teach Roger, an outsider, the basics.
Professor McGonagall's decision to teach Roger Alchemy also had a personal motive.
She had come to realize that Roger was a rather stubborn person. Although the child was willing to listen to advice, once he believed something was correct, no force could stop his progress, even if it meant facing certain death.
Minerva McGonagall hadn't forgotten their conversation in front of The Leaky Cauldron.
Reversing time, finding salvation in the river of time… Life is long, and who hasn't had regrets?
From both a teacher's perspective and a personal one, Professor McGonagall hoped Roger would live a good life.
Therefore, she wanted to guide Roger onto a new path. Experimenting with external objects would have a much higher margin for error and be much safer than experimenting on his own body.
Of course, learning Alchemy wouldn't happen overnight; it was something that needed to be approached gradually.
After agreeing with Roger that she would set aside some time to privately tutor him in Alchemy, the two of them left the Deputy Headmistress's office and headed towards the spacious courtyard of Hogwarts Castle.
Ms. Rolanda Hooch's flying lesson was about to begin.
After walking for a while, by the time Roger and Professor McGonagall arrived, most of the students were already there.
Hogwarts' school culture, firstly, advocated for teaching according to aptitude. Ordinary students attended regular classes, ambitious students studied independently in the library, and then joined small classes organized by teachers. You go fight grays, I go to the Ministry of Magic, everyone has a bright future.
Secondly, it advocated for unity and competition. After students were divided into four houses, they didn't completely lose contact. On the contrary, to foster more interaction among them, school courses were generally taught jointly by two randomly selected houses.
For example, this class would be with the Lions and Snakes, and the next class would be with the Lions and Eagles.
And today, it happened to be a joint class for Slytherin and Gryffindor. They lined up in two rows according to their houses, exchanging knowing glances with each other, intentionally or unintentionally.
This was considered the daily 'interaction' between these two rival houses. But upon seeing Roger's arrival, both the little lions of Gryffindor and the little snakes of Slytherin couldn't help but twitch their faces, and the atmosphere gradually calmed.
Draco Malfoy, who had been at odds with Harry Potter after Harry refused his overtures on the train, hurting his pride, withdrew his glare at Harry and looked down at his own flying broomstick.
Ever since he and Harry had caused too much trouble after a class last time and were subsequently 'disciplined' by Roger, he had been less inclined to provoke Roger.
...Seers are supposed to only predict the future, right? How can they see the past and dig up people's dirty laundry! That's so despicable!
Roger pretended not to notice the atmosphere between the two parties and, along with Professor McGonagall, began conversing with Ms. Hooch.
Rolanda Hooch, a gentle and conservative person, clearly had some reservations about a first-year student like Harry becoming a Quidditch Seeker, but she frowned and didn't explicitly object.
After all, on one side was the Deputy Headmistress and a Seer, and on the other was the 'Savior' of the British wizarding world. She was just a teacher of 'flying water classes,' which didn't involve much magical skill. Even if she wanted to interject...
Those who understand, understand.
...
Things proceeded very smoothly. Harry's flying talent was already very high, and coupled with the physical enhancements Roger had given him, it made Harry terrifyingly strong.
With just a little training to gain more experience, he would be qualified to be a professional player in a world-class Quidditch league. This level of skill, playing in a Hogwarts inter-house match, was like a second-string member of a national team playing in an amateur competition.
After Harry performed a few maneuvers in front of the two professors as Roger had instructed, even Ms. Hooch, who loved Quidditch but disliked the privilege of forcing people into positions based on favoritism, had nothing to say.
In fact, her previous slight annoyance vanished, and now her eyes practically sparkled when she looked at Harry.
"What a good prospect!" Rolanda Hooch began to envision Harry winning the Quidditch World Cup in the future.
Professor McGonagall was also very satisfied. It seemed she wouldn't have to avoid Snape anymore this year.
Roger, on the other hand, was looking forward to seeing what interesting scenes would unfold in Quidditch this year.
Judging by their expressions, Harry, who had just performed several difficult maneuvers, knew he had secured his spot this time.
And just as all four people present were in good spirits, a minor incident occurred.
"I told you, I don't need you to teach me!" Ron, covered in grass stains, got up from the ground.
"Hahahahaha..." Draco let out a loud laugh, looking at the long red welt on Ron's face, drawn by the wooden stick of the flying broomstick.
The Malfoy family, who valued bloodline and honor, had always been displeased with the Weasley family, who were considered a "disgrace to purebloods." Seeing Ron embarrassed, he was naturally quite pleased.
"I..." Hermione Granger, standing beside him, frowned as if to say something.
Seeing Hermione about to speak, Ron, without even sparing a glance at Draco who was mocking him, felt his blood pressure surge. His face turned red as he glared at Hermione, "I said it! I've had enough of you! Enough of your condescending, meddling attitude! No wonder you have no friends!"
He shouted these words.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hermione's eyes immediately turned red, her breathing quickened, and she opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Hermione Granger was a young witch from a Muggle family. Her family had no connection to magic whatsoever. A single letter of admission sent her to this unfamiliar world.
She was curious about the magical world, but also fearful of this foreign land where she knew no one.
As a coping mechanism, she chose to study, arming herself with knowledge. But on her very first step into this new world, she had stumbled.
She ran into Roger.
She discovered that the skills described in books, which only a few elite wizards could master and which she herself couldn't even begin to understand, were effortlessly handled by truly talented wizards from childhood.
Her confidence, which had been shaken, was only rebuilt after she officially began studying at Hogwarts and realized that Roger was an exception, and that most young wizards were even less capable than she was.
But even so, that feeling of powerlessness after being hit didn't completely disappear. The other young wizards from wizarding families were already familiar with each other before school started, and the feeling of being excluded from all the circles made her feel even more lonely and uneasy.
She yearned for friends, for recognition from others, and wanted to escape the invisible discrimination that came from her different background.
So, how could she achieve these things?
Hermione Granger believed the answer was simple: Roger Virgil!
He was Muggle-born like her, but he easily gained everyone's acceptance. Although most people were a little afraid of him due to his behavior, those he had helped genuinely believed Roger was trustworthy and respectable.
"If you feel cornered and don't know what to do, why not try going to Roger?" This began to circulate among their classmates.
Hermione envied Roger, so she decided to imitate him.
Roger didn't care at all about others' opinions of him; he was unconventional. Hermione, on the other hand, used a facade of arrogance to make herself stand out.
Roger never paused his learning, and Hermione also spent every day in the library, studying tirelessly.
When others sought his reasonable help, Roger would usually lend a hand. Hermione, using her vast knowledge, did her best to point out errors in others' magical studies and offer correct guidance.
She generously shared the knowledge she considered most valuable, hoping others would feel her sincerity.
Except for suppressing her classmates with brute force, which made the students of the four houses maintain a semblance of friendship when she was present, an act she couldn't replicate, Hermione had done her best to copy all of Roger's actions in her own way.
However, Hermione didn't achieve good results; loneliness still haunted her, and people kept their distance.
And today, it was even worse...
Ron was in a different situation. He was born into a large family with many children, held a low position among his siblings, and wasn't given much importance. His entire childhood was filled with various misfortunes.
He wanted to become a powerful wizard, to be like the Quidditch captain, whom he remembered as someone who was the center of attention, imposing, and admired.
But after enrolling at Hogwarts, he discovered that his talents were not enough to support his ambitions; his speed in learning various subjects seemed mediocre.
So, he started slacking off, playing Wizard's Chess every day, minimally completing his assignments, complaining, and constantly muttering about small things in life.
And today, his only good friend, Harry, seemed to be on his way to becoming the kind of person he dreamed of being.
Ron was happy for his friend, but a bittersweet feeling still welled up in his heart.
He looked at his flying broomstick, a spark of fire burning silently in his eyes.
"Try it, just try it. Maybe I have talent too, just like Harry?" a voice in his heart kept saying.
He began to attempt some flying maneuvers outside of class at a low altitude of two meters, movements he had seen Quidditch players perform in the news.
Hermione noticed Ron's reckless actions and tried to stop him, but Ron didn't listen to her.
So, she started pointing out some of Ron's problems while flying, trying to prevent him from making mistakes and getting hurt.
But flying requires concentration. The shame of his mistakes being pointed out, coupled with Draco's smirking expression, made the young eleven-year-old boy feel even more embarrassed.
In his frustration, the broom lost control and whipped him across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground.
...Ron had been annoyed with Hermione for her "meddling" during other magic lessons before, but he had held back because Harry had told him not to speak ill of others.
Now, with her "meddling" again, the old and new grudges erupted, leading to what had just happened.
Noticing the argument between the students, Professor McGonagall intended to intervene, but Roger reached out and stopped her.
"I'll handle it, Professor."
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