"Are you sure, Severus?"
In a secluded corridor at Hogwarts, Dumbledore and Snape stood under the moonlight.
By now, all the first-year students had returned to their common rooms to prepare for bed, and the professors were also getting ready to rest.
"It's hard to be entirely certain," Snape said. "I've lived with him for a long time, and though there were some odd changes about a year ago, no matter what methods I used, I couldn't find anything wrong. He's still the same person."
"But this past month, he's suddenly become like a different person. I don't mean his personality—that hasn't changed—but he's abruptly turned into a genius, almost like…" Snape's expression grew heavy, his words, unusually, stumbling.
"Like his father, you mean," Dumbledore finished, his calm blue eyes fixed on the moon outside the window.
"Yes… yes," Snape replied, looking visibly anxious, his hands unconsciously clenching. "So, I'm wondering if something went wrong on *that side*, causing this sudden change."
"It's difficult to discern, Severus," Dumbledore said, still gazing at the moon. "When it comes to the Chosen One, all we can do is protect him as best we can."
His tone remained steady as he responded to Snape.
"The Chosen One? Do we still need a Chosen One?" Snape's emotions suddenly flared. "The prophecy was fulfilled seven years ago! We don't need a Chosen One anymore!" His voice was sharp, almost gritted, his face tinged with sorrow, as if recalling something painful.
"I'm sorry, Severus," Dumbledore said, finally turning to face him. "I didn't tell you right away—you weren't back yet. This morning, just before the train left, Sybill made another prophecy."
His deep blue eyes carried an endless sadness, reflecting Snape's pale, ashen face.
---
Crossing the long corridor, Professor Snape pushed open a heavy wooden door. A cold breeze swept in, making Devero shiver.
This was a classroom, spacious and empty, lined with tall bookshelves filled with spell-books and magical artifacts. In the center stood several mannequins dressed in tattered robes, their faces blurred, as if struck by countless spells.
But what caught Devero's attention most was the presence of a Hogwarts teacher already standing in the room—Headmaster Dumbledore!
Devero immediately felt at a loss. Professor Snape, however, paid no mind to his discomfort. He strode to the front of the room, turned, and fixed Devero with a piercing, icy stare under the dim light.
"Now, let's see if your so-called 'genius' lives up to its name," Snape said coldly. "I'll cast spells, and you watch. Once you've learned, speak up. Let's see if you can really do it."
"Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick are very interested in this 'genius' of yours, so you'd better live up to your claims."
Only then did Devero notice Professor Flitwick, the Ravenclaw Head, was also present. *Well, I didn't notice him earlier,* Devero thought. After all, the diminutive Ravenclaw Head barely reached waist height.
Devero nodded slightly, glancing nervously at Dumbledore and Flitwick. These were the biggest names in the wizarding world!
Though he'd resolved to make a splash at Hogwarts and had expected Dumbledore's attention, he hadn't anticipated it happening so quickly.
Dumbledore caught his gaze and gave a gentle smile, as if encouraging him.
Devero took a deep breath, drew his wand from his waist, and stepped to the center of the room. He nodded at Snape, signaling he was ready.
Snape gave a barely perceptible nod, then flicked his wand.
*Squeak! Creak!*
Suddenly, the mannequins in the room seemed to come alive, wriggling on the floor. Their scarred, battered forms became smooth and full, their tattered fabric seamlessly mended. In moments, each mannequin looked brand new, standing upright like real people, even capable of moving.
Devero watched the magical scene, his excitement growing. Hitting moving targets was far more thrilling than stationary ones!
Without a word, Snape raised his wand, aimed at a mannequin, and incanted, "*Stupefy!*"
A red light shot from his wand's tip, striking the mannequin, which collapsed instantly, motionless.
Devero immediately raised his hand, signaling he'd learned the spell.
His speed surprised Dumbledore and Flitwick, who exchanged a glance, both visibly impressed.
Snape stared at Devero, his eyes clouded with a mix of emotions.
Devero silently reviewed the spell's pronunciation and movements. Truth be told, he'd already learned *Stupefy* back at the Leaky Cauldron but had never used it in front of Snape. Still, the difference between seeing it once or twice was negligible.
"Alright, your turn," Snape said coldly.
Devero raised his wand, took a deep breath, and aimed at another mannequin.
"*Stupefy!*"
He enunciated clearly, and a red light shot from his wand.
*Thud!*
The mannequin fell, collapsing as the spell hit its mark.
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
Flitwick and Dumbledore couldn't help but applaud, especially Flitwick, whose face beamed with admiration. Clearly, he was delighted that a first-year could perform at such a level.
Snape's expression remained unchanged.
He began casting more complex spells, from simple household charms to more intricate curses.
Devero watched intently, mimicking each spell immediately after Snape cast it. For unfamiliar spells, he observed a few extra times. With his highly compatible wand, he made virtually no mistakes.
Each successful cast earned applause and cheers from Dumbledore and Flitwick. By the end, Flitwick even wanted to shake Devero's hand, expressing deep regret that Devero hadn't been sorted into Ravenclaw.
(Devero shared that regret!)
At that moment, Devero accessed Flitwick's profile:
---
Name: Filius Flitwick
Age: 56
Spell Inventory: Silent Casting (Unmatched), Banishing Charm (Mastered), …
Traits: Magical Genius (Gold), Duelist (Purple), Goblin Ancestry (Purple)
Magical Genius (Gold): Far surpasses others in learning magic, highly creative, destined to become a master of magic.
Duelist (Purple): Possesses a keen sense for combat, nearly unbeatable in one-on-one duels.
Goblin Ancestry (Purple): As a wizard-goblin hybrid, you have unique physical traits and magical talents, excelling in protective and crafting magic.
---
'Not bad!' Devero immediately added Flitwick's traits to his mental "shopping cart." He'd load them all up during Charms class!
Snapping back to reality, Devero smiled and said the four Houses were all great, and he liked them all.
Snape's face, however, grew darker. Devero suspected he was annoyed at how close he was getting to Flitwick, worried Ravenclaw might steal his "prized student."
In that moment, Devero felt his decision to show off his full potential was utterly brilliant! Surely Snape would have to treat him better now.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
"You did exceptionally well, Devero," Dumbledore said, approaching while clapping. "A rare magical talent. The last time I saw a student as remarkable as you was over twenty years ago."
Dumbledore smiled warmly at him.
Having endured Snape's oppressive teaching style for a year, this praise made Devero's fondness for Dumbledore skyrocket.
"Thank you, Headmaster. I *am* a genius," Devero said unabashedly.
"Haha, that sounds very Slytherin of you," Flitwick said with a laugh.
Dumbledore's lips curved into a smile. "Indeed, humility isn't a virtue for Slytherins."
"Decades ago, another student your age said something similar to me…" Dumbledore's eyes drifted upward, as if lost in memory. By now, he was within three meters of Devero.
Quick as a flash, Devero opened Dumbledore's profile:
---
Name: Albus Dumbledore
Age: 109
Spell Inventory: Legilimency (Unmatched), Transfiguration (Unmatched), Fidelius Charm (Unmatched),
Traits: Supreme Power (Red), Magical Spirit (Red), Mentor of Greatness (Gold), Transfiguration Prodigy (Gold), Elder Wand Bearer (Gold), Alchemical Genius (Gold), Redeemer (Purple), Linguist (Purple), Magical Creature Affinity (Purple),