Chapter 25
[Host: Devero Alexander]
[Age: 11]
[Identity: Hogwarts First-Year Student, Potions Apprentice]
[Spell Inventory: Levitation Charm (Mastered/Silent + Vocal)...]
[Equipped Entries: Transmigrator (Unique), Magical Prodigy (Unique), Potions Spirit (Red), Savior (Red), Genius Wandmaker (Gold)...]
[Entry Inventory: Unique (2), Red (2), Gold (3), Purple (6), Blue (70), Green (881), White (9372)]
[Pet: Eld (Pouch Toad)]
[Items: Entry Upgrade Card x1, Spell Proficiency Card x1, Wand (Rosewood)]
[Wisdom of the Ancients: Venerable Jueyin's Meditation Method]
[Magical Secret Realm Explorations: 3]
...
Devero was leisurely eating breakfast in the Hogwarts dining hall, casually reviewing his attribute panel. He had just consulted the system and finally clarified a few things. To his surprise, the "Potions Spirit" entry was a magic-related entry, and his "Magical Prodigy" entry was its absolute superior! All spellcasting-related entries were subordinate to it and would automatically merge when equipped. This meant Devero didn't need to regret not copying the Potions Spirit entry earlier. In fact, his body was already optimized to the fullest for spellcasting!
Well, he still thought the name "Potions Spirit" sounded a bit cooler, but that wasn't the point. The real issue was that this red entry had a whopping one-month cooldown! That meant Dumbledore's other red entry was just sitting there, tantalizingly out of reach for a whole month—a true torture.
Fortunately, the cooldown for copying a purple entry had just refreshed. His top priority now was Hermione's [Test-Taking Genius (Purple)] entry. Even though he'd secured some privileges from Dumbledore the previous day, exams were still mandatory. To secure the top spot in his year-end exams and ensure a smoother school life, this entry was a must-have.
So, Devero had deliberately woken up early to wait for Hermione in the dining hall. But just then, an unwelcome guest appeared.
"What! He's still here?!"
It was Malfoy and his two lackeys. They had been chatting and laughing as they entered the hall, looking for a good seat, only to freeze in shock upon spotting Devero eating in a corner.
"No way! He didn't come back all night yesterday!"
"Yeah, he was called away by the Headmaster. How is he not expelled?"
The three whispered among themselves. Devero watched their reaction and couldn't help but chuckle. Honestly, these kids were so oblivious. He *had* returned to the dorm last night, albeit without turning on the light. He'd made quite a bit of noise—how had none of them noticed? Goyle and Crabbe were one thing; they didn't exactly seem sharp. But Malfoy, with his haughty demeanor, was just as clueless?
Devero continued eating his breakfast, pulling out some toad-specific feed he'd bought in Diagon Alley to give to Eld. The previous day, during the Sorting Ceremony and his demonstration of spellcasting prowess to Snape and others, he hadn't brought Eld along. Like his other belongings, Eld had been transported to the dorm by Hogwarts staff. Of course, Eld was so small it was more like being *carried* than transported. Devero had left Eld on the train, considering the crowd of kids and Eld's less-than-charming appearance. Now, it was time to pamper his pet a bit.
Noticing Malfoy and his crew staring at him like he was a ghost, Devero grew mildly annoyed. Even Malfoy was here, yet his target, Hermione, still hadn't shown up? Frowning, he glanced at his watch. It was getting close to class time. Finishing his breakfast quickly, Devero decided not to wait any longer. He'd catch up with her after class.
Unlike Harry and Ron in the original story, Devero didn't get lost on his way to class. Perhaps thanks to his Magical Prodigy entry, he could sense the emotions of the moving staircases and chose the friendlier ones, arriving smoothly at his first class: Transfiguration.
Entering the classroom just before nine, Devero saw the morning sun rising, casting a lively glow over the scenery outside. Leaves swayed gently in the breeze, and sunlight danced between them. On the teacher's desk lay a tabby cat with brown fur. Devero immediately recognized it as Professor McGonagall's Animagus form. Oh, how he wanted to pet it! But he restrained himself—after all, she was the Head of House. Best to show some respect.
Then he noticed Hermione was already there! Clearly, she'd woken up far earlier than Devero's self-proclaimed "early" start, finished breakfast, and come to the classroom to wait. Truly a model student (Test-Taking Genius). Devero felt a bit inferior.
Hermione was brimming with energy, sitting by the window where sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing her in a golden glow. She was intently reading her Transfiguration textbook, likely previewing—or, knowing Hermione, reviewing—its contents. She might have already memorized the entire book. In contrast, most of the other students looked sleepy, still recovering from the previous night's exhaustion.
As Devero watched her, Hermione stretched, lifting her gaze from the book. Catching him looking, she smiled and waved. The morning light illuminated her hair, its golden glow complementing her vibrant smile. Devero felt a warmth he hadn't experienced before.
"Good morning, Devero!" Hermione's voice was clear and cheerful, lifting his slightly groggy spirits.
With class yet to start, Devero approached her. "I didn't expect you to end up in Gryffindor. I thought you'd be a sure bet for Ravenclaw," he said, naturally steering the conversation toward the Sorting.
"Yeah, the Sorting Hat was really torn. But you're one to talk! I was certain you'd go to Ravenclaw, especially since you seemed so sure. Who'd have thought you'd end up in Slytherin?" Hermione said with a hint of regret.
"They say they respect students' choices, but if they did, how'd you end up in Slytherin?" she added.
By now, Devero was within three meters of her.
[*Ding!*]
[Entry Loading!]
Devero smiled. "I actually asked the Headmaster about that yesterday."
Hermione's eyes widened. "You talked to the Headmaster yesterday? What did he say?"
Devero leaned back against the wall.
[Entry Copy Complete!]
Success! The entry was his! Devero instantly felt his mind sharpen, as if all the books he'd memorized for his high school exams in his past life were suddenly vivid again.
But hearing Hermione's question, he gave a wry smile. "He said I'm a natural Slytherin."
Hermione twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "Really? I think you're nothing like those Slytherins…"
Clearly, Malfoy's taunts had already given her a bad impression of the house. Devero couldn't help but give her a mental thumbs-up. He thought so too.