Chapter 29
"Fifth year will involve a comprehensive review of previously learned material?"
While the other young wizards were listening to Professor Flitwick explain the main content of the Charms class, Devero was leisurely flipping through a small booklet. It contained a concise overview of the curriculum Professor Flitwick had prepared for all seven years at Hogwarts.
"That's quite suitable for me," Devero thought, deciding to join the fifth-year classes.
He glanced around; everyone else was attentively listening. Devero tried to focus on the lecture, but despite Professor Flitwick's engaging and humorous delivery, the content was already familiar to him. After all, with the combination of being a magical prodigy and a test-taking genius, plus his adult mindset, the material felt far too simple.
So, Devero decided to use the time to practice his meditation technique and enhance his magical power. During the two-hour Charms class, he entered a deep meditative state, cycling his magical energy through his body ten times. As his meditation deepened, the gray mist surrounding him expanded, now reaching five meters outward. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he could extend this mist to cover the entire classroom.
Devero noticed that whenever an object entered the mist's range, his perception of it sharpened significantly. He could sense even the slightest sounds or subtle magical fluctuations. If this range grew large enough, he could potentially cover all of Hogwarts with his perception, effectively becoming a walking Marauder's Map! This heightened awareness also aided in learning and mimicking others' magic.
With his "Magical Prodigy" trait, Devero could replicate a spell after seeing it once, though perfectly recreating its effects was still beyond him. However, in his meditative state, within the mist's range, his prodigy trait was amplified, much like how his meditation had previously boosted his Transfiguration skills.
Truly, the wisdom of ancient sages, combined with his traits, produced results far greater than the sum of their parts.
The Charms class passed quickly. Professor Flitwick didn't require the students to practice the Levitation Charm, which, according to the original story, wouldn't begin until late October.
Devero informed Flitwick of his decision to join the fifth-year curriculum, and the professor was delighted, agreeing that fifth year was the most suitable for him, given the volume of material. Devero thought to himself that the content was indeed substantial, comparable to preparing for math, physics, and chemistry exams in his previous life. But with his Magical Prodigy and Test-Taking Genius traits, he wasn't worried.
After bidding farewell to the professor, Devero headed to lunch.
At Hogwarts, the curriculum for Potions was structured thoughtfully. In the first three years, students focused on Herbology, learning about magical plants and their properties and how to handle them properly. From the fourth year onward, the focus shifted to the more complex study of Potions, including their ingredients, effects, and potential risks.
Thus, first-years like Devero had two Herbology classes per week, taught by Professor Sprout, and only one Potions class on Fridays.
…
[Name: Pomona Sprout]
[Age: 58]
[Spell Library: …]
[Traits: Herbology Talent (Gold), Magical Talent (Purple), Nurturer (Purple)]
[Herbology Talent (Gold): Exceptional achievements in Herbology, with an innate ability to identify and sense magical plants, likely leading to significant accomplishments in the field.]
[Magical Talent (Purple): Possesses magical aptitude surpassing most wizards, with faster spell-learning speed and some creativity.]
[Nurturer (Purple): Skilled at cultivating magical plants, making those under your care thrive exceptionally.]
Professor Sprout's traits didn't include the golden-tier ones like Snape, Flitwick, or McGonagall, but she was clearly a beloved teacher. Devero surmised her academic achievements might not match those of the other house heads, but she was undoubtedly an excellent educator. Kind and optimistic, she treated every student with patience and care, creating a warm and pleasant classroom atmosphere.
Devero didn't hide his talent in Herbology.
During the question-and-answer session, he earned twenty points for his house. Herbology was critical in the early years, and if he aimed to be top of his year, excelling in it was essential. While the original story didn't emphasize regular grades, Devero believed seizing every opportunity to improve his overall evaluation was worthwhile.
After class, he declined Harry and his friends' invitation to eat together and headed to the office Professor McGonagall had mentioned that morning. He wanted to discuss his discoveries in the microscopic world, but the journey wasn't smooth. As he stepped onto a seemingly ordinary staircase, it suddenly shifted, leading him into a narrow secret passage. The passage's walls were rough, filled with dust and mildew. Intrigued, Devero decided to explore, as discovering hidden parts of Hogwarts was one of his goals. Perhaps this was a passage not even mentioned in the original story.
Using his wand as a light source, he navigated the winding passage until a faint white light appeared ahead—an exit! He hurried forward, opened a small door, and stepped out into a familiar stone-walled, dimly lit area: the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Confused, he wondered if senior students had created this passage to avoid being late for class. But when he turned back, the door had vanished!
Frowning, Devero sensed something strange, as if the castle itself was preventing him from reaching McGonagall to discuss the microscopic world. Could Hogwarts have a consciousness of its own? It seemed possible—after all, a certain "pink toad" had once failed to enter the headmaster's office. But Devero wasn't deterred. Solving the mysteries of the microscopic world was key to his growth, and he wouldn't give up.
After navigating staircases, passages, and even dodging enchanted armor, Devero relied on his meditation-enhanced perception to find his way to McGonagall's office on the second-floor corridor.