The night unanimously dubbed "Hogwarts Night of Terror" by students never received a specific response from Dumbledore, who even uncharacteristically suppressed various media and blocked information.
Hermione's suggestion letter also fell through during signature collection because Dumbledore had protected the Forbidden Forest the very next day, even relocating Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, temporarily to the castle.
The Weasley twins disbelievingly tried entering the forest, only to be dragged out by a grinning Snape who mercilessly docked two hundred points.
If not for Harry earning Gryffindor a hundred points for "helping Professor Vitam defeat undead trolls," Gryffindor could have reserved this year's last place.
As for first place, even Slytherin had lost heart competing with Ravenclaw. They were already leading school-wide, and now Sterling had earned another two hundred points for "helping Hogwarts repel Dark wizards"...
Yes, the official story was that "Quirrell harboured resentment after dismissal and plotted this retaliatory act," with Sterling's role reduced to "finding Quirrell and leading Dumbledore there."
Only the group of seven knew Sterling's contribution far exceeded what was stated.
At the first Utopia meeting after "Night of Terror", Harry, Ron, and Neville hung their heads somewhat embarrassedly as they looked at Sterling.
"Sorry, Sterling... I explained that magic wasn't mine, but no one believed me... They all think I had a magical outburst in desperation..."
Harry blushed. In his view, the hundred points he'd earned for Gryffindor were false, stolen from Sterling's achievements.
"That doesn't matter. I didn't reveal myself because I didn't want credit... I won! Eat the bean!"
Sterling casually comforted them before focusing back on the chessboard. This was the third day after the Night of Terror, and he was still too lazy to think much about magic-related matters, preferring entertainment.
Terry miserably picked a yellow Bertie Bott's bean and ate it.
"Merlin, booger flavour! Why isn't there a single normal taste?"
Since starting the "lose a game, eat a bean" bet, Terry had gotten nothing but revolting flavours. He felt he'd lost his appetite for dinner.
Sterling smiled silently, mentally giving a thumbs up to Honeydukes' new product, "Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Weird Taste Premium Edition".
Seeing Harry still troubled, Sterling left the chessboard for Ron to take over and pulled Harry aside for some guidance.
Absolutely out of friendship, not because he'd secretly prophesied he could only win five games today before losing consecutively.
"Harry, in my view, your points are fine. Professor Vitam just used the wrong reason."
Harry looked up puzzledly.
"When I used that magic, why did they think it was you? Wasn't it because you didn't give up resisting when the troll attacked? Even for that courage alone, you deserved points."
"I told you, you're a true hero. Nothing to be embarrassed about... My recognition is much harder to earn than Hogwarts points."
Harry was somewhat convinced, but he quickly glanced at Ron, who was demolishing Terry at chess. Sterling instantly understood what he really cared about.
"You think Ron was overlooked?"
"...Yes. Ron was also on the front line against the troll, but after you left, everyone praised me. Many helped the girls who'd gone weak-kneed, but Ron..."
"The upperclassmen crowded me so I couldn't help him. He stood up alone, but he also needed help, and he also raised his wand against the troll. His bravery should have been seen too!"
Harry hadn't lost the sensitive nerves developed at the Dursleys'. He could feel Ron's hurt then. Though Ron bore no grudge these past days, Harry couldn't get past it himself.
He was quite stubborn about principles.
Sterling didn't know what to say... After all, Ron truly was overlooked, an undeniable truth. But Harry...
"You know what, Harry? You're different from us."
"Why do you say that?" Harry was surprised.
"You're the 'Saviour', remember? Not just in Britain. Even parts of France and Germany call you that."
"This means attention will inevitably focus on you, and naturally some will be overshadowed by your aura, whether you want it or not."
"Even me. If I did something attention-grabbing in the same situation as you, even showing magical ability two or three years beyond my level, their eyes would still look to you first."
Sterling tried making him accept the "inevitability" of Ron being overlooked. Padma, who'd been listening nearby, turned dark and pushed Sterling aside to counsel Harry herself.
Damn, had Sterling traded his emotional intelligence for talent? Was this how to comfort someone?
Rejected, Sterling pulled up a chair to enjoy Terry's pained expressions eating Every Flavour Beans.
He'd wanted to start another game with Neville, confident he could convince Neville to play without betting for pure enjoyment, but Hermione was currently tutoring Neville in Charms.
Strangely, after several Utopia meetings, Neville had improved considerably in all subjects except Charms, which remained stuttering.
Sterling suspected it related to his wand, but he could tell that wand probably held special meaning for Neville...
Just as Sterling applauded Terry's first victory over chess master Ron, Padma suddenly called everyone over to her and Harry.
"Sterling, look! Harry, do it again!"
Sterling had barely approached when Padma grabbed him. Under his gaze, Harry quietly recited the incantation.
"Aurora"
His hair became light and smooth, then instantly grew wildly, carpeting the floor thickly.
Most importantly, he showed no discomfort.
Arriving to see Harry using the hair-growth charm scared Hermione, who rushed forward to catch him in case he collapsed, only to find him standing perfectly steady.
"Harry, don't you feel magically drained?"
"No... If anything, it's like casting Lumos once?"
"Impossible!" Hermione covered her mouth. Now three people had used the hair charm. Sterling and Harry were fine. Was the problem actually her, not the charm?
At this thought, Hermione felt unsteady.
"Hermione, don't worry. It's not your problem."
Sterling knew Hermione was the normal example of present-world people using Avalonian magic.
He and Harry were the abnormal ones.
He was essentially human with dual present-world and Avalonian identity. The Thirteen Magics were like games to him, let alone such household charms.
But Harry... why?
He had "Saviour" specialness, but even if, as Sterling suspected, the "Saviour" title recognised by many wizards truly granted him something unique, it shouldn't relate to Avalon, right?
Harry Potter... no, he was connected to Avalon.
Sterling thought of himself.
Undoubtedly, according to Dumbledore, he could be considered the only Avalonian walking in the present world.
His Origin Magic came from Harry's Sorting ceremony, Hero's Heart from "witnessing" his story, and multiple prophecies all related to Harry...
His "witnessing" could bringhimf power.
What about the reverse? Did his "witnessing" grant benefits to those witnessed?
Considering his twice calling Harry a "hero"...
"Harry, want to learn some impressive magic?"
Sterling decided to experiment.