"Occlumency, do you really not want to learn it anymore?"
Snape confirmed to Cedric again, his voice cool but laced with the faintest trace of curiosity.
"Yes, if the hard training is just to close my brain so that no one can detect it, I would actually rather let everyone know what I think!" Cedric responded, his tone calm on the surface, but underneath, there was a spark of excitement.
Occlumency was finally here. This was the moment Cedric had been waiting for. The ability to protect his mind from prying eyes, to control his thoughts with precision—it was a necessary skill, especially if he wanted to keep his true intentions hidden from certain individuals.
Cedric stood there, his mind racing with possibilities. What if he could finally protect his thoughts from the manipulations of others? What if, with the right mental discipline, he could break free from the constraints of destiny?
A sudden series of notifications interrupted his thoughts.
[Consumption of 2800 experience points.]
[Occlumency LV1 (1/100) is upgraded to Occlumency LV8 (1/800).]
In an instant, a massive influx of knowledge flooded his mind. Cedric could feel it—the immense power that came with mastering this ability. He had gone from a novice to a master in mere seconds.
"Very good," he whispered to himself. He could now control his mind with such precision that it would be nearly impossible for anyone to breach his mental defenses.
Looking at the notification, Cedric realized he was only 1,700 experience points away from reaching the maximum level for Occlumency—Level 10. That meant 800 points to go from Level 8 to Level 9, and 900 more to reach Level 10. A small part of him felt satisfaction, knowing that his mental defenses were now impenetrable.
"That's what it takes to fight someone like Voldemort," Cedric thought grimly. Voldemort was a master of manipulation, and if Cedric was to face him one day, he would need every tool in his arsenal.
Despite the quiet satisfaction he felt from his progress, Cedric couldn't ignore the pang of unease. Was this all truly part of the plan? Snape, with his stoic and calculating demeanor, had no doubt noticed the sudden surge in Cedric's ability.
"What a boring idea!" Snape muttered, though his tone was more approving than dismissive as he continued to take notes.
Soon, the rest of Cedric's tests were completed. His results in both spells and potions were near-perfect, and given his age, that was a remarkable achievement. It was no surprise, considering his natural talent for magic. He had a knack for understanding complex concepts and techniques, which had earned him the admiration of many of the professors.
Snape, though, wasn't one to express his admiration openly. He simply stared at the results in his hands, his brow furrowed in thought.
"You are talented," Snape finally admitted, though it was clear he didn't like giving compliments. "I must admit that you are the most outstanding first-year student I have ever seen."
Cedric gave a sheepish grin, his cheerful nature on full display. "Thank you, Professor! I will work harder!" he replied, as if he were just an ordinary student, though his inner thoughts were anything but ordinary.
Snape's gaze lingered on Cedric for a moment longer, and Cedric caught it. His perceptiveness had been sharpened by the new level of Occlumency, and it made him realize that Snape was considering something—perhaps even pondering Cedric's future in ways that were beyond what Cedric could fathom.
With the testing over, Cedric had a few days to himself. The professors were all busy preparing for the new term, and Cedric decided to use this time to think about what he should do after enrolling in school.
Three days flew by in the blink of an eye, and soon, September 1st, 1989, arrived—the day the Hogwarts Express would depart again. It was the moment Cedric had been waiting for, though there was one more thing he had to do before he could board the train.
"Child, are you sure you want to do this?" Mr. and Mrs. Diggory asked, looking at their son with uncertainty. He was standing beside them, holding a sign that read: "Hogwarts Guide."
"Certainly!" Cedric replied with a bright smile, his enthusiasm barely contained. He held the sign up for his parents to see, adjusting it carefully to ensure the text was visible.
"You see, for a pure-blood wizard like me, magic and the Hogwarts Express are second nature. It's all self-evident common sense and part of our standard life. But for many students coming from Muggle families, this whole magical world is entirely new to them. For them, things like the train, the magic itself, and even the knowledge of Hogwarts might be intimidating the first time they encounter it."
Mr. and Mrs. Diggory exchanged a glance. They hadn't thought about it that way. But it was true. Cedric had a way of making his points seem logical, even when they didn't fully understand what he was saying.
Cedric continued, "While I was at Hogwarts, I noticed that Professor McGonagall often went out of her way to help Muggle-born students adjust to the magical world. For many of them, it's their first time encountering magic and all that it entails. It can be overwhelming, and many students don't even know about basic things, like the existence of Dumbledore or even the simple joys of Butterbeer and Chocolate Frogs!"
He paused for a moment, knowing his parents would understand those references. "So, in a way, this guide isn't just for me. It's for those who are unfamiliar with this world. It's a comfort—a way to make their first steps into this world a little easier."
The Diggorys nodded, clearly impressed by their son's thoughtfulness. They had always been proud of Cedric's maturity and his ability to see things from different perspectives.
"That seems to make sense," Mrs. Diggory said, smiling fondly at Cedric. "I didn't think about it like that."
[Guide and perfect: Pure-blood wizards recognizing wizards from Muggle families—reward 100 experience points.]
Cedric received the reward, and for a moment, he was taken aback by the sudden notification.
"Even if Muggle-born students have read about the magical world in books, the awkwardness and confusion they feel when they first arrive here can't be avoided," Cedric continued. "My goal is simple: to make them feel less uncomfortable and more at ease. The first step in the magical world should be one of comfort, not fear."
His parents, now fully on board with his reasoning, smiled warmly at him. "Well, kid, do what you think is right," Mr. Diggory said, patting him on the back. "We'll always support you."
Mrs. Diggory hugged him tightly before turning to leave with her husband. "We're so proud of you, Cedric," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Soon, the first batch of students began to arrive at King's Cross Station, ready to board the Hogwarts Express. Cedric took his position, ready to guide the nervous first-years and ease their transition into the magical world.
As the train whistle blew, signaling the start of a new adventure, Cedric couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. This was just the beginning.
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