"Fifth grade will extensively review previously learned content?"
While the other young wizards attentively listened to Professor Flitwick's lecture on Charms, Dweller was leisurely flipping through a booklet on the side. On the cover was a minimalist summary of the entire course content Flitwick had prepared for all seven years.
"This is just right for me," Dweller thought, deciding to join the fifth-grade curriculum.
He glanced around. Everyone else was focused on the lesson. Dweller also wanted to calm down and listen. Although Professor Flitwick spoke humorously, the lesson content was far too simple for him. After all, he was not only a magical prodigy but also an exam-taking genius—with an adult's mind to boot.
Seeing little challenge in the material, Dweller chose instead to use the time to cultivate Zen meditation and enhance his magical power.
So, during this two-hour Charms class, Dweller entered deep meditation. By circulating magic power within his body, he completed ten full cycles of the heavenly circuit.
As his meditation deepened, the gray mist that surrounded him began to expand. It now extended more than five meters. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before it could cover the entire classroom.
Dweller noticed that anything within the mist's range became far clearer to his senses. Even the slightest sounds or subtle magical fluctuations couldn't escape his perception.
This meant that if he could expand this range far enough—perhaps to the entire Hogwarts castle—he would effectively become a walking Marauder's Map.
Moreover, this enhanced perception would also aid him in learning and imitating magic. Normally, his 'Magical Prodigy' trait allowed him to replicate a spell after seeing it just once. But matching its power and finesse was still a challenge. However, if he were in a state of Zen meditation and within his perception zone, that trait would be even stronger.
Just like when Zen meditation enhanced his performance in Transfiguration—the synergy of ancient wisdom and his natural talent was more than additive. The result far exceeded the sum of its parts.
Class passed quickly. Professor Flitwick didn't have them practice the Levitation Charm that day. In the original books, such hands-on exercises began in late October. There was still some time.
After class, Dweller approached Flitwick and expressed his wish to follow the fifth-grade syllabus. The professor smiled brightly at his choice, saying he too believed that the fifth-grade curriculum was most suitable. It was, after all, the year with the most content.
Dweller agreed. The workload reminded him of the math, physics, and chemistry exams he had faced in his past life. But with his 'Magical Prodigy' and 'Exam-Taking Genius' traits, he wasn't worried at all.
Bidding the professor farewell, he went off to lunch.
In Hogwarts' education system, Potions instruction is designed with a clear progression. During the first to third years, students focus primarily on Herbology—learning to recognize and handle various magical plants.
From fourth year onward, the focus shifts to brewing potions, including understanding ingredients, their effects, and potential risks.
As a first-year, Dweller had two Herbology classes a week and only one Potions class on Fridays.
Herbology was taught by Professor Sprout.
[Name: Pomona Sprout]
[Age: 58]
[Spell Library: …]
[Traits: Herbology Talent (Purple), Magical Talent (Purple), Cultivator (Purple)]
[Herbology Talent (Gold): Possesses deep knowledge in Herbology and an extraordinary ability to identify and perceive magical plants. Destined for great success in this field.**
[Magical Talent (Purple): A wizard with talent above the norm, learns spells faster and exhibits some degree of magical creativity.**
[Cultivator (Purple): Skilled in nurturing magical plants, making them grow more vigorously under her care.**
While her traits weren't as dazzling as the golden-level abilities seen in Snape, Flitwick, or McGonagall, it was clear she was deeply respected by her students.
Dweller judged that while she might not be as accomplished in her field as the heads of other houses, she was undoubtedly an outstanding teacher—kind, optimistic, patient, and full of care. Her classes always carried a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere.
Dweller didn't hold back in class. During the Q&A portion, he answered several questions correctly and earned twenty points for his house.
Naturally, he also had his academic standing in mind. In the lower years, Herbology held considerable importance. If he wanted to become the top student of his year, excelling in this subject was non-negotiable.
Even though the original series never mentioned class performance contributing to final evaluations, Dweller believed that if such an opportunity existed to improve his overall assessment, there was no reason not to seize it.
After class, Dweller declined Harry and the others' invitation to dine together. Instead, he made his way toward the office Professor McGonagall had told him about that morning.
He had some questions about his earlier discoveries in the micro-world and wanted to consult her directly.
But this journey didn't go as smoothly as expected.
He stepped onto a seemingly ordinary staircase—only for it to shift suddenly, sweeping him into a narrow, hidden passageway.
The stone walls were rough, damp, and covered in mildew. The air was thick and musty.
Though caught off-guard, Dweller's curiosity flared. Exploring the secrets of Hogwarts was one of his goals anyway. Why not take this detour?
He lit his wand and followed the winding passage. It twisted and turned endlessly.
Eventually, a faint white light appeared ahead. An exit?
Excited, Dweller quickened his pace, opened a small door, and stepped through.
What greeted him was a familiar stone hallway cloaked in shadows.
Wait a second.
This was the entrance to the Slytherin common room!
What was going on?
Perplexed, Dweller turned back—only to find that the small door he'd just exited had vanished.
He frowned. Something about this felt off.
Was the castle blocking him from reaching Professor McGonagall? Was it preventing him from asking about the micro-world?
Come to think of it—this castle was alive, in a sense. That pink toad from the original story couldn't even get into the headmaster's office.
Still, Dweller wasn't the kind of person to give up easily.
The micro-world held immense potential. If he could understand and unlock its secrets, his power would rise dramatically.
He had to figure it out.
Determined, he began navigating the shifting corridors once more, avoiding moving staircases, trick walls, and even obstructive suits of armor.
Thanks to his enhanced perception through Zen meditation, he was finally able to sense a viable path—detecting hidden turns and faint magic flows others would've missed.
Eventually, he emerged from a concealed passage near the second floor.
At last, he stood before the small study that served as Professor McGonagall's office.
After all the detours, interruptions, and interference—he had made it.
He knocked on the door, mentally preparing to ask the questions that could shape his magical journey forever.