20:00 – The History of Magic Classroom.
The dimly lit classroom was filled with a soft, droning monotone — a voice that hovered somewhere between a lullaby and a sleep-inducing charm.
Professor Cuthbert Binns, Hogwarts' only ghostly instructor, floated just above the ground behind the lectern, swaying ever so slightly as he lectured about goblin rebellions with his eyes half-lidded. His transparent form shimmered faintly in the candlelight, and he seemed entirely unaware of how utterly uninterested his audience was.
Most students were either whispering quietly among themselves or had simply given up and laid their heads on their desks, succumbing to the soothing drone of Binns' voice. The man — or rather, the ghost — had such a weak grasp on the living world that he would often be startled if a student raised their hand to ask a question. Not that anyone ever did.
In the back row, however, one student sat upright, quill in hand, scribbling furiously on a parchment.
Cedric Diggory.
But he wasn't taking notes on goblin wars or ancient uprisings.
He had long since memorized every chapter of "A History of Magic" — Binns' lectures held nothing new for him. Tonight, his mind was racing ahead on something far more exciting, and potentially revolutionary.
He was researching anti-Squib medicine.
---
"But what exactly is the issue with Squibs?"
Cedric tapped his quill against the parchment as he mused. In the wizarding world, Squibs were often dismissed as unfortunate accidents — born to magical parents, yet unable to perform even the simplest spell. But Cedric wasn't satisfied with that explanation.
There was a fundamental difference between Squibs and Muggles.
Squibs, unlike Muggles, could see Hogwarts as it truly was, rather than as a ruin. They could see ghosts like Peeves or Professor Binns. They weren't repelled by enchantments like the Muggle-Repelling Charm. That suggested that Squibs had something — some residual trace of magic — even if they couldn't harness it.
In Cedric's view, Squibs didn't lack magic entirely. They simply had an undeveloped or dormant magical trait.
That raised two possibilities.
Option one: Find a way to stimulate the secondary development of this latent trait. Perhaps there were herbs or potions that could awaken what lay dormant in a Squib's magical core.
Option two: Use modern magical medicine to artificially simulate the magical trait — not to make Squibs powerful wizards, necessarily, but to help them cast basic daily life spells. Cleaning charms, lighting wands, simple levitation. Enough to let them live among wizards without fear of discovery or ridicule.
Cedric's brow furrowed as he wrote line after line of notes. "If they can cast spells reliably, even simple ones, then who would question their magical identity?"
In this world where bloodline and ability mattered so much, that distinction could be everything.
---
Cedric leaned back, switching mental gears.
"When it comes to herbs, I should rely on Professor Sprout's character template," he murmured.
He opened his interface and summoned her card.
---
Character Template: Pomona Sprout
Professor, Head of Hufflepuff House
Talent: Herbal Medicine (Upgradeable to SS level)
Master Wizard (+5 Magic, cap: 75)
Special Talent: Herb Resistance
(Years of handling magical plants has made your body more resistant to adverse effects caused by herbs.)
---
Sprout's Life Wish List:
1. Qualified Professor and House Head
Be a Hufflepuff student who makes her proud.
Reward: Upgrade Herbal Medicine to SS level.
2. Dissemination of Knowledge
Promote the use of her developed dragon dung fertilizer.
Reward: This template no longer occupies a slot.
3. Glorious Hufflepuff
Achieve three major honors for Hufflepuff while enrolled.
Reward: Unlock new special talent: Herbal Intuition.
---
Herbal Intuition
Through lifelong interaction with magical herbs, you gain an instinctual understanding of them. When encountering a new plant, you have a high chance to identify one of its magical properties — and potentially discover unknown uses.
---
Cedric's eyes lingered on the words Herbal Intuition.
"What a terrifying talent… even McGonagall and Snape didn't have something like this in their templates."
To someone as meticulous and research-driven as Cedric, this was more than just a helpful ability — it was a game-changer. Especially in developing something as delicate and precise as a potion that could alter magical traits.
With this ability, he wouldn't just be brewing from textbooks. He could invent, discover, and evolve new medicines.
But there was a problem.
Even if he managed to win the House Cup twice during his time at Hogwarts, that would still only count as two honors.
He needed three to fulfill Sprout's third wish.
And there was only one other recognized path to house glory outside of the Cup.
Quidditch.
Cedric had never played before — not formally. Before Harry Potter's arrival, there had been no precedent for first-year students joining the team. It was simply not done.
But Harry Potter would change that this year. And with Dumbledore being Dumbledore, and prone to awarding last-minute points, Cedric knew that winning the House Cup wasn't guaranteed — not even for a high-performing student like himself.
He couldn't leave this third honor to chance.
If he wanted to unlock Herbal Intuition, he would have to win the Quidditch Cup this year — not next. And to do that, he needed to make the team, despite being a first year.
Before the first flying lesson, no less.
---
"Let's do it," Cedric said under his breath.
He opened his interface again and allocated two of his remaining talent points.
---
[Talent points -2]
[S-level Quidditch talent upgraded to SS-level]
[Title Unlocked: Wings of Wind]
[Legendary Value +1]
---
Cedric exhaled sharply as the magical rush swept through him. His senses heightened. The classroom air felt thinner, sharper, like the world had suddenly moved in slow motion. He could see trajectories, feel balance, and almost hear the wind whispering outside the castle walls.
The Wings of Wind title was more than symbolic. It meant he would be capable of legendary flying feats, even as a first year.
He now held four legendary points and over 3500 experience points. If he wanted to, he could max out a spell instantly, or even boost his raw magical power by 40%. For anyone in his year — no, even for most upper years — he would be unbeatable.
He had, in every sense, become first-year invincible.
Still, there were risks.
---
[Special Note: This SS-level Quidditch talent was unlocked using Professor McGonagall's character template. If the template is removed, the talent will revert to S level.]
---
"It's worth it," Cedric murmured, eyes gleaming with determination. "If I want to stand out at the flying lesson, I need to show results — visible talent. If I wait, I might miss my only chance to join the team early."
Besides, he thought, his goals weren't just personal. His research into Squib medicine, his dreams of advancing magical medical science — none of that would succeed without influence and recognition.
He needed a bigger platform.
More attention.
More freedom to break the rules, bend expectations, and shatter limitations.
---
The next morning: Transfiguration Class.
Cedric walked into the classroom not with quiet resolve, but with purpose.
There was a time to stay low-profile, to move in the shadows.
But now?
Now was the time to shine.
He w
as going to show off that thing.
And the school wouldn't be the same after.
---------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
patreon.com/Johnwick007