The compartment they'd claimed wasn't really a compartment anymore.
Harry had expanded it the moment they'd boarded, to fit the entire group. Although the twins and Percy had soon left after the train left. Percy had gone to visit his girlfriend and the twins too had gone off to meet their friends or something. But judging by their faces, Harry really thought that the twins were going to meet their interests rather than a friend.
Everyone else was sprawled about comfortably, laughing snacking, and talking. Hermione and Ron were finalising their report while Daphne, Pansy and Luna were discussing something related to potions and business. Abigail, Ginny and Astoria were talking amongst themselves and Harry was reading the Continuum.
Astoria, suddenly looked up at Harry, butterbeer in hand. "Harry... why are we even taking the train again?"
Harry looked up from the book, one eyebrow raised.
"Well," she continued, perfectly serious, "you can apparate basically anywhere, right? So why not just take us straight to Hogwarts? The train takes hours."
Harry smiled, leaving back on the couch. "I could, sure. But imagine what everyone else would think."
Astoria blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Harry said, setting his book aside. "We left for the holidays with everyone else. If we suddenly show up at the castle before the train even arrives, people might start wondering how we managed that. And I'd rather not explain to Dumbledore that I can apparate in and out of Hogwarts."
"Oh, come on, that would've been worth it just to see his face." Ginny grinned.
Pansy nodded solemnly. "He'd have either fainted or offered you a teaching position on the spot."
"Oh wait... You are teaching already."
Everyone laughed as Pansy remembered that Harry was already a professor.
"Or he'd get a supervision on him 24/7." Hermione added.
Harry chuckled. "Exactly. So, we'll take the scenic route."
Astoria pouted, crossing her arms. "Fine. But I still think teleporting would be faster."
"Definitely faster," Harry agreed, a teasing glint in his eyes. "But it will be harder for me to explain it."
Luna smiled dreamily. "Besides, the wrackspurts enjoy the train ride. It helps them untangle."
That earned another round of laughter, even Hermione cracked a smile at that.
"Oh by the way Ron. Did you get any lemon custard buns this time around?" Harry asked as he returned to the book.
"How are you still hungry after eating all that at breakfast?" Pansy asked.
"Oh sweetheart, I'm always hungry," Harry said without looking up.
Pansy went crimson. The words had slipped out so casually that she didn't even know where to look. The girls burst into quiet giggles—Daphne hiding her smile behind a hand, Ginny openly grinning, and Luna watching the whole thing with delighted curiosity.
Harry, blissfully unaware, simply turned a page in Continuum without glancing up. Abigail, who had long accepted that her brother was apparently the collective weak spot of every girl in the group, just shook her head and joined in the laughter.
The laughter was still bubbling when the compartment door slid open.
Everyone turned to look, and there stood Draco Malfoy. His robes were immaculate, his posture perfect, and his expression somewhere between smug and cautious curiosity.
Harry did not even glance up. "Oh hey, cousin," he said in a calm voice, amusement slipping through his tone. "How were the holidays?"
The entire compartment froze. Eyes darted from Harry to Draco, then back to Harry again. Daphne's brows rose high, Hermione looked utterly confused, and Ron nearly choked on his pumpkin pasty.
Draco blinked once, then smirked. "Really good, cousin," he replied, mimicking Harry's tone exactly. "Hope you're ready for the first Quidditch match this term. I plan to make it memorable."
Harry finally looked up, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I'm sure you will. Just remember to bring a broom that can actually keep up this time."
For a few seconds, they simply looked at each other. It was not quite hostility, and not quite friendship either. It felt more like rivalry tempered by something new and grudgingly respectful.
Ron muttered, "Did he just call him cousin?"
Hermione nodded. Even Abigail looked confused and was staring at Draco thinking about how in the hell he was her brother's cousin.
Draco caught that and gave her a faintly smug look, as if confirming her words. "See you on the pitch, then," he said lightly before stepping out and sliding the door shut behind him.
As soon as the door closed, the entire compartment turned to Harry.
"Why in Merlin's name did you call Draco Malfoy cousin?" Ron demanded.
Harry didn't look up from his book. "Because he technically is."
Ron blinked. "What?"
"Yeah," Harry said, flipping a page casually. "The Potters and Blacks are connected through the Peverell line. Draco's mum, Narcissa, was born a Black. Sirius was my godfather and also her cousin. Which means Draco and I are, well… family. Distantly, but still counts."
Hermione's eyes widened as she pieced it together. "Oh my God… he's right. The family trees do overlap there."
Ron's jaw dropped. "So you're telling me the bloke that spent the last one and a half year being your enemy is actually your cousin?"
Harry smiled faintly. "Ironic, isn't it?"
Ginny snorted. "More like poetic justice."
Pansy leaned back with a grin. "And here I thought my family reunions were awkward. This one will probably need a duel for entertainment."
Abigail was still trying to process it. "So… you're related to him?"
Harry shrugged. "Not my fault. Talk to the old pure-blood families and their obsession with intermarriage. Half of the wizarding world is related if you trace back far enough."
Astoria giggled. "That actually explains a lot about the Blacks."
Hermione sighed. "And suddenly, wizarding genealogy makes sense. It's one big, messy circle."
Ron looked horrified. "You mean there's a chance I'm related to Malfoy too?"
Harry grinned without looking up. "Congratulations, Ron. Welcome to the family."
The compartment erupted with laughter again, and Ron groaned, dropping his head into his hands while the others cackled. Even Luna looked positively delighted by the chaos, murmuring, "I always thought the Malfoys had that sort of distant cousin energy."
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The Great Hall glowed with candlelight and chatter. Plates shimmered with golden platters of food, laughter filled the space, and the faint hum of the enchanted ceiling reflected a clear, starry night.
Once the feast was well underway, Dumbledore rose from his seat, the twinkle in his eyes even brighter than usual. The noise dimmed instantly.
"Welcome back, all of you," he said warmly. "I trust your holidays were restful—and perhaps even productive, for some more than others."
There were a few chuckles. He turned slightly toward the Gryffindor table, where Ron and Hermione sat looking both proud and nervous.
"This evening, Hogwarts celebrates not only the start of a new term but a truly remarkable achievement by two of our brightest minds. They have developed something that might well change how we understand magic itself. I'll let them explain it in their own words. Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger?"
He stepped back and gestured for them to come forward. The hall erupted in murmurs as Ron and Hermione took the stage.
"Good evening," Hermione began, her voice steady and confident. "Over the past year, Ron and I have been working on a project under Hogwarts name. It's a magical quantification system. One that can measure and classify a witch or wizard's magical capacity."
The hall fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Even the teachers looked curious now.
Ron cut in, "But this all started mainly because of one tiny moment in our first year."
"Last Christmas as we were headed back home we asked our friend Harry, about just how powerful he was."
Hermione chimed in laughing, "And he said that he had absolutely no idea as there was no system to classify powers of wizards or witches whatsoever."
Ron nodded, grinning. "Yeah, and that's when it hit us. Wizards talk about power all the time — how strong someone is, how powerful a spell feels — but no one's ever measured it. Everything's been just… instinct and reputation."
Hermione continued, her tone turning sharp and clear. "So, we designed a method that does exactly that. We call it the Magical Power Classification and Measurement System. It uses a standard unit we've termed the Magical Power Unit, or MPU, to quantify the raw magical energy within a person's core."
Gasps rippled across the Hall. A few students leaned forward, captivated. Even the older professors looked impressed.
With a flick of her wand, Hermione conjured a glowing chart in the air above them.
Magical Power Classification System
Novice: 0–1,000 MPUs
Apprentice: 1,001–8,999 MPUs
Wizard: 9,000–29,999 MPUs
Sorcerer: 30,000–99,999 MPUs
Archwizard: 100,000–399,999 MPUs
Magus: 400,000–999,999 MPUs
Grand Sage: 1,000,000+ MPUs
Whispers filled the Great Hall. The numbers looked impossible.
Ron smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Yeah, we know. Sounds mad, right? But it works. We've tested it ourselves. And we'd like to make a public demonstration today."
Hermione clasped her hands together. "Also the system doesn't just measure raw magical power, but also control. The first number — MPUs — reflects how much magical energy is stored in your core. But the second part, the control tier, reflects how efficiently you can manipulate and channel that energy. A wizard with 50,000 MPUs and Sorcerer-tier control could outperform someone far stronger, but less refined."
With a small flourish, Ron waved his hand. A shimmering crystal materialised—glowing faintly with a deep sapphire light. The crystal stood on a brass pedestal.
"All anyone has to do to check their reading is step up and touch the crystal." He explained. "And the reading will be displayed in front of you in a few seconds."
Dumbledore stepped forward, eyes shining with pride. "It is a rare moment when innovation and understanding meet. Tonight, we will have a demonstration of this system — and to make things interesting, I have volunteered myself as the first subject."
The hall erupted in murmurs again. Even Harry looked up from his seat, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Ron stepped aside, "Alright, Professor. If you'll just step up and touch the crystal..."
Dumbledore did, standing tall in front of the crystal with his hand on it, as light began to ripple upward from the base. The Hall went utterly silent.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, letters shimmered into existence above the pedestal.
Measured Output: Magus, 602,411 MPUs
Control Tier: Magus
The Great Hall exploded with sound. Gasps, cheers, and stunned exclamations filled the air.
Harry couldn't help the small, knowing smirk that curved on his lips. That was about what he'd expected.
Dumbledore, however, simply smiled, eyes gleaming with quiet humor. "It seems your invention works quite well indeed," he said. "Though I suspect I will not hold the record for long."
He looked down at the students.
"As you can see," he said, voice carrying warmly through the Great Hall, "our students have created something remarkable. This system will remain here permanently, for all students to test themselves. It's not merely a tool to measure, but a guide, a way to understand the limits you put on yourself."
"To quote one of my newly favourite words of Mr. Potter here, 'There is no limit to what magic can achieve. The only limit is what you put on yourself.'" Dumbledore chuckled. "While I may have not quoted him exactly, but I do believe I have put his ideology in it."
A ripple of excitement ran through the Great Hall. Students leaned forward, eyes bright, murmuring among themselves about what the system could reveal. Some were eager, some nervous, but all were captivated by the gleaming crystal at the center.
Dumbledore's voice softened but carried authority. "I would not advise using this system as a measure to compare yourselves to one another. That would miss the point entirely. Rather, it is a tool to help you understand your own potential. To see how far you can push yourself. With effort, dedication, and careful study, you may rise beyond what you think possible."
A hush fell over the hall as a few younger students edged closer to peer at the crystal, whispering about the magical numbers and tiers they had just been introduced to. Even some older students, who thought themselves experienced, looked thoughtful and contemplative.
Dumbledore smiled again, a faint twinkle in his eyes. "I suspect that in the coming weeks, months, and years, many of you will test yourselves here. Some will rise quickly, others more slowly, but each step you take will be progress. This, I hope, will be the beginning of a very exciting chapter for Hogwarts."
Harry's smirk widened just slightly as he observed the reactions around the hall. Students who had previously doubted themselves now looked intrigued. Some whispered strategies and plans to one another. Others simply stared, imagining what heights they might one day reach.
After dinner as everyone started heading back towards their dormitories, Dumbledore asked Harry to follow him to his office.
Dumbledore's office glowed softly with candlelight, the faint ticking of the silver instruments filling the quiet between them. The headmaster gestured for Harry to sit, his expression unusually serious yet kind.
"Harry," Dumbledore began, folding his hands on the desk, "there is something important I wished to discuss with you before the term progresses too far."
Harry leaned back slightly in the chair. "What's it about?"
"It concerns Hagrid," Dumbledore said. "His expulsion has officially been revoked by the Ministry after a long review. He now has the opportunity to complete his Hogwarts education. Just before the Holidays as a matter of fact."
Harry smiled faintly. "That's great news, Professor. He deserves that."
"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded, his eyes softening. "However… as you can imagine, it would be rather awkward for Hagrid to attend regular classes among students less than half his age. Which is why I wished to ask if you might consider tutoring him privately."
Harry blinked, surprised but thoughtful. "You want me to be his teacher?"
"In essence, yes," Dumbledore replied, his tone almost hopeful. "You are uniquely qualified, Harry. You no longer need to attend most of your classes, and your grasp of advanced magic is, frankly, exceptional. I believe you could help Hagrid not only catch up but thrive. At the end of the year, he would sit for his exams alongside the seventh years."
Harry's expression softened. "I can do that. Honestly, I've finished most of my projects already, so I'm not really busy this term. I'll make sure he's ready for the finals."
Dumbledore's face brightened. "I cannot thank you enough. It will mean more to Hagrid than you can imagine."
Before Harry could respond, the office door opened. Professors began filing in one by one — McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Burbage, Vector, Thorne, Remus, and others.
Harry turned in surprise. "What's going on?"
McGonagall stepped forward briskly, a small but satisfied smile on her face. "Mr. Potter, we've finalized your mastery examination schedule."
"Mastery exams?" Harry echoed, raising a brow.
"Indeed," she confirmed. "Transfiguration on January 10th, Charms on the 11th, Arithmancy on the 12th, and Defense Against the Dark Arts on the 13th. The remaining subjects will follow across the next week."
Harry blinked once, then grinned. "That works for me. I was wondering when you'd set the dates. I'm ready. Well as long as there is no Divination in there."
Professor Flitwick hopped a little closer, peering up at him curiously. "You're truly going through with all of them, then? Every single subject?"
"Every one, except Divination, Muggle Studies, and a few others which don't need spells and stuff." Harry said confidently.
Snape crossed his arms, looking faintly amused. "Ambitious, even for you."
Harry shrugged lightly. "Maybe. But getting those masteries also means I can legally tinker with the educational structure. I plan to use that to its full advantage."
Flitwick tilted his head, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "And what exactly do you mean by taking advantage, Mr. Potter?"
Harry's lips curved into a slow, mischievous grin — the kind that sent a visible ripple of unease through half the room. "Oh, nothing too dangerous," he said casually, though the glint in his eyes said otherwise. "I've just been thinking that Hogwarts could use a little… modernization."
McGonagall's brows drew together instantly. "Modernization?"
Harry nodded. "Yes. For starters, the courses could be made more advanced. Students should be challenged — properly challenged. The current system spoon-feeds everyone the same material regardless of their potential. It's inefficient."
Snape's eyebrow arched. "So your solution is to make their lives miserable?"
Harry smirked. "Miserable? No. Efficiently educational? Absolutely."
Several professors exchanged wary looks.
Harry leaned back in the chair, clearly enjoying the growing apprehension. "And besides that, I'd like to restructure how subjects are taught. Instead of everyone studying everything for seven years, students should be able to pick a domain — a path. If someone wants to be an Auror, they should focus on Defense, Strategy, and Magical Law from their very first year. A future Healer should focus on Potions, Herbology, and Healing Charms. A researcher could focus on Theoretical Magic, Arithmancy, and Runes."
Professor Vector looked intrigued. "A specialization-based system. That's… revolutionary."
Harry nodded. "Exactly. Everyone still learns the basics in their first two years, but after that, they branch into their chosen domain. It would save time, increase efficiency, and actually prepare people for what they want to become."
Burbage pursed her lips. "And I suppose you plan on increasing the academic difficulty as well?"
Harry's grin widened into something almost evil. "Of course. You didn't think I'd leave that part out, did you? If I have to suffer through years of self-imposed hell to learn what I know, it's only fair everyone else gets a taste of it too."
Snape gave a quiet, unimpressed huff. "How very altruistic of you."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, the familiar twinkle back in his eyes. "It seems, my boy, that your definition of progress might cause more chaos than reform."
Thorne sighed, muttering under his breath, "Merlin save us all if he ever actually gets the authority to implement this."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. "Oh, I suspect he will — and sooner than we think."
The professors were still gathered around Dumbledore's desk when McGonagall, curiosity glinting in her eyes, spoke first.
"Mr. Potter," she said, "given your rather… productive nature, dare I ask whether you've invented anything new over the holidays?"
A few of the other professors smirked knowingly, and Harry chuckled. "Actually, yes. Quite a bit, actually." He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, neatly bound black diary, its cover embossed with faintly glowing runes. "This has all the spells, charms, enchantments, and runic matrices I worked on during the break. You'll find cross-references for theoretical applications and countermeasures as well."
McGonagall took it gingerly, as though the book itself might start casting spells. "You've documented them all?"
"Not myself no... It became too boring to keep writing so I actually just made a spell that will update that book whenever I create something new." Harry said as if he was describing that he made a paper airplane.
McGonagall blinked, her expression a mixture of astonishment and mild exasperation. "A spell that updates itself? Honestly, Mr. Potter, you never cease to redefine the meaning of 'diligent student.'"
Flitwick, who had been leaning on the edge of the desk, practically bounced in excitement. "Fascinating! The implications for teaching and reference are remarkable. You could practically create a living compendium of magical theory!"
Harry shrugged casually, setting the diary back on the desk. "It's mostly to make life easier for me, honestly. But yeah, I suppose other people could find it useful too."
Snape's dark eyes narrowed slightly, though he didn't hide a glimmer of curiosity. "And this diary… it will remain accurate? No chance of corruption or—"
"I took care of that," Harry interrupted smoothly. "The spell locks any unauthorized attempts to tamper with the contents. It's… essentially self-defending. Even if someone tries to break it open magically, it simply won't let them."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. "Ah, marvelous. A self-updating, self-protecting compendium of magical innovation. I can only imagine the students' reactions when they see this. One hopes it inspires them rather than intimidates."
Harry grinned sheepishly, "I was just tired of siting there and writing stuff, and even if I used 'scripto auctor', I still had to hear all the scratching of the quill and it annoyed me."
He continued. "Also please don't let students see these just yet, cause someone might end up killing someone by mistake. I don't think they are ready for these kinds of spells just yet."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he regarded Harry. "That, Mr. Potter, was precisely all we wished to discuss. You've done enough for one evening. I think it would be wise for you to return to your dormitory before your free time disappears entirely."
Harry nodded, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Understood, Professor. Thank you, everyone. Goodnight."
With a quick salute to Dumbledore and a wave to the rest of the professors, he jogged toward the door.
As Harry disappeared, the room seemed to take a collective breath. One by one, the professors rose from their chairs, eyes gleaming with excitement and curiosity. Even Dumbledore pushed himself upright, his hands resting lightly on the edge of his desk.
McGonagall's lips twitched in a half-smile. "I suppose we cannot simply go to bed now. Not when we have been handed something so… extraordinary."
Flitwick practically bounced on his toes, his hands clapping together. "Yes, yes! A living compendium of magical theory! Think of the implications!"
Snape, though outwardly composed, had his dark eyes fixed firmly on the diary, examining it as though it might reveal some hidden secret at any moment.
Burbage, Vector, Thorne, and even Remus, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, began murmuring excitedly among themselves, voices filled with anticipation.
Dumbledore finally gestured toward the back of the office. "Shall we, then? The usual testing chamber awaits. I think we have much to explore, and it would be unwise to sleep while such a treasure remains unexamined."
With that, the professors filed toward the door at the back of the room, Dumbledore clutching the diary in his hand with everyone else muttering and barely keeping their enthusiasm in line.
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"Ah damn... I'm here again?!"
Harry muttered under his breath as he pushed himself up. The soft grass and the pleasant air greeting him in a familiar way. He had ended up at the place where he usually sees Praesidius, yet again.
He sighed and started walking along the familiar path, his hands in his pockets. Well considering Praesidius wasn't greeting him, she was probably in that hut with Nature.
Soon, he spotted the small wooden hut at the edge of a gentle hill. Its thatched roof looked humble against the towering tree behind it. Harry knocked twice out of courtesy, then pushed the door open without waiting for an answer.
Inside, the air was warmer—almost alive. Sitting around a low wooden table were three figures.
Praesidius looked up first, his faintly glowing eyes showing neither surprise nor irritation. "Harry," he said evenly. "You again."
"Yeah," Harry sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't plan to drop by, promise. But since I'm here, figured I shouldn't just stand under that giant tree doing nothing."
Nature smiled faintly from her seat beside Praesidius, her aura radiant and green, but this time Harry didn't falter under it. The last time, her beauty had almost stolen his breath away. Now, he just gave her a polite nod.
That reaction made the third woman raise an eyebrow. She was unlike the others—her presence quiet yet suffocating, her aura coiled like a storm held barely in check. Her attire was pitch black, but as Harry's eyes adjusted, he realized it wasn't truly black at all—it was in constant motion, swirling with black, white, and grey at a speed that made his head spin. Space and void twisted across the fabric, swallowing light and reflecting none.
Praesidius folded his hands and leaned forward slightly. "You seem to have a habit of appearing uninvited, Harry."
Harry smirked. "Yeah, well, this isn't exactly my choice. I just… wake up here sometimes. Guess my dreams like taking field trips to weird places."
The woman in black tilted her head, studying him closely. "You walked in here as if you belonged," she said softly. Her voice was smooth and quiet, like silk over glass. "Do you even know where here is, dreamer?"
Harry shrugged, glancing at Praesidius. "Not really. But since I've been here before and didn't die, I figured it's not the worst place my dreams can throw me into."
Praesidius gave a low, amused hum. "You have no idea how true that might be."
Harry blinked, a thought striking him like lightning.
"Wait a second," he said, turning toward Praesidius. "You wouldn't happen to know a place that's… pitch black, full of dead trees, and feels like it wants to chew you up, would you?"
Praesidius frowned slightly. "That is… oddly specific. Why do you ask?"
Harry huffed. "Because I keep showing up there sometimes. Every damn time, I make it to that clearing, this bloody massive white dragon kills me. It's beautiful mind you, but I'll skin that overgrown lizard someday."
Praesidius tilted her head, a low hum of amusement slipping past her lips before it built into a full laugh. "Oh, that's rich," she said, glancing toward the woman in black beside her. "Did you hear what he just said?"
The other woman didn't laugh. Her lips curved into a faint smirk, but her eyes — ancient, endless things of silver and shadow — fixed on Harry. There was something in that gaze that made his stomach twist. Not anger, exactly, but something colder. Like she was memorizing him, every flicker of his soul, so that when she chose to find him again, she'd know precisely where to strike.
Harry looked between Praesidius, who was barely holding back her laughter, and the woman, who had gone very still. "…Why do I feel like I just messed up?"
Nature, lounging near the hearth, smiled softly. "You did," she said, "and yet… not entirely."
The woman finally spoke. Her voice was soft but filled the room like thunder wrapped in silk. "You're fortunate, mortal," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm among the few gods who appreciate cheek. It's refreshing… even if it's suicidal."
Praesidius chuckled, still watching Harry. "Harry, allow me to introduce you properly," she said, gesturing toward the darkly dressed woman. "This is Nozdrega — Goddess of Life and Death. The Dragon Empress. And, incidentally, the overgrown white lizard you've been threatening to skin."
Harry froze.