Chapter 17 Dumbledore: He's just showing off
Ron cleared his throat, letting out a cough that, like a sudden clap of thunder, instantly roused everyone from their shock.
If not for that cough, it was unknown how much longer they would have remained immersed in their astonishment.
Professor McGonagall also gradually regained her composure, a ripple of thought spreading through her mind.
As a seasoned Professor, she clearly realized that the strength Ron displayed was far beyond what a first-year student could achieve.
In previous years, there were indeed students who could successfully transform a match into a needle in their first class, but such students were few and far between, only one or two each year.
Ron's performance surprised Professor McGonagall, even shocked her.
If Ron had simply transformed a match into a needle, it might not have attracted such significant attention from her.
But what Ron did was far from that simple.
Professor McGonagall was well aware of the complexity of Transfiguration, so when she saw Ron first limit the spell's range to himself, her heart was already stirred.
This required precise control over magic and a deep understanding of one's own magical power.
However, Ron's next action left her even more dumbfounded.
He was actually able to expand the range, using his own magical power to cover the entire seating area in front of the Gryffindor students.
This, even the experienced Professor McGonagall found incredible.
It demanded not only a vast amount of magical power but also an extremely high mastery of magical techniques.
Typically, only those outstanding senior students, after long periods of diligent practice and continuous refinement, could reach such a realm.
The move Ron displayed was actually a clever nested sequence of multiple spells, each layer requiring precise control and profound underlying knowledge.
It first included Lumos, 'magic Diffusion,' 'Duplication Charm,' and so on.
However, what shocked Professor McGonagall the most was Ron's ability to keep his matches in their original state despite such powerful magical fluctuations.
This step seemed simple, but in reality, it was extremely difficult.
Because during this process, Ron had to not only maintain the stability of his own magical power but also precisely control the state of each match, preventing them from being affected and changed by other magic.
This required extremely high concentration and a deep understanding of magic.
Professor McGonagall had repeatedly emphasized the complexity and challenge of Transfiguration at the beginning of the Transfiguration Class, and one of the core aspects of Transfiguration was imagination.
Imagination not only requires the blessing of talent but also daily accumulation and training.
Yet, Ron seemed to effortlessly break through this boundary; how he managed to use such exquisite and peerless magic made Professor McGonagall curious.
Seeing the people around gradually recover from their shock, Ron calmly spoke:
"Actually, it's nothing; the most important thing is daily practice."
His tone was calm and confident, as if he truly attributed everything to long-term effort.
However, the small wizards around were not entirely convinced.
They all booed, their faces filled with doubt.
After all, everyone was a first-year student, and the strength Ron displayed was simply too astonishing, making it hard to believe that such a level could be achieved merely through practice.
Seeing the small wizards' reactions, Ron smiled slightly and continued:
"Of course, besides practice, I also discovered some tricks for the Transfiguration Charm from an ancient magic book in my home. Coupled with my tiny bit of talent, it led to today's performance."
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding small wizards once again began to discuss animatedly.
They were still surprised by Ron's strength, but hearing him mention ancient magic books and talent, their doubts in their hearts lessened slightly.
It was well known that in this world, there indeed existed many unrecorded spells and ancient books, and it was not impossible for Ron to discover tricks from them.
Ron looked at the surrounding small wizards, secretly sighing in relief.
He knew that the excuse he fabricated was a bit far-fetched, but in this mysterious magical world, it also had a certain rationality.
At worst, in the future, he could really write an 'ancient book' himself to round out this excuse.
Professor McGonagall suddenly understood, her doubts instantly vanishing, and now everything made sense.
In the ancient age of magic, human Wizards mastered a vast number of spells and magical techniques, the power and depth of which were far beyond what current spells could compare to.
As time passed, many such magic spells, due to wars, turmoil, or other reasons, gradually disappeared into the long river of history, becoming legends.
Just like the legendary Archmage Merlin, countless spells he created have mostly vanished now, leaving only his great name and a few myths that have been passed down.
Professor McGonagall had also researched some lost spells of the Merlin family, but they were very difficult to use.
Ron, as a member of the 'Twenty-Eight Sacred Families,' despite his family's current decline, undoubtedly still possessed some precious ancient Magic books.
These ancient books might record those long-lost powerful Magic spells, and Ron had drawn knowledge from these ancient books to display such astonishing strength in class.
Thinking of Ron's brothers, the Weasley Twins, their unique magic tricks were also unknown to many small wizards.
This further proved that Ron's family indeed had an extraordinary magical heritage.
Ron closely observed the changes in Professor McGonagall's expression; her brows sometimes relaxed, sometimes furrowed, as if she was engaged in intense contemplation deep within her mind.
Finally, when Professor McGonagall's brows completely relaxed, Ron's heart eased, knowing that she had understood his meaning.
Indeed, for a powerful person like Professor McGonagall, self-persuasion was the most deadly.
They possessed keen insight; once a concept or idea took root in their minds, it would quickly grow and strengthen until fully understood.
After listening to Ron's explanation, Professor McGonagall nodded and said to everyone:
"Alright, everyone should understand now. Mr. Weasley's displayed strength is indeed astonishing, but as he said, the most important thing is his effort and persistence. I hope everyone can learn from him."
Saying this, Professor McGonagall turned to Ron and added with a smile:
"Ten points to Gryffindor, to commend your excellent performance. Also, Mr. Weasley, don't forget our bet." Her tone held a hint of playfulness, clearly still remembering the bet.
Ron, hearing this, felt a chill in his heart but maintained a calm smile on his face, replying, "No problem, Professor McGonagall."
He was constantly calculating how to train his few weak roommates.
During today's Transfiguration Class, Ron observed the spellcasting methods of his roommates and immediately spotted their mistakes.
Ron couldn't quite understand why they couldn't perform such simple Transfiguration.
His brilliant performance in class today had already earned him deep admiration from his roommates.
Next, he needed to consider how to train them better and how to build their trust in their daily interactions.
Indeed, it was a long and arduous journey!
The two-hour Transfiguration Class ended amidst the sensation Ron had caused. Professor McGonagall assigned homework and then hurried out of the classroom.
Her mind was filled with curiosity about Ron, and she decided to report this astonishing discovery to Headmaster Dumbledore.
Professor McGonagall arrived at Dumbledore's Principal's office and described Ron's performance in class to Dumbledore in detail.
Dumbledore, after listening, raised an eyebrow slightly and, after a moment of thought, said, "Ron's magical talent is far more than that."
He paused and continued, "In this class, he was just showing off."
Chapter 18 Who is the Hunter
The bell rang, but some small wizards seemed to still be immersed in the wonderful atmosphere of the Transfiguration Class, their eyes sparkling with admiration for Ron.
These small wizards left the classroom one after another, and when they met other classmates in the corridor, they couldn't wait to share what they had just seen and heard.
"Do you know? Ron turned all the Gryffindor matches into needles in class! He's really amazing, Malfoywas so angry he almost fainted, and Professor McGonagall was speechless!"
"What's going on? Ron can turn all the matches into needles? Young Master Malfoy was so angry he almost fainted? Professor McGonagall was shocked too?"
"What? Malfoy was furious after seeing Ron's Transfiguration? Professor McGonagall asked Ron to teach him Transfiguration?"
And so it went.
These small wizards spread the word, each person continuously embellishing and exaggerating Ron's performance, to the point where the final version was completely unrecognizable.
"Ron turned Malfoy into a needle, and Professor McGonagall wanted to take him as her teacher!"
"Ron's closed-door disciple, Professor McGonagall, turned Malfoy into a needle!"
If Malfoy had heard this, he would have truly been furious enough to die, having already almost fainted from anger.
If Professor McGonagall had heard it, she would have been so angry that she would have spat out a mouthful of old blood.
...
On the other side, Ron was walking unhurriedly towards the Great Hall.
His face was calm, but his heart was turbulent, as he constantly pondered how to obtain Lord Voldemort's first Horcrux.
This question, ever since it appeared in his mind, was like an insurmountable chasm, lying before him.
Ron knew that acquiring a Horcrux was not difficult. He knew several methods,
but "Soul Binding" was another major challenge.
This deep mystery involving the soul, if not handled carefully, could lead to unpredictable consequences.
It would be terrible if he were to be possessed by Lord Voldemort instead.
However, as his cultivation improved, Ron's understanding of the conditions for using the "Soul Binding" spell gradually became clearer.
First, he needed to prepare several tokens as containers for the soul.
These tokens had to be meticulously crafted to hold the powerful soul energy.
Secondly, he also needed to prepare incense and an altar, which were indispensable tools for casting the spell.
Finally, he needed to find a charm to ensure the smooth progress of the entire process.
Ron silently calculated in his heart that to successfully bind Lord Voldemort's Horcrux, he had to be fully prepared.
He planned to earn some funds at school first. It was just the beginning of the school year, and the small wizards' wallets were the fullest.
He had to seize the time.
Once he had enough funds, Ron planned to take some time to go to Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley was hidden behind a pub called the Leaky Cauldron.
It was a place for Wizards to shop, with all sorts of magical items and tools.
Everything on the Hogwarts essential supplies list could be bought there.
Ron planned to try his luck here.
Because Ron was so engrossed in his thoughts while walking, he didn't notice a girl coming around the corner.
The two of them collided without warning.
"Ouch!"
A crisp cry of surprise woke Ron from his contemplation.
He looked up and saw a short-haired girl in black sitting on the ground in front of him, rubbing her forehead and trying to get up.
The girl had a pretty face, and Ron immediately recognized her—it was Pansy, whom he had seen on the boat on the way to school.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?" Ron quickly asked with concern.
Pansy looked up, shook her head gently, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes, "I'm fine, just a little pain in my forehead."
Her voice was slightly soft, seeming a little surprised by the sudden collision.
Seeing this, Ron still reached out and raised his wand. He whispered:
"Episkey."
He could have easily healed Pansy's forehead with non-verbal casting, but he didn't want to expose this special ability of his at this time.
After all, it was his trump card.
As the spell was cast, Pansy felt a cool sensation on her forehead.
Then she was surprised to find that her previously painful forehead instantly became comfortable.
And through a nearby mirror, she could also see that the redness and swelling that had just appeared had vanished without a trace.
"That's amazing!" Pansy exclaimed. "I didn't expect you to know the healing spell too." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity for Ron.
Ron smiled slightly, said nothing, just nodded gently.
He hadn't carefully looked at Pansy's appearance last night.
But now, she was wearing a Slytherin green robe, and she looked classical and aloof, with a subtle aggression hidden within her softness.
This reminded Ron of the Green Snake in the Legend of the White Snake, that beautiful and dangerous feeling.
Looking at Ron's direct gaze, Pansy couldn't help but feel a surge of mischievous pleasure at her success.
She didn't show any smugness on her face, still maintaining a cool and reserved expression.
After Ron confirmed that Pansy was fine, the two chatted and walked side by side to the Great Hall.
"Hmph!"
This scene was coincidentally seen by Hermione not far away.
She let out a soft snort, and a sudden inexplicable irritation surged in her heart.
Recalling how the two had been talking and laughing when they first met last night, Hermione felt even more unpleasant.
She stomped her small leather shoe in anger, turned around, and walked in the other direction, deciding not to look at the two figures anymore.
...
In the lively Great Hall, Ron and Pansy sat at the long table, enjoying the food and immersed in pleasant conversation.
Ron, with his extensive knowledge and witty humor, made Pansy laugh heartily.
Her laughter was clear and melodious, like silver bells, attracting the attention of a group of small wizards around them.
Those small wizards looked at Ron with envious expressions.
In their hearts, Ron was talented and could chat and laugh with the beautiful Pansy, truly a winner in life.
However, Ron's heart did not stir much at all this.
He coldly observed Pansy's smile, his heart growing even colder.
He had not failed to notice that Pansy was feigning a fall.
In that split second of contact, he had felt her body's stiffness and deliberate action.
Ron did not expose her, but chose to go with the flow, resolving the matter with a healing spell.
Ron, having lived two lives, already had a deep understanding of this world.
He was well-versed in the original work and knew every character in it like the back of his hand.
Pansy, the girl known for her cunning, Ron was naturally well aware of her.
But if it really came down to cunning, Ron believed Pansy was still too green.
He didn't care what Pansy's purpose was, because he had already guessed roughly from her words and actions.
However, this did not mean he would be easily used by Pansy.
Ron decided he would continue to observe and see who was the real hunter in this game.
Chapter 19 I will be the protagonist of the class
While Ron and Pansy were chatting happily and enjoying their meal, a terrified scream suddenly erupted from another part of the Great Hall:
"Oh my! Someone actually dared to rob Gringotts?!"
This sudden sound instantly swept through the entire Great Hall, attracting the attention of the surrounding small wizards.
They curiously put down their cutlery and all looked towards the source of the sound.
It turned out that someone was holding a fresh copy of The Daily Prophet, which prominently reported a shocking piece of news.
Gringotts in Diagon Alley, the Wizarding bank always known for its security, had been robbed.
A daring Wizard had actually broken into Gringotts' underground vaults, attempting to steal the treasures inside.
However, to everyone's surprise, the Goblins seemed to have been prepared; they claimed the thief hadn't managed to steal anything and was almost caught.
Although the Goblins ultimately failed to capture the thief, the incident still caused a huge uproar in the Wizarding World.
People speculated about the thief's identity and motives, and at the same time, serious doubts were raised about Gringotts' security.
After all, Gringotts, as one of the financial centers of the Wizarding World, had always been known for its stringent security measures.
The moment Ron heard this news, he immediately understood everything.
Isn't this the Philosopher's Stone incident?
His heart instantly quickened, and his thoughts raced.
It seemed that Lord Voldemort and Professor Quirrell were already impatient to act.
His act of drawing his sword in the Great Hall had undoubtedly put them on alert.
Drawing the sword was, in fact, carefully planned by Ron.
He wasn't merely aiming to obtain the treasure sword, but more importantly, to seize this opportunity to attract the attention of Lord Voldemort and his allies.
He knew that Lord Voldemort only cared about Harry, who was mentioned in the prophecy, and he himself only needed to create a slight atmosphere of alertness.
Ron calmly analyzed the situation.
Lord Voldemort, being inherently arrogant, would not easily focus his attention on someone seemingly insignificant.
And his act of drawing his sword just happened to make them mistakenly believe that Harry had powerful protective forces around him, thereby directing more of their attention to Harry.
Ron smiled slightly, a surge of confidence welling up in his heart.
The more anxious they became, the calmer he needed to remain.
As long as he acted cautiously and didn't reveal any flaws, he would surely achieve victory in this struggle.
As for the Philosopher's Stone, Ron was also quite curious; he always felt that this magical stone was not as simple as the outside world described.
In his understanding, the Philosopher's Stone possessed astonishing capabilities.
It was said that it could instantly transform any metal into pure gold and even create the Elixir of Life, allowing the drinker to remain eternally young, neither aging nor dying.
It was this seemingly perfect longevity function of the Philosopher's Stone that made Ron suspicious.
If the Philosopher's Stone truly possessed such miraculous life-extending effects, then the Wizarding World would have long since fallen into chaos because of this stone.
After all, the temptation of eternal life was irresistible to any Wizard.
Ron imagined that if the Philosopher's Stone truly existed and was widely known, Wizards would surely engage in a bloody struggle to obtain it.
They would stop at nothing to get it, even sacrificing the lives of others.
In this way, the original order and balance of the Wizarding World would be completely shattered, and the entire world would plunge into chaos and disaster.
Evidently, despite the widespread rumors about the Philosopher's Stone's miraculous effects, such things had never truly happened.
The Wizarding World had not fallen into chaos over the Philosopher's Stone, nor had any disasters arisen from the Elixir of Life.
It is said that throughout the long river of history, reports about the Philosopher's Stone were numerous, but only a handful could be truly substantiated.
It wasn't until 1991 that the existence of the world's only Philosopher's Stone was definitively proven. This Philosopher's Stone belonged to the famous alchemist and opera enthusiast, Nicolas Flamel.
Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, lived in seclusion in a hidden place in Devon.
It was said that both of them had lived for several centuries.
Ron was currently just a small-fry at the second level of Qi Refinement, and he did not yet possess enough strength to fully comprehend the mysteries of the Philosopher's Stone and the deeper operational mechanisms of the Wizarding World.
Therefore, he stopped dwelling on these thoughts and temporarily buried these questions in his heart, saving them to explore when his strength increased in the future.
The commotion soon subsided, and the small wizards returned to their seats, continuing to enjoy their lunch. Ron also bid farewell to Pansy and walked alone towards the Charms classroom.
The Charms classroom was on the left-hand corridor on the fourth floor of Hogwarts Castle.
Ron walked with steady steps on his way to the classroom, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over a familiar figure—the school caretaker Filch and his cat, Madam Norris.
Filch, the always stern and meticulous caretaker, was currently cradling Madam Norris, patrolling back and forth in the right-hand corridor on the fourth floor.
His gaze was sharp and vigilant, as if it could penetrate all disguises and lies.
The right-hand corridor was a restricted area of the school, full of dangers, and Filch guarded it constantly to catch those overly curious small wizards who trespassed into the forbidden area.
The small wizards all knew how formidable Filch was, and no one wanted to be put in detention for a moment of impulse, so everyone tacitly chose to turn left, avoiding that restricted area.
Soon after, he arrived at the door of the Charms classroom. The classroom door was ajar, letting out a soft glow. Ron took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom.
Here, they met the Dean of Ravenclaw, and also the Charms Class Professor of Hogwarts—FiliusFlitwick.
Perhaps because the Professor had some Goblin blood, he was unusually short, but his wisdom and magical attainments were unparalleled.
During class, he had to stand on a stack of thick books just to reach the podium.
Such a scene always made the students laugh.
Charms Class was one of the students' favorite subjects. Professor Flitwick was not strict with the students; everyone could move freely in class and even joke with him. Most importantly, they generally wouldn't fail.
Ron had always had a good impression of such a friendly Professor; he himself was not a person who followed rules strictly.
As the class bell rang, Charms Class was about to begin. Ron exhaled, his heart filled with anticipation and excitement.
The upcoming class will no longer be a solo act by the Professor,
but by me, Ron Weasley.
Chapter 20 Do you need Mr. Luo to guide you on your mistakes?
Charms Class was in the afternoon, two periods back-to-back. Professor Flitwick was currently standing on a tall stack of books, preparing to call out names.
He held the roster, his gaze sweeping over each student. When he read the name "Harry Potter," he suddenly let out an excited shriek.
The shriek stunned everyone. Professor Flitwick instantly lost his balance and tumbled down from the high stack of books.
However, Professor Flitwick didn't seem to be too hurt. He brushed the dust off himself and took a long time to recover from his excitement.
He smiled and shook his head, a little embarrassed by his lapse, then cleared his throat and began the first Charms Class.
Ron felt a surge of emotion; the rumors were true after all. Professor Flitwick truly was a man of passion!
"Alright, everyone, please turn to Chapter One of your Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. We'll start by understanding the basic principles of Charms." Professor Flitwick's voice, though high-pitched, conveyed an undeniable sense of authority.
A Charm is a spell that adds a specific attribute to an object or living creature, and it is fundamentally different from Transfiguration.
Transfiguration focuses on changing an object, transforming it into another form or creature; whereas Charms alter or add attributes to an object, giving it a specific function or effect.
Simply put, Charms are more about making an object "do something" rather than making an object "be something."
Moreover, Charms are the cornerstone of all magic, and more profoundly, they provide a solid foundation for us to understand and master more complex magic.
For Ron, he didn't need to dwell on such a complicated definition. He just needed to keep learning new knowledge and play to his strengths.
"Today we will learn the most basic Charm, the Levitation Charm. As a Wizard, one of his fundamental skills is levitation…."
Professor Flitwick lectured enthusiastically from the front of the class.
Ron was a bit bored listening to it; he already knew all this. He stacked two books together, rested his head on them, and was on the verge of falling asleep.
Sitting next to Ron was still Hermione. She was, as always, intently listening to the Professor's lecture, her brows furrowed, seemingly pondering the profound aspects of Charms.
Ron noticed that Hermione's complexion seemed a bit off, but her focused expression made him not pay too much attention.
He immersed himself in his own world, ready to drift off to sleep at any moment.
However, as Hermione watched Ron about to fall asleep, a complex feeling welled up inside her.
What frustrated her was that the scene of Ron and Pansy chatting earlier kept replaying in her mind.
Their intimate conversation and easy smiles made Hermione feel a bit uneasy.
Hermione hadn't had a good impression of Pansy since she saw her yesterday.
Perhaps it was a girl's intuition, but she always felt that Pansy had an unusual affection for Ron, and this intuition made Hermione feel a little uneasy.
She lifted her small leather shoe, hesitated for a moment, but still mustered the courage to lightly step on Ron's instep.
It wasn't a heavy step, but it was enough to pull Ron back to reality from the edge of sleep.
Ron was startled awake by the tap, groggily lifted his head, and looked at Hermione. He noticed the unhappy expression still on Hermione's face, and couldn't help but feel a little confused.
He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his head a bit, then groggily asked, "What's wrong? Why are you unhappy?"
Hermione looked at Ron, who wasn't fully awake yet, and felt even more annoyed.
She ignored Ron's question, just turned her head away, and said nothing.
Ron's heart tightened; he thought, 'This isn't good.' Looking at Hermione like this, she was clearly angry.
Then he cheekily asked Hermione a few more questions.
Hermione grew a bit impatient with the questions and replied, "Mr. Weasley, please pay attention in class."
Oh boy, it was "Weasley" and "please," clearly a deliberate attempt to maintain distance.
It seemed Hermione was truly angry this time.
At this moment in the classroom, Professor Flitwick's lecture continued, but Ron and Hermione's minds had already drifted elsewhere.
The subtle atmosphere between them seemed to become even more complex at this moment.
...
As Professor Flitwick announced the start of free practice, the classroom instantly became lively.
Students eagerly raised their wands and began chanting spells, their voices rising and falling, full of the passion of exploration and experimentation.
Malfoy, being a child after all, had already forgotten the unpleasantness from the Transfiguration class earlier.
He raised his wand, first waving it, then flicking it, and chanted, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
To his disappointment, the feather in front of him did not float up.
Malfoy didn't get discouraged and tried again.
On the other side of the classroom, Ron seemed a bit distracted because of Hermione's anger.
He raised his wand, waved it casually, and simultaneously chanted the Levitation Charm: "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Seeing Ron's lackadaisical attitude, Hermione felt a little helpless.
She quickly said, "No! Stop, stop, stop! Waving it like that, you'll poke someone's eye out!"
Then she continued, "Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-'O'-sa, not Levio-'SA'!"
Ron chuckled, a playful smile on his face: "You're so smart, why don't you try it? Go on!"
Upon hearing this, Hermione raised her head, revealing her delicate jawline, and glanced sideways at Ron.
Then she huffed lightly, raised her own wand, and began to chant the Levitation Charm.
However, things didn't go as smoothly as she had imagined.
Despite her efforts to chant the spell, the feather only floated up slightly, rising halfway before falling back down.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Ron burst out laughing. He looked at Hermione provocatively, a triumphant smile playing on his lips.
"What's so funny? You haven't even succeeded, and you're laughing at me. Is it funny?" Hermionepuffed out her cheeks like a spiky pufferfish.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and then raised her wand again.
This time the result was even worse; the feather didn't even lift a tiny bit.
"Do you need Professor Ron to guide you on your mistakes, hmm?" Ron said with a hint of flippancy.
Hermione glared at him, ignoring him, just pressing her lips together, looking a bit angry.
Seeing this, Ron continued, "Looks like you're a bit angry, Miss Granger."
It is well known that emotions are also very important during the casting of a Charm.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, then said coldly,
"I don't need you to teach me. You can go teach the Slytherin girls." Her tone carried a hint of jealousy.
Ron finally understood.
So it was about this! Besides, he didn't mean it that way, honestly…
Ron replied, "Hold on, I'll show you something good."
Chapter 21 At this moment, great beauty is coming
Hermione regretted her accusatory words as soon as they left her mouth. What was wrong with her? Why would she say such things to this bad guy?
"Good stuff? What good stuff?" Hermione was still a bit angry, but her curiosity was piqued.
"I told you, don't be impatient. My magic is just beginning," Ron replied.
He added leisurely:
"Now, great beauty will arrive."
The feather, which had been motionless on the desk, suddenly seemed to come alive, gently floating up.
It danced in the air, accompanied by a pale white glow, like a group of fairies gracefully dancing.
Hermione's eyes widened as she watched the scene in astonishment.
She couldn't believe her eyes; Ron's Levitation Charm was so powerful that it could make a feather dance so magically.
Immediately after, the feather, which had been lightly dancing in the air, as if summoned by some magic, suddenly burst open, transforming into a myriad of colorful fireworks.
These fireworks slowly bloomed in the air, each one emitting a charming glow, like tiny stars, illuminating the entire classroom as if in a dream.
These stars drifted in the air, like ethereal beings. Their lights intertwined, forming beautiful light trails, filling the entire classroom with a romantic atmosphere.
Hermione looked at these stars, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
So, he did care about my feelings.
Subsequently, the fireworks began to gradually dissipate, and the starry specks of light slowly descended from the sky.
As these lights fell, they transformed back into light feathers, gently floating down onto the desk.
Seeing the little stars twinkling in Hermione's eyes, Ron couldn't help but feel a little smug. He slightly raised the corner of his mouth and asked:
"Are you still angry? Pansy just accidentally fell earlier, and I mainly talked to her so much because I was afraid of causing trouble."
As Hermione listened to Ron's explanation, the warmth in her heart gradually surged.
She gently shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her lips, and her eyes sparkled with a warm glow.
She softly said, "I wasn't keeping an eye on you. It's none of my business who you talk to. But your fireworks were quite pretty."
Ron felt a surge of secret delight upon hearing Hermione's words.
He feigned seriousness and asked, "Oh? Then why were you so concerned about me talking to Pansyjust now?"
Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, feeling a bit shy.
She responded with some hesitation, "You… you don't need to worry so much. Don't meddle in a beautiful Witch's affairs!"
Then, Hermione quietly asked another question, with a hint of anticipation in her voice:
"What do those little hearts in your fireworks mean? I don't understand them."
Ron was a bit flustered by the question. He scratched his head and said somewhat awkwardly:
"You don't need to worry about that either. I just did it casually; it doesn't have any special meaning."
His words carried a hint of panic, as if he wasn't very good at handling such sudden questions.
Seeing Ron's awkward expression, Hermione couldn't help but find it a little amusing.
So, this fierce guy also has a cute side...
All the students, including those from Slytherin and Gryffindor, witnessed this scene.
They had originally thought Ron was only good at Transfiguration, but they didn't expect him to be so skilled in magic as well.
This astonishing display left everyone amazed.
The Gryffindor girls all cast envious glances, looking at Hermione and secretly sighing, "How wonderful it would be if I also had a good friend like Ron!"
Even Professor Flitwick, who was usually witty and humorous, couldn't help but be utterly astonished after seeing the splendid fireworks Ron cast.
He widened his eyes as if he had seen an unbelievable miracle.
Then, he again fell from his book in an undignified manner.
This time, Professor Flitwick lay on the ground for a long time, unable to get up immediately.
"This batch of students truly has an abundance of talent!" Professor Flitwick murmured to himself while lying on the ground.
Charms Class soon ended, and Hermione happily walked out of the classroom with Ron.
With this role reversal, Pansy was grinding her teeth on the side.
Harry also began to admire Ron. He truly is my big brother!
The last class on Monday was Herbology Class.
Herbology Class is a subject that studies magical and ordinary plants and fungi, equivalent to botany.
This class was held in the Greenhouses on the Hogwarts grounds.
The Greenhouses are located at the back of the Castle, and the specific Greenhouse for class depends on the student's year.
The Professor who teaches Herbology Class is the Dean of Hufflepuff House, named Pomona Sprout.
She is a short Witch with flowing gray hair.
She usually wears a thick, patched hat and is covered in dirt because she is always in the Greenhouse tending to plants. She is an optimistic and compassionate person.
As the Herbology Class teacher, Sprout's responsibility is to teach students how to care for the strange plants and fungi of the magical world.
In Herbology Class, students learn how to care for and utilize plants, and understand their magical properties and applications.
Many plants can be used as ingredients for Potions and medicines, while others have unique magical effects.
In this class, Ron simply listened attentively. With his heaven-defying comprehension, mastering basic knowledge was naturally effortless for him.
Being able to master basic knowledge already surpasses most people.
Ron's key problem now is how to use this knowledge.
"Sage can strengthen the nervous system, reduce fever, improve fitness, promote digestion, eliminate headaches, improve sleep, and quickly enhance memory function…"
Professor Sprout spoke eloquently from the front.
Ron listened, simultaneously constructing a medicinal properties map of sage in his mind.
["Your heaven-defying comprehension, through understanding the medicinal properties of sage, has unlocked the rejuvenation pill."]
["rejuvenation pill: It has the effects of healing injuries and refreshing the mind and detoxifying."]
Ron couldn't help but exclaim in his heart: Good, good, so this is how it works.
The effect of this rejuvenation pill far exceeded the antidotes in Potion, and it might even astonish Professor Snape.
Thinking of Snape's stern and critical face, Ron couldn't help but show a smug smile.
Furthermore, developing this rejuvenation pill himself and selling it at school could even be an additional source of income.
Thinking of this, Ron felt delighted.
After class, Ron quickly went to Professor Sprout, wanting some sage to study its medicinal properties.
Professor Sprout immediately recognized this small Wizard who had performed exceptionally well in class, and she clearly remembered his act of pulling out the gryffindor sword.
Unlike other small wizards who avoided the tedious medicinal properties of Herbology Class, Ron was full of enthusiasm for it.
Sage was not very expensive, so Professor Sprout readily gave Ron a large handful.
Ron grabbed the sage and ran back to his dormitory, ignoring the strange looks from those around him.
My money-making plan is about to begin!
Chapter 22 Is it funny? I ask you if it's funny?
Ron was filled with anticipation after getting the sage.
Without even saying goodbye to Hermione, he excitedly ran towards the dormitory.
Ron wanted to quickly return to the dormitory and try out alchemy.
Hermione stood frozen for a moment, watching Ron's retreating back, a strange sense of loss welling up within her.
What an insensitive guy, Hermione muttered to herself.
She had originally thought that her relationship with Ron had grown much closer.
But what was with him leaving without even greeting her?
Ron didn't care about that.
As he ran, he mentally calculated his plan.
Even with his heaven-defying comprehension, it was hard to get things done without money.
Don't think that Harry's thunder has been stolen by him now.
But Harry was the "Boy Who Lived," and even Lord Voldemort's Avada Kedavra could not kill him.
Ron knew that if he encountered such an attack, he would be crippled even if he didn't die.
He planned to prepare some life-saving equipment, but he didn't have enough funds!
Secondly, Harry was also a rich guy; the Galleons left by his parents could pile up into a small mountain at Gringotts.
The wand in his hand was meticulously crafted from precious holly wood.
The core was even taken from a Phoenix feather, full of power.
It was considered a twin wand to Lord Voldemort's.
And his magic broom was the top-tier Nimbus 2000; its speed was simply too fast!
Not to mention his white snowy owl, Hedwig.
Hedwig was adorable!
Every time he saw it, Ron couldn't help but feel envious.
In contrast, Ron seemed too miserable.
His wand was his brother's leftover, made of ash wood, and the core was just ordinary Unicorn hair.
Sometimes he felt that the Unicorn hair was about to fall out of the wand.
Even Hermione's wand core was dragon nerve, many times more advanced than his.
Ron's pet Scabbers was actually Peter Pettigrew, a subordinate of Lord Voldemort.
All he did was eat and cause trouble.
Completely useless.
Ron's money in his pocket now couldn't even add up to one Galleon.
Don't look at how many divine abilities he had comprehended; he seemed very strong.
But his only treasure was the gryffindor sword.
Pain, such pain!
Actually, Ron wanted to give up; it wasn't impossible to leave the task of eliminating Lord Voldemort to others.
Unfortunately, leaving his fate in the hands of others had never been Ron's style.
...
Soon, Ron ran back to the dormitory.
Upon arriving at the dormitory, Ron picked up the cauldron and glass bottle he had prepared at the beginning of the school year.
But as he picked them up, he ran into a problem.
The dormitory was not a suitable place; it would be bad if he messed things up here if the alchemy failed.
After much thought, Ron came up with a good place: the Potion classroom.
However, the Potion classroom was located in the dungeon, where Slytherin's common room and dormitories were also located.
This also included Snape's office.
So before that, he had to change his appearance.
Who should he transform into?
Ron walked out of the dormitory, searching around.
He walked and thought, unconsciously arriving at the entrance of the seventh-floor washroom.
Just then, he suddenly heard faint sobbing from inside.
Ron felt a bit strange; it should be dinner time.
Why would someone be secretly crying in the washroom?
He curiously walked into the washroom, and the sobbing suddenly stopped.
Ron pushed open the door and saw a boy with platinum blonde hair walk out.
Ron took one look and thought, isn't this our young master Malfoy?
Why was this kid secretly crying in the washroom?
Huh?
I haven't provoked him normally, did he hold a grudge for a whole day just because I mocked him yesterday?
Looking at Malfoy's slightly red and swollen eyes, Ron couldn't help but feel a little sympathy.
At the same time, he found it somewhat amusing.
No way, was Young Master Malfoy really that tsundere?
He tried hard to suppress his laughter, not wanting Malfoy to notice.
Just then, Malfoy seemed to sense Ron's presence as well.
He quickly adjusted his emotions, returning to his usual aloof and arrogant demeanor.
He looked at Ron coldly, a hint of displeasure and provocation in his eyes:
"What, Weasley, are you here to laugh at me?"
Ron's expression was difficult to maintain, and he didn't dare to laugh openly.
He could only reply:
"I remembered something happy."
Malfoy didn't believe Ron's explanation.
He snorted coldly, a hint of disdain in his eyes:
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. The Weasley Family has always been like this."
Malfoy kept repeating one sentence in his mind at this moment:
Is it funny? I ask you, is it funny?
Ron frowned slightly; it was fine if he said a few things about him.
But bringing his family into it, that was too much.
The first time they argued at the Great Hall entrance, Ron also argued with him for this reason.
Ron completely crushed Malfoy with his words, making him feel the pain.
Watching Malfoy's helpless rage, the dissatisfaction in Ron's heart gradually turned into a smile.
He hadn't intended to bother him.
But wasn't he just asking for it?
A gentle smile bloomed on Ron's face, like a spring breeze, as he softly said:
"Malfoy, don't rush, I'm actually here to apologize to you this time."
As he spoke, he slowly spread open his palm.
"Look, what good thing do I have in my hand."
Malfoy's words were still tough, but driven by curiosity, he couldn't help but lean closer, wanting to find out.
His eyes showed a hint of disdain, but more of it was anticipation.
However, the moment Malfoy leaned in, Ron's movements suddenly became swift and sharp.
He quickly threw an uppercut, directly hitting Malfoy's nose.
The punch was powerful, instantly breaking Malfoy's nose.
Malfoy felt stars in his eyes and instantly fainted to the ground.
Ron lightly clapped his hands, first quickly stopping Malfoy's nosebleed.
Then, he carefully moved Malfoy to the last stall in the washroom.
Ensuring he wouldn't be immediately discovered by others.
Next, Ron performed the False Form spell from the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations.
He transformed himself into Malfoy's appearance, even his clothes becoming identical.
It was simply flawless!
After completing the transformation, Ron stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining his current appearance.
In the mirror, he had a pale and thin face, with deep gray eyes.
His platinum blonde hair appeared dark gold under the setting sun, and he did look quite handsome.
Ron stroked his chin and muttered to himself:
"Good kid, quite handsome, but still a bit less than me."
Ron quickly walked out of the washroom, slowly heading towards the dungeon.
Next, it was time to show the true value of alchemy.
Chapter 23 Refining the Rejuvenation Pill
Ron, in Mr. Malfoy's form, walked unhurriedly down the stairs.
Ron, at the second level of Qi Condensation, had excellent hearing, and he overheard girls whispering on his way.
"Look, that's Malfoy, he looks really handsome," one girl whispered in an adoring tone.
"What's the use of being handsome? Don't you know how his father treats us Wizards from Mugglefamilies?" another girl's voice was full of dissatisfaction and anger.
The girl who had been speaking lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Exactly! Draco is just like his father, before school even started, he was going around bullying people with his cronies, he's so bad!" another girl said indignantly.
"Ron is still the best, handsome and good-tempered. Yesterday he fiercely scolded Malfoy, and today his performance in class was like a slap in Malfoy's face," a girl added from the side.
Hearing this, Ron thought, *Who has such good taste?* and turned his head to look in the direction of the voices.
As soon as he turned his head, he saw the girls instantly close their mouths, a hint of fear in their eyes.
Ron shook his head helplessly and continued to walk forward.
After only a few steps, the voices behind him started up again, this time filled with sarcasm and mockery towards Malfoy.
Ron glanced sideways and noticed that even the girl who had just praised Malfoy's handsomeness had joined their conversation.
As Ron walked, the taunts and jeers behind him grew fainter and less distinct.
A pang of sadness touched his heart.
He gazed ahead, sighing inwardly, *No wonder Malfoy's personality became increasingly reclusive.*
*With such a family, what else could he do?*
The glory and expectations of his family were like heavy shackles, suffocating him.
His personality, too, gradually became twisted and complex under this invisible pressure.
As the heir to a pure-blood Wizard family, Malfoy bore too many demands.
Every action, every word he uttered, seemed to be magnified and interpreted by countless people, sparking endless controversy.
With so many people cursing him, and so many people expecting and demanding things from him, anyone would be driven mad.
Ron, having lived two lives, was long accustomed to all kinds of mockery and ridicule.
*Let them curse if they want, what difference does it make?*
But he couldn't demand that Draco endure the same.
It was simply too cruel.
...
Ron slowly entered the dungeon, where the air was damp, cold, and heavy, as if permeated by the peculiar stench of snakes.
He followed the winding passage.
Each step echoed dully on the damp stone slabs.
Finally, he arrived at the Potion classroom door. This classroom was not unfamiliar to him.
But at this moment, because of Malfoy's situation, he felt an unprecedented heaviness.
Dwelling in sadness now was meaningless; only by continuously strengthening himself could he avoid tragedy in the future.
The crisis brought by Lord Voldemort was imminent, and Ron had no time for further sorrow.
*Crying? Crying is also time!*
He pushed open the Potion classroom door, and a cold, damp aura rushed out.
The walls were lined with various glass jars, soaking animal specimens, appearing eerie and mysterious.
Storage cabinets held various ingredients, all of which students might need when making Potions.
The blackboard in the classroom recorded the ingredients and preparation methods for Potions, with clear and neat handwriting.
It looked exactly like Professor Snape's handwriting.
Ron chose a seat, sat down steadily, and began to concentrate on preparing his Potion ingredients.
He carefully arranged the sage in his hand, then meticulously selected a few vibrant roses and some other rare medicinal herbs from the cabinet.
Every movement was practiced and unhurried.
Next, he carefully took out the cauldron.
In his mind, he silently reviewed the rejuvenation pill's crafting tutorial again.
Every step appeared clearly before his eyes.
With everything prepared, Ron lightly snapped his fingers and chanted, "Incendio!"
Immediately, a blazing flame danced beneath the cauldron, crackling.
Ron gazed at the flame and began to operate methodically. He first placed the sage into the cauldron,
waiting for it to gradually melt. As the sage melted, a faint, pleasant aroma diffused, making one feel refreshed.
Then, he gently added the roses and other medicinal herbs to the cauldron; each addition was accompanied by subtle changes.
The Potion's color and scent also continuously changed.
"It's time," Ron murmured.
He closed his eyes, and his hands began to form several complex gestures.
Then he took a deep breath, slowly guiding the spiritual energy from his dantian to his hands, each wisp of spiritual energy entering his hands like a fine thread.
"Form the pill!" Ron whispered, his voice firm.
As he injected spiritual energy into the Potion in the cauldron, the Potion instantly emitted a pale green glow, as if imbued with life.
Immediately after, Ron's gestures became even more complex and rapid.
His brows were furrowed, as if he were struggling against some invisible force.
As the heat gradually intensified, beads of sweat began to appear on Ron's forehead.
"Indeed, this is still a bit strenuous for me at the second level of Qi Condensation," Ron thought to himself, but he did not give up.
He gritted his teeth and continued to intensify the flow of spiritual energy.
Finally, the pale green glow gradually disappeared.
In its place, three pale green pills lay quietly in the cauldron.
These pills emitted a faint luster, and three clear stripes appeared on them, making them seem extremely precious.
Ron held up the pills in his hand, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
He gently caressed the pills, feeling the spiritual energy they contained.
"It's a pity they were refined in a cauldron; if I had an alchemy furnace, the effect would be even better," Ron thought to himself, but at the same time, he understood that this was the best result he could achieve under the current conditions.
He then placed the three pills into a glass bottle.
Immediately after, Ron breathed gently, and the spiritual energy in his body rapidly recovered.
Once his spiritual energy had mostly recovered, Ron made four more bottles of rejuvenation pill using the same method.
To Ron's delight, three of these four bottles of pills had five pill stripes, and one bottle contained pills with seven stripes!
Ron wanted to test the medicinal properties of the pill.
He pulled Scabbers, the rat, from his pocket; Scabbers squeaked.
Ron sneered, held Scabbers down, and used his finger to make a cut on Scabbers' body.
Blood quickly flowed from the wound, and Ron took out a three-stripe rejuvenation pill, forcefully stuffing it into Scabbers' mouth.
As the medicinal power spread, the wound quickly healed.
Ron nodded with satisfaction and put Scabbers back into his pocket.
Afterward, he cleaned up the Potion classroom and prepared to leave.
At that moment, the classroom door suddenly pushed open.
Ron's heart tightened.
"What are you doing, Mr. Malfoy!" a male voice sounded behind Ron.
Chapter 24 Snape's Shock
"What are you doing, Mr. Malfoy!" A loud male voice suddenly rang in Ron's ears, like a clap of thunder.
Ron's heart tightened, as if gripped by an invisible hand.
He instantly felt an inexplicable sense of tension welling up inside him.
All the hairs on his body stood on end, and his scalp tingled.
Could he have been followed?
Then Quirrell's figure flashed through his mind.
In an instant, countless speculations and thoughts flickered in Ron's mind.
Quirrell's strength wasn't great, but the key was Lord Voldemort, who was parasitic on him, was too strong!
This made him feel a bit uneasy; at this moment, he was only at the second level of Qi Refinement, and even with numerous trump cards, he was no match for Lord Voldemort!
Ron couldn't help but feel a suffocating sensation.
If the opponent used the "Avada Kedavra" curse, he probably wouldn't even have a chance to react.
"Too weak, truly too weak," he roared helplessly in his heart.
Despite his inner panic, Ron tried his best to maintain his composure on the surface, not revealing a single flaw.
At such a critical moment, any hint of panic could lead to unpredictable consequences.
He quietly mobilized the spiritual energy within his body, gathering it all into his hands, ready to deal with any potential crisis at any moment.
As soon as he confirmed that the person was Quirrell, he would strike without hesitation, subduing him with lightning speed.
Then, Ron slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the man who had suddenly appeared.
The man had long, greasy hair, sallow skin, and a particularly prominent hooked nose.
He was wearing a black robe, and his whole demeanor was gloomy, giving people a chilling feeling.
Ron's eyes narrowed slightly, and a sense of vigilance rose in his heart.
He recognized this gloomy man.
It was the Dean of Slytherin, and also the Potion Class Professor—Severus Snape.
The situation was better than facing Quirrell, but Ron still felt it was not optimistic.
A sense of despair quietly grew in Ron's heart, and he couldn't help but think:
"Oh no! Why is Snape here? If he's here to expose my identity, how should I deal with it?"
Now it's my turn to sweat.
Many contingency plans quickly flashed through Ron's mind.
But he knew that at this very moment, what was most tested was his acting skills and calmness.
He cautiously observed Snape's expression, trying to catch a hint of something.
What reassured Ron slightly was that Snape hadn't recognized him as an imposter.
His face remained gloomy and expressionless, as if he was indifferent to everything around him.
Ron's heart stirred, and he thought to himself, why not play along and continue to impersonate Malfoy.
The relationship between Malfoy and Snape had always been harmonious, and Malfoy was also a student of Slytherin.
Snape had always been quite protective of those from Slytherin.
If he could imitate him convincingly enough, he might be able to temporarily bluff his way through and escape this ordeal.
Ron thought about it carefully and found several advantages to impersonating Malfoy.
He knew that with his identity as Ron Weasley, coupled with his relationship as Harry Potter's good friend, Snape might become alert during questioning, and might even take extreme measures, such as expelling him or subjecting him to other severe punishments.
More importantly, Ron's meticulously designed plan also considered the risk of potential exposure in the future.
Even if Professor Snape were to discover one day that Malfoy's true identity was a disguise, he would no longer be able to take any effective countermeasures.
This was because Ron had already used this opportunity to obtain the information he needed and had prepared for any subsequent situations.
Ron quickly weighed the pros and cons and decided to take the risk.
Impersonating Malfoy required not only looking like him but also acting like him; every detail had to be perfect.
Towards Professor Snape, Malfoy had always maintained a respectful attitude, so he couldn't overdo it.
He carefully pondered Malfoy's tone, trying to make his voice sound both arrogant and maintain a hint of politeness.
He said softly:
"Professor Snape, I was just wandering around here, truly with nothing to do."
At the same time, he paid close attention to Snape's changing expressions, hoping to catch clues from them.
Snape still said expressionlessly:
"Malfoy, do you take me for a fool? The smell of Potion in this classroom, do you think I can't smell it?"
Snape's tone was calm, but Ron could feel the anger hidden beneath his calmness.
This was exactly the response Ron had expected.
He secretly rejoiced in his heart, but on the surface, he still put on a frightened expression.
Ron replied:
"No, how could that be? Professor, this might have been left by someone else; I really was just passing by."
He tried to maintain Malfoy's arrogant yet panicked demeanor.
"Are you forcing me to search your pockets myself, Mr. Malfoy?"
Snape's voice carried an undeniable authority.
Ron gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind, his voice a little urgent:
"Alright, I admit it, it was me. I was just trying to make some Potion in the laboratory."
As he spoke, he pulled out the Potion bottle, which contained only two rejuvenation pills, from his pocket and showed it to Snape.
Although on the surface he appeared quite panicked, deep down, Ron felt a sense of relief and satisfaction.
He had successfully placed the blame for refining the rejuvenation pill on Malfoy's head.
At this moment, he was an outsider, detached from the situation.
Snape's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's; he stared intently at the bottle in Ron's hand and coldly mocked:
"Oh? Malfoy, do you think this bottle will fly into my hand by itself?"
Heh, truly living up to his reputation, Snape's words were indeed so cutting.
Though Ron felt a slight anger in his heart, he still tried his best to suppress his emotions and respectfully handed the Potion bottle to Snape.
Snape took the bottle, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed this emotion.
He skillfully pulled out the cork, took out a pill, and brought it close to his nose, sniffing it gently.
With this sniff, an inexpressible shock surged in Snape's heart.
He had shown astonishing Wizard talent since childhood, and during his studies, he had invented many curses and spells with his extraordinary talent, attracting attention in the magic world.
In the field of Potion, Snape had also made many outstanding innovations, his profound achievements were astounding.
However, the aura emanating from the pill in his hand at this moment completely overturned his past knowledge and experience.
"Such potent medicinal power." Snape's voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.
Snape carefully felt the aura emanating from the pill in his hand; its dual effects of healing and detoxification were clearly discernible.
Such a miraculous combination was simply something he had never seen before.
Snape's Potion textbook recorded his achievements in his youth: spells like Levicorpus and Sectumsempra were all the crystallization of his wisdom, demonstrating his strength and talent.
Although he had tried to combine different medicinal properties, he had never succeeded.
The pill before him, however, perfectly combined two medicinal effects.
This was almost impossible in his eyes.
He couldn't imagine what kind of person could create such a magical Potion.
Maintaining his cold demeanor on the surface, Snape's heart was stirring with an inexpressible joy.
He stared at "Malfoy," his voice tinged with suspicion:
"Are you sure this Potion was made by you?"
Ron looked at Snape's expression, very satisfied in his heart.
He could clearly perceive Snape's thoughts, which proved that his plan had largely succeeded.
Next, it was my turn to turn the tables.