Solim was extremely interested in magic.
He had been exposed to subjects like Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration since childhood and had accumulated a great deal of knowledge about them. However, there were some classes he found far less interesting.
For example Flying.
In Solim's opinion, no matter whether a broom had a Cushioning Charm or not, sitting on it was awkward. It had nothing to do with gender; he simply had no interest in flying.
That afternoon was the first Flying lesson shared by Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Solim had no intention of attending.
So he needed an excuse.
His time was already completely insufficient. He had to work on the problem concerning Silna, figure out how to convince Severus Snape to help him, and continue his own magical studies. That evening he also had to tutor Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger.
On top of that, he still needed large amounts of time to read through magical books.
Solim wished he had a Time Turner.
After quickly finishing lunch, he walked toward the Gryffindor table. Since he would be skipping Flying class that afternoon, he had a few things to tell Neville and Hermione.
As soon as he approached, he saw Neville holding a small glass ball.
"This is a Remembrall," Neville was explaining to the surrounding students. "My grandmother knows I forget things a lot. It tells you if you've forgotten something. You hold it like this—if it turns red—oh!"
The Remembrall in Neville's hand suddenly turned red.
"That means you forgot something."
"So that means," Solim said quietly behind him, "you forgot what I told you to do, right?"
Neville twisted around so quickly Solim could swear he heard his neck crack.
"S-Solim! Oh no—I remember now!"
The Remembrall immediately turned clear again.
"What's a Slytherin snake doing at the Gryffindor table?"
Solim didn't even need to look to know it was Ron Weasley.
"Since you remembered, prepare properly," Solim said to Neville. "I'll be testing you tonight. Don't disappoint your grandmother."
He ignored Ron entirely, patted Neville's shoulder, and nodded to Hermione before leaving.
Solim trusted the clever girl would make sure Neville studied properly.
Hermione frowned as she dragged Neville away from Ron's muttering complaints.
Recently, Hermione and Neville rarely returned to the Gryffindor common room. Through Solim, Hermione had learned that Hogwarts contained many empty classrooms and hidden study rooms. Whenever she needed to read or do homework, she preferred those quiet spaces instead of the noisy Gryffindor common room.
With Solim as both a teacher and a rival to chase, Hermione's enthusiasm for studying had become frightening.
Every time Solim tutored them, he could clearly see how much she had improved.
For first-year students, Flying class felt like elementary school students having their first computer class.
Many of the young witches and wizards bragged about their flying experiences. Anyone who didn't know better might think they were listening to a group of professional Quidditch players.
Neville remained completely silent.
He had never touched a broom before. The only "flying experience" he had ever had was when his uncle had thrown him out of a window.
Hermione behaved exactly as one would expect from Hermione.
She held a book about flying and read it carefully, hoping to master the technique through theory.
"Hermione," Neville said, "Solim told me flying depends a lot on natural talent. The book probably won't help much."
Neville had changed quite a lot. At least he no longer stuttered constantly except when speaking to Solim.
"But what should I do?" Hermione asked nervously. "I'm Muggle-born. I've never flown before."
"I don't think it matters," Neville said. "Solim told me he's never flown either and he hates brooms."
"That's why he didn't come today," Neville added quietly.
Hermione was not pleased about that.
In Solim's opinion, only Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration were truly important subjects. Everything else was optional.
Hermione completely disagreed.
She believed every Hogwarts subject deserved serious effort.
Meanwhile, the Flying class between Slytherin and Gryffindor quickly turned chaotic.
Neville fell from his broom just like in the original story and was taken to the hospital wing by Madam Hooch.
Then Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy began arguing over ownership of the Remembrall.
But Hermione suddenly said something that changed everything.
"If you dare touch Neville's things, I'll tell Solim."
Draco froze for a moment.
Harry immediately grabbed the Remembrall.
Draco's face turned red with humiliation.
He, the proud heir of the Malfoy family, had just been threatened by a "Mudblood."
"You filthy Mudblood! How dare you threaten me!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the situation exploded.
Putting Gryffindor and Slytherin together without a teacher watching was already dangerous.
Now the conflict was inevitable.
By the time Minerva McGonagall arrived, several students were already lying on the ground.
The final punishment was severe.
Both houses lost one hundred points.
Draco was dragged by the ear directly to Snape's office.
Solim looked at the door in surprise when Professor McGonagall entered with Draco.
In his memory, Flying class usually ended with McGonagall bringing Harry to meet Oliver Wood.
Not dragging Draco to Snape.
His discussion with Snape had just begun to reach an important point, and the interruption annoyed him.
"Professor Snape," McGonagall said sternly, "Mr. Malfoy insulted a Gryffindor student during Flying class, causing a large fight between the two houses. I have never seen first-years start a group brawl before. I hope you will make him understand his mistake."
Only then did she notice Solim in the room.
"Mr. Selwyn, why are you here? Shouldn't you be attending Flying class? Skipping lessons is not something an excellent student should do."
McGonagall had a good impression of Solim. His assignments were always completed perfectly.
"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall," Solim said calmly. "I needed to speak with Professor Snape. It won't happen again."
When an authority figure pointed out your mistake, arguing rarely helped. Admitting fault quickly was often the best strategy.
Solim had no intention of making the situation worse.
McGonagall left.
Snape slowly turned his gaze toward Draco.
"Do not let this happen again."
Draco left immediately.
The door closed.
Inside the office, Solim spoke again.
"As I was saying, Professor I need your help."
Everyone at Hogwarts knew Snape favored Slytherin students. But favoritism only went so far.
Since receiving his grandfather's second letter, Solim had been trying to figure out how to convince this Potions Master to help him develop a potion.
To allow Squibs like Filch and Silna whose bodies contained large amounts of dormant magic to use magic again, a potion would be needed to awaken that stagnant power.
Solim had searched many books but found nothing with that effect.
His grandfather couldn't help either.
And the potions masters his grandfather knew were all busy.
Which left only one option.
Snape.
As expected, Snape rejected him immediately.
Solim had anticipated that.
He understood this cold yet emotional man quite well.
"The Killing Curse is an extraordinary spell," Solim said suddenly.
Snape's expression darkened.
"But Harry Potter was struck by it and survived. Lily Evans protected him with a blood magic sacrifice."
Solim pointed at Snape's arm.
"But the man who left that mark on you why didn't he die?"
"You mean Lord Voldemort."
"Do you know why?"
Snape's face remained cold.
"And this concerns me how?"
"Because of Horcruxes."
Solim smiled slightly.
"A wizard who creates Horcruxes cannot truly die unless they are destroyed."
Snape instinctively grabbed his left arm.
The Dark Mark.
"Yes," Solim continued calmly. "He will return."
"I doubt an aging Albus Dumbledore can stop him forever."
"But I can help protect Potter."
Solim explained.
Harry hated Snape.
Snape hated Harry.
But Solim had no conflict with him.
Through Neville, he could approach Harry without suspicion.
Snape sneered.
"How amusing. Why should I care about Potter's life?"
Solim leaned forward on the desk.
"Professor, don't treat me like an ordinary wizard."
"I know far more than you think."
Snape remained silent.
So Solim made his final offer.
"Help me create the potion."
"And I will let you meet someone."
Solim smiled.
"Lily Evans."
Snape shot to his feet instantly.
His eyes locked onto Solim's.
"You really have no restraint, Professor," Solim said calmly, looking away. "Legilimency that crude could easily turn someone into an idiot."
"She's dead," Snape said quietly.
"Yes. Of course she is," Solim replied.
"But death of the body does not always mean the end."
He explained a theory from a wizard named Lard.
A complete life consisted of three elements:
Body
Soul
Consciousness
The body held the soul.
The soul contained consciousness.
Ghosts were not souls they were remnants of consciousness.
Normally, when the body could no longer contain the soul, death occurred.
But the soul did not disappear immediately.
If Lily's will still existed…
Then communication was possible.
Solim placed a sheet of parchment on Snape's desk.
"Create this potion."
"And ensure it works."
"Then I will let you meet Lily Evans."
Solim stood and looked directly at Snape.
"When you see her… depends on how quickly you finish my potion."