Inside the Charms classroom, the atmosphere grew increasingly focused as class time approached. More students filtered through the doorway, their footsteps creating a gentle rhythm against the stone floors.
Ravenclaw truly lived up to its reputation as the house that cherished learning above all else. Most little eagles settled into their seats with quiet dignity, some already absorbed in previewing textbook content while others engaged in hushed, scholarly discussions about magical theory.
Today's lesson would be shared with Hufflepuff students, and the gentle badgers, observing the studious atmosphere around them, naturally adapted their behaviour accordingly. They sat with obvious anticipation gleaming in their eyes, eager to begin their formal magical education.
Hogwarts traditionally paired houses for most classes, with combinations determined seemingly at random. Students only discovered their classroom partners from their schedules the evening before or morning of each lesson.
According to official school policy, this arrangement promoted inter-house relationships and encouraged broader social connections among students.
Leo couldn't entirely agree with this philosophy. Each house possessed distinct characteristics, and certain combinations inevitably sparked conflict rather than cooperation. The eternal rivalry between Lions and Serpents came to mind immediately. Their "communication and connection" typically involved heated verbal sparring, escalating to physical confrontations, with civilised encounters limited to formal duelling challenges.
Fortunately, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff created far more harmonious partnerships. One house loved knowledge, the other cherished peace, resulting in stable classroom environments that fostered genuine learning.
"Huff... huff..."
Accompanied by slightly laboured breathing, Terry dropped into the seat beside Leo with obvious relief. Leo glanced at the classroom clock, noting only ten minutes remained until the official start of class.
Without prompting, Terry leaned closer and began recounting his morning adventures in hushed tones:
"Leo, the staircases in this castle are completely mad! Some move on timed intervals, others require you to jump three times to activate them, and some..." He paused to catch his breath. "And honestly, isn't the school's alarm clock ridiculously loud? When it went off, I practically launched myself into the ceiling!"
Hearing Terry's theatrical complaints, Leo turned his head to hide an amused smile. "Perhaps the school simply takes tardiness very seriously."
Terry scratched his dishevelled hair thoughtfully. "Really? Then Hogwarts must genuinely care about student success."
The great bell's resonant chimes echoed through the stone corridors, and Professor Flitwick arrived with perfect punctuality.
The diminutive professor required a carefully stacked pile of books to reach proper podium height, his movements quick and precise despite his small stature.
He withdrew the attendance roll and began calling names in his characteristic high, squeaky voice that somehow managed to carry authority despite its unusual pitch.
After completing roll call, Flitwick launched into his introductory remarks with infectious enthusiasm:
"You may already be familiar with me, but allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House and your first-year Charms professor."
"Charms represent the most fundamental aspect of magical education. This course focuses primarily on practical, everyday magic that will serve you throughout your wizarding lives."
"For example, the Levitation Charm."
With casual expertise, Flitwick pointed his wand toward the heavy wooden podium. The entire structure rose smoothly into mid-air, hovering with such perfect stability that not even the smallest items on its surface shifted position.
"Or perhaps a simple Colour-Change Charm."
The podium instantly transformed from natural wood grain to brilliant, eye-catching gold, immediately capturing every student's undivided attention.
"Excellent! Now please retrieve your wands, everyone. Today we'll be learning the Light Charm, which shouldn't present excessive difficulty. The incantation is 'Lumos'."
Leo softly recited the spell under his breath: "Lumos."
A gentle, perfectly stable orb of light materialised at his wand tip without the slightest flicker or wavering. This represented one of magic's most basic applications, something Leo had mastered weeks ago during his independent study sessions.
Concentrating carefully, Leo made subtle adjustments to his magical energy flow. The light orb's colour shifted from pure white to soft blue, and then, to the amazement of nearby students, the glowing sphere separated entirely from his wand tip to orbit his head in a slow, controlled circle.
"Mr Grafton, absolutely excellent work!"
Professor Flitwick's delighted voice carried across the classroom as he hurried over to observe Leo's demonstration more closely.
"This represents a sophisticated variant application of the basic Light Charm. Three points to Ravenclaw for such impressive initiative!"
Witnessing Leo's success motivated surrounding students to redouble their efforts with renewed determination. Terry beside him waved his wand with increasing enthusiasm, repeatedly chanting the required incantation.
Leo observed his roommate's attempts with analytical interest. Terry's wand tip produced adequately bright white light, but each attempt lasted only brief moments before fading completely.
The Light Charm truly was simple and foundational, yet proper control of magical output could serve numerous additional purposes. For instance, instantly increasing luminosity to temporarily blind an opponent during combat. If someone could create multiple, long-lasting light orbs to interfere with enemy vision while simultaneously casting other spells... that would represent genuine tactical potential.
Leo's mind naturally wandered toward practical applications and creative variations. In his experience, simple, basic concepts often offered the greatest room for development and innovative extension.
He noticed Terry's light production was bright enough but lacked crucial stability. Leaning closer, Leo offered gentle guidance:
"Try visualising a steady candle flame. Keep your wand movements within a palm's width, using just enough force to gently lift a fragile egg."
"When speaking the incantation, don't rush the syllables. Use your normal conversational pace."
Following Leo's specific suggestions, Terry attempted the spell once more with careful precision.
"Success!"
Terry's light orb maintained perfect stability without any flickering, and compared to other students who had managed successful castings, his sphere appeared noticeably brighter and more controlled.
"Thanks, Leo! Your advice was absolutely perfect!"
Terry's excitement proved somewhat excessive as he enthusiastically waved his illuminated wand, accidentally flashing Professor Flitwick directly in the eyes. Embarrassment flooded his features as he quickly lowered his wand with mumbled apologies.
Observing Terry's successful completion, surrounding students began implementing Leo's recently shared methodology. Within minutes, the entire section achieved consistent success, transforming their corner into the classroom's brightest and most accomplished area.
Professor Flitwick, standing nearby throughout these developments, watched with obvious satisfaction and growing intrigue. His earlier conversation with Professor McGonagall had already directed his attention toward Leo as an exceptionally talented young wizard.
When Leo demonstrated the variant Light Charm, such skill fell within Flitwick's expectations based on McGonagall's glowing reports. However, hearing Leo provide specific, detailed guidance to struggling classmates genuinely surprised the experienced educator.
An excellent method for testing true knowledge mastery: observe whether someone can explain concepts clearly to others.
Leo had not only demonstrated this ability but also excelled at breaking down complex processes into digestible, actionable steps.
Throughout his extensive teaching career, Flitwick had encountered numerous students who could reasonably be called prodigies. Most shared a common limitation: they could quickly master spells independently but struggled to articulate their methods to others.
For most wizards, personal spellcasting success represented sufficient achievement. But Flitwick approached magic from an educator's perspective, as a master in Charms theory and application. He firmly believed that whether simple or complex, all magic contained replicable operational principles and teachable techniques.
The ability to deconstruct magical skills into fundamental knowledge components and effectively transmit that understanding to students... this defined truly qualified teaching.
Leo could not only master magic independently but also analyse it methodically and patiently instruct his peers with remarkable clarity.
In Professor Flitwick's professional assessment, this represented genuinely exceptional talent extending far beyond raw magical ability.
He couldn't suppress a thoughtful murmur: "Perhaps Leonardo would prove quite suitable as a teacher himself someday."
Eventually, their first Charms lesson concluded with resounding success. Professor Flitwick, naturally, awarded Ravenclaw an additional two points for Leo's generous assistance to fellow students.
As other young wizards streamed toward the classroom exit, chattering excitedly about their magical accomplishments, Leo approached the front podium with purposeful strides.
"Professor Flitwick, I have several questions about advanced charms theory. Would you be willing to provide some guidance?"
Flitwick's weathered face brightened with genuine pleasure. "Oh, absolutely! Do you have another class scheduled immediately?"
"No, Professor. My morning remains completely free."
Flitwick nimbly jumped down from his improvised book-stack platform and gestured for Leo to follow. "Excellent! Then let's continue our discussion in my office, where we can speak more privately."