The year began as it always did: with me asserting my dominance through skill, intellect, and influence. My first class was Potions with Slughorn, and as usual, I impressed him effortlessly. Every ingredient measured perfectly, every potion brewed to perfection, even adding subtle enhancements that elevated the effects beyond the lesson's requirements. Slughorn beamed at me like I was a prize he'd been waiting for all his life, and I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile.
Next came Transfiguration with Dumbledore. He observed quietly as I executed advanced transfigurations with precision and elegance, pushing even the limits of spells he'd taught. His pride was evident, though tempered by his natural caution. I made sure to memorize every note he gave, every subtle tip, because I knew he was already a threat I'd eventually need to outsmart.
After classes, I immediately headed to the Room of Requirement to train my lieutenants. Abraxas, Orion, and the others were waiting, eager and disciplined under my guidance. I spent two hours drilling them: shields, dueling techniques, stealth spells, and advanced offensive magic. I refined their instincts, tested their limits, and ensured they were all ready to respond in combat at a moment's notice. The Wizard King talent made teaching them almost effortless — they absorbed everything with speed and precision.
Once training was complete, I turned my attention to my own experiments. I brewed healing potions, magic recovery elixirs, and a few experimental mixtures of my own design. But the most thrilling work came from my exploration of ancient magic. Drawing upon the knowledge I'd gained from my Hogwarts Legacy Ancient Magic reward, I began testing ways to enhance my Avada Kedavra.
By combining spells with ancient magical principles, I discovered a method to split the Killing Curse, allowing it to jump from one target to another in rapid succession. It was subtle and precise — a spell that could eliminate multiple targets almost simultaneously, with the same deadly accuracy as a single curse. The implications were staggering. With enough practice, I could control its spread, sequence, and timing, making it an incredibly efficient weapon for both combat and intimidation.
I leaned back in my chair, surveying my work. The potions, the spells, the training — all of it was accelerating my power, refining my control, and preparing me for the future I intended to create. Hogwarts wasn't just a school; it was my laboratory, my training ground, and the stage where I would shape the wizarding world in my image.
And this was only the beginning of my third year.