Harry found a compartment near the middle of the Hogwarts Express and swiftly locked the door.
The moment he sat down, he pulled the [Basic Transfiguration] Scroll from his [INVENTORY].
[Skill Scroll: Basic Transfiguration]
Effect: Grants the skill [Basic Transfiguration (LVL 1)]. Required MAG check: 80.
Use? Y/N
Harry checked his status first.
===Status===
Name Harry J. Potter
Title Hidden Prodigy
Level 10
HP (Health) 100 / 100
MP (Magic Power) 500 / 500
EXP 125 / 1500 (Toward Level 11)
Pow 75
End 82
Dex 110
AGI 105
MAG 160
INT 195
===Skill===
1.Gamer's Mind MAX (Passive) Provides immunity to psychological stress, fear, and confusion.
2.Gamer's Body MAX (Passive) Converts body into a game avatar; restores health upon rest/leveling.
3.Basic Household Charm LVL 22 Silent, non-verbal proficiency in cleaning and tidying minor messes.
4.Silent Casting LVL 20 Reduces the need for verbal components in spell-casting (MP cost high).
5.Stealth LVL 15 Allows for highly effective non-magical evasion and subtle movement.
6.Mana Flow (New!) LVL 1 Unlocked ability for slight, passive MP regeneration.
7.Basic Transfiguration LVL 1 Basic knowledge of Transfiguration principles and spells (e.g., Match to Needle).
8.Knowledge Acquisition LVL 5 (Passive) Enhanced ability to absorb and retain information from books/lessons.
9.Undetectable Focus Innate Trait Allows high concentration that is difficult for others (non-magically) to perceive.
===Inventory===
1.Gold (System Currency) Tier 1 1050 G (Hidden from Wizarding World)
2.Galleons (Wizarding Currency) Tier 1 Approx. 450 G (Public Funds)
3.Holly and Phoenix Feather Wand Legendary +50% casting efficiency for light magic. Twin Core Match.
===Companion===
1.Hedwig Companion Loyal Snowy Owl. (Skill: Perfect Delivery LVL 1)
His MAG was high enough, so he mentally selected Y.
The knowledge flowed into him—the precise concentration, the specific movement to alter one object into another.
It was complex, but his Gamer's Mind sorted the information into logical, step-by-step instructions.
He was practicing the delicate flick for the [Match to Needle] spell with his wand when a knock came at the door.
He tucked the scroll away and opened the door. A nervous-looking boy with blazing red hair stood there.
"Anyone sitting here? Everywhere else is full,"
The boy asked, holding up a clearly used, battered trunk.
Appraisal: Ron Weasley. Level 1. Trait: Loyalty (Low), Poverty (MAX), Family Connections (High).
"Suit yourself,"
Harry said neutrally, stepping back.
He didn't want company, but the Main Quest was active, and isolating himself might break the flow.
Ron sat down awkwardly, immediately beginning a long, clumsy attempt to turn his pet rat, Scabbers, yellow.
He tried to show off. He must have heard from somewhere that he was the boy who lived.
Harry watched, his Gamer's Mind calculating the odds of success. Zero percent.
The current MAG and DEX stats of the caster are insufficient for that level of illusionary Transfiguration.
"That's rubbish, isn't it?"
Ron mumbled after the inevitable failure.
Harry didn't offer sympathy.
He wanted to set the tone immediately.
"It is,"
Harry agreed simply, leaning forward, his eyes locked on Ron's.
"The incantation requires a sustained focus on the desired colour before the wand movement. You're letting the movement precede the thought. You wasted your energy."
Ron blinked, clearly surprised by the direct criticism.
"Well, you try then, Mr. Famous."
Harry just shrugged, leaning back.
"I don't waste my time on trick spells. They have no practical application."
He then deliberately picked up a rock-hard treacle tart he'd bought, inspected it, and, without a word or visible flash of light, concentrated for a moment.
The dry tart, under the application of a basic, silent, [Food Refresh Charm] he'd acquired from a kitchen mission, softened instantly and smelled freshly baked.
Ron's jaw dropped.
"How did you do it!"
Harry looked him straight in the eye, his expression flat.
"You just saw it, didn't you? Don't assume you know everyone's limits just because you know the book rules. Now, if you're done trying to make your rat yellow, I'm trying to think."
Ron flinched back, chastened. The subtle dominance assertion was successful. Harry had established that he was not easily impressed or pushed around.
Mission Update: Assertive Introduction cleared. Reward: +5 Reputation (Ron Weasley).
The compartment door slid open again, and an immensely bushy-haired girl appeared, her robes already pristine.
Appraisal: Hermione Granger. Level 1. Trait: Knowledge Acquisition (MAX), Social Skills (Low).
This was the asset. Harry immediately switched his demeanor from cold assertion to focused interest.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one,"
She recited breathlessly, not waiting for an answer.
Her gaze immediately locked onto Ron's failure.
"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then."
Ron, still not learning his lesson from Harry's dismissal, started to show her the failed spell.
Hermione immediately took control.
"You're doing it all wrong."
Harry watched, rapt.
She was already correcting a core spell pronunciation, and she hadn't even reached Hogwarts yet.
"I'm Hermione Granger, by the way. And you are?"
"Harry Potter,"
Harry replied, offering a quick, polite smile—the first genuine-looking one he'd given since meeting Ron.
He then cut Ron off before he could continue whining about the spell.
"Hermione, that was fascinating. Where did you learn the precise pronunciation? Was that from a specific text on Charms theory, or the standard grade-one book?"
Hermione's eyes lit up, the critical edge leaving her voice completely.
"Oh, I checked the common pronunciation guide in the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. But I also cross-referenced it with The Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration because the basic levitation charm is often mispronounced due to—"
She launched into a detailed, textbook-perfect explanation of vowel sounds and intentional wand focus.
Harry listened, absorbing every word. Every time she mentioned a book or a theoretical concept, a tiny Knowledge Acquired notification flashed in his mind.
* [Knowledge Acquired: Vowel Pronunciation in Charms]
* [Knowledge Acquired: Common Misconceptions in Grade One Spells]
* [Reference Text Logged: Advanced Potion-Making, Chapter 4]
This was the perfect symbiotic relationship.
Ron was a distraction he needed to manage, but Hermione was a self-updating, infinitely knowledgeable resource.
"That is incredibly helpful, Hermione,"
Harry said sincerely.
"Thank you. I struggled with that precise movement on my own earlier."
He deliberately gave her an opening, making her feel superior and useful.
Hermione positively glowed under the praise. She instantly sat down.
"Well, if you want, I've read all the required texts. I could quiz you on the theory of the common Charms, or perhaps basic Potion ingredients, before we arrive?"
[MISSION ACQUIRED: Knowledge Grind]
Objective: Engage Hermione Granger in focused study for a minimum of 60 minutes.
Reward: +1 INT, Knowledge Acquisition Skill Proficiency, +10 Reputation (Hermione Granger).
Accept? Y/N
Harry mentally accepted the mission instantly.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea, Hermione. Where should we start? Potions?"
He spent the rest of the journey leaning forward, listening intently, nodding at the right moments, and occasionally asking a pointed, theory-based question that only confirmed her vast knowledge.
By the time they arrived at Hogsmeade, Harry's INT felt visibly sharper.
He had effectively extracted a free, high-level tutorial from the smartest witch of his age.