Dumbledore was the one who brought him from the Ministry of Magic to Hogwarts. Dumbledore was also the one who sent him to study under those powerful old friends. So, upon realizing that Dumbledore was troubled by Voldemort and was subtly orchestrating an extremely dangerous plan, Owen began making arrangements of his own.
The Malfoy family were Death Eaters. That was hardly a secret. Hagrid would spill anything when he was in a good mood, often without even realizing it.
Originally, Owen had planned to strengthen the students' abilities so they could fight back when the crisis hit. That was why he led the Slytherin snakes on morning runs, drilled them in spellwork, and guided the students of the other three Houses to develop their strengths.
But after half a semester, Owen was about ready to give up.
Slytherin had successfully adopted the philosophy of "might makes right," but they showed zero inclination toward unity. If trouble actually started, they would likely rush in one by one to get picked off, like characters in a bad horror movie.
Gryffindor had unity and courage in spades. But given their current skill level... they probably wouldn't even reach the final boss. They'd wipe on the elite trash mobs.
Ravenclaw's eagles had sufficient knowledge reserves, but they had absolutely no intention of converting that knowledge into practical power. Typical academic mindset: "I just need to know how it works; I don't need to actually do it."
As for Hufflepuff, they had somehow managed to turn honesty and diligence into sheer woodenness. To this day, not a single badger had realized that culinary magic was just as potent as Dark Magic in the right hands.
Of course, none of this was what truly made Owen despair. A decade of peace changes people's mindsets, and with so many Muggle-born students unaware of the crisis from years ago, this complacency was normal.
What truly made him despair was the outdated mindset of the wizarding community.
Even Muggle-born wizards, once exposed to magic, seemed to forget their greatest asset and adopt the archaic thinking of the magical world.
When the Dark Lord was terrorizing the wizarding world, did no one think to use a gun? What, just because you have a stick in your hand, you're invincible?
If wizards were really that powerful, the magical world wouldn't be the one hiding in the shadows—the Muggle world would be.
Owen still couldn't fathom where wizards got their inexplicable confidence or their disdain for Muggles.
Was there any spell in the wizarding world that could match 650 rounds of 7.7x56mm ammunition per minute?
It was just a shame he was born too late. If he'd been around a few years earlier, Voldemort wouldn't even have qualified for the title of "Second Dark Lord," and those Death Eaters wouldn't have had the luxury of prison cells!
As for the Ministry of Magic's behavior... Owen actually understood that quite well. Once a wizard becomes a Ministry official, they devolve into a different species entirely. No level of incompetence is surprising then.
---
After lunch at Malfoy Manor, Owen returned to Hogwarts laden with gifts. Most were standard fare, but one item—a small notebook—caught his serious attention.
He didn't need Lucius Malfoy to mark it with a magical red arrow. At first glance, Owen knew there was something very wrong with this magical diary!
Ignoring Molly, who was busy tearing into her own presents, Owen immediately sealed the diary inside a vacuum container he had crafted. It was an alchemical kitchen tool originally designed to keep food fresh, but its first occupant turned out to be... not food.
"The wizarding world is never short on surprises!"
With a small sigh, Owen dove into the gift-opening session. Even Milov the Devil's Snare helped out.
Gifts between young wizards weren't usually expensive—mostly candy and small trinkets. After opening them, Owen let Milov sort them, planning to send the bulk of the sweets to the Headmaster's office later. The old wizard had a sweet tooth.
The professors' gifts, however, were much more valuable.
Professor Snape sent a vial of Felix Felicis, accompanied by a notebook filled with potion recipes and a note: [If you cannot brew every potion in this notebook, I will consider you a failure.]
That high-and-mighty attitude. If it weren't for the greasy hair, he'd probably be the most popular professor in school!
Professor Sprout sent a Golden Sycamore seed!
This was incredible. Golden Sycamores didn't grow in Britain. If Felix Felicis was "Liquid Luck," then a Golden Sycamore was a "Tree of Luck." Having one was like having a beacon for phoenixes, as they preferred nesting in these trees above all others. If he could get a phoenix egg...
Professor Flitwick sent two notebooks: one on Charms theory and another on dueling techniques. Extremely useful!
Professor McGonagall sent a guide on becoming an Animagus, along with two years' worth of back issues of Transfiguration Today.
Madam Pomfrey sent a collection of healing spells, and Madam Pince sent a signed permission slip for the Restricted Section.
When Owen reached the last gift and saw it was from Harry Potter, he paused. In his mind, his relationship with the Savior wasn't exactly close. In fact, he had punished Ron, which he assumed had upset Harry.
Yet, here was a Nimbus 2001.
Reading the note attached to the broomstick, Owen laughed. The broom was a gift from Harry on Ron's behalf, pleading with Owen to allow Ron to take open-book exams for History of Magic in the future. The note specifically asked Owen not to let Ron know about this...
Tsk.
What thoughtless, pure friendship.
It actually made him a little envious...
Meow!
Molly sensed the young wizard's thoughts. Abandoning her own gifts, she shoved her head into Owen's chest, twisting and turning until she slid smoothly upward to rest her chin on his shoulder. Snuggles!
"Of course, Molly. We'll always be best friends. But could you please stop picking fights with Whitey? Even though you're both Class XXXXX, you really can't beat him."
MEOW!!!
Molly got mad and ran off...
Owen took his time organizing the gifts and putting them away.
"Huh? Does the Headmaster really go through candy this fast?" Looking at the nearly empty cabinet in the Headmaster's office while restocking it, Owen addressed the portraits. "Headmasters, you really should advise Mr. Dumbledore. Eating too much sugar isn't good for him."
"Listen here, brat. You're overstepping. The Headmaster is the one who—URGH!"
When Owen looked up, Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black was gone from his frame. The other Headmasters had crowded into a single portrait, smiling at him.
Headmistress Dilys Derwent spoke up warmly. "My dear, your smile is like a healing charm. Perhaps you should consider a career at St. Mungo's."
Owen laughed. This wasn't the first time she had said that. "If they ever need me, I'll certainly go. As you know, I may not have much, but I have plenty of magic to spare."
After chatting with the portraits for a while, the young wizard left. As soon as he was gone, the Headmasters dispersed, revealing a tied-up Headmaster Black. Despite his predicament, the old man remained stubborn, glaring indignantly.
---
"Wahhh!!!"
"Wooo!!!"
"Hahaha!!!"
Since it was the holidays, the students staying at school didn't have classes and were naturally playing wildly. Laughter and shouts echoed not just through the castle, but even from the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Honestly, it was a bit noisy...
But Owen didn't stop them. As former Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold once said, he had no right to deprive anyone of their happiness.
However, he did need a relatively quiet, undisturbed place right now to conduct some... Dark Magic research.
Molly: Let me see... who hasn't voted yet?