All seven subjects with Outstanding grades?
Sean pondered this difficult question as he dragged his suitcase along the platform.
He had arrived early. The first few carriages of the train were still relatively empty, so he chose an unoccupied compartment in the second carriage. He tried to haul his suitcase inside, but no matter how hard he pulled, it refused to budge. After two attempts, the heavy case slipped from his hands and thudded onto the floor.
Sean stopped, exhaled, and raised his wand.
"Wingardium Leviosa."
[You have practiced the Levitation Charm to a beginner's standard. Proficiency +3]
As the spell activated and the panel prompt appeared, the brick-like suitcase rose smoothly into the air.
This really is more convenient than brute force.
With a satisfied nod, Sean guided the floating suitcase into the compartment and set it down neatly before putting his wand away.
What he failed to notice was a young witch watching him with undisguised curiosity.
Outside the window, the steam locomotive exhaled thick plumes of smoke that drifted above the noisy crowd. Owls of all colors hopped about people's feet, hooting irritably as students dragged heavy luggage across the platform. Human chatter, metal clanging, and owl calls blended into a lively cacophony.
Sean opened Hogwarts: A History, a book so thick it was nearly half the size of the table. One of the pages listed Hogwarts' seven core subjects:
Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Astronomy.
All compulsory courses.
So how was one supposed to achieve excellence?
Sean quickly found a benchmark—Hermione Granger, the top student among the famous trio.
If he remembered correctly, Hermione had earned nine O's (Outstanding) and one E (Exceeds Expectations) in her O.W.L. examinations. Her academic performance had always been remarkably consistent. By using her as a reference point, Sean could estimate the level he needed to reach.
Was it difficult?
Of course it was.
His magical talent was, frankly speaking, terrible. With the exception of purely academic subjects like History of Magic, nearly every course at Hogwarts demanded practical magical ability.
But did that mean it was impossible?
If he failed even after awakening his panel, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
"Just work harder," he muttered to himself.
After stowing his luggage, Sean paused for a moment, then made his decision.
"Let's start with Transfiguration."
He settled into the velvet-padded seat, put Hogwarts: A History away, and pulled out A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. The reddish-brown textbook, decorated with gold-edged patterns, was used by first- and second-year students. It detailed the basic laws and techniques of Transfiguration magic.
The most classic example in the book was turning a match into a needle.
If he could master that within a month, Sean felt confident that earning an Outstanding would be well within reach.
[When performing Transfiguration, it is crucial to move your wand firmly and decisively.
Do not swing or rotate the wand unnecessarily, or the spell will certainly fail.
Before casting, clearly visualize what the object is to become.
Beginners should articulate the incantation clearly, while advanced wizards may cast silently…]
Sean read every sentence with painstaking care.
He planned to memorize the entire two-hundred-plus-page book before attempting any actual Transfiguration.
The reasoning was simple: Hermione Granger had memorized all her textbooks when she first began learning magic—and she had gone on to achieve top marks.
If it worked for her, it must work.
Besides, his talent was already lacking. If he didn't compensate with effort, what chance did he have?
There was also another, very practical reason.
These books had cost him eleven Galleons.
The thought alone made his heart ache, fueling a desperate determination to absorb every scrap of knowledge—like someone at an all-you-can-eat buffet trying to eat enough to justify the price.
Before he realized it, Sean had nearly memorized all the books he'd purchased.
He had already covered more than 180 pages of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration and planned to finish the rest today before beginning practical exercises.
This realization made Sean—who had been an utterly average student in his previous life—sigh in quiet amazement.
Poverty, indeed, made one omnipotent.
Steam billowed past the windows as the train departed the station. Sean was so engrossed in his reading that he failed to notice when someone else entered the compartment.
"Excuse me, is anyone else sitting here?"
A young witch with fluffy brown hair pushed the door open, lifting her chin slightly as she asked.
"No."
Sean replied without looking up.
If his months in the orphanage had taught him anything, it was focus. For children whose lives were never truly under their own control, the ability to concentrate and grow independently was the difference between survival and being swept away by fate in an instant.
After that brief response, he said nothing more.
Even as the train rumbled into motion and the number of occupants in the compartment increased from two to three, Sean remained completely absorbed.
Outside, the countryside unfolded like an oil painting.
Winding rivers glimmered in the sunlight, golden wheat fields rolled endlessly, and the occasional farmhouse or grazing cattle appeared—only to vanish behind dark green hills moments later.
Hermione read her own book, occasionally glancing out the window, then at the young wizard sitting across from her.
His black hair was slightly fluffy at the sides, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows as they fluttered. There was a tranquil air about him.
More importantly…
"He really looks like my cat," she whispered. "I know a wizard can't actually be a cat, but he really does."
The black-haired boy beside her scratched his head awkwardly before nodding.
"Yeah… that's surprisingly accurate."
Hermione nodded vigorously, delighted to find someone who understood.
"Justin, that description is perfect!"
Justin's eyes lit up, and the two of them leaned closer, whispering animatedly.
Sean, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware that he had become the topic of their conversation.
The train swayed gently, the window framing one picturesque scene after another. Inside the compartment, aside from Hermione and Justin's hushed whispers, only the soft rustling of turning pages could be heard.
Finally, Sean finished the last paragraph.
He let out a long breath, lifted his head, and rubbed his aching eyes.
"I lack nothing."
His eyes soon began to sparkle.
He set the book aside, took a match from his robe pocket, and held it in his hand. In his mind, the match's shape, structure, and properties appeared with crystal clarity.
His past-life memories and newly acquired Transfiguration knowledge overlapped and reinforced each other.
"Trans—figura—tion."
He spoke the incantation in a low, steady voice.
The match trembled slightly—but didn't change much.
Sean smiled anyway.
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell to a beginner's standard. Proficiency +3]
"Did he just say something?" Justin whispered. "And what's he doing?"
"It looks like… Transfiguration," Hermione said anxiously. "Oh no! The book says it's dangerous. If you mispronounce it, terrible things can happen!"
She clutched the hem of her robes, brows furrowing as she prepared to interrupt him.
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell to a skilled standard. Proficiency +10]
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell to a skilled standard. Proficiency +10]
Sean continued, growing more proficient with each attempt.
This sensation was completely new to him.
Magic… felt easy.
Could it be that I'm actually a Transfiguration genius?
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell to a skilled standard. Proficiency +10]
[Elementary Transfiguration unlocked]
[New Transfiguration domain title unlocked]
[Wizard talent unlocked]
As the panel notifications rang out, Sean's eyes narrowed slightly.
Scholarship fragment—plus one.
At that moment, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"You can't use dangerous Transfiguration here! You don't have proper control!"
Hermione spoke loudly, her tone stern and clearly upset.
The instant her words fell, the match shuddered.
Before her widened eyes, it slowly transformed into a slender needle, its silvery tip catching the light.
The compartment went silent.
Hermione's final syllable stuck in her throat.
"Merlin…" she murmured. "I've seen this example in a book. Did he… succeed?"
Justin stared in disbelief.
Sean looked up at them, confused.
"I'm sorry," he said politely. "Could you repeat that? I didn't quite catch it."
He genuinely had no idea what had just happened.