The days slipped by, and Julien settled into life at St. George's Primary School like he'd always belonged there. He quickly became the class star: kind without being fake, friendly to everyone, top of every subject, and able to recite French poetry on the spot. The other kids adored him.
Thomas became his best friend almost immediately. The two of them spent every break messing around and talking about everything under the sun.
Julien also noticed something interesting: even though this was a perfectly ordinary Muggle school, it was full of hidden talent. Some kids played piano like little prodigies. Others dominated sports—running, football, you name it. A few even talked politics and economics like miniature adults.
But Julien never forgot who he was. He kept his magic locked down tight, never slipping once. Grandpa's warning still rang in his ears: the wizarding world and the Muggle world had their own rules. Smash the wall between them and you'd only cause trouble nobody needed.
The first post-Christmas test rolled around—language, maths, and science, just to check how everyone was doing after the holidays.
For the rest of the class it was a proper challenge. For Julien it was almost insulting.
The bell rang. Pens dropped. Papers were handed in.
Thomas wandered over looking miserable. "Julien, that maths paper was brutal. I left half the questions blank. You finished everything, didn't you?"
Julien nodded. "Yeah, it was pretty straightforward."
Thomas's eyes went wide. "You're actually scary. I'm definitely failing this one."
Julien laughed and patted his shoulder. "Relax, I bet you did better than you think."
A few days later the results were posted.
Mrs. Davies walked in smiling. "Everyone did very well this time. But I have to give special mention to our new student, Caelum Julien Black—he scored full marks in all three subjects and is top of the class!"
The room erupted in surprised whispers. Heads swivelled toward Julien. Thomas slapped him on the back so hard it nearly knocked him forward. "Mate, you're a machine! Did you cheat or what?"
One girl in the front row whipped around so fast her bushy brown hair flew. Her brows were knotted, eyes flashing pure disbelief: Impossible. That spot is mine.
Julien just gave a small, polite smile. To him, acing a primary-school test was about as exciting as breathing.
What he didn't notice—at first—was that same girl turning to stare at him again. The moment she heard "full marks," her eyes narrowed with pure competitive fire.
She had thick, frizzy brown hair, bright intelligent eyes, and sat ramrod straight, hands perfectly placed on the desk like she was ready for a job interview.
After Mrs. Davies finished going over the paper, Julien's gaze drifted and landed on her. She was still staring, challenge written all over her face.
He hadn't learned everyone's names yet—he'd only just transferred.
"Hey," he elbowed Thomas, "who's the girl in the front row?"
Thomas followed his look and snorted. "Oh, her. Hermione Granger."
Of course it is.
Julien almost laughed out loud. Hermione Granger—the brightest witch of her age, the walking encyclopedia, the girl who would one day help save the world. And here she was, already furious that some new French kid had stolen her crown.
Hermione caught him looking. She didn't flinch. If anything, her gaze grew even more determined.
She'd been top of the class since day one. Perfection was her baseline. Losing first place to a transfer student? Not happening.
When the final bell rang, Hermione packed her bag, marched straight over, and stuck out her hand.
"Hello, Caelum Julien Black," she said, deliberately using his full name in a crisp, proud little voice that clearly added, I've got you memorised. "I'm Hermione Granger."
Julien stood and shook her hand, smiling. "Hi, Hermione. Nice to meet you."
"Your marks were impressive," she said, eyes locked on his. "But I won't lose to you again. Next test, I'm taking first place back."
Julien grinned, genuinely amused. "I'm looking forward to it."
He could feel it—that stubborn, relentless drive. It reminded him of himself in his last life.
Hermione gave a sharp little nod and walked out. Watching her go, Julien's mouth curved into a small, private smile.
Thomas appeared at his elbow. "Ignore her, mate. She's always like that." He clearly wasn't a fan. "Used to be top of everything, always lecturing people. Proper know-it-all."
London spring arrived quietly. The yellowed grass at St. George's slowly turned bright green. Cherry trees in front of the main building burst into soft pink buds, and every breeze sent tiny petals drifting down onto windowsills and open textbooks.
Ever since that first test, an invisible thread had formed between Julien and Hermione Granger. You could call it an academic cold war.
Hermione stayed exactly the same: first to arrive, last to leave, always buried in a book even during break. Knowledge was her favourite treasure.
Julien, with two lifetimes of learning and a calm far beyond his years, held steady at the top. Occasionally, when he saw her stuck on a problem, he'd casually drop a hint as he walked past.
"That maths question's logic is off. Try dividing the circle first—don't jump straight to the formula."
One break, Hermione was frowning hard at a tricky word problem, pencil scratching chaotic lines across her paper. Julien glanced over her shoulder and murmured the advice.
She looked up, brown eyes flashing surprise behind her round glasses, then stubborn determination.
"I knew that," she muttered. "I just hadn't got there yet." But she immediately tried his suggestion.
A minute later her face lit up. "It worked! Thank you, Julien."
She liked competition—but there was never any real malice.
"No problem," he said, heading back to his seat.
Thomas watched the whole thing, completely baffled. "Why do you even bother with her? She's always studying, always correcting people. Total bookworm. And those big front teeth… not exactly pretty."
Julien closed his book and laughed. "To each their own, mate." Then he grew serious. "Hermione's brilliant and she works harder than anyone. She's not a bookworm—she just loves learning more than most people do."
Thomas pulled a face but dropped the subject. Julien was his best friend; he'd respect the choice.