The news had spread everywhere wizards gathered—the Ministry of Magic, the pure-blood families, the magical schools. Almost every corner of the wizarding world was talking about it.
Jack had become an overnight sensation, and Hogwarts was once again the talk of the entire magical community.
A powerhouse seemingly on par with Dumbledore himself had established six distinct levels for wizards and created an entirely new system of magic.
While many were awestruck, a healthy dose of skepticism remained. The whole situation was just too unbelievable.
Wizards everywhere used their connections to dig for information from Hogwarts and the Ministry.
But they all hit dead ends. Jack was an enigma.
All anyone knew for sure was that he had indeed invented these "Combat Spells" and created the wizard ranking system.
Even though it wasn't officially adopted yet, every wizard who heard about it instinctively tried to gauge the level of magic within themselves, wondering, "What level would I be?"
The buzz among the wider wizarding world was deafening, and the chatter within Hogwarts' walls was just as intense.
In the Great Hall, students huddled over the Daily Prophet, passionately discussing the news.
"Professor Jack is actually famous across the whole wizarding world! I knew it would happen, just not this fast!"
"Right? My family owled me, asking all about him! They told me to study Combat Magic hard!"
"Combat Magic is the real deal! I don't even want to learn other spells anymore! Combat Magic is where it's at—great for survival, even better for offense!"
"Especially that C-Class spell, the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! It's insane! Too bad I didn't earn the reward."
"I wonder if there's another reward for the first person to actually cast the Great Fireball?"
"Probably not. Only those thirteen can learn it. Giving them another reward would be totally unfair to the rest of us!"
"Who do you think will be first? Hermione? Harry? Percy?"
"I bet on Harry! He's the Boy Who Lived! Even You-Know-Who couldn't kill him!"
"I think it'll be Prefect Percy. He's the best in Gryffindor!"
"That was before. Now it's Hermione! She learned that transformation after hearing it once! She'll definitely be first!"
"I think so too! Hermione will be first."
"Great minds think alike!"
"Prefect Percy is great and all... so I pick Hermione!"
Suddenly, one of them urgently elbowed his friends, shushing them.
"Shut up! Prefect Percy is coming over."
Percy walked past them, his face like thunder, and dropped a single, icy comment.
"When you're eating, you eat. No talking. Have you no respect for the rules?"
The group exchanged nervous glances, promptly buried their faces in their plates, and started shoveling food into their mouths, not daring to utter another word.
Percy took his seat, forcing down his meal with difficulty.
He'd been hearing variations of that conversation all morning. The initial anger had faded through numbness into a dull, resigned ache.
'Percy's finished.' 'Hermione is the best in Gryffindor now.'
Everyone was singing Hermione's praises. But he would show them. He, Percy Weasley, would always be the top student at Hogwarts!
He would shove his prowess in all their faces!
Just watch! The first person to master the Great Fireball Technique would be him, Percy Weasley!
His secret practice session on the edge of the Forbidden Forest last night had yielded some progress. He was sure he was close to a breakthrough.
However!
His mind flashed back to the ambush. The voice... it had sounded vaguely familiar.
He had no idea what happened after he was struck. When he came to, there was nothing around, as if the whole incident had never occurred.
Whoever could sneak up on him and knock him out with a single spell was no amateur. In a straight fight, he might not even win. His only option had been to run.
He'd sprinted back to the dormitory at top speed, nearly colliding with Mrs. Norris on the way.
He'd considered telling Professor McGonagall, but then he remembered—he was breaking the rules by being near the Forest.
What if she held it against him and stripped him of his Prefect badge?
Since he wasn't hurt and hadn't lost anything, it was safer to just pretend it never happened.
So, Percy kept the incident to himself, not telling a soul.
He also decided that even if he practiced in secret again, he would never go back to the Forest's edge. It was far too dangerous.
Everyone knew the Forbidden Forest was full of deadly creatures. One wrong move, and he could lose his life!
Self-preservation was the priority. Survival first!
Just then, the entrance doors opened, and a group of students walked in, immediately drawing the attention of Percy and everyone else.
It was Hermione, Harry, and Ron. But this time, they were accompanied by a fourth person—a round-faced boy.
Neville Longbottom.
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