In the History of Magic classroom, Professor Binns droned on in his usual soporific tone, recounting the history of the Goblin rebellions.
From their first year, young wizards had already begun learning about the history of Goblin rebellions.
Yet due to Goblins' historical tendency for trouble, even fifth-years still covered related content.
It occupied nearly a third of the entire History of Magic curriculum.
Today, Professor Binns lectured about whether the seventeenth-century Wand Legislation had curbed Goblin rebellions.
After this decree, it became explicitly forbidden for Goblins and other magical beings to carry wands, effectively limiting the scale of rebellions – though their frequency had actually increased.
Overall, the benefits still outweighed the drawbacks.
Professor Binns' analysis was objective, but unfortunately, few students heard it. Two-thirds of the class slept while the remaining third teetered on the brink, heads bobbing drowsily.
Wayne had fallen asleep the moment his head touched the desk until the system's notification jolted him awake.
[Congratulations, host, completing major event 'The Wizarding Population Mystery', completion level: Poor, reward: Critical Hit Gift Package.]
That familiar feeling again.
How had he silently completed another major event?
The Wizarding Population Mystery...
What did that mean?
Useless system, never explaining properly, leaving him to figure it out himself.
"Open package."
Wayne mentally recited indifferently. The package yielded a mere 500 points – the worst reward package yet, matching the lowest completion level.
Still, something was better than nothing.
Now wide awake, Wayne pondered what he'd done recently to trigger a major event.
By class end, he remained clueless – until overhearing other students' conversations in the Great Hall.
Wayne fell silent.
So that explained why several students were missing from History of Magic...
They'd been off making trouble.
Now the system's event name made sense – this was genuine recklessness.
What twisted logic made them think provoking Dementors was a good idea?
"Professor McGonagall was shouting so loudly you could hear it through the door," recounted a wide-eyed witness, hands clasped to her chest.
"I've never seen her so angry – not even when Potter lost all those house points."
Nearby, Harry quietly eating his pumpkin pasty: "..."
Thanks for remembering me at a time like this.
"Where's Seamus and the others now?" Wayne asked curiously.
"Hospital wing? Or Filch's office?" The girl shrugged. "I had to leave for class before hearing properly."
"Lawrence!" Percy approached. "Professor McGonagall wants you in her office immediately."
"Understood."
Having learned of their idiocy, Wayne expected this summons. Without surprise, he left the Great Hall.
"Mr Lawrence, read this."
Upon arrival, Professor McGonagall handed him a letter.
Though perplexed by Dumbledore's unusual directive, she followed his instructions – consulting Wayne on all Ministry-related matters.
Wayne scanned the brief contents: a warning for Hogwarts to control its students from harassing Dementors.
"This is outrageous!" Wayne exclaimed angrily.
"Indeed," Professor McGonagall nodded. "I've already punished Mr Finnigan and the others. Their parents will be coming to the school tomorrow."
"Professor, you've misunderstood," Wayne shook his head. "I meant the Ministry of Magic has gone too far. This is an internal school matter—since when do they get to interfere?"
Professor McGonagall stared at him wide-eyed.
Are you serious?
We're not in the right here!
"Professor, this was clearly a compliance test," Wayne declared with utmost seriousness. "Seamus and Justin were sent by Headmaster Dumbledore to test whether the Dementors would behave."
"The results were deeply disappointing. The young wizards merely played with them briefly, yet the Dementors forgot their restrictions and entered the school grounds without authorisation."
"Before we could even question the Ministry, they dared to play the victim first?"
A flicker of confusion passed through Professor McGonagall's eyes.
Is that how it was?
No—her gaze immediately cleared. "Mr Lawrence, do you actually believe that?"
She'd nearly fallen for the boy's nonsense.
"Whether I believe it is irrelevant. What matters is that's the truth," Wayne emphasised. "You should write a letter of condemnation to the Ministry immediately, demanding they control their Dementors properly."
"Even if everyone made mistakes, punishment is warranted—but this remains an internal school matter. The Ministry has no business interfering."
Professor McGonagall understood Wayne's meaning.
After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth and agreed. "Very well. We'll handle it as you suggest."
Wayne smiled.
For all her sternness with students, Professor McGonagall was ultimately their fiercest protector.
She also understood now why Dumbledore would entrust such responsibility to a young wizard.
Wayne's solution was indeed far better than what she'd contemplated.
"About those badges..." Professor McGonagall began.
"Professor, that wasn't my fault!" Wayne shook his head vigorously.
"I sold those badges for everyone's benefit. Whatever... alternative uses they discovered have nothing to do with me."
"I wasn't blaming you," Professor McGonagall couldn't help smiling. "I meant to say you did well. At least your badges have helped alleviate the students' fear of Dementors."
"Twenty points to Hufflepuff. Now off to dinner with you."
"Thank you, Professor." Wayne gave a bashful smile before leaving the office.
...
By dinner time, news of Seamus and the others' exploits had spread like wildfire.
The Gryffindor table erupted in celebration.
Provoking Dementors intentionally!
To them, this was the epitome of bravery—utterly brilliant.
As for the minor point deductions? It was early in the term—they'd make them up easily.
Many lamented not being invited along—they'd have loved to try it themselves.
Meanwhile, at the Hufflepuff table, concerns lingered about Justin and Macmillan's safety.
Only when representatives visited the hospital wing did the badgers relax.
The biggest winner, however, was undoubtedly Wayne.
These guys were practically advertising for him with their lives. Chasing Dementors with just a badge – could there be a more striking demonstration?
During the short meal break, even more people came to Wayne to purchase badges. He asked Cedric to help tally the total demand.
...
At ten o'clock, yawning students made their way to the Astronomy Tower, the night's chill instantly waking them as they reached the rooftop.
The late September night carried a sharp coldness, prompting many to pull their robes tighter. Wayne thoughtfully cast a Warming Charm on Hermione.
"Thank you." The young witch beamed.
Though she could perform the spell herself now, Hermione simply enjoyed being cared for by Wayne.
"Come on, let's finish the star chart quickly and head back." Taking the girl's hand, they moved to a corner of the rooftop and set up the brass telescope.
Since inheriting the legacy of the Celestial Dragon, Wayne's understanding of constellations and stellar trajectories had skyrocketed.
By the time Hermione had just noted a star's brightness and relative coordinates, he had already completed its full mapping.
"How are you so fast?" Hermione stared in astonishment at the perfectly drawn chart.
"I could be even faster," Wayne boasted. "Stars? I know them best."
"Hmph." Hermione snorted defiantly. "No need to gloat. You still have to stay here with me after finishing."
"How about not going back tonight?" Wayne murmured, gazing at the stars.
"No!" Hermione's cheeks flushed. "Lavender and Parvati would notice."
"They won't. Just give them a couple drops of Draught of Living Death," Wayne said dismissively. "You always wake up early anyway—they'd never know."
"You want me to drug my roommates?" Hermione gasped, shaking her head vigorously. "Absolutely not!"
"It's not drugging. It's helping them achieve deep sleep."
"Relax, no side effects." Wayne coaxed, squeezing her hand. On this matter, he spoke with absolute authority.
Just look at Norman and Toby—eight hours of deep sleep every night, bursting with energy during the day. They can't even nap in History of Magic.
Eventually, after Wayne's relentless pestering, Hermione agreed—though she refused the Draught. Instead, she'd wait until her roommates were asleep and have Gardevoir fetch her.
Wayne didn't press further. As long as she came out, that was enough.
Now in her third year, Hermione was becoming more and more... visually pleasing. He needed to conduct a thorough inspection.
...
The next morning.
Wayne, thoroughly refreshed, led Hermione out of the Forbidden Forest, stowing away the enchanted suitcase.
Having a sweet, soft pillow to hold made for excellent sleep.
Back at the castle, they encountered several adults speaking with Professor McGonagall. The visitors wore expressions of barely contained fury.
Exchanging glances, the pair immediately guessed their identities.
Sure enough, screams soon erupted from the hospital wing—Dean Thomas' being particularly ear-splitting. Professor McGonagall pointedly emphasised that he was the ringleader.
Crucially, while other students only had one parent present, Thomas received both.
Facing this parental tag-team, tears of regret streamed down Thomas' face.
Had he known the consequences would be this severe, he'd never have gone looking for trouble with Dementors!
The young wizards watching the drama outside were terrified yet reluctant to leave, only hurrying to their classrooms when lessons were about to begin.
Wayne entered the Potions Classroom almost simultaneously with Snape.
"Five points from Hufflepuff for tardiness."
Without even glancing at Wayne, Snape flicked his wand to draw all the curtains before striding to the podium.
The classroom fell deathly silent. Everyone knew Snape became particularly volatile after the term began – the kind who'd curse at a stray dog before walking past. Nobody dared provoke his foul mood.
"Son of a bitch," Wayne mouthed silently at Snape's retreating back.
Though the point deductions didn't bother Wayne, they certainly pleased Snape.
"Turn to page three hundred and sixty-one." Without preamble, Snape's book flipped open unaided as he pulled down a screen displaying all required materials and procedures.
"Shrinking Solution. You're third-years now – don't tell me you can't complete such a simple potion within one lesson." Snape's voice cut like ice. "Before class ends, I'll randomly select one fortunate young wizard to administer their brewed potion to their pet."
"Now, fetch your ingredients."
Everyone sprang into action immediately—daisies, figs, Scarab Beetles, daffodil roots, frog brains.
Snape was right; this potion wasn't particularly difficult for third-year wizards, requiring only five ingredients.
That is, unless there was a greasy bat lurking behind them, watching with sinister intent.
"Patil, I instructed you to cut the daisies into one-centimetre segments. Why aren't you using a ruler?"
"Sherlock, Scarab Beetle powder—do you understand the definition of powder? Grind it for another ten minutes!"
His drawling, venomous voice, coupled with the intense pressure, caused many young wizards to make careless mistakes, and Snape's scolding grew even harsher.
Wayne finished his portion at top speed and raised his hand.
"Professor, I've completed mine."
"And what if you have?" Snape was about to sneer further, but upon spotting the wand laid out on the desk, he decided it might be prudent to temper his tone.
"If you're done, remain quiet and don't disturb the others."
With that, Snape stalked off to the other side of the room.
By the end of the lesson, he had fed a Ravenclaw girl's cat the Shrinking Solution, instantly transforming it into a tiny kitten, much to the girls' wide-eyed admiration.
Snape merely shook his head and left the classroom without a word, as though deeply disappointed.
"Did he eat something foul?" Norman grumbled as they exited. "He's been snapping at everyone lately."
"Probably Potter's fault again," Toby speculated.
"Gryffindor and Slytherin have Potions tomorrow, don't they?" Norman sounded sceptical. "He's been like this since the start-of-term feast. Doubt it's got anything to do with Potter."
"Professor Lupin," Susan interjected, having listened quietly until now. "Remember Snape's expression during Lupin's introduction? Looked like he wanted to devour him."
"You think they've got some history?"
Instantly, the group's attention shifted. Compared to Snape's erratic moods, gossip like this was far more intriguing.
Wayne ignored the chatter, quickening his pace to a secluded spot where he summoned his Gardevoir.
Their next class was Divination, located nearly across the entire castle. To save time, he had Gardevoir teleport him there directly.
Professor McGonagall's scepticism about Trelawney had swayed some, but others remained unconvinced.
Apart from Hermione, most girls believed Professor Trelawney possessed genuine talent, as she perfectly matched their expectations of a seer—mysterious, eerie, and ethereal.
...
"I've decided to drop this subject and take something else instead."
After class, Hermione finally couldn't hold back. "She's a complete fraud. Baseless predictions, just tossing out random possibilities and leaving everyone spellbound."
"Fair enough," Wayne said, ruffling the girl's hair. "If Divination isn't working, why not try Arithmancy instead? At least that's grounded in logic."
"What about Muggle Studies?" Hermione, ever indecisive at times like these, looked to Wayne for guidance.
"Arithmancy's the better choice. Muggle Studies is practically useless. I'd worry it might mislead you."
He flipped through some books about how wizards viewed Muggles, and the perspectives within were utterly mind-blowing.
For example, in the eyes of wizards, Muggles' favourite sport was making babies...
This was precisely why there were so many more Muggles than wizards.
Absolutely outrageous.
"Alright," Hermione finally accepted Wayne's suggestion.
Before dinner that afternoon, she cheerfully approached Wayne and Cho: "Professor McGonagall has helped me change my courses. She fully supports my decision."
"Though I'll need to buy an Arithmancy textbook quickly."
"No need to buy one. I have last year's textbook here," Cho said with a smile. "The Arithmancy textbooks haven't been updated. You can just take this one."
"Thank you, Cho." Hermione beamed and gave her a hug.
Just then, a young wizard suddenly exclaimed.
"Black's been found!"