"The only spell I can reliably cast silently and without a wand is the Levitation Charm. But the practice, the discipline—it's what helped me."
Flitwick's expression softened with understanding and respect.
"Alex, you were truly born to be a Ravenclaw. I can't imagine how the Sorting Hat placed you in Slytherin."
Alex couldn't help but think to himself, 'Because the hat's angry, that's why.'
"My goodness, your story has truly opened my eyes, Alex!" Professor Flitwick was so excited that he nearly jumped out of his chair. "It's clear now—there are no shortcuts in the pursuit of magical mastery. Hard work and practice always pay off in the end."
"I couldn't agree more, Professor," Alex responded with a small smile. "But to be honest, I don't feel satisfied with where I am now. I hope to learn more and push myself further. I've already covered all of the first-year material, and I was hoping you might guide me to the next level."
Flitwick's eyes gleamed with approval. "Indeed! I won't tell you to slow down or that you're being too ambitious. A thirst for knowledge is one of the greatest forces for a wizard. If you wish to go beyond the basics, I suggest visiting the advanced spell classroom. There, you'll find old books left behind by previous students. I'll also give you a personalized reading list, which you can borrow from the library. And, of course, if you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to come see me. I'll be happy to help."
The professor paused for a moment, clearly thinking something over. "In fact, I want to invite you to join my Charms Club. I've never extended this invitation to a first-year before, but I believe you'll be able to keep up. You may have heard that Lily Evans was one of my brightest students, and she too excelled in this club. I think you'd benefit from it."
Alex felt a warm surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Professor Flitwick. I'm truly honored by your faith in me."
Flitwick smiled warmly. "Persevere, Alex. Work hard. I believe your potential is limitless!"
After thanking Professor Flitwick once again, Alex left the Charms classroom, clutching the book list and club invitation with excitement. He couldn't believe his luck—his first day at Hogwarts had been more rewarding than he'd ever imagined.
'First things first,' Alex thought. 'Let's head to the senior classrooms to search for some advanced spellbooks. As the professor said, you can't rush things.'
After grabbing a quick lunch in the Great Hall, Alex wandered through the upper-year classrooms, hoping to find useful materials. In one of the fifth-year spell classrooms, he cast "Alohomora!" and unlocked a cupboard filled with old textbooks.
Alex sifted through the worn books, noting that many were incomplete, some with burnt pages or scribbled notes. He carefully chose a few that still had valuable insights, including one with pages filled with handwritten notes from past students. He was especially excited to find one of Lily Evans' old spellbooks, filled with her personal observations.
The book was a treasure trove, especially with its detailed notes on protective magic. Perhaps she had been working on the idea of the amulet even back then.
Satisfied with his haul, Alex tucked the books into his bag and headed to his next class, History of Magic. He soon discovered that, unlike the other subjects, there was only one classroom for all years of History of Magic, and it was taught by Professor Binns, a ghost.
Vivian, one of Alex's classmates, leaned over and whispered, "Did you know Professor Binns didn't even realize he was dead? He fell asleep by the fire one day, and when he woke up, he left his body behind and kept teaching like nothing had changed."
Alex glanced at Professor Binns, who was preaching on about the history of modern wizarding politics. 'So the rumors are true,' he thought, watching as most of the class fought to stay awake. Even Alex found it hard to focus. His thoughts wandered back to the advanced textbooks he'd found. As Binns' monotone voice faded into the background, Alex opened a second-year spellbook under his desk and began reading.
After class, Alex headed straight to the library to borrow the six books on the list that Professor Flitwick had given him. With a stack of old textbooks and new ones alike, Alex retreated to his dormitory, eager to dive into his studies.
For the next two days, Alex balanced his regular classes with self-study, immersing himself in advanced spellcasting. He found the third to sixth-year textbooks particularly useful. While the seventh-year books contained fewer spells, they delved deeply into advanced techniques and topics like Apparition and preparations for the Ultimate Wizarding Exam. Alex knew he had to master the basics thoroughly before moving on, but he relished the challenge.
That evening, Alex dressed and prepared to attend his first meeting of Professor Flitwick's Charms Club.
Following the directions from the invitation letter, he made his way to the eighth floor of the main tower, where he stopped in front of a large mural. The invitation mentioned this spot because it was near the office of the Head of Ravenclaw House.
"Password?" the knight in the mural asked, looking down at Alex.
"Unicorn," Alex read aloud from the letter.
"Very well," the knight nodded and swung the door open.
Inside, the room resembled a cozy classroom, though the walls were lined with towering bookshelves, making it feel more like a library. The room had plush, blue carpeting, matching flannel chairs, and curtains, all in typical Ravenclaw colors. Several students were already there, chatting softly.
"Alex? What are you doing here?" Vanessa, a prefect, looked surprised to see him. She had been invited to the Charms Club back in her third year, something she was proud of since few students were ever invited before their third or fourth year.
"You can't just wander in here," Vanessa whispered urgently. "The professor will be angry if you've come by mistake."
Alex chuckled softly and replied, "You misunderstand, Prefect Greengrass. Professor Flitwick invited me to join." He pulled out the invitation and waved it gently.
Vanessa squinted at the letter, still feeling doubtful. "Are you sure? This club isn't just about listening to lessons. You'll have to complete assignments and sometimes even assist the professor with research."
"Don't worry, I know what to expect," Alex reassured her, recalling Professor Flitwick's explanation of the club's structure. It wasn't just a study group; it functioned more like a research lab where students worked closely with the professor on advanced spellcraft.