September 1 arrived, marking the beginning of a new school year at Hogwarts.
The Great Hall had been decorated for the occasion, its warm golden light creating a peaceful atmosphere throughout the enormous chamber.
Students entered in groups according to their houses and year levels, filling the four long tables while the professors gradually took their places at the raised staff table.
Leon Cromwell sat near one end of the professors’ table and observed his surroundings with genuine interest.
Hogwarts’ lighting system might have been centuries out of date, but thousands of candles floating freely beneath the enchanted ceiling created a spectacle no modern electric fixture could match.
He raised his gaze toward the brilliant stars overhead and adjusted his silver-framed glasses.
The lenses were custom-made and coated in gold, then enchanted with the fifth-circle spell [True Seeing] and reinforced through permanent magic.
They allowed Leon to rapidly examine people, objects, and active magical effects.
The ceiling enchantment was especially impressive.
It combined a permanent high-level illusion with a magical connection to the weather outside, accurately reflecting the night sky beyond the castle walls.
An elegant combination of spells.
Hogwarts deserves its reputation.
“Professor Cromwell, you are remarkably accomplished for someone so young.” The speaker was Professor Flitwick, who sat nearby on a stack of thick books so he could comfortably reach the table.
The small Charms professor raised his wineglass in greeting, and Leon returned the gesture with a polite nod.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor Cromwell!” A deep, booming voice came from Leon’s other side.
He turned and found himself facing a massive man whose features were almost entirely hidden beneath a wild beard and tangled hair.
“I’m Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts!” Hagrid’s cheeks were bright red, suggesting he had already enjoyed several drinks.
“Professor Dumbledore told me you lived in a forest for ten years.
Blimey, you must’ve seen all kinds of magical creatures!” Hagrid leaned closer with visible excitement.
“We’ll have to talk sometime.
I’ve always had a soft spot for dangerous little beauties.” “I’m sure we’ll have plenty to discuss, Hagrid.” Leon smiled and raised his glass.
Before their conversation could continue, the temperature around him seemed to fall several degrees.
A tall figure dressed entirely in black swept toward the empty chair beside Leon and sat down with the dramatic motion of an enormous bat.
The faint scent of herbs and potion ingredients accompanied his arrival.
Severus Snape.
Even during a celebratory feast, the Potions professor wore an expression that suggested the entire room owed him money.
Greasy black hair framed his pale face, while his dark eyes scanned the noisy students with open contempt before settling on the newest member of the faculty.
“It appears Dumbledore’s judgment continues to deteriorate,” Snape murmured in a smooth, cutting voice.
“Allowing a child who has barely been weaned to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts…” His lips curled faintly.
“I hope you manage to survive until Christmas.” The implication was obvious.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts position was notorious for losing its professor before the end of each school year.
Leon calmly took a sip of red wine before turning toward Snape with a sincere expression.
“I hope you last a little longer as well, Professor Snape.” “I have taught Potions at Hogwarts for eleven years,” Snape replied coldly.
“Your concern is unnecessary, Professor Cromwell.” “Oh, I wasn’t referring to your career.” Leon’s gaze shifted toward Snape’s hair.
“Remaining in a gloomy and irritable state for extended periods can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance.
That often causes excessive oil production and, eventually, significant hair loss.” A pleasant smile appeared on Leon’s face.
“Judging by its current condition, I’m afraid your hair may not last much longer.” Snape turned his head with alarming speed and stared at Leon as though attempting to kill him through sheer hostility.
Leon remained completely unfazed.
“I could recommend several excellent oil-control shampoos,” he continued helpfully.
“Muggles have made impressive progress in that particular field.” Had the circumstances been different, Snape might have considered using the Cruciatus Curse.
Since they were seated at the opening feast in front of the entire school, however, he could only release a cold snort and turn away.
The Sorting Ceremony was nearing its conclusion.
Leon watched Professor McGonagall lift the Sorting Hat from the stool and adjusted his enchanted glasses.
Information immediately appeared before his eyes.
[Item: The Sorting Hat of Godric Gryffindor] [Type: Wondrous Item] [Rarity: Legendary] [Properties] [Intelligent Item: The item possesses awareness and can communicate with its wearer.] [Personality Analysis: Evaluates the wearer’s character, desires, and potential.] [Unknown Property: Analysis Failed] A legendary item?
Surprise flashed through Leon’s eyes.
In the Forgotten Realms, objects of legendary rarity were exceptionally powerful and often closely associated with artifacts.
The unidentified property was probably connected to the Sword of Gryffindor, which could be summoned from the hat by a worthy member of the house.
Once the Sorting Ceremony ended, mountains of food appeared across the tables.
As the students eagerly reached for roast chicken, potatoes, pies, and pudding, Leon turned his attention toward the Gryffindor table.
One student immediately caught his eye.
A second-year girl with unruly brown hair sat anxiously among the celebrating Gryffindors.
She had barely touched her food and repeatedly glanced toward the entrance before looking at the two empty seats beside her.
Hermione Granger.
Leon rested his fingers against his chin.
His memories from the movies had clearly exaggerated certain details.
The real Hermione looked intelligent but had not yet grown into her appearance.
Her hair was wild, her robes were slightly untidy, and she resembled a bookish girl who cared far more about studying than presentation.
Out of curiosity, Leon examined her through his enchanted glasses.
Her Intelligence score had already reached fifteen, an extraordinary number for a twelve-year-old student.
When Leon first arrived in this world, his own Intelligence had only been seventeen.
No wonder she becomes the best student in her year.
Finding the comparison interesting, Leon began examining students from the other houses.
Many Slytherins possessed unusually high Charisma scores, and several older students ranged between sixteen and eighteen.
Their confidence, refined manners, and carefully maintained appearances reflected generations of aristocratic pure-blood upbringing.
The Ravenclaws produced a more surprising result.
Although their house was famous for intelligence and learning, many of its students had higher Wisdom than Intelligence.
After considering Luna Lovegood and Professor Trelawney, Leon realized the pattern was not entirely unreasonable.
Ravenclaw valued originality, insight, and unusual ways of perceiving the world—not merely academic ability.
The feast was halfway finished when Argus Filch hurried toward the professors’ table.
Mrs.
Norris followed close behind him while he clutched a rolled-up newspaper and wore an expression of absolute panic.
Filch glanced toward Dumbledore, who was peacefully enjoying a serving of pudding.
Instead of approaching the headmaster, however, he leaned down beside Snape and whispered into the Potions professor’s ear.
Snape’s expression grew even darker.
Beneath the usual coldness, Leon detected a flash of savage delight.
“Excellent,” Snape murmured.
“Truly excellent.” Without offering an explanation, he rose from his seat and swept out of the Great Hall, his black robes billowing behind him.
Leon’s memories of the Harry Potter story were far from perfect.
He had read the books and watched the movies before finishing high school in his previous life, but many details had faded over the years.
Only after Snape left did Leon remember that this was Harry Potter’s second year.
Harry and Ron were supposed to arrive at Hogwarts in the Weasley family’s flying Ford Anglia after missing the train.
That explained why Hermione kept looking toward the entrance and why the two seats beside her remained empty.
Leon wiped his mouth with a napkin and rose from the table.
He was curious to meet the supposed protagonist of this world.
Deep beneath the castle, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley sat nervously inside Snape’s office.
They had already survived a terrifying flight across England, nearly fallen from the sky, crashed into the Whomping Willow, and lost control of the enchanted car.
Now they faced something they considered even more frightening than the violent tree.
Severus Snape.
“I shall fetch those who possess the authority to enjoy this delightful situation properly,” Snape said after finishing another long reprimand.
“You two will remain here.” He opened the office door, intending to find Professor McGonagall, and nearly collided with Leon in the corridor.
“Professor Cromwell,” Snape said sharply.
“What are you doing here?” “I came to check on two students I haven’t had the opportunity to meet.” Leon smiled pleasantly.
“They may not remain students for much longer.” Snape clearly had no interest in further conversation.
He swept past Leon and disappeared toward the stairs.
Leon entered the office and briefly examined the jars of preserved creatures lining the walls.
Harry and Ron sat stiffly near Snape’s desk, looking as though they expected another executioner to arrive.
He approached the boys, brushed some dirt from Ron’s shoulder, and then noticed the cracked lenses of Harry’s glasses.
“Excuse me, sir,” Harry said cautiously.
“Who are you?” The young professor looked unfamiliar, and his age made it difficult to believe he belonged among the Hogwarts faculty.
“Leon Cromwell, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.” “H-Hello, Professor Cromwell,” Harry replied.
“Relax.
You aren’t going to be expelled.” Leon drew his ebony wand and tapped Harry’s broken glasses.
“[Mending].” The cracks vanished instantly, restoring the lenses and frame to their original condition.
“Two second-year students traveled across half of England in an unstable magical vehicle without adult supervision,” Leon said, studying Harry and Ron’s bewildered expressions.
“I don’t believe you deserve expulsion.” The boys exchanged a hopeful glance.
“You deserve praise.” Harry and Ron stared at him with their mouths hanging open.
“Young people should occasionally take risks,” Leon continued.
“After missing the Hogwarts Express, you assessed the situation, identified an available resource, and created your own solution.
That shows initiative, courage, and practical problem-solving.” Neither boy had ever imagined that anyone would describe their actions in such an admiring tone.
They had expected detention, loss of house points, and possibly expulsion—not praise from a professor.
Leon gave them a knowing look.
“Next time, make sure the invisibility booster is functioning before departure.” At that moment, both Harry and Ron silently decided that Defense Against the Dark Arts would be their favorite subject of the year.
“Ridiculous!
Completely absurd!” Snape’s furious voice came from the office doorway.
Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore stood behind him, having apparently heard enough of Leon’s speech to understand the situation.
“Professor McGonagall, Professor Cromwell’s teaching philosophy is clearly irresponsible,” Snape declared.
“How can any educator encourage such reckless behavior?” “Encourage?” Leon turned toward them without concern.
“I’m merely evaluating their practical abilities from a different perspective.
When they failed to board the train, their first instinct wasn’t to panic or surrender.
They found an alternative method and solved the problem themselves.” He gestured toward the boys.
“Surely that kind of independence deserves some recognition.” “They violated several school rules and likely multiple Muggle laws,” McGonagall replied sternly.
Despite her expression, however, she seemed to recognize part of Leon’s argument.
Dumbledore stood behind them and examined the two Gryffindors over his half-moon spectacles.
“Although their courage and resourcefulness are worth acknowledging, recklessly endangering themselves and exposing the wizarding world cannot go unpunished.” Harry and Ron lowered their heads.
“You must understand the seriousness of what you have done,” Dumbledore continued.
“Letters will be sent to your families tonight.
I should also warn you that any similar behavior in the future may result in expulsion.” He turned toward McGonagall.
“Minerva, I will leave their punishment in your hands.
I must return to the feast, as I still have several announcements to make.” Dumbledore glanced between Snape and Leon.
“Come along, Severus.
Leon.
There is a rather pleasant-looking eggnog tart at the staff table, and I believe both of you should try it.” Snape gave Harry and Ron one final glare before following the headmaster.
Leon smiled reassuringly at the boys, then allowed Dumbledore to lead him from the office.
Before leaving, he adjusted his enchanted glasses and examined Harry.
[Name: Harry Potter] [Race: Human] [Class: None] [Level: 1] [Attributes] [Strength: 6] [Dexterity: 11] [Constitution: 9] [Intelligence: 8] [Wisdom: 10] [Charisma: 14] [Traits] [Gifted Flyer: Gains increased Dexterity and control while riding a broomstick.] [Parseltongue: Can understand and communicate with serpentine creatures.] [The Boy Who Lived: Charisma increased by 1.
Possesses an unusual connection to a particular undead entity.]