The question left Harry stunned.
Although Harry had never truly been part of the wizarding world, human nature was the same no matter the society.
Ever since Hagrid had brought him to Diagon Alley, he had noticed that almost everyone seemed to know who he was.
Everyone wanted to get close to him, and, if he was honest, he had enjoyed all the attention.
But was he really prepared for it?
Clearly not.
The textbooks he had bought were so dry that he couldn’t make it through more than a few pages.
As for the even more complicated spells, they were completely beyond him.
Having attended only a primary school, Harry knew exactly what that meant.
At Hogwarts, someone like him would probably end up near the bottom of the class—not exactly the sort of student teachers or classmates paid much attention to.
” Adrian…
Adrian Ambrosius,” Harry asked hesitantly, “what…
what should I do?”
A sly smile curved at the corners of Adrian Ambrosius’s lips.
“If you really want to be ready…” he said, “I can help you~”
Heh.
Professor Snape, who’s always been making life difficult for me…
You hate Harry Potter so much, don’t you?
Then I’ll train an upgraded PLUS version of Harry Potter.
By then, you’ll probably be frustrated to death.
Ron spoke up quietly.
“I heard Hogwarts has four Houses.
If you and Harry end up in different Houses, wouldn’t that make things inconvenient?”
Adrian Ambrosius looked at him as though he had just asked something incredibly foolish.
“So people from different Houses aren’t allowed to talk to each other?”
Ron shrank back a little.
“My brothers told me there’s a House called Slytherin.
They say lots of Dark Wizards come from there.
The whole House has a bad reputation…
like…
like You-Know-Who.”
His voice grew quieter and quieter.
But Harry heard him clearly.
You-Know-Who.
The name Hagrid had been too afraid to say aloud.
Voldemort.
So…
The man who had killed his parents had been a Slytherin.
The thought immediately soured Harry’s mood.
At the same time, Ron’s words carried another implication.
He was planting the earliest seed of prejudice in Harry’s mind, nudging him to view Slytherin as an enemy from the very beginning.
That was precisely why, in the original story, Harry would later unconsciously influence the Sorting Hat’s decision.
Unfortunately for Ron—
Adrian Ambrosius had no intention of letting an innocent, impressionable Harry be led astray so easily.
After all, Slytherin traditionally favored pure-blood wizards.
A family as ancient and prestigious as the Ambrosius House had an exceptionally high chance of being sorted there.
“It’s true that Hogwarts has four Houses,” Adrian Ambrosius said.
“And it’s also true that Slytherin has some unfortunate history.”
“But don’t overthink it.”
“If Slytherin were truly an irredeemably evil House, the wizarding world would have abolished it long ago.
It wouldn’t still exist openly today.”
“The reason it has produced so many infamous witches and wizards is largely because many of its students come from old magical families.”
“But a long family history isn’t automatically a blessing.”
“That, more than anything else, has kept the House divided.”
“So I believe…”
“If Slytherin ever had a truly wise and capable leader—someone who could unite the House and keep those dangerous tendencies under control…”
“…it might actually become the finest House at Hogwarts.”
Ron suddenly asked,” Adrian Ambrosius…
which House do you think you’ll end up in?”
Adrian Ambrosius glanced at him almost imperceptibly before smiling.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“But whichever House I enter won’t change my plans for the future.”
“Because what determines your future is yourself—not your environment.”
What determines your future is yourself—not your environment.
He’s the same age as me…
Yet his thoughts are already so clear…
He already knows what he wants from life.
Shouldn’t I start thinking about my own future too?
If…
if I could be in the same House as Adrian Ambrosius…
I feel like I’d learn so much from him.
Even Ron fell silent after hearing those words.
Forget it…
How am I supposed to argue with someone this mature?
“I…
I think what you said was wonderful.”
A clear, youthful girl’s voice broke the brief silence.
A familiar face appeared outside the compartment.
Adrian Ambrosius looked toward the brown-haired girl.
“Miss Granger.”
“It’s been a while.”
“You…
you still remember me?”
Hermione asked in surprise.
“Of course.”
“I wouldn’t forget the adorable girl who crashed straight into my arms.”
Hermione’s cheeks instantly turned scarlet.
“S-sorry…
I mean…
thank you.”
“Miss Granger,” Adrian Ambrosius asked, “are you looking for something?”
“I am.”
“I’m helping my classmate Neville look for his toad.
He lost it.”
Adrian Ambrosius shook his head.
“Magical creatures aren’t that easy to lose.”
“It’s probably just wandered off because it got bored.”
“But no matter what, it won’t stray too far from its owner.”
“If you still can’t find it, just wait until the train stops and ask the staff to help search.”
“I…
I see.”
Hermione looked at him with growing admiration.
Gentle.
Handsome.
Brilliant.
Wise.
He was simply…
perfect.
“Since we’ve run into each other,” Adrian Ambrosius said warmly, “why don’t you come in and sit with us for a while?” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Hermione glanced at the luxurious private compartment, looking hesitant.
“Thank you very much for inviting me…
but wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”
Adrian Ambrosius simply smiled at her without saying a word.
…I’m doomed.
One look into those golden eyes…
…and Hermione somehow found herself sitting beside him.
Across from them sat Harry and Ron.
Just like that, the original Golden Trio had gathered together.
Only now…
There was one extra person.
As soon as she sat down, Hermione nervously said,
“Um…
Mr.
Ambrosius…”
“Just call me Adrian Ambrosius.”
“O-Okay.”
“Mr…
Adrian Ambrosius…”
“No need to be so formal, Hermione~”
Adrian Ambrosius teased her with a playful grin.
The blush that had just faded from Hermione’s face immediately returned.
” Adrian Ambrosius…”
“I really admire you.”
“Would…
would you sign one of my books?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Watching Hermione somehow produce a thick copy of Advanced Potion Theory, Adrian Ambrosius suddenly developed a headache.
You’re only a first-year…
And you’re already studying advanced potions?
Also…
I didn’t even write that book.
Why would my autograph help?
Hermione lowered her head shyly.
“I’ve read so many stories about you.”
“I want to become as outstanding as you someday.”
“I’m studying this book right now, but there are still so many things I don’t understand.”
“So I thought…”
“…if you signed it…”
“…maybe some of your wisdom would rub off on me.”
Adrian Ambrosius pressed a hand against his forehead.
Come on…
let’s be scientific here.
Besides…
aren’t you supposed to be the number-one academic genius in the Harry Potter world?
This feels exactly like those students in my previous life praying to the ‘God of Exams’ before a test.
Unable to refuse Hermione’s hopeful gaze, Adrian Ambrosius finally picked up his quill.
On the title page of the brand-new Advanced Potion Theory, he wrote:
To the wonderful Miss Granger—
May wisdom and courage always be with you, and may success walk beside you throughout your future.
— Adrian Ambrosius Ambrosius