Seeing Malfoy put in his place, smiles spread across the faces of many students.
After more than a thousand years of development, there were very few truly pure-blood wizarding families left in the wizarding world.
Even the famed Sacred Twenty-Eight had gradually accepted half-bloods and Muggle-born witches and wizards into their ranks.
Many families that had stubbornly refused to marry outside pure-blood circles had long since vanished into history.
By using the word Mudblood, Malfoy had instantly offended more than half the students present.
Besides…
Hardly anyone liked his arrogant attitude to begin with.
“Nicely done, Charlotte.” Ron walked over with a grin.
“Want to come watch Gryffindor play Slytherin in a Quidditch practice match later?” “My brothers, Fred and George Weasley, are Gryffindor Beaters.” “This year’s Quidditch Cup is definitely going to Gryffindor!” Charlotte shook his head.
“Sorry.” “I’m planning to spend some time in the library.” “I’ll pass on Quidditch.” At the moment, all he wanted was to build up his magical knowledge as quickly as possible.
As for Quidditch…
He honestly wasn’t particularly interested.
Ron shrugged helplessly.
“Figures.” “You Ravenclaws really are all bookworms.” Then he turned to Hermione.
“Hermione, what about you?” “Want to come watch the match with us?” Hermione replied without expression, “If I were you, I’d be in the library revising.” “Otherwise, the next time Snape decides to embarrass you, you’ll still have no idea how to answer.” “And don’t forget—we’ve already lost six House points.” Ron immediately retorted, “And whose fault is that?” “The person who lost Gryffindor the most points was you!” “You—” Seeing the two of them about to start arguing again, Charlotte quickly stepped between them.
“Ron.” “Hermione.” “Calm down.” “Why don’t we watch the Quidditch match first…” “…and then head back to revise afterwards?” “Besides…” “Didn’t Slytherin lose even more points than Gryffindor today?” The two fell silent.
Harry shot Charlotte a grateful look.
As expected of a Ravenclaw.
One simple sentence…
And the argument’s over.
If it were me, I’d have had no idea how to stop them.
Hermione finally spoke.
“For Charlotte’s sake…” “I’ll come.” Ron folded his arms, pretending not to care.
“I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Quidditch!” The group made their way to the Quidditch pitch.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin teams were already battling fiercely in the air.
The moment Ron arrived, he immediately shouted towards two identical-looking boys flying overhead.
“Fred!” “George!” “Come on!” Just then, Charlotte heard the familiar voice of the system.
Ding!
Mission Assigned: Join the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team and lead Ravenclaw to victory in the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup.
Reward: Skill Points ×50 Additional Reward: Random Defence Against the Dark Arts ability.
Time Limit: During the host’s seven years at Hogwarts.
Charlotte’s eyes widened.
Fifty skill points…
That was an enormous reward.
If he completed this mission…
He would immediately have enough points to begin fusing another magical creature’s bloodline.
The reward was tempting.
The difficulty, however…
Was equally terrifying.
Among Hogwarts’ four Quidditch teams, Slytherin was unquestionably the strongest.
Next came Gryffindor.
Then Hufflepuff.
Ravenclaw ranked last.
Leading Ravenclaw to a Quidditch Cup victory was almost impossible.
And beginning this very year…
The Boy Who Lived was about to join the competition.
That only made the challenge even harder.
Before Harry Potter arrived, Gryffindor had gone four consecutive years without winning the Quidditch Cup.
The year before Harry enrolled, Gryffindor had suffered a crushing defeat at Slytherin’s hands.
Then Harry appeared…
Caught the Golden Snitch in his very first season…
And defeated the seemingly invincible Slytherin team.
Over the following years, apart from seasons interrupted by extraordinary events, Gryffindor claimed nearly every Quidditch Cup.
Charlotte let out a long sigh.
“Those fifty skill points won’t be easy to earn…” After watching the match for a while, he finally understood why Slytherin had dominated the competition for so many consecutive years.
Their style of play was unbelievably dirty.
To secure victory…
They would use absolutely any tactic.
If he had to describe it in three words…
They had no shame.
Gryffindor’s playstyle, by comparison, was aggressive but constantly restrained, making it difficult for them to fight back effectively.
Their defeat seemed inevitable.
Sure enough…
Not long afterwards, Slytherin’s Seeker caught the Golden Snitch, winning the practice match.
If even Gryffindor struggled this badly…
Then the more academically inclined Ravenclaw and the easy-going Hufflepuff hardly stood a chance.
At the same time…
Inside the Headmaster’s office.
Professor McGonagall stood in the centre of the room.
Dumbledore raised his wand and carefully drew a silvery strand of memory from his temple before placing it into the Pensieve.
Turning around, he said, “So…” “He mastered Transfiguration during his very first lesson.” “Quite extraordinary.” McGonagall nodded.
“I’ve already investigated.” “Charlotte Elvis comes from a Muggle family.” “He has never received any magical education.” “There is no possibility that he learned Transfiguration beforehand.” “He didn’t even purchase his wand until the day before school began.” “Albus…” “That boy is undoubtedly a genius.” “I believe we should begin cultivating him as a future member of the Order of the Phoenix.” Dumbledore smiled faintly.
“I’m not surprised by his gift for Transfiguration.” “After all…” “His wand contains a Thunderbird feather.” He paused briefly.
“But today, Severus informed me that Charlotte also possesses remarkable talent in Potions.” After another moment of silence, Dumbledore spoke quietly.
“When I look at him…” “I see a shadow of Tom.” “For now…” “Do nothing.” “Let’s continue observing him.” The moment McGonagall heard the name Tom, a familiar figure flashed through her mind.
Her pupils contracted slightly.
A trace of caution appeared on her face.
“I understand, Albus.” “I’ll keep a close eye on the boy.” Then she remembered something.
“By the way…” “I heard you asked Hagrid to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone.” “Is Gringotts no longer safe?” Dumbledore turned towards the window.
“As long as Voldemort still exists…” “There is nowhere in the world that can truly be called safe.” “I removed the Philosopher’s Stone because I wish to confirm something.” McGonagall nodded thoughtfully before leaving the office.
The door closed behind her.
Dumbledore returned to his desk and slowly sat down.
He closed his eyes.
Several seconds later…
He opened them again.
Confusion filled his gaze.
“What a very peculiar child…” “My gift of prophecy…” “Cannot perceive him at all.” “What exactly could have caused such a thing?”