Henry first reviewed Lumos and the Transfiguration spell that turned a matchstick into a needle.
Both spells came out smoothly—the ball of light remained stable, while the needle transformation was flawless.
After repeatedly reviewing them, he began trying a few new spells, such as the Levitation Charm, which he was about to learn formally, along with its extension, the Cushioning and Braking Charm.
He quickly mastered these basic spells.
Feathers and cushions rose, fell, slowed, and came to a stop precisely according to his control.
However, when he moved on to somewhat more difficult spells, such as the Disarming Charm and the Severing Charm, he encountered a bottleneck.
He tried several times before finally accepting reality.
At least for now, he simply couldn’t cast them successfully.
Henry wasn’t discouraged.
After all, one had to take things one step at a time.
He discovered that his learning speed with spells was fairly good, but he didn’t possess any particularly outstanding innate talent.
He wasn’t a naturally gifted master of the Disarming Charm like Harry, nor did he possess Ginny’s exceptional affinity for the Reductor Curse.
Henry walked to the other side of the room and aimed his wand at the practice dummy, intending to try a few harmless minor jinxes.
Since he was already here, why not test the more infamous field as well?
He raised his wand.
It wasn’t really an attempt so much as a serious self-diagnosis.
“Crucio!”
He clearly spoke the incantation and flicked his wand upward toward the dummy.
Nothing happened.
There was no light, no surge of magic, and no reaction from the dummy, as though he had merely uttered a meaningless syllable.
It wasn’t because he lacked magical power.
Rather, something more fundamental was missing—the intense desire to inflict unbearable pain and the cruel pleasure that came with it.
He simply couldn’t summon such emotions.
“Imperio!”
He tried again, imagining the sensation of forcibly twisting another person’s will.
Still, nothing happened.
Finally, he stared at the dummy and attempted to summon a pure killing intent capable of bringing everything to an end.
“Avada Kedavra!”
Just as he had expected, his wand didn’t produce even the slightest trace of green light.
Three attempts.
Three complete failures.
Henry lowered his wand and shrugged indifferently.
This was actually a good thing!
Having no talent for Dark Magic was obviously beneficial.
Casting spells required the manipulation of one’s emotions, while Dark Magic specifically required certain extremely negative emotions to complete.
If he possessed that kind of talent, then what was he supposed to do?
Practice it and risk having Dark Magic distort his mind?
Or refuse to practice it and waste such a talent?
That would truly be a case of being trapped either way.
He waved his wand and resumed practicing the basic spells.
Magical cultivation required perseverance. Find the original chapter at g.com.
As the saying went, haste makes waste.
For now, properly mastering and integrating the spells he had already learned was the correct approach.
For several days in a row, Henry’s routine remained remarkably consistent.
Outside of class, he would find somewhere to practice his spells.
Every afternoon, afternoon tea began punctually at four.
Once afternoon tea ended, it was time to head to the Room of Requirement and practice magic.
On Friday morning, while Henry was having breakfast in the Great Hall, Mercury flew over to him, flapping his wings and carrying two replies.
The first letter was from his parents.
To our dearest Henry,
From Kensington Palace, on a chaotic morning when Harry has broken yet another vase.
We hope that by the time this letter reaches you, breakfast at Hogwarts will be somewhat more peaceful than ours.
Your mother insisted on dictating this letter while I write it down.
She says my handwriting can at least be deciphered by the house-elves.
I reserve the right to disagree.
First and most importantly: we miss you very, very much.
The dining table feels emptier, and the garden is missing your presence.
But knowing that you are doing well and adapting so quickly—or perhaps, more accurately, shaping your new environment in your own way—has transformed our longing into pride.
Your descriptions of your classes and afternoon tea gatherings were fascinating.
Your mother was particularly impressed by what you mentioned about Miss Farley, while I found your thoughts on spellcasting very interesting.
It sounds almost like a unique philosophy.
Please share more of those thoughts in your future letters.
Now, let’s discuss the disasters that have occurred since you left.
William seems to believe that, as the current eldest brother—he insists on using that exact phrase—he has the right to use your study for his rocket experiments.
You can imagine how that went.
Harry has become his loyal—and extremely incompetent—assistant.
Yesterday, the two of them tried skateboarding in the laundry room and nearly destroyed one of the servants’ shirts.
I had to invoke your name to frighten them into behaving.
“What would Henry say?”
That phrase still carries a certain amount of authority, though I’m afraid it won’t last forever.
Your mother says this family desperately needs your calming influence back.
I think this family desperately needs you to share the responsibility of keeping these two little troublemakers under control.
They are energetic, certainly, but they are also an absolute headache.
Your mother insists that I tell you this:
Wherever you are, take care of your health and your state of mind first.
Don’t put yourself under pressure.
Enjoy the magic.
Enjoy making friends.
Enjoy simply being yourself, rather than being merely someone’s grandson or someone’s son.
She is incredibly proud of you and has been repeatedly looking through the singing picture book you brought back from Diagon Alley.
Yes, Harry likes it too. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
But we’ve hidden it from him.
With all our love.
Write whenever you have time, even if it’s only a few words.
Love,
Father & Mother
Henry couldn’t help laughing.
He could almost picture those two little troublemakers running wild through the palace.
He put the letter away and opened the one from his grandmother.
Dear Henry,
Mercury arrived safely this morning.
Though he was weathered by the journey, his dignified bearing remains unchanged.
He has been properly cared for as usual and allowed to rest.
I was pleased to learn that you successfully enrolled at Hogwarts and were sorted into Slytherin.
Your grandfather and I are both relieved.
That house has long been known for valuing tradition and understanding the circumstances of the times.
This arrangement demonstrates the Sorting Hat’s profound insight and is also well suited to your temperament.
Learning the rules and understanding people within such an environment will be an excellent form of training, far more valuable than any place concerned merely with superficial glamour.
I have carefully read everything you described in your letter regarding your classes and your first afternoon tea.
Your ability to use this opportunity to cautiously establish social connections in an unfamiliar environment demonstrates sound judgment and initiative.
Remember this:
True influence begins with respect and listening.
It is established through the ability to provide others with value that cannot easily be replaced.
You have already taken a steady first step.
Your interactions with the younger generations of families such as the Malfoys and Parkinsons may proceed at your leisure.
What matters most is observation.
Understanding their thoughts, as well as the concerns and desires of their respective families, is itself valuable experience.
The minor chaos your father mentioned in his letter is simply a mark of childhood and growing up.
There is no need to worry.
They will eventually find their own paths, just as you are now finding yours through your own actions.
I have enclosed a small box of homemade butter shortbread from Balmoral, one of your longtime favorites.
I hope that, in addition to your magical studies, you will take some time to enjoy a familiar taste from home.
One more thing.
Your great-grandmother was delighted to hear that you have entered Slytherin.
She has selected a serpent ring from the old Royal Collection and given it to you as a gift.
The ring was once worn personally by Queen Victoria.
It carries considerable significance.
I hope you will make good use of it.
With love,
Grandmother