Daily Life at Hogwarts - Chapter 9

No one knew exactly how Luke had calmed down the temperamental Nia, but she eventually settled.

In the following days, Herbert and Daisy went back to work, leaving Albert and Nia to spend the summer holiday on Charles Street.

Albert would share magical histories and other books with the elderly couple, performing the magic he’d learned in front of them. He even spent a few Galleons to purchase a Wizard’s Chess set, working with Luke to understand how to play the game.

Initially, Nia was startled by the animated chess set, but she quickly grew to enjoy the game. However, no one wanted to play chess with Albert anymore, as his skill had clearly surpassed everyone’s.

Wizard’s Chess, although similar to International Chess, was played with living pieces that moved at the command of the player. It felt more like commanding an army. And if you tried to move the pieces manually, they would retaliate.

While Muggles could attempt the game, they couldn’t control the pieces well. The chess pieces, seemingly sentient, would complain, making remarks such as, “Do you even know how to play? Don’t send me there; send the pawn instead, sacrificing it is okay.”

Albert’s progress in learning magic was impressive. He even completed a quest titled “Luke’s Regret,” earning 1500 experience points. His experience pool had accumulated to 30,000 again. Though the amount seemed substantial, in reality, it ran out quickly.

The higher the skill level, the more challenging it became to improve. In the later stages, one could only utilize experience from the pool or skill points to level up.

“Albert, are you sure this leaf will float?” Nia asked, fixated on the leaf, which hadn’t shown any reaction yet.

“I think I made a wrong hand gesture,” Albert sighed. Casting spells required precise gestures and chants. Mistakes in either could result in the spell failing. Without guidance, Albert had to learn through trial and error or use experience to instantly master a spell. He preferred the former, saving the latter for spells he found challenging.

“So, mastering magic isn’t as easy as it seems,” Nia remarked, somewhat admiring Albert’s patience. She certainly didn’t have that much patience herself.

“Nia, mastering magic isn’t easy. It’s like math; you have to take it step by step,” Albert consoled as they swung on a park swing, “Don’t give up until the very end.”

“I’ve heard that encouragement so many times,” Nia replied, though she was clearly comforted.

In truth, Nia suspected she might not have the natural talent to become a witch. After her last conversation with her grandfather, she had become less concerned about it.

After ensuring there were no bystanders, Albert tried the levitation charm once more. This time, after chanting “Wingardium Leviosa,” the leaf floated mid-air.

Suddenly, Albert felt someone watching. Retrieving his wand, he looked in the direction of a boy slightly older than him.

“What do you want?” Albert asked, raising an eyebrow.

Truthfully, Albert wasn’t worried. Even without magic, his level 2 Karate skills would be more than enough for any Muggle. He’d learned Karate at eight, primarily to deal with troublesome peers. After an incident where he defeated three older kids, the entire school knew about Albert Anderson’s prowess.

Consequently, Daisy had been summoned to the school for a reprimand. Still, she staunchly defended her son and even called her husband for backup. The couple, both lawyers, managed to turn the tables on the school, leaving everyone speechless.

After all, if three older kids couldn’t defeat Albert and then ran crying to the teachers, it was hardly his fault.

In the end, the matter was resolved.

It was then that Albert truly accepted this family.

“Are you… a new student at Hogwarts? You shouldn’t try magic here. Muggles might notice, and they fear magic,” the boy said in surprise, looking at the levitating leaf. He hadn’t expected to meet an incoming student, especially one who managed to make a leaf float.

“Thanks, I’ll be careful,” replied Albert, sensing no harm from the other boy. With a nod of gratitude, Albert motioned for his sister to leave.

“I’m Gabriel, Gabriel Drummond, a student from Hufflepuff House. I live nearby,” Gabriel extended his hand in friendship. “You’re a first-year, right? I hope you join Hufflepuff.”

“Hufflepuff?” Albert feigned confusion.

“Oh, right, you’re not familiar with the four houses and the sorting ceremony yet,” Drummond began. Just then, an owl swooped in, dropping a letter by his feet.

“Why would there be an owl now?” Drummond picked up the letter, his face turning to shock and disbelief as he read it in front of Albert.

Sensing the change in the atmosphere, Nia quickly hid behind Albert.

“What’s the matter?” Albert asked, sensing something was amiss.

“Trial… expulsion… Why… Why is this happening?” Drummond’s face was a mix of confusion and despair. He couldn’t understand why the Ministry of Magic would send him a letter stating he had violated the ‘Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery’ by using the Levitation Charm in front of Muggles. He was now at risk of expulsion from Hogwarts.

“It’s you. It must be because of you!” Drummond, piecing together what happened, lunged at Albert. Suddenly, he felt the world spin, and before he knew it, he was on the ground, subdued by the younger boy.

The next moment, Drummond felt a sharp pain in his wrist and couldn’t help but cry out.

“Calm down. It’s not as bad as you think,” Albert deduced the situation from Drummond’s words, realizing the older boy might be facing expulsion.

“I didn’t even use the Levitation Charm!” Drummond yelled in anger. “I didn’t even have my wand with me.”

“I know. It was me who used the charm,” Albert reminded him calmly. “Perhaps we should write to the school to explain. If necessary, I’ll vouch for you. Don’t worry, they won’t expel you easily. Let’s write the letters now, one from each of us, explaining the situation to the Headmaster. Do you have an owl?”

“No,” Drummond replied, frustrated by his own lack of composure.

“Brother, there’s Snowy,” Nia pointed to an approaching owl.

“It seems Snowy knew we needed her. Owls truly are amazing creatures,” Albert mused.