Rai_jin
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#30 WSWW
🕑 Added 2025-03-10 16:20:01 +0000 UTCTed had a mischievous streak, and whenever the mood struck him, he was more than happy to put on a little performance for his fellow students.
One afternoon, as the corridors filled with students after class, Ted decided to have some fun. With an exaggerated air of respect, he approached a suit of armor and politely asked for directions. As he spoke, he discreetly channeled a bit of magic, causing the armor to lift a finger and point.
"Oh, so it’s that way! Got it, thanks!" he said with a nod of realization before strolling off in the direction indicated.
This, of course, sent the first-years into a frenzy. For the next half hour, a group of wide-eyed students crowded around the armor, eagerly asking it questions, hoping for their own magical response. But the silent suit remained unmoved. Eventually, some of them turned to Ted for advice.
His explanation? "You have to be polite, sincere, and ask from the bottom of your heart."
The next day, the armor was covered in an assortment of gifts—everything from trinkets to scarves, and even a small, hastily knitted cape. The first-years had taken "sincerity" to a whole new level.
Unfortunately, their efforts were short-lived. Filch, ever the grumbling caretaker, soon removed the armor entirely, much to the horror of the students.
"Where did it go?!" someone cried.
Ted sighed dramatically. "You overwhelmed it with too many questions, so it left on its own."
The first-years gasped, utterly convinced, and murmured regrets about scaring away their new "friend."
Watching the whole thing unfold, Fred and George were thoroughly impressed. "Ted, mate, that was brilliant!" Fred grinned. "You, my friend, are a natural prankster."
"We need you in our organization," George added. "It’s still in the early stages, but we’re planning something grand."
Ted chuckled. "Oh, you mean your little operation that Dumbledore definitely has his eye on? No thanks! I’m a model student, after all."
"Yeah, sure you are," Fred smirked.
"Of course," Ted said innocently. "But, uh… I might be open to ‘indirect collaboration’ if you ever need ideas."
Two weeks into the school year, the first-years had already experienced their fair share of discoveries and achievements.
Ron had found a talent for collecting absurd amounts of food from the Great Hall—his stash of roasted chicken legs was impressive. Jerry, meanwhile, had eaten enough cheese to rival a mouse. Anzu had practically taken up residence in the kitchens, stuffing himself with an endless supply of fries.
Neville had quickly become a favorite of Professor Sprout in Herbology, discovering a passion and talent for plants. He now spent much of his free time in the greenhouses, happily tending to magical flora.
Hermione, unsurprisingly, had taken to self-studying multiple subjects at once. With Ted’s help, she had already learned a few spells ahead of schedule.
As for Harley, she had inherited something rather special—her father’s old invisibility cloak. And, naturally, she had decided to continue his "noble" tradition of nighttime exploration.
By Monday of the third week, she had an exciting announcement for her friends.
"I know what’s behind the door on the third floor corridor," she whispered, eyes gleaming.
"Oh?" Ron leaned in. "What is it?"
Harley grinned. "A giant, three-headed dog."
Ted blinked. "You sound way too excited about that."
"Well, yeah! It’s a giant, three-headed dog. How cool is that?!"
Ted shook his head, but he couldn’t deny it—things were getting interesting.
Ted himself had spent most of his time holed up in the library, devouring book after book. His dedication paid off when he suddenly received a notification in his mind:
_____
Ding~ Task Complete: [Wizard’s Progressive Ladder (Blue)]
Reward: 400 experience points, card [Strengthening Manual (Blue)]"
_____
He blinked at the information that appeared in his mind. A card materialized before him:
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[Strengthening Manual (Blue)]
Item Type: Prop Card
This handbook contains essential knowledge on health and fitness, with magical properties enhancing its words.
Effect: Follow the handbook’s instructions for three days to receive a +2 bonus to physical endurance.
Uses: 1/1.
_____
"Huh. Never seen a one-time-use item like this before."
Intrigued, Ted activated the card, and a glowing blue book materialized in front of him, filled with detailed instructions on diet and training. Curious, he decided to follow the regimen, even cutting down on his usual library visits to focus on exercising.
Hermione raised an eyebrow when she noticed his new obsession. "Are you seriously prioritizing muscle training over magic?"
Ted grinned. "A strong body is just as important as a sharp mind. Trust me, you’ll see why one day."
While Ted dedicated himself to training, Harley and the others were already plotting their next big adventure.
"Alright, listen up," Harley whispered that night, gathering her friends. "I have a new plan."
She had managed to bait Malfoy into accepting a duel. Or rather, a "duel." The real plan? Lure him to the forbidden corridor on the third floor.
When Malfoy arrived at the agreed-upon location, flanked by his ever-present lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, he pushed the door open with an air of confidence—only to freeze in sheer terror.
There, looming before them, was a massive, drooling, three-headed dog.
Malfoy’s face went pale. "I-It’s an illusion! Yes, that’s it! You can’t fool me!"
His bravado was betrayed by the way his legs trembled like jelly. Beside him, Crabbe and Goyle had already given up. They shrieked like terrified pigs before scrambling away at full speed, their wails echoing through the corridor.
Filch arrived moments later, attracted by the noise.
Slytherin lost thirty points that night, and both Malfoy and Harley received detention for their "fight." While Malfoy and his goons were sentenced to cleaning the toilets, Harley was assigned to help Snape with potion work.
Ted had assumed this meant handling disgusting ingredients like slug guts or pickled brains.
Instead, she was simply asked to measure and sort potions into vials.
"This is… barely a punishment," Ted muttered as he watched.
Snape, of course, maintained his usual icy demeanor, but Ted could tell—this was practically favoritism.
'Snape, where’s your legendary sarcasm? Where’s the cutting wit?' Ted mused. 'If I hadn’t made myself known in the first class, I bet this would’ve gone very differently…'
He could already picture it:
Snape: "Harley, where can I find a bezoar?"
Harley: "Uh… I don’t know."
Snape: "Honesty! Ten points from Gryffindor."
Ted shook his head with a chuckle and returned to his training. After three days, he completed the exercises outlined in the "Strengthening Manual" and felt the results—his endurance had improved noticeably. As soon as the effect took hold, the manual vanished in a soft blue light.
...
On the morning of September 19th, Hermione was surprised to see Anzu perched on her windowsill, a book clutched in his talons. The mischievous raven ruffled his feathers and gave her an expectant look before dropping a small note onto her bed.
Hermione unfolded it, her eyes lighting up as she read the words: Happy Birthday!
A smile spread across her face. Anzu had also brought her a copy of Aesop’s Fables, a thoughtful gift from Ted. She ran her fingers over the cover, appreciating the gesture. “Thank you, Anzu! And Ted too,” she murmured, holding the book close.
Just then, her own owl swooped into the room, carrying a package from her parents. Unwrapping it, she found a heartfelt letter along with a set of quills and parchment. It had been nearly twenty days since she had left for Hogwarts, and while she loved learning magic, she couldn’t deny that a part of her still missed home. But she wasn’t lonely—not anymore. She had friends now. Real friends.
For someone who had spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in books, the warmth of companionship was something new and wonderful. In just a few weeks, she had bonded with Harley, Ron, Ted, and the others, as if they had known each other for years.
Neville, for instance, had grown especially close to Ted. He often sought him out for advice—sometimes for schoolwork, but more often for simple encouragement. Ted always had a way of making people feel like they belonged. Before Hogwarts, Neville had never felt particularly special. But now? Now, he felt like he had a place, a purpose. He had even started keeping a journal at Ted’s suggestion, jotting down daily thoughts and important moments so he wouldn’t forget them.
Unlike the others, Neville had a clear favorite subject: Herbology. He had taken an immediate liking to Professor Sprout’s lessons, and the professor, in turn, seemed to appreciate his enthusiasm. For the first time, Neville found himself looking forward to classes.
Defense Against the Dark Arts, on the other hand, was a different story. Professor Quirrell’s nervous stammering made Neville uneasy. “If I ever become a professor,” he had once joked to Ron, “I’d probably stutter just as much.”
Ron had laughed. “You? A professor? Let’s just focus on making it through first year, yeah?”
Then there was History of Magic—Neville’s ‘comfort class,’ as he called it. Professor Binns never asked questions, which was a relief, though Neville was fairly certain the ghostly professor didn’t even know his name.
Over the past few weeks, everyone had changed in their own way. Neville was growing more confident, Ron had finally stepped out of his brothers’ shadow, and Jerry—who had once been so self-conscious about his mouse-like features—was beginning to accept himself. His friends didn’t care about his ears or tail; they only saw him for who he was.
As for Harley, she had finally found a family—not just in the wizarding world, but in the friends she had made. No more wandering alone in that huge, empty house. Now, she had people to share her adventures with.
That evening, as they gathered in the Great Hall for dinner, the group learned it was Hermione’s birthday. Cheers erupted as they took turns giving their well-wishes, and Ted led the charge in singing Happy Birthday. The only problem? Most of the students had never heard a Muggle birthday song before.
It was chaos. Off-key voices clashed, lyrics were forgotten, and Ron somehow ended up singing a completely different tune. “This sounds like Fragmentation!” Harley laughed, clutching her sides.
Despite the hilarity, Hermione beamed. She might have been far from home, but in that moment, surrounded by her friends, she felt happier than ever.
Meanwhile, Anzu had somehow managed to snag an entire plate of fries and was now waddling under its weight, squawking about his “grand feast.”
The celebration soon turned into a discussion about food, with Ted launching into one of his storytelling moods. He recounted bizarre medieval eating habits, tales from The Shepherd’s Calendar, and old legends about enchanted feasts. His voice painted vivid images of grand banquets, cunning cooks, and daring kitchen escapades. At one point, he described a medieval chef who saved his entire village from famine by outwitting a corrupt noble with an enchanted soup.
The students were hooked. “Keep going! You can’t leave us on a cliffhanger!” one of the younger Gryffindors pleaded.
Across the hall, a group of Hufflepuffs had been eavesdropping, one of them whispering, “How is Ted not in Hufflepuff? This doesn’t make sense!”
Ted grinned to himself. Maybe the Sorting Hat had been onto something after all.
