"I'm so stupid! I don't deserve to choose this class!"
Lisa covered her face and cried, "I know Ancient Magical Runes is hard, but I didn't know it was this hard... I thought I just needed to memorize more..."
Padma, who was about to comfort her, was also looking pale at the moment.
Because of Vid's success, and most importantly, how easily his success seemed, most Ravenclaw students hoped to become Alchemists too, so they chose to take Ancient Magical Runes.
They hoped to smoothly obtain an OWLs certificate in this class so they could take Alchemy in their sixth year.
In previous years, it was mostly Ravenclaw students who progressed to Alchemy, with only the occasional student from other houses.
However, once they truly engaged with it, the complexity, tediousness, and profundity of Ancient Magical Runes were far beyond their expectations.
"Vid, how on earth did you do it?" Lisa cried in despair, "How did you manage to learn Runic Language in your first year? This class is so difficult!"
Everyone looked at Vid, including the Slytherins.
"Actually, your idea is not wrong," Vid said, "Learning Runic Language starts with memorization—memorize the whole 'Rune Dictionary,' 'Magic Rune Collection,' and 'Magic Word Sound Chart,' familiarize yourself with every symbol and all common phrases, and the class becomes much easier."
"Isn't that like saying—if I memorize every Magic Book, I can become a Great Mage?"
Lisa wiped her tears and complained.
"Did you really learn Ancient Magical Runes that way?" Stephen said discontentedly, "There must be some trick, right?"
"That's exactly how I did it!" Vid said.
Stephen's face froze and then filled with disbelief.
"He really did memorize all those books in the first year—in less than two months."
Hermione frowned and defended Vid from the doubts of the crowd.
Some students looked towards Padma; although Padma wasn't particularly familiar with Vid at the time, she nodded affirmatively.
—She hadn't seen it herself, but she'd heard Michael complain about Vid's inhuman history several times.
Then Vid said, "Otherwise, why would Professor Morry take me as a student—just because of genuine passion and love?"
The entire classroom fell silent for a moment.
"It's time to go, Vid," Hermione checked the time and said anxiously, "I have Potions Class soon."
She forgot that she actually had Potion Class with the Slytherins—like Draco Malfoy sitting over there silently—not Ravenclaw.
"Hmm." Vid nodded, picked up his bag, and stood up, "I also need to go to the library."
"Oh, we're not together."
Hermione realized and then rushed out of the classroom with her books.
The Potions Classroom was quite a distance from here, and Professor Snape's attitude towards Gryffindor was notoriously harsh.
Although generally, Professor Snape didn't target Hermione, she absolutely couldn't risk being late.
Vid helplessly watched Hermione's rushing back, knowing she was used to being in a hurry, and it would take time to change that mindset.
Plus, in a girl's mind, aging prematurely compared to peers is probably scarier than being late.
Several Slytherins in the classroom also filed out, but they were more relaxed—Professor Snape was always much more lenient with Slytherin students.
Padma finally perked up and comforted her deskmate, "It's okay, Lisa. You have such a good memory, just spend a bit more time, and you'll definitely be able to memorize it."
Tears fell from Lisa's eyes again—just thinking about the thickness of those books made her feel hopeless.
Vid no longer bothered with his fragile classmates, he left the room, took two turns, and once no one was around, he turned the Time Turner back one notch.
...
"What's with this door?"
"Do we have to solve a puzzle? Like the door knocker in our common room?"
"But they're all Ancient Magical Runes on it..."
After the ticking sound disappeared, Vid heard Padma outside the Ancient Magic Script Class discussing the problem of the door being locked.
I bet not far from here, an hour ago, I was walking this way with Hermione, right?
Vid didn't hesitate, transformed into a Peregrine Falcon, avoided the places where his past self might see him, and flew straight to the eighth floor of the main building.
He entered the Room of Requirement, took a few minutes to finish his Ancient Magic Script homework, rested for half an hour, then cast a Disillusionment Charm and went to the entrance hall.
"...Of course, if you could get a Manticore, he'd gladly become your long-lost brother."
His past self walked into the entrance hall with Michael, talking and laughing.
Vid knew how sharp he was, so he didn't get too close, and instead followed at a typical distance a regular student might.
It wasn't until the past Vid used the Time Turner, disappearing from where he stood, that he lifted the Disillusionment Charm and swiftly walked over.
"A Manticore is impossible... but I'm going to borrow a couple of books about Hippogriffs, someone must've written about these creatures—they're so beautiful! And so clever and empathetic!"
Michael exclaimed, "I really wish I could have one."
"You know?" Vid added, "Traveling by Hippogriff violates the 'Confidentiality Law.'"
Michael frowned, then another idea came to him:
"I could cast a Disillusionment Charm on it, and on myself too—if we're not seen, it's not illegal!"
"Wake up, you don't even have a Hippogriff."
"What if I get one in the future? I should be prepared..."
...
Evening lights enveloped the small village of Hogsmeade, with only the taverns still echoing with noise.
Suddenly, the door of the Three Broomsticks was pushed open, and a very tall figure bent down to walk inside.
"Good evening, Hagrid!" Ms. Rosmerta from the tavern smiled and said, "Would you like something to drink?"
"Four pints of mead," Hagrid said, "with extra honey."
As he spoke, he glanced around the room and found the gray-robed wizard sitting behind the decorative vines.
"Long time no see, Remus. What have you been up to lately?"
Hagrid went over and sat down, the chair creaking under him.
"Following Sirius to track down Peter, and investigating a few things,"
Lupin said tersely, frowning, looking a bit under the weather, "I wanted to ask you something, Hagrid, about Hogwarts."
"What is it you want to ask..." Hagrid started to say but was interrupted by a thought, a look of apology crossing his face, "Oh right, I owe you an apology about Harry's situation, even if little Malfoy is indeed a brat, most of this situation was my responsibility..."
"Oh... Hmm? What?" Lupin was startled, "What happened to Harry?"