Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

After dinner, the two found Dumbledore in the school as the sun was setting.

Dumbledore's eyes were slightly narrowed as he enjoyed his time alone. When he saw the two approaching, he opened his eyes, looking as kind as Tom's grandfather.

"Little Tom, Hagrid, what can I do for you?"

Chapter 9 Dumbledore's Guidance

“Professor Dumbledore, I asked Mr. Hagrid to come with me. I would like you to take a look at me and see if I have any deficiencies in magic.”

"Oh?" Dumbledore's gaze swept over Tom. "What kind of magic do you know now?"

"All the magic in the first-year spellbook."

Dumbledore: "All?"

"Yes, Professor, all of them."

"Is it that you can use it, or that you are proficient in using it?" Dumbledore continued to inquire.

Tom: "I think it's just usable."

After all, it was only LV.2, which was considered proficient in Tom's eyes—or rather, in the eyes of all the first-year students. But Dumbledore was not one of those first-year students; he was the strongest white wizard in the world.

"Let's try it out first, starting with the simplest levitation spell."

Tom bowed, raised his wand, and chanted the spell: "Wingardium Leviosa!" (Levitation Charm!)

As the wand fell, a book that Dumbledore had placed on the table flew up.

Hagrid's pupils widened suddenly from behind.

Is Tom's casting speed a bit too fast?

Hagrid was unaware that this was because of Tom—the power of the title could increase Tom's casting speed by 20%.

Even the second-year students couldn't cast the Levitation Spell as fast as Tom.

Most importantly, they could see the difference between Tom and the other students.

Tom's skillful control of magic is the result of countless hours of practice, not just a couple hundred, but hundreds or even thousands of times!

Hagrid suddenly remembered Tom's schedule.

18 hours of practice every day...

Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged: "Continue, Firestarter Charm."

"Incendio!" (Fire-starting spell)

Flames burst forth from the tip of the spell, but Dumbledore simply waved his hand to sweep them away.

"Next, the softening spell."

……

A full fifteen minutes passed, and Tom had cast all seven spells from the first grade.

As the last magical restoration spell ended, Dumbledore raised his head and put his hands behind his back: "Tom, I'm very happy that Hogwarts has such a hardworking child like you."

Hagrid chimed in from behind, "Tom, you've done a fantastic job. I've never seen a student do as well as you in their first year, no, in their second year. But your casting speed is a bit too fast. I think you should slow down."

“Hagrid, you’re wrong,” Dumbledore laughed. “Little Tom, your greatest advantage lies in your casting speed. This is your talent. In duels between wizards, casting speed and the strength of magic are crucial.”

After seven spellcasting attempts, you should know where you're weaker than others. To be honest, I can't help you; you can only let yourself grow. Or—don't forget you have a roommate who studies potions, right?

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." Tom bowed respectfully, and knowing what was going on, he immediately left the office and returned to the library.

Hagrid was completely bewildered.

He couldn't see anything wrong with it, except for the casting speed—but Dumbledore said that casting speed was Tom's talent.

"Albus, what exactly is wrong with little Tom?"

"Seven spells, didn't you notice?" Dumbledore pointed to Hagrid's wand at his waist. "Why don't you try it yourself, and you'll probably understand where the difference lies."

Hagrid did as instructed, but he was still completely confused.

“He’s only an 11-year-old child, Albus. Aren’t you setting your expectations too high for him… 11 years old!” Hagrid suddenly realized. “I understand now. He’s too young and hasn’t had enough time to be exposed to magic. No matter how talented he is or how hard he tries, he can’t possibly be able to cast spells freely for extended periods like we are!”

Tom's "magic" was too little; his body couldn't withstand casting spells for long!

Dumbledore finally smiled: "You understand? That's why I told him there are only two ways to move forward: either continue learning and wait for yourself to grow, or..."

"Have Snape brew him a magic potion? That's impossible, Snape wouldn't do such a thing."

Dumbledore gazed down at the boy running briskly toward the library: "Who knows? Tom has achieved what he has today by spending no less than 10 hours a day practicing, maybe even more."

“I’ve seen his schedule, and if Tom doesn’t waste any time, it should be 18 hours.”

Dumbledore's smile suddenly froze.

18 hours?

There are only 24 hours in a day, and Tom spends 18 hours practicing. That means he practices all the time except for eating and sleeping.

An owl suddenly flew into the office through the window and landed on Dumbledore's desk.

Sender: Hermione Granger

Dumbledore opened the envelope in front of Hagrid, and suddenly burst out laughing after reading half of it.

“Our little Tom might cause a stir in first grade; some students have already asked me if they can enter the school early.”

"Another one?" Hagrid exclaimed in surprise.

What's wrong with kids these days? When I was in school, I was always thinking about holidays, traveling, Quidditch matches... Why do they all like to come to school to learn things in advance now?

"Hmm... interesting." Dumbledore looked at the contents of the letter. Hermione seemed to have had something happen with Tom. Hermione didn't go into details, but she said that the incident had connected the two of them and she wanted Dumbledore's help.

After a long silence, Dumbledore took out his quill and carefully replied to Hermione's letter.

……

a few days later.

Hermione received a reply, and she felt a little down.

My application to move into Hogwarts was rejected.

Regarding the body-swapping incident, Professor Dumbledore said that fate is always incredibly ingenious, and there will always be special reasons that bring people together. He hoped that Hermione would cherish her connection with Tom.

He also stated that Dumbledore had not found any trace of dark magic in Tom, telling Hermione to relax.

But Hermione remained unsettled.

The reason is simple: today is the seventh day.

In the London night, an owl, staying up all night, perches on a tree branch outside the window, its gaze fixed on the humans inside who, like it, are also staying up late.

Hermione dared not sleep; she kept her eyes wide open, unable to focus on the book in her hands, but she still did not give up.

We have to at least get through tonight!

She has other things to do tomorrow—she discovered a small competition while wandering around Diagon Alley, which is only open to children under 13, and tomorrow is the registration day.

Hermione was very happy with the winner's prize, which was a signed copy of Lockhart's "Walking with Trolls".

You can't buy his signed books even with Galleons!

Hermione adores Lockhart, and she's been practicing first-year magic lately in preparation for the competition, all in an effort to win.

Hermione stared wide-eyed, fighting off sleepiness.

"Bang!" Hermione fell onto the bed.

……

Hermione suddenly opened her eyes!

The magpies outside the window were chattering and buzzing noisily at the crowd, so she got out of bed.

The room was filled with the dry smell of potion ingredients, and Hermione raised her hand and waved it in front of her nose.

Hermione reached down to her crotch and touched something familiar yet strange. Her face flushed red. She had switched places with Tom again!

I don't know if Tom did what he said he would do.

Hermione didn't need to search deliberately; she found a diary by her bedside.

After reading the diary, Hermione had a general understanding.

Tom entered Hogwarts School and lived with Professor Snape.

"I've had a bit of a cold lately, with a persistent cough, so my exercise time has to be extended. I'll exercise for two hours every morning, and the exercise routine is as follows... Then I'll go to the library to practice magic and finish reading 'Twenty Simple Spells,' which I didn't finish last time. At noon, I'll go to Hagrid's house to give Harolo the longhair a two-hour haircut, and in the afternoon..."

You've gone too far, Tom!

There are only 24 hours in a day, and Tom's schedule is designed to make the most of every single hour!

"Cough cough cough..." Hermione coughed, her throat was a little dry, a result of Tom's cold.

"Tom, what are you yelling about?" The cold voice brought Hermione back to her senses.

She saw Professor Snape mentioned in the diary, and Professor Snape was very similar to Tom's description—a chubby big bat.

"I'm sorry, Professor Snape, I... had a nightmare."

"Hmph." Snape scoffed. "If you're going to yell in my room again, you can sleep with the Whomping Willow. I don't keep stupid brats who like to scream in my house!"

"Yes……"

"So what are you still spacing out for?" Snape looked at him coldly. "You told me last night that you would come to help me deal with potions today, so get up and get dressed!"

What, is this even possible?

Tom didn't mention it in his diary!

After getting up, Snape showed no intention of waiting for Tom, walking quickly ahead on his own, eager to distance himself from Tom.

Hermione practically had to jog down the corridor to keep up with Snape.

Upon entering the potions laboratory, Snape took out several medicinal herbs.

Tell me, what material is this?

Hermione identified the plant with the purple leaves and replied, "It's aconite."