Hermione and Her Two Useless Men, Part One

"Merlin! You're reading at home again. I'd bet you'll definitely be sorted into Ravenclaw. My mom says so too—she's always hoped I could be more like you."

Ron wore an exaggerated expression, but then realized that sounded wrong and quickly changed his words. "I'm not saying there's anything bad about you being like this. I mean—we haven't even started school yet, have we?"

From Ron's tone, it sounded as though he would start studying hard once he got to school.

Although Andy had not watched the later Harry Potter films, he had heard a friend mention that the real story was actually "Hermione and Her Two Useless Men."

Just like how Xiao Yu'er and Hua Wuque was really "List of Survivors."

"I just like reading."

Andy gave a casual explanation, invited Ron to sit on the sofa, and asked, "Want something to drink? Is orange juice okay?"

"Of course!"

Ron said eagerly, "How about we play Quidditch later? I brought my broom, and I wrote to Charlie to learn lots of tricks."

"You said that last time too." Andy shrugged.

Andy could actually understand Ron quite well.

Born into the Wizarding World, Ron had practically no friends his own age, and he could not go play in Muggle villages either. His life was leisurely, but it was also quite boring.

But Andy liked life in the Wizarding World.

It was close to nature, free of pressure, and carefree. He could do whatever he liked.

Most importantly, there was wonderful magic here.

Then he thought of his previous life.

Technology had been advanced in his previous life, and life had been quite comfortable too. But Andy had been busy with work every day, overtime had become normal, and he often felt the heavy pressure of life.

Well, perhaps his childhood life had given Andy that illusion.

"That was an accident!"

Making excuses for one's failures was something most people did, and Ron was especially good at it. "Just watch. This time, I won't let you score a single goal."

"Isabel!"

Andy called out. The little girl came running over in her slippers, her feet pattering all the way. With puffed cheeks, she said angrily, "Stupid Andy, where did you hide my snacks?"

"You have to find them yourself. This is a great adventure."

Andy brushed her off, then said, "Ron and I are going to play Quidditch. Want to come?"

"Of course!" The little girl was immediately distracted.

Ron looked at Andy with admiration. "You're amazing. If I did that, my mom would definitely kill me."

Andy rolled his eyes. That was because Ginny was the only girl in your family.

Honestly, the Wizarding World was a little biased toward boys over girls. Of course, that was because Wizarding society was still relatively backward.

After finishing their orange juice, Andy called out, "Let's go."

Although Ron's arrival had interrupted Andy's reading time, as a psychologically mature adult, Andy rarely lost patience with children.

Unless that child had made a serious mistake.

Besides, Andy did not want to seem too unusual.

Having a friend would at least put Kyle and Helen at ease.

The Quidditch pitch had been built by adult wizards nearby. It was not very tall, but it was enough for Little Wizards to play on.

And the result of the match came as no surprise. Ron was once again utterly defeated by Andy.

Ron's skills were actually decent. Since Andy hardly ever played Quidditch, the two of them were more or less evenly matched.

But Ron had a fatal weakness: his mental resilience was far too fragile. Once he fell behind, he easily lost confidence and crumbled at the first blow.

Although Andy understood this, he had no intention of comforting Ron.

What children hated most was being lectured by their peers, especially when a peer pointed out their flaws—even if it was well-intentioned.

That was also why Hermione had been isolated in the original story. Naturally, Andy would not knowingly make the same mistake.

"Ron, it's almost noon. Come have lunch at my house!"

"Thanks, but my mom told me I have to go back for lunch."

"Alright, then! In a few days, I'll bring Isabel to visit Mrs. Weasley."

"Hey! My mom will be thrilled to death. I mean, she really likes you."

After saying goodbye to Ron, Andy silently praised his own way with words.

See? Just a few casual sentences could keep Ron from coming to find him again over the next few days, and Ron was even happy about it.

He flew home with the little girl, where Helen was already preparing lunch.

"Mom, how's the potion brewing going?"

"It needs a month."

"A big deal, huh!"

Ordinary potions could usually be completed within a few hours, but they were cheap. Potions like this, which required many days of brewing, were usually outrageously expensive.

"Keep it confidential." Helen knew Andy had always been smart and mature, but she still reminded him cautiously.

"Is it Polyjuice Potion?" Andy asked quietly.

Helen gave Andy a knowing look.

Andy decided to keep a close eye on The Daily Prophet a month later, because the person buying Polyjuice Potion might just cause some major news.

After lunch, Helen, having already finished the preliminary work on the potion, had some free time. And that meant poor Isabel would lose an entire afternoon of freedom.

The little girl looked at Andy expectantly.

Perhaps to her, searching for the snacks her brother had hidden would be the most interesting game of her entire childhood.

Andy ignored the little girl's plea for help. He had no desire to drag himself into it.

Arriving in the study, Andy swept his gaze across the bookshelves, searching for a magic book he could read at his current level.

"I really hope I can get my own wand soon."

He had already read nearly all the books available to him. Andy pulled out the copy of "Study and Development of Ancient Witchcraft" he had been reading that morning and turned once more to the chapter introducing the Obscurus.

From what Andy understood, the difference in strength between adult wizards was not usually very great. It was like Muggles fighting barehanded: there could be differences, but never anything as absurd as the gap between an ordinary person and Superman.

Perhaps Voldemort and Dumbledore were exceptions?

"But how exactly was that gap created?"

This was not the first time Andy had considered the question. The answer was clearly not in books; otherwise, those ancient great wizarding families would have long since pulled far ahead of ordinary wizards.

Yet the truth was that the gap between wizards was much like the gap between Muggles. It was not based on strength, but money.

"Maybe... there were records in books about how to increase one's strength, but... they were very well hidden?"

"Just like the records about the Obscurus."

When ordinary wizards saw records about the Obscurus, they would surely find it terrifying, while also thinking, Thank goodness I didn't become an Obscurial.

But the existence of the Obscurus undoubtedly proved that Mind Power and magic could merge with one another.

"Maybe I should read all these magic books again and look for the small details that were mentioned but overlooked."