A New Week

Another new week began, and Klein felt no stirrings within.

But for the other students, this week's schedule was clearly more exciting than last week's.

Because

Flying Class was finally about to begin.

"Don't worry, I can teach you when the time comes. I'm very familiar with flying on a broomstick. I've been flying around for fun on my family's estate since I was little."

Chest puffed out, Malfoy Young Master Draco Malfoy gestured animatedly as he shared the flying tips he knew, pride gleaming in his eyes.

Behind him, Crabbe and Goyle both looked excited.

Brooms! Flying Brooms, no less!

Who wouldn't be excited?

"Hey, Klein? What are you thinking about?"

The three of them had been chatting animatedly, while Klein, who had fallen back to walk behind them, hadn't said a word. It wasn't until they entered the Transfiguration classroom that Draco noticed something was off and turned around to ask him in confusion.

"Homework."

At the question, Klein gave a casual reply.

"Come on, Klein. We have Flying Class on Thursday, and you're still thinking about that damn homework?"

Malfoy Young Master widened his eyes in disbelief. After a moment, he seemed to have an idea and deliberately lowered his voice.

"Tell me the truth, mate. Are you afraid of heights or something? It's okay. There's no shame in that."

Draco was convinced that, aside from people who were afraid of heights, nobody in the world could resist the allure of Flying Brooms.

Nobody!

"No, I'm not afraid of heights. I just think those things are uncomfortable to sit on."

Remembering how awkwardly he'd ridden a broomstick for the first time in his previous life, Klein shook his head. He really had no interest at all in the "Flying Broom" Draco was talking about.

Maybe it was because the wizarding world's technological tree had grown crooked, but almost every wizard loved flying around on a broomstick.

But he was an exception.

"Huh?"

Hearing Klein say that, Draco nervously swallowed and tentatively asked again.

"Y-you don't like Quidditch, do you?"

"Mm, I don't."

Klein nodded and readily admitted it.

"No!"

Now even Crabbe and Goyle joined Draco in groaning. They looked at Klein with pity and a "what a waste" expression, their regret plain on their faces.

Unbelievable! How could anyone in the world not like Quidditch?

"I admit Quidditch is a fascinating sport, but everyone has different interests."

Before his three friends could start selling him on the joys of Quidditch, Klein decisively ended the conversation.

Honestly, he didn't understand how a sport as unfair as Quidditch had become so popular in the wizarding world. But as he'd said, everyone had their own interests. He didn't like Quidditch, but he wouldn't put it down, either.

Still, if anyone tried to drag him onto a broomstick to chase some "Golden Snitch" through the sky, he'd have to politely decline.

"Hey, Klein!"

As soon as Klein sat down, a greeting sounded by his ear. He turned and saw the girls, led by Pansy Parkinson, smiling at him.

"Hello."

Klein smiled in response, behaving with impeccable manners, though there was a faint distance in his politeness.

The girls didn't mind. They had no particular reason for coming over; they just wanted to say hello. After all, Klein was currently the "coolest" of all the Hogwarts first-years. Even Harry Potter, who'd made a big splash at the start of term, couldn't compare.

"Mate, I'm jealous."

Once the Women's Army had left, Draco brought Crabbe and Goyle over to Klein, pursed his lips, and spoke with a tinge of envy.

There was no competing with him. Draco had to admit defeat.

"Just study hard, and you can do it too."

Klein didn't explain the principle that "a man of learning carried himself with grace." But for a profession like wizardry, where strength and ability mattered most, learning a little more could never hurt.

"All right~"

Thinking about the thick book that had tormented him over and over, and how Klein had "casually" come up with an improved spell and become the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin in history, Draco decided he might as well keep quiet.

He didn't want to become a bookworm, but he did want to become someone with real skill.

"Study hard, study hard!"

As if trying to hypnotize himself, Malfoy Young Master put more effort into this Transfiguration class than before. He finally finished Professor McGonagall's task—turning the needle back into a match—second, right after Klein.

That earned Slytherin two points.

Time always flew by. Before long, Monday had passed by in a flurry of chatter among the Hogwarts students.

At eight in the evening, Klein arrived punctually at Snape's office in the castle's basement and knocked on the old wooden door.

"Come in."

Snape looked much the same as he had when they'd met on Saturday, his expression still gloomy. His greasy hair hung over his shoulders as he raised his head, revealing a sallow face.

"Good evening, Head of House."

Klein entered the office with an unchanging expression, pulled a neat, clean piece of parchment from an inner pocket of his robe, and placed it on the desk before Snape.

"This is my homework."

"Mm."

Snape gave a noncommittal response and said nothing more. He simply picked up the parchment and scanned its contents.

After reading a few lines, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, but his face remained as gloomy as ever.

"Wrong."

Ten minutes later, Snape put down the parchment and shook his head gently.

But before Klein could speak, he pursed his lips.

"Though I can't say it's entirely wrong."

At that, Klein's thoughts stirred.

"Your idea of starting with two completely different potions, the Drowning Potion and Snow Sore Healing Water, and trying to work backward to uncover the tenth property of the main ingredient, Sheep Liver Fruit, is a good one. But your experimental design is too simplistic. You have a decent head on your shoulders, but your knowledge is lacking."

Snape spoke coolly and tossed Klein's parchment aside.

Although he appeared calm, a storm was already raging in his heart!

One of the ninety-nine unspoken great problems in Potions had just been given a possible solution?

After reading Klein's hypothesis and detailed procedure, it was as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through Snape's mind, illuminating every dark corner at once!

Admittedly, Klein couldn't possibly have come up with the correct answer.

But he had offered a viable method.

If the boy had a solid foundation in Potions, this problem might be at least halfway solved.

Incredible!

"Hmph. I'll let it go this time. Put the Sheep Liver Fruit aside. Today I'll teach you how to brew a New Hemostatic Potion. Watch closely. I'll only show you once."

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Snape rose unhurriedly and took two sets of cauldrons from the potion rack behind him.

Stay calm. I have to stay calm. I can't lose my dignity!