The Shadow of Prophecy

"No, Miss Granger. Whether a young wizard comes from a Muggle family or a wizarding family,

in my teaching experience, the difference in talent is never particularly great.

Young wizards from wizarding families do not possess any extraordinary talent."

"As for the gift of prophecy you mentioned, Miss Granger, I have never even heard of it.

Believe me, Miss Granger. If you wish to achieve something in the field of magic, hard work after birth is crucial.

Placing your hopes in talent is the most foolish idea of all."

Professor McGonagall's expression was exceedingly serious as she said this, yet Hermione felt relieved instead.

This was Minerva McGonagall! She was also Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress. Could Professor McGonagall possibly lie to me?

"I understand, Professor McGonagall! I'll work hard!" Hermione looked at Professor McGonagall with sparkling eyes, the longing in them nearly overflowing.

Professor McGonagall looked at the little witch brimming with confidence before her, and her mood was equally good.

No matter how she looked at Miss Granger, she was a good child—at the very least, far better than those little monkeys in Gryffindor.

It would be wonderful if this child were sorted into Gryffindor in the end.

But then there was a problem: none of those sorted into Gryffindor were easy to handle.

Moreover, Gryffindor had a powerful influence. Even if a student who was fairly well-behaved entered Gryffindor, they would become troublemakers in no time.

In Professor McGonagall's many years of teaching experience, those students in Gryffindor who seemed the most out of place often caused the biggest disasters.

That was called quiet people doing big things.

Professor McGonagall's lips moved slightly, but in the end, she swallowed that "blessing."

"By the way, Miss Granger, do you remember the identity of the person who made that 'prophecy' for you?

For example, his name or any distinguishing features?"

Professor McGonagall intended to settle the score after the fact.

The main issue was the nature of another young wizard "spoiling" things for Hermione.

In Muggle society, some actions might seem harmless, yet still violate the law or even criminal law.

Hermione Granger being spoiled by another young wizard had, in fact, brushed against the edge of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

Because Hermione truly was a young witch, the young wizard who had "spoiled" things for her had not violated the Statute of Secrecy.

But if Hermione had not been a wizard, then revealing the existence of the Wizarding World to her would have been a violation of the Statute of Secrecy.

Once a violation of the Statute of Secrecy was confirmed by the Ministry of Magic, the lighter punishment was having one's wand snapped and being expelled from Hogwarts.

The heavier punishment was earning a direct admission ticket to further studies in Azkaban.

So while such behavior might seem amusing, it was actually dancing on the blade of the law.

If this young wizard was already enrolled, then Professor McGonagall would, for the first time, exercise her authority to settle accounts during the holidays.

If he had not yet enrolled, then once he entered school, he would happily receive Professor McGonagall's expert instruction: one-on-one specialized tutoring on the Statute of Secrecy.

The tutoring would include, but not be limited to, copying the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, reading reflections, and essays.

There would also be in-depth explanations and copying assignments for the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Magic by Underage Wizards.

If the young wizard receiving this tutoring still had energy to spare, Professor McGonagall would not mind expanding the scope to the Ministry of Magic's Educational Decree.

In short, no matter what, Professor McGonagall would not allow her students to go straight to Azkaban before they had even left Hogwarts.

"Of course I remember. I wouldn't forget even in my dreams!" Realizing she had been fooled, Hermione huffed angrily at Professor McGonagall.

"He said his name was Isaac Waldore. Mum and I saw him by the roadside in a nearby neighborhood.

When I saw him, he was giving people 'prophecy' experiences!"

"Mr. Waldore?" Professor McGonagall thought carefully and found that none of the current students bore that name.

But this year, she had indeed signed an admission notice to be sent to a young wizard named Isaac Waldore.

In other words, Isaac Waldore, who had fooled Hermione Granger, was also a young wizard about to enroll.

"He had short platinum-blond hair, and his eyes were different colors.

He also said that the thing I was worried about would be answered today..."

To be fair, the prophecy Isaac had given was truly a catch-all answer.

For instance, Mrs. Granger's concern at the time had been whether this magic school was real.

Professor McGonagall had just demonstrated Transfiguration for them.

As for Hermione Granger, she had later worried whether young wizards from wizarding families all possessed special talents like Isaac.

Professor McGonagall had just eased her concerns as well.

It would not be wrong to call Isaac's prophecy genuine ability, nor would it be wrong to call it a verbal trick.

The problem was that he had actually predicted Professor McGonagall's arrival before Hogwarts' reply reached the Granger household.

Just as Hermione was filled with uncertainty, Professor McGonagall was nearly breaking out in goosebumps.

To young people in the Wizarding World, the combination of platinum-blond hair, heterochromia, and a Seer might feel unfamiliar.

But to a witch like her, who had lived through the time when Grindelwald ravaged Europe, this combination was even more terrifying than Voldemort.

Wasn't this the three defining traits of Grindelwald?!

Platinum-blond hair and heterochromia—two of the three traits were already present. So was the final one, being a Seer, real or not?

Professor McGonagall immediately decided to return to Hogwarts and look up Isaac Waldore's address.

"I'm very sorry, Miss Granger. I had originally planned to take you to Wizarding Commercial Street to purchase some school supplies.

But I need to return to Hogwarts now. I'll arrange for another professor to take you to Diagon Alley shortly."

Without time to say much more, Professor McGonagall patted Hermione's shoulder and hurried away.

The moment she stepped out of the Granger home, Professor McGonagall's figure flickered and vanished.

Although she could not Apparate directly back to Hogwarts, that did not prevent Professor McGonagall from first going somewhere near Hogwarts and then quickly returning.

"Mum, did I say something wrong?" Hermione asked worriedly, looking at her mother.

Mrs. Granger shook her head, while Mr. Granger came over to his daughter and stroked her little head.

"No, Hermione, you didn't say anything wrong. What you said just now may have given Professor McGonagall a great deal of insight..."

Professor McGonagall's behavior just now clearly showed that she had suddenly thought of something.

What could have made such a strict and composed professor lose her composure?

Hermione stood there thinking for a long while, then looked gloomily at her parents. "So... prophecy really does exist as a talent in the Wizarding World?

Could Isaac Waldore truly be a Seer?"

Hermione felt a little sad. Her understanding of the Wizarding World had ultimately drifted in the direction she least wanted.