Harry Potter

The holiday seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Allen immersed himself in studying books, and time slipped away quickly.

Comparing himself to the first-year young wizards in the original story, Allen estimated that his grasp of Charm theory already far surpassed nearly all of them. He still had not been able to buy his own wand, and young wizards were legally forbidden from casting Charms freely, as the Trace would detect it.

Wordless casting, or accurately casting spells without a wand like Voldemort's daughter, was far too difficult. It was still beyond a young wizard like him, who had never even held a wand.

"Allen, hurry up and come downstairs for breakfast. Don't be late."

After swiftly packing his textbooks, changing his clothes from underwear into the uniform of a Little Whinging public school, and casting Scourgify, Allen quickly tidied himself up and thumped down the stairs.

He downed a glass of milk, grabbed a sandwich through the rising steam, slung on his schoolbag, and prepared to head out.

"Wait, Allen. I'm leaving with you today." Albert stopped Allen while holding his little sister Emily's hand.

"Huh? Why isn't Dad taking Emily today?" Allen raised an eyebrow.

"Dad has something to do, so I'll take her today." With a mysterious smile, Albert led Allen and Emily toward the Magic Lamp Post.

"All right, Allen, go to your classroom by yourself. I'll take Emily over first." Albert said as he held Emily's hand.

Allen nodded and said goodbye to Albert and his sister.

Just then, "Potter must have hidden in the toilet. Two of you, go find him! Let him try our new boxing Gloves."

Four or five burly boys, reeking of sour sweat, ran past Allen.

Then they came rushing back. "Hey, why are you standing here like an idiot?" It was Piers, the brown-haired best friend of Dudley, Harry Potter's cousin.

"Oh, I'm watching pigs race." Allen shrugged, his hands tucked casually into his uniform trousers pockets.

"What pigs, brat? Are you messing with us?" Piers and Dudley looked around before suddenly realizing what he meant.

"Harris, are you asking for a beating?" Dudley raised his hands, clad in new boxing gloves, and gestured menacingly at Allen.

"Dudley, try out your new Gloves. You'll definitely make him squeal like a pig." Moken said, prompting crude laughter from the others.

"I'm sure you don't want to be sent to the office on the first day of school." A stern female voice sounded behind Dudley.

"Oh, Mrs. Kelly, we're going in right away." Students this age both liked and feared teachers, especially one as stern as her.

Mrs. Kelly wore a long knitted dress beneath a black wool coat. The crisp fabric reflected her refined and meticulous nature, while the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose made her seem even more dignified.

"Allen, what are you standing around for? Why aren't you following?" Mrs. Kelly fixed her stern gaze on Allen.

Allen quickly followed Dudley and the others.

He had to admit that, faced with a teacher's stern gaze, he still felt uncomfortable even though he had once been a teacher himself. It was instinctive suppression. Students feared teachers; there was nothing strange about it, just as mice feared cats.

Lost in thought, Allen entered the classroom.

This classroom was completely different from the schools in Allen's previous life. The green walls were covered in colorful drawings made by the students, while the purple bulletin board displayed the class roster, timetable, and various other information.

Books were scattered around the classroom. Some were arranged neatly, while others lay open and casually placed about. They were clearly there for the students to read freely.

"Allen, over here!" Flag, Allen's best friend and desk mate, called out.

Great, he would not even need to bother finding a seat. Allen strolled over to Flag.

"Allen, Dudley bought new Gloves, and they're bullying Harry Potter again. Harry Potter may be a weirdo, but Dudley and the others really are going too far. I got a new basketball as a Christmas Gift. Want to play during recess...?"

Why are all my friends like this? Do I have some kind of talent for attracting chatterboxes?

Even though Allen was a good listener, he began to question his ability to make friends.

Amid Flag's endless chatter, a thin boy wearing an extremely ill-fitting pullover entered the classroom.

It was Harry Potter: a gaunt face, knobby knees, jet-black hair, and a pair of emerald-green eyes behind round glasses held together with countless strips of transparent tape.

Even with his messy black hair covering his forehead, Allen could recognize him from those distinctive features.

"What a miserable sight." Allen could not help feeling pity for him.

What a coincidence—Potter's seat was directly in front of Allen's. There'll always be a chance to get to know him, Allen thought.

"Potter, how did you get away from Dudley and the others?" Nosy Flag asked.

"Oh, I just shook them off. You know, I'm quick." Harry Potter always found a way to shake Dudley and the others, though he himself did not know exactly how he managed it.

"Potter, come play with us after class. That way Dudley won't give you trouble." Seeing Harry's worries at a glance, Allen took the initiative to be friendly.

"Okay, okay!" Harry agreed at once without hesitation.

No one at school wanted to be friends with the weirdo Harry. Naturally, he had to seize an opportunity like this tightly.

The classroom suddenly fell silent. The saying, "The scariest thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet," truly made sense—Mrs. Kelly had entered.

The moment she stood at the podium and swept the room with her sharp gaze, every student fell silent. That was the authority of an experienced homeroom teacher.

Among the students trembling like quails, Mrs. Kelly spotted Allen at once. In his eyes, she seemed to see appreciation and reassurance.

"A new term has begun. First, I need to address your uniforms. What on earth are you all wearing? Dudley, put on your coat and put those boxing Gloves in your desk."

The hulking Dudley put away his gloves, put on his coat, and sat properly with a speed entirely at odds with his build.

"Mary, take that ridiculous big red flower off your head."

"Roger, tuck your shirt into your trousers."

Allen saw Harry in front of him desperately trying to smooth down his stubborn hair.

"That won't work."

Allen secretly cast a Scourgify on himself. See? The Miaomiao Wizard Robe was just that useful. Truly essential for home, travel, and class.

"Allen, please stand up." Mrs. Kelly called.

Allen rose at once.

"Look at Allen, everyone. This is how a student should dress. Look at him, then look at yourselves! Why aren't you tidying yourselves up accordingly?" Beneath Mrs. Kelly's stern voice, Allen heard her praise for him.

Potter looked at Allen enviously. His soft pale blond hair lay obediently against his scalp, fluffy but never messy, and it looked wonderfully soft to the touch.

His pale blue uniform was as neat as if it were brand-new, seemingly without even a single crease. He looked utterly refreshed.

Would such a good student really become friends with me? Harry felt deeply insecure, then suddenly froze.

Allen gave him a gentle smile. Potter's heart warmed, and he began looking forward to recess.

After Mrs. Kelly gave a long speech about all the things to watch out for at school, the students were clearly listless.

"Next, I will introduce everyone to our new science teacher. Please welcome him with applause."

The students' curiosity was immediately piqued. What kind of teacher will he be? That thought appeared in most of their minds.