As the two papers spread, criticism in the Wizarding World was inevitable. There were doubts within Hogwarts, too.
Some older students, especially those who prided themselves on their academic work and were preparing to apply for positions at the Ministry of Magic or research institutions, were deeply suspicious of Will, this "rising academic star" who had appeared out of nowhere. Some had even grown hostile.
Whispers began to circulate in the corridors. "It must be his family connections..."
"They just put Professor Dumbledore's and Professor Snape's names on the papers..."
"A third-year? Researching Potion Transfiguration? Who's going to believe that..."
"He must have faked it..."
Will paid little attention to the doubts. He had seen them coming.
After all, someone one step ahead of everyone else was a genius. Someone ten steps ahead was a madman.
Bruno had been burned by the Church for defending heliocentrism, and Michael Servetus had been burned at the stake for discovering pulmonary circulation.
Will was not ten steps ahead yet, but his age and experience were plain to see. Hogwarts students could accept that he was a clever wizard. They would not believe he was a genius who surpassed almost everyone else.
Most Hogwarts students were quick to follow the crowd. After Harry was revealed to speak Parseltongue, they had suspected him of opening the Chamber of Secrets and being the Heir of Slytherin.
Whether it was their limited experience or their age, most Hogwarts students lacked sound judgment. Will had never expected them to accept any of it.
The reason they did not believe him was simple: Will had never shown them the gifts of a once-in-a-generation genius. Most saw him as merely an "ordinary genius."
In their eyes, Will was just a clever young wizard with good grades who spent a lot