A Second Clash

"I don't think Will's a bad person." Harry thought Ron was going too far. Will might have been a Slytherin, but he didn't look anything like a dark wizard.

Besides, Professor McGonagall had praised Will for helping his classmates. Harry looked at Neville and Hermione beside Will and fell silent.

First-year students at Hogwarts didn't have many classes.

History of Magic was interesting, but Professor Binns's dry, flat, lifeless voice drained all the fun from it. His unchanging tone even made Will feel as though he were listening to White Noise.

The class was perfect for catching up on sleep. Professor Binns never took attendance or asked questions, and he barely interacted with the students. You could pass the History of Magic exam by cramming beforehand. Hardly anyone listened in class, Will included.

He sat in the back row and read on his own. History of Magic was still useful to him: it offered clues about countless wizards. He could learn which fields they had excelled in, then seek out their writings or accounts of their deeds to study.

For instance, the essay in his bookcase, "The Secret of Andros: An Unorthodox Approach to the Patronus Charm," was a scholarly analysis of the ancient wizard Andros. The man's Patronus had been the size of a giant, and he could cast spells without a wand.

Herbology was one of the few classes where Will didn't attract attention. Their lessons were still simple, focused mainly on cultivating basic magical plants. There was nothing unusual or dangerous about them, and many young wizards who had read ahead could answer Professor Sprout's questions.

In Charms, Professor Flitwick paid Will particular attention, but he soon discovered that Will's skill with charms was already far beyond that of a first-year student.

"Will, I thought you'd end up in Ravenclaw." Professor Flitwick sounded regretful when Will stayed behind after class to ask him a question.

"I thought so too, but I don't know what was going on with the Sorting Hat."

"Well, my boy, let's leave that aside. What did you want to ask?"

"Professor, I read that the development of modern magic..."

[You gained new knowledge of charms. Charms experience +1]

[You gained new knowledge of charms. Charms experience +1]

[You gained new knowledge of charms. Charms experience +1]

Will had begun to enjoy life at Hogwarts. He gained experience far faster here than he had at home, and his Transfiguration was nearly at LV3.

On Wednesday evening, Will was enjoying dinner: perfectly cooked veal steak with mashed potatoes, England's national dish of fish and chips, and a large glass of orange juice.

For once, Sylvia wasn't beside him. She seemed to have some activity planned with a few Slytherin girls.

[You gained new knowledge of Transfiguration. Transfiguration experience +1]

[You gained new knowledge of Transfiguration. Transfiguration experience +1]

Will was reading while stuffing fries into his mouth when a group of young wizards suddenly surrounded him. Two or three clearly weren't first-years. They looked to be at least third- or even fourth-years.

The student in front was obviously older. Beside him stood Ivan Selwyn and Auburn Nott, who hadn't returned to the dormitory in two days. Apparently, that had given them enough time to find someone to back them up.

"Hey, Ravenclaw's spy. Not hiding behind a girl today?" Auburn was plainly still bitter. After all, he had yet to spend a single night in his own bed since arriving at Hogwarts.

"Merlin, why must this pack of pests disturb my peaceful life?" Will pressed a hand to his forehead, looking pained.

All he wanted was to gain experience in peace!

"A little advice, first-year." The student in front spoke with a hint of arrogance. "I know you're clever and talented, but as your senior, I suggest you keep your head down. Wizards with talent like yours aren't uncommon in the Wizarding World. If you apologize to these two, I can arrange a reconciliation in the name of the Yaxley Family. Of course, if you're willing to work with the Yaxley Family, I'd welcome you."

This student, Yaxley, was clearly no fool. He knew Will was more than merely talented. On his first day of school, Will had competently cast an offensive charm that most second-years had yet to master. The boy was plainly gifted.

In just two days, Will had also earned the nickname "Ravenclaw's spy." He clearly loved reading. A gifted student who loved to learn was bound to achieve something. Even as an assistant, he would be far more useful than the fools from ordinary Pure-blood families.

As a third-year, Yaxley knew that plenty of children from Pure-blood families were useless.

"Senior, I don't know where your confidence comes from, but here's my advice: tell these pests to stop bothering me. I just want to study in peace. If anyone has a problem with that, I don't mind leaving them on the Common Room's wall lamps overnight." Will popped the last bite of fried fish into his mouth and calmly put his book into the bookcase he carried with him. It was time to make certain Slytherin idiots understand the gap between them.

"So you really mean to be the troublemaker among the new students?" Yaxley looked embarrassed. Will had shown him no respect. "Do you know what the name Yaxley means?"

"Yaxley, along with those fools Selwyn and Nott, belongs to the so-called Sacred Twenty-Eight. You don't need to remind me. I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Very well. Very well."

Will thought Yaxley sounded rather worked up.

"Now, are you going to stand there like idiots, or are we having a 'Fair Duel'? I should warn you, I'm in a hurry." Will picked up his bookcase, rose, and pushed past the students blocking his way as he headed for the Slytherin Common Room.

Not far away, Draco Malfoy, his platinum hair unmistakable, saw the whole thing. He set down his fork and followed the group. "Hey, Goyle, Crabbe. Quick, come on."

The Slytherin Common Room.

"Will, what happened? I took my eyes off you for a moment, and now you're with these—" Sylvia rushed anxiously toward Will, looking ready to put herself between him and Yaxley's group.

"Okay, okay, okay, Lestrange. This has nothing to do with you. You'd better stay out of it for this Muggle boy's sake, all right?" Yaxley waved a hand. Two Slytherins immediately moved to intercept Sylvia.

"Sylvia, it's all right. Don't worry. I'll be fine." Will had his wand in hand. He pointed it at the two Slytherins, and they stopped in their tracks, not daring to come any closer.

"Berens!"

"I said don't worry. I don't know why you're so concerned about me, but trust me, I'll be fine. Besides, unless I make these people understand a few things, they'll keep interrupting my studies." Will decided it was time to make these young wizards leave him alone. How was he supposed to learn magic if he kept wasting time on them?

His LV4 Charms skill wasn't just for show.