{I AM BACK! For those of you who didn't know (I posted it on my patreon). The reason I wasn't able to publish for the last few weeks was because my dog, Shasha, got diagnosed with Distemper Virus. It's been 2-3 weeks since then, and by now, thankfully, she got through it and is now recovering from it. Though, there's a slight twitch on one of her leg, with constant medicine, there's a chance that it will disappear. All my earnings on my patreon were spent on her vet and meds, and I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't start these translations. Thanks guys, especially those who supported me financially. You're the reason she's alive. Distemper fucking sucks, and it sucks to know that a virus like that exist. Anyways, enjoy reading guys. I'll update 3 chapters today. Peace out!}
----------------------
Although Ted had already explained to everyone that the Mirror of Erised was nothing more than an illusion, a reflection of one's deepest desires, it was still an irresistible temptation for twelve and thirteen-year-old kids.
For days after Christmas break, Ron and Jerry sneaked into that abandoned classroom every evening, staring into the mirror for hours, grinning at whatever visions it showed them.
This couldn't go on.
Losing themselves in dreams without taking action was a waste of time.
Ted, being more experienced, knew that a little indulgence was fine, but too much could be dangerous.
So, he devised a plan.
"Love daydreaming, do you?" he said one morning, hands on his hips as he looked at his two friends.
"Alright then, if you have so much energy, you're coming with me for training."
And thus, began Ron and Jerry's reluctant transformation.
Each morning, Ted dragged them out of bed for a three-kilometer run before breakfast.
Then, an hour and a half of magic dueling practice followed.
Ted, single-handedly, trained both of them at once, throwing spell after spell their way, making sure they learned how to think fast under pressure.
"Locomotor Mortis! Rictusempra! Expelliarmus! Oh, you're defenseless now—better luck next time, mate!" Ted cackled as Ron and Jerry took turns being the target of his onslaught.
They groaned, exhausted but improving.
After a short break, they hit the books, brushing up on magical theory.
Then, after lunch, it was time for adventure.
Ted led the two of them—along with the Weasley twins—on a daily hunt around Hogwarts, searching for secret rooms, hidden passageways, and magical puzzles.
Surprisingly, the effort paid off.
Within days, they had uncovered three enchanted puzzles, one hidden chamber, and a magically sealed room that Ted managed to unlock.
By evening, it was time for physical training again.
This time, Ted took them to the frozen Black Lake.
Ron gulped at the sight of the skates in Ted's hands—makeshift ice skates cobbled together from iron bars and old boots.
"Ted, I don't know if this is such a great idea… Ice is dangerous, you know." He nudged Jerry. "Right?"
"Yes! Absolutely! I think we should just sit by the fire in the common room and play wizard's chess. Maybe do something that builds intelligence instead! I feel like my brain is shrinking!" Jerry pleaded.
Ted smirked.
"Not bad, Jerry, you're finally using your words well. Seems like our study sessions are working. But right now, it's time for a physical lesson! We're skating today!"
Despite their protests, he made them put on the skates and gave them a crash course in balance.
"Stand firm, feet in a T-shape so you don't fall. Once steady, start pushing outwards… Alright, lesson over, now go!" Ted announced.
"Huh?!"
With a wave of his wand, Ted cast a cushioning charm, ensuring that when they inevitably fell, they wouldn't break anything.
And fall they did. Dozens, hundreds of times.
After an hour, they could at least move without face-planting every five seconds.
Soon, they started enjoying it.
By the time they stumbled back into the castle, their hair was frozen stiff, but Jerry was the first to ask, "Ted, are we coming back tomorrow?"
Ron, still shivering, nodded in agreement. "This Muggle stuff is… actually kind of fun."
Ted grinned.
"Of course! Once you master it, I'll teach you a slide spell that'll let you zoom across the ground like this—" He waved his wand, making the stone corridor beneath him slick as ice.
With a push, he glided effortlessly down the hallway at high speed.
"Whoa!" Ron and Jerry gasped in unison.
As the new year arrived, Ted woke up to a familiar notification from his mysterious system:
-------------------------
Ding! The talent [Knowledge of Other Worlds (Gold)] has triggered.
New discovery: [Soft Physique Modification Technique (Green)] available for exchange.
-------------------------
Ted sat up instantly. "Wait… Orochimaru's modification jutsu?"
His excitement quickly faded.
"…Nope. Not worth it."
The technique wasn't useful for himself, and he definitely wasn't about to start experimenting on others like some dark wizard.
A waste of an opportunity.
Still, he had other things to focus on.
He had been saving up experience points, hoping that the start of the new year would bring something better.
But even with all his progress, reaching the next wizarding level required an absurd amount of experience—6,000 points!
Currently, he had just over 5,500.
Close, but not quite there.
Experience gain had been fast when he first entered Hogwarts, but as the levels climbed, the required points skyrocketed.
How was he going to keep up at this rate?
Tasks, classes, and homework alone wouldn't be enough
…
On January 5th, the new semester began, and the students returned to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express.
"Ted!" Hermione's excited voice rang out as she rushed over, nearly knocking him over with a hug.
She pulled back slightly and whispered, "Thank you for the Christmas gift! It was amazing. You are a genius!"
She then gave Ron and Jerry quick hugs as well. "How was your break?"
Ron puffed out his chest. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it!"
Jerry nodded enthusiastically. "Very productive!"
Hermione gave them a once-over, her sharp eyes scanning them with curiosity.
"You two look... different. Have you gotten taller? Especially you, Jerry."
She gestured, showing that Jerry had barely reached her neck before, but now he was nearly at her chin.
Jerry feigned offense, crossing his arms and turning away, but the smug grin on his face was impossible to hide.
Proper diet and exercise really did wonders for growing kids.
In just two weeks, both of them had sprouted a few centimeters.
Incredible!
Maybe there was something magical in the Hogwarts food?
He made a mental note to ask the house-elves in the kitchen about a "Little Wizard Growth Booster Special" or something.
"Hey, Hermione! Ted! Ron! Jerry!" Another familiar voice rang out.
Harley had just climbed off the train and jogged over, throwing her arms around them.
"I missed you guys! You lot need to write more often. I was stuck at home, bored out of my mind!"
She pulled off her scarf, steam rising from her flushed face.
"Ted! Hermione! Harley! Ron! Jerry!" Neville stumbled out of the train, breathless.
He looked... taller?
It seemed like the magic world's diet was working wonders on everyone.
"Thank you, Ted," Neville said earnestly, his hands balled into fists.
"I loved the gift! It really inspired me. I'm going to be braver!"
The group stared at him in confusion.
"Er... Neville? Are you alright?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.
Neville nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Absolutely!"
The six of them were finally back together, and the excitement was infectious.
Even before dinner started, the Great Hall was buzzing with energy.
Ted barely had time to sit before he was swarmed.
The Weasley twins, Peggy, Parvati and Padma Patil, Hannah Abbott, and several other students had all gathered around him.
Even students he barely knew had come over, eager to hear from "the legendary Santa Claus."
Ted's Christmas cosplay had spread like wildfire, and now everyone was hoping he'd pull out his flute and play something or give them a magical performance.
But Ted just smiled, leaning back casually. "No quests, no rewards today. Just casual conversation. Not bad..."
And with that, he launched into his usual storytelling mode.
He talked about astronomy, geography, history, magic, even random tidbits about the Muggle world.
The students, especially those who grew up in the magical world with limited knowledge of anything else, hung onto his every word.
By the time he took a sip of pumpkin juice to wet his throat, Jerry had already jumped in to continue the conversation.
Ron shot him a look. "You absolute bootlicker."
But Ted wasn't about to carry the whole show by himself.
He shifted gears and started asking others about their holidays, using their responses to spin new stories.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall was electric.
Then, Hermione brought up something that made everyone pause.
"Over the break, I found this book about cultural traditions around the world," she said excitedly. "It talked about some really strange customs!"
Ted smirked. "Like what?"
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Well, did you know that in Ireland, they have a tradition of banging bread on walls for good luck?"
The entire table went silent.
"Wait, what?" George blinked.
"They just... chuck bread at the walls?"
Hermione nodded. "Apparently, it's to ward off bad luck."
"Sounds like a waste of perfectly good bread," Fred muttered.
"Oh, it gets weirder," Hermione continued.
"In Siberia, people jump into frozen lakes with logs to prove their bravery and welcome the new year."
Several students shivered at the thought.
"And in Denmark, people jump on chairs over and over until they're exhausted on New Year's Eve."
"Why?!" Jerry looked genuinely baffled.
"No idea, but Romania's is even stranger," Hermione added. "They hug their farm animals and whisper wishes to them."
"Alright, that one's kinda cute," said Ron, shaking his head. "Weird, but cute."
Then Hermione dropped the final bombshell.
"And in China, they celebrate by setting off tons of explosives. Just... blowing stuff up."
Ted choked on his pumpkin juice, thinking of something funny,
"I bet Seamus would love there," Ted quipped, wiping his mouth.
The table erupted into laughter, and the lively chatter continued well into the night.
_______________________________
Word count: 1638
Comment below on what you think so far.
Also, if you're interested in reading some advanced chapters, you can support me on my patreon.
patreon.com/Rai_jin
Thanks for reading guys.