The next morning.
Extimum woke up feeling strange… again.
It was no longer surprising, and by this point, he had grown accustomed to the feeling, especially because it was always such a minor change—enough to make him feel that something was not quite right, yet insignificant enough that he could not quite put his finger on it.
Perhaps it was even starting to feel normal, though he was not sure whether that was a good thing.
Setting the strange feeling aside, his attention quickly shifted from the state of his body to an unfamiliar weight resting on his abdomen.
He blinked several times to clear his vision. Then, a messy head of blonde hair entered his field of view, resting against his bare abdomen, while he became aware of a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Extimum: 'Luna? Hadn't she left? No, wait… what time is it?'
Still disoriented, he reached toward the nightstand beside the bed and picked up the pocket watch he had left there before going to sleep.
'8:07 a.m.? That's impossible. I arrived here around that time… Did I sleep for an entire day?!'
He lowered his gaze to his chest, where he could feel another familiar weight and warmth.
'Bloom is already here, so… did an entire day really pass?'
He gently moved Luna so as not to wake her. Then, he took one of the pillows beside him and placed it beneath her head. Afterward, he picked Bloom up and laid her on her own pillow, finally allowing himself to get out of bed.
Fortunately, Luna had not been too insistent with her embrace, or getting free without waking her would have been a real headache.
He had already learned from Hermione that girls were far too clingy, especially when they were asleep.
Even after they had divided the bed during the time she lived in his room, there were still nights when she would move over and trap him in a tight embrace, only releasing him the following morning when she realized what she had done and pulled away in embarrassment.
It was not as though Extimum complained too much.
Although he was still not entirely accustomed to excessive physical contact, it was not as though he actively avoided it either. It simply made him uncomfortable at times.
After casting a quick cleaning spell on himself, Extimum took off his pants and quickly put on his uniform.
'If an entire day really passed, then several things must have happened. With Ginny and me returning, along with the news of the basilisk's death, the main problems should have been resolved. Besides… I think I missed the celebration. Though I wasn't really in the mood to attend anyway.'
He turned his gaze back toward the bed.
'Still, it would be good to find someone and ask what happened.'
'As for them… there's no rush to wake them. Even if classes have already resumed, first- and second-years don't have any classes this morning.'
He walked over to the nightstand, picked up his pocket watch, and put it away before taking the jade pendant.
'Hmm? Did the pendant's color change? I'm sure it used to be much paler, and with my memory, it's almost impossible for me to be mistaken. But why did it change? Could it be an effect of its partial repair? I don't think so… Magical artifacts don't usually change that easily… I'll have to examine it later.'
After slipping it into one of his pockets, Extimum walked out of the room.
…
The Ravenclaw common room was abuzz with activity at this time of the morning, especially after yesterday's good news and the lifting of curfew restrictions.
In fact, it was already a bit late to get up since breakfast time was almost over and there were already many students sitting comfortably in the armchairs, either reading a book or playing a board game.
'It seems that the restriction has already been lifted'
Mitchell: "Extimum! You finally show up, didn't you say you were just going to rest? Where have you been? You missed the big celebration party yesterday."
Extimum: "Yeah, sorry about that, I was more tired than I thought and I didn't even notice the passing of time."
Mitchell: "Wait, you don't mean that all this time you…"
Steve: "Extimum! It's about time, I've been looking for you, Hmp, it's just that you become a celebrity and you don't even bother to tell your friends where you are anymore. Sigh well, I'll let it go since you're my friend and patron-*ouch* Padma, why are you hitting me?"
Padma: "Tsk, stop talking nonsense Steve, Extimum is not like that, besides, why would he miss the celebration party yesterday? Clearly he was just very tired."
Steve: "Tch, I was just kidding... But you hit me too hard." Rubbing his head where he'd been hit, Steve said in annoyance.
Mitchell: "Heh, who's the whiner now."
Steve gave Mitchell a dirty look, but didn't say anything.
Extimum: "That being said, I didn't expect to sleep that long myself, I guess I was more tired than I thought, why don't you tell me what happened while I was away?"
Steve: "Alright, I, your loyal speaker and informant, will tell you the latest news, but only because it's you; if it were someone else, they'd have to pay for my services."
Mitchell: "Yeah, yeah, enough with the nonsense, just start telling."
Steve: "*Tch*."
Padma: "By the way, where's Trudor? I can't see him anywhere, he should be here by now."
Mitchell: "Uhh, he left very early. I think he said he had something to do today so he'd see us later. I'm not entirely sure because I was only half awake when I saw him leave and he told me."
Extimum: "Anyway, we'll see later. Have you guys had breakfast yet?"
"No"x3
Steve: "Actually, yesterday's party was very lively and almost everyone was up very late, so most of the students are just getting up and going to breakfast."
Mitchell: "Yes, those who have already had breakfast at this point are either because they are bitter or because they are habitual to getting up early."
Extimum: "In that case, let's hurry up, I don't know if they'll extend breakfast hours, but if not, it's better to be on time."
…
On the way to the great dining room, Extimum finally found out about everything that had happened yesterday.
First, as expected, the closure of the school was cancelled.
With the threat resolved and no major incident since the students involved had returned safely, there was no need to close the school now.
Classes would resume as normal from today, but there would be some changes since most of the teachers finished the compendium of topics and activities, in addition to the fact that some classes had already been lost due to the latest events, however, it was nothing that affected Extimum too much.
On the other hand, the final exams had been canceled this year since so many things had happened in a row that the teachers themselves hadn't had time to prepare for them and furthermore, the students had already been under a lot of stress.
Among other things, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class was temporarily suspended due to Professor Lockhart being transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital, the details of which were not released to the public.
Another big piece of news was, of course, Dumbledore's return to his post as Headmaster.
The events were nothing too surprising and most were within Extimum's expectations.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing to hear was that due to events that weren't entirely clear to the public to begin with, Gryffindor house had received 400 points to its current 257 points.
'400… that is, 657 points…'
Extimum: "What a bother."
Steve: "Yeah… now even with the time left it is practically impossible for our house to be first this year, there is a difference of almost 200 points…".
Mitchell: "Dude, I guess I'm starting to think there's some kind of bias here. I mean, I don't have anything against Harry and Ron, but it was the same last year. We were leading and all of a sudden Gryffindor was given points like crazy, almost knocking us out of first place."
Extimum: "Well, though, they did contribute to the Basilisk hunt after all, so it's not entirely unwarranted, but Dumbledore gave way too many points as usual…"
Extimum was also somewhat annoyed even if he didn't express it clearly in his tone of voice or face, after all, even if he didn't care much about the house cup, but who wouldn't want to win?
It had to be taken into account that if someone had outstanding performance in a class, they could at most earn 5 or 10 points depending on the teacher's mood or the extent of the student's achievement. Moreover, it was quite easy to lose points if a student broke the rules or had bad luck, which actually happened quite often...
So increasing the house score was actually more difficult than it seemed.
Padma: "Wait, what? They contributed?"
Extimum: "Yes, to a certain extent, but they better tell you, anyway, look, here they come."
Extimum didn't want to say much about it.
From what he remembered from the movies, although Harry's feats weren't hidden, they were somehow blurred, either to avoid causing too much commotion or because Harry wanted it that way, or perhaps for other reasons. Anyway, it wasn't his place to comment on it, and if they wanted to conceal it, then it was better to let the involved person decide how much to reveal.
Following Extimum's gaze, everyone immediately took notice of the figures of Ron, Harry and Hermione coming into the large dining room.
Just as Steve had said, even though it was a bit late to come for breakfast, there were still a fair amount of students who were just arriving since they got up late.
The teachers had quietly allowed the students to go to bed a little later than usual, with the exception of the freshmen in order to relax.
Ron: "See, I told you we wouldn't be late."
Hermione: "Of course we're late, it's just that almost everyone else was also late, but we hardly have any time left to have breakfast in peace."
Harry: "The important thing is that we've already arrived, and there's still some time."
Hermione: "*sigh*"
Extimum: "Good morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione"
Harry: "Good morning, Extimum. You look much better, it seems that you have recovered." Harry seemed quite lively, probably because he had been able to rest and all danger had passed.
Still, some minor wounds were still visible on him, like his lower lip that was split. In some way, it seemed that the tears of the phoenix hadn't fully healed him, probably because it was more of a minor and superficial injury. That or he had done it this morning.
Ron: "True, yesterday Madam Pomfrey had you wrapped up like a mummy, but today it's as if nothing happened to you. I don't know whether to be jealous or scared." Ron seemed just like always, if we ignored the purple marks around his neck, slightly concealed by some cream or makeup.
As they greeted each other, the trio took a seat at the Gryffindor table not far from Extimum and the others.
At the very moment when the three of them took their seats, Steve, Mitchell, and Padma got up and surrounded them, questioning with keen interest and enthusiasm.
Steve: "Hey, is it true what Extimum said?"
Mitchell: "What does the basilisk look like?"
"…"
Extimum ignored all their fuss as he continued to enjoy his breakfast. He wanted to go over to check on Hermione, but seeing how they were being bothered by Steve and the others, he decided to wait a bit, anyway, Hermione looked pretty good and her emotions didn't seem chaotic like yesterday in the infirmary.
While he was waiting, someone sat across from him.
Still not stopping his hands from cutting off a piece of sausage and putting it in his mouth, he looked up at the person who had sat across from him.
The sight brought a rare, but slight smile to his face.
Extimum: "Good morning."
Luna: "Good morning. Why didn't you wake me up?"
Extimum: "You looked quite comfortable, so I didn't want to bother you. These last few days have had everyone under quite a bit of pressure, so I thought it was good that you rest a little more, on the other hand, I was also thinking if you were still asleep and you missed breakfast I could take the opportunity to show you the kitchens of the castle.
You haven't been here long, so I'm sure you haven't met them yet. There are certain benefits to going there to eat, although it tends to be later and more secluded than just coming to the great dining room at times."
'Good morning, Bloom.'
Sitting on Luna's shoulder, Bloom was already fully dressed up and giving her a mischievous look from her place.
Luna: "I see, thanks for the consideration, yesterday… I think I was really tired. Although the kitchen thing sounds interesting, I had guessed it, but I didn't know where they were or if I could go there to order food, on the other hand, It's always better to eat in company, right? You told me so yourself."
Bloom: 'Hmp, good morning. It seems that you are used to leaving me behind.'
Extimum: "Eh, that's right, I told you that. You're not wrong, but there's no need to force it either. By the way… "— Pausing briefly in his movements to eat, Extimum looked at her carefully— "Is there perhaps something what bothers you or do you want to say?".
'Don't you always like to sleep? What is the problem now? Also, I didn't leave you behind or alone; I left you with Luna. Don't you do the same thing quite often? And I usually don't say anything even when you leave me alone to go have fun.'
Luna: "Hmm? Why do you say that?" Surprised, Luna looked up from her plate where she had already piled some things for her breakfast and looked Extimum in the eye.
Bloom: 'Hmp, fine, then let's say we're even. But enough of that, you've had me waiting all day; tell me now about everything that happened.
How did just leaving you in Luna's room end up in so much... chaos... *sigh* Hermione regained the missing memories yesterday with the help of the medi-wizard, along with what Harry then assisted her in completing. I have a somewhat clearer picture of everything now, but... I'm not quite sure where you fit into all of this.
What I do know, is that Harry mentioned that while all those dangerous things were happening, a creature appeared and somehow saved him by fighting the basilisk in a fierce fight and said creature... it looked like a fox, but strangely it had nine tails… Which is curious because I don't think I've heard of anyone else besides you. So tell me, what happened?'
Extimum: "Although you occasionally get distracted by other things, it's the first time I've seen you play with your food, also, I see this aura of recurrence or indecision in you, so I can only think that there is something on your mind in this moment".
While speaking, Extimum glanced at the cloudy gray with pinkish hues surrounding Luna's head. They weren't very typical colors to see around Luna given her more open and straightforward personality, and even without that, the emotions that were reaching him were already a sufficient indication.
'So Hermione got her memory back? That's good news, but what exactly did the medi-wizard say?'
Realizing herself, Luna stopped her hand that was holding the fork and playing with a potato on her plate, leaving the cutlery on the table.
Luna: "I didn't know you were so observant"— With a smile of her own, Luna commented, before returning to the subject in question—"I think I did it unconsciously. But it's nothing important, they're just, you know, questions that go through your head sometimes...".
Bloom: 'The half-wizard, ah! stop, stop talking to Luna and me at the same time, listening to conversations here and there and totally different topics is confusing me'.
Extimum: "I see…".
He looked away from Luna and returned his attention to his food. However, the faint smile that had lingered on his face disappeared when he noticed the change in the color of the cloud surrounding her.
Luna lowered her gaze slightly, as though she had sensed Extimum's disappointment, and finally turned her attention to her food.
At the same time, a brief silence settled between them.
Even among those who had delved into Occlumency—protecting their minds, safeguarding their thoughts and secrets, and suppressing every instinctive response to external stimuli—emotions had always been the most difficult thing to conceal.
Only true masters of the art were capable of hiding them completely.
You could hide pain and fear behind a mask, erase every trace of harmful thoughts that might hinder your reasoning, and even alter your natural reactions, but in the end, you still felt.
Every emotion was unconsciously emitted by the body as though it were a signal; waves drifting outward, perceptible only to a select few. More often than not, those few were beasts or creatures that relied on less intelligible factors to interpret their surroundings.
However, there was one exception to the rule: empaths.
They did not perceive.
They saw, felt, and experienced the emotions of others as though they were their own.
Even if they wished to, most could not escape that fate, that curse—or perhaps, that gift.
Within the vast spectrum of species, they were the closest thing to vampires: absorbing every drop of free emotion lingering around them, left behind by unaware emitters.
Very few had managed to hide the truth from Extimum, and even fewer had been able to grant him silence. Yet, even when what he saw and felt differed from what others chose to show, he would never deign to point it out.
Let what is private remain within the darkness of the hidden, while man reveals his light. A wizard unravels the mysteries of magic, not those of people.
Or, at least, that was what he liked to tell himself whenever he received unwanted emotional feedback.
Extimum: 'It's not that difficult. Once you organize everything there in your head with occlumency, doing something like splitting your thoughts becomes quite easy. As long as it's not more than two things at a time, it doesn't take a concentrated effort to do it, you should try it, I still have the book on the shelf in the room.'
Bloom: 'Forget it, reading that book is headache-inducing, unnecessarily complicated and has too many weird formulas. Also, I think there were other simpler methods to strengthen and organize the mind, obtaining the same results without so much effort'.
Extimum: 'Although they are not that good...'.
Bloom: 'Anyway, the medi-wizard said it was lucky the memory spell didn't touch anything delicate, although it was also due to the caster's focus, but at least there was no damage to her immediate memory, still, he mention that we should be aware of any possible sequels, but hey, don't change the subject, tell me what happened after I left you in Luna's bedroom.'
Steve: "Oh Luna, when did you get here?"
Luna: "A few moments ago."
Mitchell: "*Tsk* Luna's ability to blend in is on another level, though speaking of which, where did you go yesterday? Outside of in the morning when we received Extimum, I didn't see you again, not even at dinner ".
Padma: "Those are not things to ask a lady, Mitchell."
Mitchell: "What? Why not? We're friends, besides, I'm just curious, after all, after she greeted Extimum and entered his room, we didn't see her again all day…"
"Eh…"
Padma: "What?"
Mitchell: "Well, we didn't see Luna all day...and we didn't see Extimum all day either, so..."
Extimum: "*sigh* Who knew how much being together with Steve would affect you so much, Mitchell. Now you even jump to questionable and hasty conclusions." Without disturbing his food, Extimum commented sideways while trying to convey a clearly disappointed tone.
Steve: "Hey!" Lifting his face from his plate, Steve commented feeling offended.
Mitchell: "Oh no! You're right Extimum, it's terrible. How come I didn't realize it? What have I become?" Mitchell showed an expression of horror and panic as he held his cheeks.
Padma: "Don't worry Mitchell, I'll help you. I won't let you fall into the wrong way too." Padma gently patted Mitchell on the shoulder and said with a sympathetic aura.
Steve: "Oi oi, why do you make it sound like it's such a terrible thing? I'm not that bad…"
"Hahaha"x2
Extimum: "Well, nonsense aside. Be more careful, you know how misunderstandings are created here."
Hogwarts wasn't a place where you could let your mouth run wild. Gossips and stories were one of the main dishes of both students and teachers' entertainment.
And frankly, constantly dealing with rumors was pretty exhausting.
Steve: "No, but wait, Extimum, what Mitchell says isn't wrong and it's not completely unreasonable. After all, the last time we saw Luna you were dragging her to your room, besides…"— Sneaking his gaze around them, Steve continued quietly, "There's no one else paying attention to us, so it doesn't matter much what he says."
Luna: "And why would that be something important? I was just tired yesterday and I fell asleep."
Padma: "All day…?"
Luna: "Of course not, I was reading for a while in the morning and doing other things in the afternoon, then if I fell asleep…".
Extimum: "Stop overthinking things, better start eating at once, breakfast time is almost over and you haven't even touched what you served."
Mitchell: "Oh, that's right!"
Steve: "Heh, you're going to stay hungry for the rest of the morning for going around saying so much nonsense."
With Mitchell's exclamation, everyone rushed to eat. There were only 15 minutes left.
Meal times were quite strict at Hogwarts in general, with only a few festive or unforeseen exceptions.
As the appointed hour arrived, dishes in the dining hall would either appear or vanish from the tables, only delayed if the headmaster or a professor had an announcement to make. This was because the Great Hall was also used for other purposes, like an open area for evening study or as a venue for certain activities.
So, if students hadn't finished their meal by the time the clock struck the hour, they would be left without food unless they held their plates in their hands, although the dishes would still disappear if they were placed back on the tables.
Of course, this wasn't too troublesome, but not all students simply piled a messy heap of food onto their plates. Most, especially those with some manners, would only serve onto their plates what they desired and would only add more after finishing what they had already served themselves.
…
Bloom: 'You say you heard something and then you just freaked out?'
Extimum: 'Yes... at least for the first 5 minutes or so, you could say that happened.'
Bloom: 'And where did the voice come from? Did it sound familiar to you? Though more importantly, what did it tell you?'.
Extimum: '…The voice came…came from me…'
Bloom: 'You?'.
Genuinely confused, Bloom asked.
Extimum: 'Yes, it's... somewhat complicated or rather strange to explain. The voice didn't have a tone in itself, or well, though it might sound redundant, the voice didn't have a voice. If I had to compare it to something, it would be like hearing my own mental voice talking to me, just something different.
Although such a tonality is normally nothing more than an illusion of our brain of how we think it is heard and not a real sound, but that's how it felt.
It was like me, but I know it wasn't me, but knowing it didn't change the confusing and unsettling feeling it was to hear it.
As for what it said... It's not important, the problem wasn't so much what it said, but what each word generated in me.
Every word I heard was like shaking my mind. Every word I heard was like stirring my calm emotions. Every word... was like disturbing my very ability to think and shaking the pillars of my sanity'.
Bloom: 'Wait, wait, how come what it said isn't important? Even if it was more the negative effect that the voice generates in itself, what it said cannot be dismissed since it could be related.'
Extimum: '…'
It was true, Extimum knew it, how couldn't he? Such understanding of the psyche wasn't too complicated. The voice had a magical effect, no doubt, but if there weren't a crack, how would the water leak through?
That said, he wasn't comfortable with directly saying everything the voice had told him, just thinking about it seemed like some kind of evil mantra clouding his thinking.
Extimum: 'Later…I'll share the memory with you. Let's leave that matter for later, the important thing here is that the voice managed to disturb me greatly to a point that I did not think imaginable.
It's hard to say whether it was because it struck me at a time when I couldn't afford to lose focus or even reject the ideas that came to me, or if perhaps the voice was actually that powerful.
The only sure thing is that the chaos it caused me, made me lose my mind and exploit the hidden power of my heavenly fox bloodline, causing me to somehow take full form.
It was more of a bluff though, as even though I got bigger and more threatening and was even able to feel certain things I didn't know I could do before, but I didn't feel like the increase in strength was actually very substantial.'
'Then there's what you heard, I fought the basilisk. I'm not even entirely sure how it had gotten there. The state I was in at that moment had made me ignore everything around me. The truth is, when I opened my eyes, it was the first thing I had in sight, so I lunged at it.
All that anger, outrage, and madness that had been overwhelming me from unfamiliar places, discharged onto the nearest thing.
Albeit very quickly, being consumed with anger and venting emotions went further into the background.
There was no time or even thought, it was just… act or submit and die, though even when I say that, somehow there were still things that could go through my mind for those few minutes where I lost track of myself.
Fight, win, dominate.
The thought of losing could not even be conceived.
It was like…playing…. Within the very steel of the maddened fight, there was pleasure and amusement in every clash.
My mind, like water thrown into a river, flowed non-stop, up and down in an uncontrolled rhythm, plunging me into savagery. The desire... was overwhelming, addictive, as if a thirst had been born in me... maddening, no matter how I acted, how much I attacked or even if I tore off a piece of meat, it felt insufficient, suffocating and desperate.
Any self-control or composure were nothing more than a simple guide to what I really felt bubbling under my skin…
Until I got hit by Tom Riddle's spell.'
A sudden silence descended on the table section, as everyone paused in their chatter and looked at Extimum.
Extimum: 'Hmm?' "What's wrong? Why was everyone staring at me all of a sudden?"
Mitchell: "*Gulp* A-are you alright? ". With a slightly pale face, Mitchell asked.
Extimum: "Why wouldn't I be?" Extimum responded with a question of his own, confused by the silence and the strange vibe around him.
Bloom: 'Extimum, are you okay? You were emitting a dark and terrifying aura.' Concern was evident in Bloom's tone.
The conversation seemed to have simply veered off track at some point, and Extimum's aura had become strange. As their mental narrative delved deeper into recounting their madness, the aura around them grew darker and colder.
It was to the point that his mind seemed deaf to the questions she was asking when she noticed his sudden change. At least until he woke up in the story itself and in reality.
Extimum: 'Why didn't you tell me anything?'
Bloom: 'I did, but you just weren't listening; your mind seemed to be somewhere else.'
Extimum:"...".
Seeing that Extimum didn't say more, Bloom also remained silent letting him think.
Still, as she looked at him, Bloom bit her thumbnail with some annoyance. Once again, the feeling that she had sensed that dark aura coming from Extimum earlier struck her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall where, making her feel as if she had an unbearable itch that she couldn't scratch.
Steve: "*Ahem* It's nothing, though, were you thinking of anything in particular?" Trying to lighten the atmosphere that had suddenly gone quiet, Steve asked casually.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Extimum replied calmly.
Extimum: "Thinking of something? I was just remembering what happened in the chamber of secrets."
Steve, Mitchell, Padma, and Luna shared a quick look at each other, before pretending nothing had happened and finishing eating.
Extimum's words left them somewhat puzzled and thoughtful. They couldn't entirely grasp how what was supposed to be a terrifying experience at worst or simply high adrenaline and danger at best could lead a person to have such a dark and unusual emotional reaction, completely divergent from the expected outcomes.
That is, if they assumed he was truly thinking about what he said.
Because what they had felt a few moments ago had been such a dark and chilling emotion that it was almost palpable even when they weren't paying him any attention, forcing them to pause what they were doing and look at him.
They had heard from Harry and Ron about what happened in the Chamber of Secrets, and they also knew that Extimum had been found in a not-so-good state, but that didn't make everything clear.
After all, Harry didn't clearly recount Extimum's experience. For one thing, he couldn't, as he didn't know it. Extimum had only shared some general ideas of everything at that moment; after all, he was tired, and the situation hadn't fully concluded.
And even when they got out of there, there wasn't much time to delve into the topic. So, aside from Luna and Christelle, to whom Extimum had already shared a version of the story with certain adaptations and decided as the truth, no one else knew the details of the matter in great detail.
Padma: "Extimum, could you tell us what happened when you were abducted by the basilisk? Oh, but if it makes you uncomfortable, it's okay; I'm just curious."
Padma: "Extimum, could you tell me what happened when you were kidnapped by the basilisk? Ah, but if it bothers you that's fine, I'm just curious."
Extimum: "Okay, there's nothing wrong with telling you. Now it's just one more story. Let's start with when I got caught by the basilisk…".
Outwardly impassive, Extimum perked up a bit and began to tell the others what he had experienced, once again mixing truths with small lies, similar to what he had told Luna, but with fewer details.
He didn't like to lie very much, but there were things he couldn't or didn't want to share at this moment, besides, he tried hard so that the story was again almost the truth and simply changed the meaning of things.
Saying that, he was inwardly frowning.
Once again, things were happening around him of which he was completely unaware. He hadn't felt any of what Bloom emphasized to him, and the worst part was that upon recalling his own words, he realized his train of thought had indeed veered terribly, and at the exact moment, he hadn't realized anything was amiss, as if it were all natural.
He believed that if it weren't for the peculiarity of his own experience and what he himself will admit to being emotional atrophy, feeling terrified would not be enough to express the worry that bubbled like an undercurrent through his entire being.
Even so, he could only take it easy to prevent others from worrying, plus he knew that worry alone wouldn't get him out of trouble.
Unnoticeable to him, as he spoke, his close Ravenclaw friends weren't the only ones watching and paying attention. Not far away, Hermione was also watching him from the Gryffindor table.
For some reason, she had been the only one at her table who had also felt the sudden chilling sensation that Extimum released, so there was also some alarm and concern in her gaze as she looked at Extimum.
In fact, she had already been looking at him for a while. After all, yesterday, under Madam Pomfrey's extreme care, Extimum had appeared in front of her like a mummy and although he had mentioned that he was fine, it was hard to believe at first glance.
So she had also been somewhat worried about his condition, but she felt somewhat relieved after seeing him apparently well and without any discomfort after a day of not seeing him.
Of course, the absence of all those bandages also played an important role.
Ron: "Hey, Hermione, what are you distracting yourself with? Breakfast time is almost over, hurry up or you'll be hungry until lunch." Ron commented seeing Hermione distracted and not eating.
Returning her attention, Hermione turned her gaze to Ron, only to see him unpolitely stuff himself with food, bringing a look of disgust to her face.
Hermione: "Okay, I like to have a light breakfast anyway, and I've had enough."
Ron: "*chew* You're missing out."
…
.
Extimum: "Hermione, wait for me."
Quickening his steps a bit, Extimum easily caught up with a small group of students who were coming up the stairs.
Breakfast had already ended, so everyone was dispersing to go about their own things. After finishing telling his friends the story he had already decided as the truth, Extimum hurried to catch up with Hermione, who had bid her farewells in advance.
With all the talking and the little time left at breakfast, he hadn't had time to go over to talk to Hermione and he almost lost it when he noticed her already leaving the great hall.
Giving a glance to Extimum who was walking beside her, Hermione commented.
Hermione: "You're a bit strange, you know that?"
Extimum: "In what sense?".
Hermione: "Hmm, well, how sometimes you can be completely uninterested in something, but surreptitiously you're doing something completely different. I've seen you do it on several occasions, I even think some of our friends have noticed it too."
Extimum: "It's an interesting way of putting it, hmm, and perhaps not entirely inaccurate. There's simply a lot going on in my head—more than there should be… although I think you're actually trying to imply something else with your words, aren't you? Or am I wrong? Let me guess. Are you upset because I didn't come over to you at breakfast?"
Hermione: "No, well, yes, a bit. Yesterday you told me you would tell me what happened, but you didn't show up all day."
She had thought Extimum would return to visit her that afternoon, since he had said he would come back later. Yet even after waiting the entire afternoon and part of the night, she had not seen even the slightest trace of him.
Being kept under observation in the hospital wing was incredibly boring, and although Bloom was there to talk to through a diary, while Harry and Ron visited her later to keep her company for a while, none of it did much to ease her boredom.
On top of that, her mind was still clouded with confusion. She was worried that she might have forgotten something important, while at the same time, the circumstances had piqued her curiosity. It was not exactly a good combination, and certainly not a healthy one for a patient recovering from a mental ordeal.
She had not even been able to focus long enough to read a book, whether to study or simply entertain herself.
Extimum: "I apologize for yesterday. After going to my room and cleaning up, I fell unconscious almost immediately until this morning."
Extimum tilted his head slightly in apology, After all, he truly felt like he had broken his own word, even if it wasn't something very significant.
Though it might seem insignificant, it was the attention to these small details that held great importance in his education. After all, how can one be called trustworthy and reliable if they can't even follow through on small things?
Hermione felt a little embarrassed to hear him say that and hastened to interrupt him.
Hermione: "Ah, ah, sorry, you don't have to apologize for that. I know you were tired yesterday and you had been through a lot too, I was only saying that because you didn't show up yesterday and Bloom refused to tell me about what happened."
Extimum: "No, it's alright. Besides, I did break my word back then, and since I didn't even approach you at breakfast earlier, I can understand if you're upset or angry. After all, friends are supposed to care for each other, and in a way, it might seem like I was being thoughtless and unreliable."
Hermione: "*sigh* If you apologize like that and considering everything that has happened, it's almost as if I'm the bad one. Honestly, I can't be upset or angry. I don't even think I have the right to be. On the contrary, I'm just relieved that it's all over and everyone is okay."
Letting her facade fall away, Hermione wore an expression somewhere between concern and relief.
She was still young, and although she tried her best to be brave and maintain a strong front, the recent events had been even more dangerous than those of the previous year.
In truth, it had been her caring nature that had led her to set aside reason and act as rashly as she had. She had hidden her fear and entered a dark place where she knew a monster was lurking.
Had Harry and Ron not been there with her—and, to a certain extent, Lockhart as well—she probably would not have found the courage to slide down the chute.
And yet, she had ended up being cursed and losing her memory before everything had even begun. She had remained completely unaware of the danger her friends were facing until it was all over.
Although the situation had come to an end and she had even recovered her memories with few apparent aftereffects, she could not say the same for the others.
Although Harry appeared to be fine on the surface, she had caught sight of several scratches and bruises scattered across his body, hidden beneath his robes.
Ron had several purple marks around his neck that were difficult to conceal. They had only become less noticeable after he applied a cream Madame Pomfrey had given him.
As for Extimum…
She was not entirely sure.
Although he had initially appeared to be in worse condition than everyone else, when she saw him today, she could not find even the slightest trace of an injury. He seemed like his usual self.
That said, she knew it could not be that simple.
Like Ginny, he had experienced who knew what kind of things inside the Chamber of Secrets before they arrived. Furthermore, Harry had mentioned that, if not for an antidote Extimum's aunt had brought with her, it was difficult to say whether he would have been able to get back on his feet so quickly.
For now, she could only feel relieved that everyone was alive and that it was all over.
Extimum: "Yeah, it's good that everyone is safe. Besides, I'm glad everything is fine in your head, I wouldn't want you to forget me, although maybe starting over isn't so bad…Wow, hey." Narrowly dodging a punch from Hermione, Extimum exclaimed.
Hermione: "Don't say such terrible things with such a flat tone, you make me wonder if you really think it's good or bad." Hermione pouted and said something annoyed.
Extimum: "I wonder too…". Looking somewhat distracted for the moment, Extimum commented almost in a whisper.
Hermione: "You…Even-" A serious look momentarily settled on Hermione's face, but before she could say more, she was interrupted.
Extimum: "Although you're right, sometimes I get careless and forget to denote emotions in my voice. It's something I still have to improve on, just as you should leave that bossy tone that you sometimes use."
Hermione: "What? But I hardly use it anymore."
Extimum: "Aha, there it is, almost there, but you still do it on occasion."
Hermione: "But I'm getting better…"
Extimum: "Anyway, let's set aside those not-so-cheerful topics. Instead, I have something interesting in mind, something I'm pretty sure you've never seen. Give me your hand." Extending his own hand, Extimum gave Hermione an expectant look.
Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Extimum's outstretched hand, even so, she still extended her hand slowly.
Extimum: "Why are you hesitating so much? I won't bite it…"— Taking Hermione's hand gently, he commented with some mockery before continuing—"There are better places for it."
Hermione's hand trembled and for a moment she almost decided to withdraw her hand, but finally didn't.
Briefly closing his eyes, Extimum concentrated, then recited something under his breath that Hermione couldn't hear, before waving his wand.
Extimum: "Ready, now tell me, what do you see?"
Hermione: "¿...? What are you talking about? Is everything the same?" Hermione looked everywhere, but everything seemed the same, she didn't even feel that anything was affecting her.
Extimum: "Stop looking around. Focus instead on looking at one of the people walking in front of us."
Following his words, Hermione looked closely at the people in front of her as they came up the stairs.
Hermione: "I don't see anything…" Hermione retorted, but stopped midway through her speech.
By focusing long enough on someone, she began to notice how a kind of translucent cloud of different colors appeared around the heads of the people.
Hermione: "Wait, I think I can see something now. Is it like mist? Though in colors. What is that?"
Extimum: "You finally notice it. I don't know if it has a specific name, but I like to call it the emotional spectrum, everyone has it."
Hermione: "Emotional spectrum? You mean that cloud of colors is that person's emotions?"
Extimum: "Well, 5 points to Gryffindor."
Hermione: Hmp, very funny, but how do you know what each color means?
Extimum: "Why don't you try…focus on one of the colors? Like you want to touch it, but…remember, just one color, ignore the overall amalgamation."
Hermione: "Okay."
Although taken aback by the warning, Hermione still followed the instructions obediently and concentrated on a single color.
Of all the colors she saw on the person she had noticed, the one that caught her attention the most was a purplish red, so she concentrated on just that color.
The moment she concentrated on it, it was as if the color blurred and flew at her at full speed, and then her vision felt somewhat blinded as random ideas, emotions, and fragments of scenes flashed through her mind.
Hermione's body tensed slightly and she stopped walking, stopping on the spot. Extimum also stopped next to her and waited for her to finish processing.
Within a few seconds, Hermione finally recovered.
Hermione: "I…"
A deep blush appeared on her cheeks and her gaze turned somewhat dreamy at the same time.
**snap**
Extimum: "Wake up, don't get sucked into it"
Hermione: "E-huh? What? What happened?" Hermione shook herself back to normal as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Extimum: "By concentrating on the emotion, you could feel it, but you got too immersed in it and almost finished absorbing it. It's not too dangerous, but the effects are not very good."
Hermione: "What? What is all this? How can I see it?" Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the recent influx of emotions, Hermione asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Extimum: "Hmm? Was it really that strong? Being a single color, it shouldn't be that shocking, especially since it was only from one person…"
He commented somewhat confused, as he looked at Hermione who was quickly recovering her calm after realizing that she had gotten a little worked up.
The feeling that washed over Hermione was overwhelming, but the second Extimum snapped his fingers, it all vanished, leaving her a little confused by the complete and abrupt change.
"In fact, what should normally look something like this"
Somewhat thoughtful, Extimum stepped back slightly, released Hermione's hand, and waved his wand once more.
Hermione was confused by his words and his lack of a response, but before she had time to say anything, she stopped.
The moment Extimum finished moving his wand, her vision changed.
It was as though her field of vision had suddenly expanded; as though she had spent her entire life with her eyes closed and was finally opening them.
Everything appeared far clearer, more detailed, and deeper.
She began noticing things she had never seen before. Her sense of depth and distance became distorted, and she nearly felt dizzy when she saw objects that were far away as though they were right in front of her.
Extimum gently steadied her when he noticed her swaying slightly, but Hermione quickly recovered.
When her vision finally stabilized and she looked back at the students in front of her, the sight before her was different.
It was like looking at a rainbow.
Whenever she focused on someone, translucent clouds of color appeared above their heads, quickly transforming reality into a dreamlike scene. In the end, it was perhaps more a matter of her intention than her actions, as the colors began appearing above the heads of everyone walking in front of them.
The colors came and went. Some lingered longer, while others appeared repeatedly, though their intensity varied.
Extimum watched her from the corner of his eye, seeing how Hermione's eyes seemed to grow brighter and brighter—literally—the longer she looked.
He had taken advantage of the one-sided bond they shared to use Legilimency to transmit part of what his own eyes perceived to her.
Although, in truth, it had more to do with his sensory ability, since everything was still being reflected through Hermione's own eyes. Something that was only possible because of the one-sided bond they shared and the proximity between them.
Meanwhile, Hermione remained fascinated by the sight for a few more seconds, watching the faint and fleeting rainbow. However, the wonder of the experience did not last long.
The colored mist that formed those clouds began to blur in her direction, as though it were being drawn toward her by a magnet or had detected something irresistible.
Then, it surged toward her like an avalanche.
Before she could even react, she was engulfed.
For a few milliseconds, her mind saw and experienced hundreds of emotions, ideas, and fragments of scenes. Then, everything abruptly cut off and vanished, leaving her blinking as she felt her vision return to normal.
Cold sweat ran down Hermione's back as she imagined what might have happened if all those emotions had overwhelmed her.
Extimum: "Now you see, that really is the full view. As for the reason you were able to see it, it's because I shared my sight and senses with you, especially my senses. The view itself doesn't matter much, except for the fact that it looks good." 'Actually, I don't even know why I can see it…'.
He had some guesses, but he didn't know why he saw those colored clouds. In the records he had read about other empaths, he did not say that anyone else saw what he sees, although it did detail that it presented differently in all people.
Hermione: "But why can you see-? No, why can you feel something like that?"
Extimum: "Because I'm an empath. It's not something very common, in fact it's even rarer than being a metamorphmagus. Although on the other hand, it's not limited to just magicians. It presents itself differently for everyone, but in essence it fulfills the same function for everyone and that is, to allow them to understand the emotions of those around us through... feeling that emotion for ourselves".
Hermione: "Wait, so do you see all of that all the time or is it only when you want to?"
Extimum: "All the time, of course. What did you think it was? Some kind of ability that just turned off and on?"
Hermione: "No…" Hermione looked away, in fact, if she had thought so.
Extimum: "Hahaha"—Seeing her expression, Extimum couldn't help but tease her a bit —"Okay, just kidding. Although it's really not something you can turn off, but over time you learn to control it to some extent."
Hermione stared at him. Although she felt somewhat annoyed by the teasing, it was rare for Extimum to laugh, so she said nothing. However, she quickly frowned as she resumed walking.
Hermione: "But why did they pounce on me when you shared all the sense with me?"
Extimum: "That's how it usually behaves. Since I only shared a small fraction with you at first, then the effect was greatly reduced. Normally you can't just decide whether or not you want to feel other people's emotions, they just…come."
"What you can do is learn to redirect or ignore the emotions that come in. Since I learned some occlumency I usually just redirect all of it to a separate space in my mind which then empties all of it out."
Hermione: "So, all this time?"
Extimum: "Yes, although it isn't perfect. Still, unless they're highly skilled in the arts of the mind and capable of controlling the natural emission of their emotions, I can always sense it."
Hermione: "No, not that, all this time, no, all the time, you... are you seeing, receiving such a deluge of information?"
Extimum: "Oh…yeah? I don't think that's that important."
Hermione: "No, how can you stay calm with all that?"
Extimum: "Well, it's always been like that for me. After you get used to it, it's not so bad, although sometimes it's a bit annoying to adjust when I go to places with a lot of people. Also, in a way, I-".
«What you can only see and feel through others, while you yourself are incapable of» «You want to feel it, don't you?»
Hermione: "What's wrong?"
Extimum: "Hmm, it's nothing. You don't have to worry about it anyway. I've lived with it for almost as long as I can remember. I'm used to it, I just wanted to show you since I'm sure it's not something everyone can see."
Hermione: "Okay, if you say so."
They both remained silent for a few seconds as they continued walking, but they had already strayed from the original path towards the destination Hermione was initially walking to for some time.
Hermione: "By the way. I covered for you yesterday, but rather than you telling me what happened, what I'm really interested in knowing is how did I end up in the infirmary? From what Harry and Ron told me, plus Bloom's reluctance to Telling me something makes it obvious that you're hiding something…so what really happened?"
Extimum I consider for a moment.
He couldn't just say that he had never really been kidnapped by the basilisk and that all this time he was actually hiding recovering from the poison, that would probably make her angry since his disappearance caused chaos and concern to his friends and everyone at school.
Besides, outside of Bloom who he had already told, he wouldn't admit to anyone that he was the "monster" that was chased by the whole school, that would be a somewhat embarrassing fact and he didn't plan on telling anyone else in the near future.
Extimum: "…Okay, I'll tell you what happened, but not here, follow me."
Having thought it through, Extimum took Hermione's hand and pulled her through some corridors until they reached a secluded spot.
Extimum didn't trust the privacy of the castle much, not when all the cadres here had eyes and ears and were even gossipier than the students themselves.
Extimum: "Here it will be fine. Now, did Harry mention that he had seen another magical creature in the Chamber of Secrets?"
Hermione: "Yes. Harry mentioned that after managing to lose the basilisk with Ron, they returned to confront Riddle. It was then that, all of a sudden, one of the chamber walls collapsed, and the basilisk was sent flying through the opening that had formed.
Not long afterward, another magical creature, even larger than the basilisk, emerged from the hole.
Harry said the creature resembled a silver fox, but on a gigantic scale, with nine tails, each of which had purple flames flowing from it, among other details. Why…?"
Hermione's voice gradually trailed off as she watched nine silver tails, adorned with intricate purple details, emerge from Extimum's back.
Hermione: "Nine tails…"
Suddenly, a ridiculous thought crossed her mind, and her eyes widened in shock.
Extimum: "Don't make that expression, in fact, that magical creature that appeared and fought against the basilisk, it was me." While emphasizing it, they hid their tails under an illusion again.
Hermione: "What? But you… can transform too? No, now that I think about it, it's not that surprising. When you first told me, I didn't pay much attention to it because of everything else that was happening. Besides, since I couldn't find anything about celestial foxes or similar creatures in the books, I never stopped to think about what that actually implied."
"I hadn't even thought to associate the fact that Harry mentioned that the creature looked like a fox with you."
Extimum: "Well, that's only natural, since I didn't tell you or show you what I could do either. Anyway, now you understand, right?"
Hermione: "Yeah, so that's why you were so hurt. Ah, but what about the poison? Even if you were able to deal with it in terms of strength, what about the poison? I've heard that basilisk venom is one of the most lethal, in addition to being fast-acting. How are you okay?
Though she still found it all quite unbelievable and more than a little ridiculous, Hermione forced herself to believe, she had known ever since she entered the wizarding world that she couldn't be swayed by normal people's common sense, yet she still found it something difficult to accept.
She had read the description and studied data on the basilisk when she found out that this was the creature that lurked in the castle, so she had at least a general idea of how strong and dangerous said creature was.
So even if she didn't experience it herself, believing that such a creature could actually be suppressed and finally defeated by the person in front of her was hard to believe.
Extimum: "It really was kind of hard, the basilisk was quite strong, the poison was only bearable merely due to the fact that I was in a special state, plus my natural regeneration is pretty decent, even so, it was a little more than that. Added to a bit of luck as I was found by my aunt who was carrying an antidote when I was close to fainting."
"But back to your initial question about how you ended up in the infirmary. A while before the fight I had managed to escape from the chamber of secrets, so I was looking for a way out of the cave. While looking for a way out I saw a strange construction and when I went closer to investigate, I saw you. Hidden in what looked like a stone hut."
"I didn't know what happened to you at the time, but your condition didn't seem very good and you weren't waking up either, so I took you with me and left you with Bloom who had been looking for me. Then I went back to the Chamber of Secrets to help Harry and Ron. Of course, I couldn't let the others know about my transformation so I hid it."
Hermione: "I see, so this is how it happened."
Extimum: "Yes, but you must keep it a secret."
Hermione: "Of course."
Extimum: "Good."
Hermione: "By the way, how did you share what you could see with me a second time when you weren't holding my hand anymore?"
Extimum: "When did I say I needed to hold your hand?"
Hermione blinked owlishly for a moment, as she stared at Extimum.
Smiling slightly amused by her expression, Extimum continued .
"I just wanted to hold your hand and it worked."
Hermione: "You… Just you wait."
Hermione became a little annoyed when she realized Extimum had been teasing her, so she tried to hit him. However, he quickly dodged her attack and ran off.
Hermione ran after him, though she could not catch up. Extimum kept just the right pace to let her keep up with him without ever allowing her to catch him.
…
.
Later that day, Outside the castle.
Christelle: "So you really were here."
Extimum: "Aunt."
Extimum was surprised to see her suddenly appear in front of him. It was unusual for anyone to find him in this place, and besides, he had not sensed anyone approaching.
Christelle: "It's good to see you've recovered, perhaps even faster than expected. You really must have some inherited physical talent." Swinging her staff, she easily transfigured a nearby root to transform into a bench where she took a seat near Extimum.
Extimum: "Yes." Extimum replied flatly.
He knew the reason for his quick recovery, but in fact, it's not like he didn't actually have inherited talents since his metamorphmagus ability definitely had nothing to do with his special lineage and he had some doubts about his empathy.
Christelle: "Oh? So you had a fairy,I had not seen her with you before, hmm?" Christelle's gaze narrowed as she stared at Bloom who was perched on Extimum's shoulder.
Bloom stiffened a bit, but she wasn't shy either, returning Christelle's gaze.
Christelle: "Oh ho, how interesting. You know, nephew, I find you—and the things surrounding you—more and more interesting every time."
Extimum: "Thanks? Although I'd appreciate it if you didn't stare so intensely. You're intimidating my companion a little. By the way, how did you know I was here?"
He carefully weighed his words before responding, revealing no emotional fluctuation. Although he had grown somewhat closer to his aunt, he still could not feel as free around her as he did when he was with Mei and the others.
Perhaps it had to do with them being from a different branch of the family, where things were done differently. On the other hand, in his own immediate family, it almost always felt like a battlefield, where he had to be constantly vigilant and careful with his actions.
Christelle: "I asked around and coincidentally ran into one of your friends. They told me that you occasionally come here and sit under the tree." Withdrawing her gaze from Bloom after observing her a little longer, Christelle commented while casting a glance around before refocusing on Extimum.
Although she had not noticed anything in particular, she had sensed that the fairy perched on Extimum's shoulder was not ordinary. There was something different about her. Christelle could not be completely certain, but she trusted her instincts enough to believe that was the case.
That impression had grown even stronger because the fairy had returned her gaze.
Although that might have seemed normal and even insignificant, Christelle knew the effect she could have on people. If, in her opinion, Extimum had been born with a special inherited physical talent, then she too possessed an innate talent of that kind. However, hers was far more unusual.
Unusual enough that few people could maintain their composure around her unless she actively made an effort to prevent it, especially when she spoke.
Christelle: "It's a nice place. It's quiet, and the tree is large enough to provide plenty of shade during the sunny season."
Extimum: "Yes, it's a good place to rest. Did you come to say goodbye? I suppose that, now that everything is over, you'll be leaving today."
Christelle: "Yes, I still have a few matters to take care of at the Ministry, and there is nothing else I need to do here. However, that can wait until tonight. In the meantime, I think we can continue discussing spell creation.
"You have some interesting perspectives, but from what you shared last time, I can assume that you are not merely curious about the subject. You have actually tried doing something on your own as well, haven't you?"
Extimum blinked briefly. He had not expected her to see through him. Perhaps he had become too excited during their previous discussion and ended up saying more than he should have.
Even so, it was not something he had been specifically trying to hide, so he had not been particularly careful.
After considering it for a few moments, he ultimately decided to tell the truth. In the worst-case scenario, they would simply forbid him from continuing. And aside from the fact that he did not believe they could control everything he did at all times, there were still plenty of other things he could work on.
In fact, he practically had a list of tasks that he organized according to certain priorities or events.
Extimum: "Yes, I have tried developing my own spells, but although the results have not been bad, they have not been particularly good either."
Christelle: "Just as I expected. After all, you said many things that someone with nothing more than a casual interest in the subject should not know. Needless to say, it is an incredibly reckless thing to do.
"Most wizards who have dared to even consider creating their own spells have at least completed half of their education. You, on the other hand, are barely in your second year, and you are already claiming to have made some progress…"
Extimum: "…".
Extimum remained silent. He had already expected a reaction like that.
After all, spell creation had claimed the lives of numerous accomplished wizards, and compared to them, he was far inferior.
Christelle: "Magnificent! Worthy of an Izorim."
"Many would consider it a bold, foolish, and excessive act—the kind undertaken by someone incapable of recognizing their own limitations. But I see it differently.
"Spell creation is the foundation of magic; it is what defines us as true wizards. How can someone truly call themselves a wizard when all they do is rigidly follow the work of others?
"Jujuju… What is an artist who cannot create their own authentic art?"
"That said, it does not make it any less dangerous."
Extimum blinked several times. He had not expected that kind of response.
Christelle: "I must say, you are remarkably bold for your age. Even my brother—your Uncle Rhys—was not so bold when he was your age, and back then, he was not nearly as composed as he is now.
"Setting that aside, you should know that there is a perfectly valid reason why spell creation is not taught until the later years of study or in specialized courses."
"In spell creation, knowledge is undoubtedly one of the most important foundations. However, what a wizard truly needs is understanding, and that is not something that can be acquired in a short time.
"Understanding magic requires focused study or a great deal of talent. If you possess neither, then all that awaits you is death. Hehehe."
"But enough talk."
"The reason I am willing to accept this—and even encourage it—is not only because your interest is obvious, but also because you do not seem to be completely ignorant. More importantly, I have a good feeling about it.
"Besides, you do not seem like someone who will change his mind easily, and knowing the nature of an Izorim, trying to control you and force you to stop would be a nuisance."
"So, I will lend you a hand. If you are going to do something, it would be best if you did it properly, even if you do not get very far.
"Wouldn't want you to end up as the latest story in the Daily Prophet; that would be far too embarrassing for the family."
Extimum: 'Was she always this talkative?'
Extimum wondered. Until then, he had thought she was more like him, but that did not seem to be the case.
Though it was not as if he minded. After all, beneath all that talking, something was quite clear.
She was worried about him.
At first glance, it might not have seemed that way, given the considerable number of disparaging remarks and comments that placed the family's honor above everything else. However, as someone who had grown up in a noble family like the Izorims—and, above all, under the "care" of an unaffectionate mother—it was easy for him to see certain things without even needing to rely on his emotional perception.
Extimum felt lost for a moment.
Part of him was genuinely happy, as he had never received that kind of care from his close family. The closest thing had been the sincerely kind treatment his Uncle Rhys had shown him when he visited him once, but that had been several years ago.
On the other hand, he also considered the possibility that it was all a product of his imagination and that he was misinterpreting the situation. After all, he could not sense Christelle's emotions, no matter how expressive she was.
So, part of him did not want to get his hopes up too much either.
But perhaps what made him pause his thoughts the most was the perspective he retained from his previous life.
For the most part, it rarely interfered, as much of it was fragmented and contributed little to his current personality. However, at that particular moment, he felt as though it were telling him that the entire situation was somewhat ridiculous.
Although his current life was not bad and he did not have much to complain about, his early childhood could not be considered normal in the slightest. Growing up and living in such an environment had shaped his perspective into something strange—to the point that a thirteen-year-old boy like him could read people in that way.
He was fairly certain that, whoever he had been in his previous life, he had not been an especially perceptive person, much less someone capable of noticing so much in people who wore perfect masks to conceal their emotions and intentions.
Because, even if he was interpreting part of the situation correctly, the tone and feeling carried in Christelle's voice were as cold as his own—or his mother's.
From what he had seen, even among the other noble and ancient families, his case seemed rather atypical.
After saying all that, Christelle shared some of her experience with spell creation, as well as advanced knowledge on the subject, ranging from different theories to the precautions that had to be taken when testing new spells.
That said, most of what she explained was far too complex for Extimum to understand.
After all, although he had mastered the material covered during the first three years and part of the fourth, that was still not enough to make him a fully qualified wizard.
Even so, thanks to his memory, although he could not understand everything, he made sure to remember it.
…
.
The days passed quickly after that.
Somehow, after surviving such dangerous situations, the rest of the school year went by rather peacefully and, perhaps, even somewhat boringly. But it could not be helped; that year had already had more than enough excitement.
Perhaps too much for first-year students, though in the wizarding world, it seemed to be just another ordinary day.
Since the professors had already finished preparing the subject compendiums, some classes became simpler from that point onward. They could simply let the students follow the guides while dedicating themselves to answering questions or helping those who had fallen behind.
The completed compendiums were distributed to all the students and proved especially useful to those in the upper years, who had to focus on studying for their O.W.L.s.
Although, of course, the younger students saw those excessively thick books as nothing more than a nuisance, with only a few unusual exceptions.
As expected, Gryffindor also won the House Cup.
Extimum and the other Ravenclaw students had done everything they could, but there was still a gap of sixty points—far too large for them to overcome.
Among other things, Lucius Malfoy had been expelled from the Board of Governors, which Extimum regretted somewhat, as he had not yet had the opportunity to meet with him and suggest that Hogwarts should introduce, at the very least, an elective class on medical magic or magical first aid.
Even so, he did not become too discouraged. After all, he was already learning some of it on his own, and besides, there were still other ways to achieve it.
.
Afternoon, Great Hall.
The tables in the Great Hall were filled with excited and boisterous students. Today was the last day of the school year, and after lunch, everyone would board the train to return home.
Extimum was seated among a group of Slytherin students. Like everyone else in the Great Hall, the students at that table were also excited at the thought of finally returning home.
Tracy: "Finally, I've been waiting for this day for so long. I don't even want to wait for lunch, I'd rather go back right now." Tracy's bubbly voice stood out from the group of snobbish and cold Slytherins as she barely contained her excitement in her seat.
Daphne: "Calm down, Tracy, you're acting embarrassing. Besides, there's no point in being excited, we'll be arriving at night anyway, so your parents won't take you to see the new seasonal witch fashion collection…" .
Tracy: "It doesn't matter, even if I can't see all the dresses, I'll make sure my parents at least take me in front of the store to see the most prominent ones through the display. It doesn't matter if it's this afternoon, I have to see them so I can sleep peacefully."
Daphne: "*sigh*"
Goyle: "Well, at least you have a reason to be excited about going back. Crabbe and I aren't so lucky. Our parents weren't too happy with our grades this year, so they're planning to send us to a camp for the entire vacation..."
Tracy: "Oh , which camp?"
Crabble: "Camp Dragontail..."
Tracey: "Oh..."
Pansy: "Wow..."
Goyle: "Yeah..."
Daphne: "Well, cheer up, maybe it's not so bad, I mean, at least it's said that after coming back from there, people really improve their studies." Daphne tried to cheer them up a bit, but since her voice was cold and unemotional, it didn't help much.
Draco: "Tch, it's just a waste of time going to places like that, but there's no other way, you two really neglected yourself this year. And I had good plans to do this vacation, now I'll have to do it without you".
Extimum: "I don't think saying that would help much."
Draco: "There's no other way, that's the way it is."
Dragon's Tail Camp was not a particularly famous place; in fact, it could be said that it was barely known. However, almost every child from a noble family had at least heard of it.
It was an intensive study camp intended for the children of noble families who were struggling with their academic studies.
If that were all there was to it, there would have been no problem. However, the camp was known to employ rather harsh methods to ensure that every student who left could meet expectations. For that reason, and despite its somewhat dark reputation, most parents from noble families preferred to turn a blind eye, as the camp was quite effective at straightening out their wayward children.
After all, the academic performance of children and heirs also reflected on their families' prestige.
Because of that, Dragon's Tail Camp was something of the worst place you could be sent to—and a threat used to keep the children of noble or otherwise distinguished families from neglecting their studies.
Even so, it was not very common for someone to actually end up being sent there.
Extimum: "Anyway, as I promised you before, this vacation I'll make sure to take time to visit you, so I hope you can receive me."
Draco: "Of course, just send me a letter a little in advance and I'll have everything ready for you when you get there."
Mcgonagall: "Okay everyone, you can start heading to the station now."
Tracy: "There it is, the signal, go, go."
.