HP: The Root of Everything - The Magician

The wizard duel was short because Draco lost quickly.

Despite his best efforts, his opponent was Tom Riddle, not Harry Potter.

This duel left everyone present and watching with a vague sense of unease: [When did Harry Potter become so powerful?]

Especially Ron, who was almost inseparable from Harry: [Wow~ Could it be that Harry has been secretly working hard behind my back?]

Dumbledore's behavior was somewhat strange, but there were no clues to it, because Tom didn't use any dark magic or his usual magical fighting style when he was fighting in Harry's body: [Perhaps... the Horcrux scar on Harry's forehead left by Voldemort had some effect on Harry.]

After all, the Sorting Hat was the one who strongly advocated for Harry to be sorted into Slytherin.

Through the Horcrux notebook and the Basilisk incident, Dumbledore already knew about the existence of Horcruxes. Naturally, he also vaguely deduced that the scar on Harry's forehead was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

At the end of his second year, Dumbledore was torn by a period of inner conflict and pangs of conscience.

Originally, Dumbledore, because of the prophecy, poured his hopes into Harry Potter, the prophesied savior, and wanted to act as a father figure to Harry, who had no parents.

But the appearance of Horcruxes changed Dumbledore's view of Harry, because in order to completely kill Voldemort, Harry Potter, as a Horcrux, had to die.

Dumbledore was very conflicted; emotional investment cannot be taken back so easily.

How should he, as the headmaster who was like a father to Harry, face Harry and where should he place him? This question of conscience had been deeply troubling Dumbledore.

Draco lost; he lost to Harry/Tom.

This result was hard for him to accept for a while. Although Professor Ruman Hagrid did not like Slytherin, he was kind-hearted and came to Draco's side to comfort him with encouraging words.

At this moment, Snape used the Teleportation Charm to appear next to Draco, and unusually reached out to pat Draco on the shoulder before resuming his cold expression and returning to the castle.

Draco was instantly energized by Snape's silent encouragement, for this was the first time he had received his godfather's affirmation.

The first time in 13 years.

Draco rose from the ground, carefully tidying his robes and appearance, then looked at Harry Potter with shining eyes and said, "Potter, next time, I will definitely win."

Tom/Harry glanced sideways and nodded slightly, acknowledging Draco's declaration of war for the next duel.

Tom then returned to his subconscious, and Harry snapped out of his daze.

Tom's control over Harry was very skillful. Although it was control, if you had to explain it... it was like two consciousnesses synchronizing with the frequency of one body.

This control and synchronization would make Harry, the owner of this body, believe that it was his own potential that was unleashed in danger, along with the body's instinct to defend itself.

Harry believed all of this, and had no idea that someone was controlling his body.

The wizarding duel ended, and the victorious Harry was lifted up by the excited little lions and tossed into the air, celebrating the victory of their third-year Gryffindor school.

Draco glanced at Harry Potter, who had defeated him, then put away his wand and turned away.

As Draco approached, the young Slytherin wizards parted to the sides, greeting him like knights.

Although Draco lost, Slytherin's honor was not lost.

Draco Malfoy, who fought for honor, deserves the respect of all the young Slytherin wizards present.

After watching the wizarding duel, Teach Carr, the instigator, smiled and asked his disciple Hermione, "Little Hermione, wasn't that a very interesting duel?"

"Would you like to have a wizard duel to prove your current strength?"

After thinking for a moment, Teach shook his head and muttered to himself, "Um... never mind, I don't think there are many young wizards in Hogwarts who can match you."

To her surprise, Hermione immediately retorted proudly, "Teacher, you're wrong. It's not that there aren't a few, it's that there aren't any!"

"With magic and sorcery, possessing two magical powers, I believe I can take on all the young wizards at Hogwarts one-on-one."

Teach looked at Hermione, who was rubbing her hands together eagerly, and smiled in agreement.

Teleportation magic, super strength magic, flight magic, countless magical arrays with various effects, the Heart Chain Protection Mystic Code, the enchanted Beretta pistol, plus the wizarding spells Hermione currently possesses, and Hermione's brilliant mind.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that Hermione's words are true; none of the young wizards at Hogwarts are her match.

Even against the professor, Hermione is confident of winning.

After thinking it over, Teach sighed inwardly: "Unbeknownst to me, the little Hermione who came to me, her unofficial magic professor, with her notebook in hand, has grown so much in just two years!"

She has grown into a capable and independent magic witch.

In my reverie, I was suddenly interrupted by a round of applause. It turned out that Professor Ruman Hagrid was about to give his first lecture.

After Hagrid calmed the emotions of the third-year wizards from both houses after their duel, he then explained the content of his lesson.

Hagrid then led the young wizards into the safe perimeter of the Forbidden Forest.

Teach, with Hermione by his side, walked at the very back of the group.

Upon arriving at their destination, everyone heard the cry of an eagle. Hagrid waved his hand, signaling the students not to be nervous, and then summoned the mysterious creature that had made the cry: "Buckbeak, come out quickly~ Come and meet my students, don't be shy."

The young wizards only got a clear look at Buckbeak when it emerged from the woods.

It's no exaggeration to say that the young wizards, whose experience was almost nonexistent, were astonished by the strange appearance of this hippogriff.

The same goes for Tichy; there's a big difference between watching it on a screen and seeing it in person.

The instant he saw it with his own eyes, an image flashed through Teach's mind: the griffin from mythology.

The 'griffin' has the head and wings of an eagle, the body of a lion, and sharp claws.

The lion, in every country, in mythology and in modern times, is a symbol of power and royalty.

The mythical griffin, a symbol of royal power, possessed a variety of incredible abilities.

Only a god can possess a griffin.

Only great heroes, praised by all, are worthy of riding griffins.