Practice Time

Devlin managed to convince his father to get him the "Standard Book of Spells" Grade 1. His father wouldn't let him have other spell books that involved transfiguration or potions. The reason was because he didn't want Devlin too caught up too much where it would get in the way of his muggle schooling, and some seemed too difficult or dangerous and didn't want Devlin to attempt anything without supervision.

While Devlin failed to get those, Peter did get a few books that interested both himself and the family. One was "A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot" and the other was "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander." Ester picked up "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." by recommendation of Molly Weasley as it has the most common fairy tales in the wizarding world.

They arrived home and continued their life as a muggle family for the time being. Devlin began Year 6 of school which is the final year of Primary School. As far as extracurricular activities go, Devlin continued taking gymnastics. His parents allowed him to practice magic if he can keep up his studies and gymnastics as long as he doesn't expose himself.

Devlin sat in his room staring at his closed door with the "Standard Book of Spells" open in front of him. With his finger as the main point of focus, he twirled his finger in a specific motion. "Alohomora.." He said out loud. Devlin stared at the doorknob only the find the door lock still in locked position. "Okay this is frustrating. Do I really need a wand?" Devlin couldn't think of why it didn't work. He can feel the magic, but it felt like it didn't understand what he was thinking.

"From what I know about magic, to use it properly, is based on mental strength, intent, willpower, and visualization. By thinking of that thought process, a wand wouldn't be necessary." Devlin struggles with his thoughts

"I've been stuck at this for a while now." Devlin tries to think of another approach. "Baby steps, let's try to further control levitation spells."

Devlin lined up his toys shaped like people around his room. He then put a bunch of pebbled sized crushed paper in front of him as "ammunition." With a point of his finger, he levitated a single pebble sized paper and then pointed at one toy figure that was closest to him. It hit the target successfully as the paper hit the toy figure and it shifted slightly from its original position. Devlin nodded and then took a breath concentrating harder.

"In the muggle world, science is relied on for its growth and magic on the other hand is something that historically has been looked down upon and discriminated against to the point where muggles don't even want to acknowledge its existence." Devlin continued his thought process.

"On the surface, wizards and witches do exists for the sake of peace and for wizards living in the wizarding world, they do not involve themselves in the muggle world more than necessary. As a result, when it comes to muggle culture, wizards are as ignorant as muggles are to wizard culture." With a gesture of his finger, he levitated another paper pellet. Devlin then closed his hand in a fist with his thumb tucked in wrapped around the other fingers.

"I, who was not only was raised in a muggle world, but also has knowledge accumulated from my previous life with basic understanding of the sciences and extensive collection of stories, anime, and fantasy webnovels, including harry potter, would it be possible for me to approach magic differently?"

Devlin closed his eyes remembering some memories from his past life for visualization. He then flicked his thumb forward and the paper pellet shot forward with more intensity this time knocking down the toy figure.

"Success! Visualizing it like it was shot fired from my thumb, and from a certain show where the girl flicked a coin calling it a railgun helped. This resulted in a good increase of power. Now when I played with Kate, my spells were simple. I simply made stuff float and then fly towards my target. I ended up losing a lot against her just because she was using her wand to throw some curve balls at me."

Devlin concentrated and this time gestured his hand to levitate multiple pellets. Devlin closed his fist, and, in his mind, he visualized these pellets flying off in opposite directions and then curving to its intended target. With intent and willpower, he opened his hand in hopes that the pellets would follow his visualization. But he had no luck. The pellets flew all in random directions in an uncontrolled fashion.

The theory he came up with is something like simple directions were possible but, a thought process spell is difficult and maybe not possible for the current him. There is a possibility that a mental catalyst is missing for him to cast spells wandlessly. Or it could be just a lack of basic knowledge of magic in this world. With no one to point him to the right direction, this is the best he has right now is what he can currently do.

"I remember reading that wizards from Africa in a school called Uagadou specialize in wandless magic in my previous life. Something like pointing their fingers or hand gestures." Devlin sat by his bedside wishing he could get a hint or a reference on their theory of spellcasting. "I guess I'll have to ask when I get to school. I have no other connections besides the Weasley family. It's kind of awkward for me to ask." Devlin didn't want to really let everyone know he's currently practicing magic.

Devlin suddenly remembered. "If I can use levitation to let's say repel items, what if..." Devlin brought out his hand in a direction of a toy figure and closed his eyes to concentrate. "Accio.."

Devlin felt a reaction and he opened his eyes. "ACK!" The toy slammed onto his forehead. "Okay, with eyes open next time!" As rubbed his forehead.

"Makes sense. It has the same properties of levitation in a way, and I had to visualize the object clearly in my head to bring it to me." This solidified his theory about the simplicity of spells as well as similarities. "Maybe I just have a gift for levitation spells!"

Devlin thought of a new training idea. "Okay, let's try and further control these spells. While I'm home, I'll try and use these spells as much as possible without letting my parents find out." And thus began the Devlin Delwyn lonely play of magic in the Delwyn Household.

Over the next few months, Devlin tried to use levitation and summoning spells in various ways. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner while his parents are not noticing, he would try to get the salt via "Accio" or pass it to his parents using levitation spells. Sometimes he would get caught or he would break a dish trying to levitate the plate to the sink secretly behind his mother.

To practice his mental state while moving, he would use his dad's treadmill in the garage and while running on it, levitate objects and move it from one place to another. Thanks to his training in gymnastics, he would do a handstand against his wall in his room and try to levitate things. This wasn't a good idea right now as the limited time he was upside down, his face would get red by blood rushing to his face, and he would have no control at all.

***

Christmas time arrives at the Delwyn Residence. Devlin and his family all just enter their home and following behind is Kate with a small carry-on bag. The house is decorated in holiday fashion with a Christmas tree by the fireplace.

"Here we are! Welcome home Kate." Ester hugged her daughter.

"We already hugged at the station mom! But it is great to be home." Kate answered.

Ester pulled Kate to the couch. "So we are home now. Tell us everything. We only got small details from your letters." Devlin and Peter also sat across from them ready to listen.

Kate smiled. "It wasn't exactly what I expected." she said in a very unenthusiastic manner. Ester and Peter looked at each other with worry and confusion. Kate on the other hand smiled "It was so much more!" Devlin and his parents smiled in joy.

"As noted in the letter i sent, on the first day of school, the students get sorted into specific houses. From what they told me, it's based on your personality. They use this magic hat they make you wear and it speak determining your house."

Devlin tried to guess in his mind. "She probably is a Gryffindor?" Kate is smart, but she's not all studies.

Kate continued her story. "The hat put me in Hufflepuff. Get this, Professor Sprout is the head of Hufflepuff!"

"Did she do this to help you?" Ester asked in curiosity

"No no mom, that's not how it works. Apparently, each student is sorted into a house that would be most compatible with in order to be in an ideal environment. I guess I'm similar to Professor Sprout." Kate laughed

"She as a kind person. She did show us the way and answered our questions without getting annoyed." Peter replied.

"How about the classes? How are they?" Devlin asked seeing if there is any similarities.

Kate thinks about her experiences. "Well, I guess like any other school but with magic? Like, there are fun teachers, boring teachers, weird teachers and mean teachers. Like in potions class, there's the Professor named Snape. It's like he's angry all the time! Then there's transfiguration class. That class is amazing! Professor Mcgonagall is the Vice Headmaster and an amazing witch. She can transform into a cat!" Kate blushed and looked like she a fangirl for a moment there.

"How about the students? Did you make any new friends?" Ester asked.

"Ya um, I've made a few. In the dorms, everyone is friendly. I don't see the Fred and George as often as they are in a different house, but I hear about them a lot! They are really popular and infamous for pranks. But I made a few new friends that are also from muggle families. I have their contacts; we plan to get together when there is free time."

"Well, that's good dear! I'm glad you are having a great time." Ester gets up. "Let me go set up some dinner."

"How about your performance in class?" Peter asks. "How are your grades?" Devlin snickered as that was typical of his father to ask that.

"Oh, its fine dad! You get an End of Term Report, and this as well." Kate handed his father a term report. "Here is the scale of the how its graded, and of course you can look at the comments." Kate looked proudly as most of her grades are A for Acceptable with some E for Exceeds Expectation. She got a P in History of Magic.

Peter nods looking at the report card. "Looks like you need to improve in 'History of Magic'."

Kate gives a sour look. "That's not fair, so much of that is basic knowledge for wizards. I'm from the muggle world ya know."

Peter smiles. "Well just do your best! I'm proud of you." He pats Kate on the head and also heads to the kitchen to talk to Ester.

Devlin approached Kate. "So? Got any new tricks from learning magic at school?"

Kate lets out an evil laugh as she brought out her wand. "Buwa ha ha..the games will be different this time Mr. Delwyn!"

Devlin returned the evil laughed as he pointed his finger. "We shall see about that Ms. Delwyn! Bwa ha ha." Kate and Devlin continue their playful evil laugh until it escalated into a loud in sync laugh.

"CUT IT OUT YOU TWO! TOO LOUD!" Kate and Devlin stop immediately in fear as Ester's voice can be heard from the kitchen.