Chapter 37: The Star of Slytherin

Wednesday Morning: Herbology Class

As expected, George once again secured 10 points for Slytherin during Herbology class.

Thanks to his past experience helping an old wizard sell potions, combined with the aid of his computer, George's deep understanding of herbs and potions gave him an unparalleled edge over first-year challenges.

...

After lunch, George ventured out of the castle alone, walking along a path leading to the Forbidden Forest and Hagrid's hut.

It was early July—neither too hot nor too cold—the perfect time to enjoy nature. The path was lined with wildflowers, and the verdant grass stretched all the way to the shores of the Black Lake. A few steps further might lead one to spots where older students, caught up in youthful romance, often gathered.

At Hogwarts, students matured quickly; many began dating as early as their second or third year. Rare cases like Ron and Harry, who only started exploring relationships by fourth or fifth year, were exceptions.

Without disturbing the couples, George continued past the Quidditch pitch and a long stone bridge, finally arriving at the edge of the vast Forbidden Forest.

There, he spotted a massive wooden hut with oversized pumpkins growing in front of it.

"Woof! Woof!"

A large black dog jumped out, barking in challenge as George approached.

Locking eyes with the dog, George activated his psychic abilities. The dog froze briefly, then wagged its tail enthusiastically.

"Fang! Back off!"

Hagrid's booming voice called out as the hut door swung open, revealing his towering frame.

"Oh, it's you, young shopkeeper! Welcome! I've just baked some rock cakes—perfect timing! You can share them with another guest here."

"Truly an honor," George said, raising an eyebrow. He hadn't expected someone else to be visiting Hagrid today.

"Ginny? Why are you here? Don't you have class this afternoon?"

Inside the hut, George found Ginny perched on a tall stool. From what he remembered, Gryffindor had no free afternoons until Friday.

"You're right, George. I should get going," Ginny stammered before hopping off the stool and dashing out of the hut.

"She wanted to ask when Harry might visit," Hagrid explained, placing his freshly baked rock cakes on the table. "You must've startled her off. Well, her share is yours now."

"Mmm, such a pity!" George patted his full stomach with feigned regret. "I just ate at the Great Hall and couldn't possibly manage another bite."

Hagrid's rock cakes, notoriously hard enough to double as bricks, were something George was glad to avoid.

"Save room next time, eh?" Hagrid laughed before devouring the rock cakes himself.

The visit wasn't just social—George had questions about magical creatures.

"I've been reading about magical beasts and am deeply fascinated," George explained. "I have a few questions I'd love your insights on."

Hagrid, ever eager to share his passion, launched into an animated explanation.

While George had psychic abilities that allowed him to communicate with magical creatures, taming them required more than just communication. It required knowledge of their habits, much like renowned magizoologist Newt Scamander, who was said to have a natural talent for connecting with magical creatures.

The Forbidden Forest was rich with resources, including rare magical creatures whose parts were invaluable for crafting magical items and potions. For example, the venom of an Acromantula—worth 100 Galleons per pint—was found in abundance, as the forest housed over a hundred of these giant spiders.

George was determined to master the skills needed to harness these resources effectively, not just for profit but also for their strategic value.

...

On Thursday, George attended Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and History of Magic, earning Slytherin an additional 40 points.

By the end of the day, Slytherin's total score was miles ahead of the other houses, solidifying George's reputation as the "Star of Slytherin."

Every year, Slytherin earned high scores, often bolstered by Snape's favoritism. However, last year's arrival of Hermione Granger, a study machine, had significantly increased Gryffindor's points. Despite setbacks from Harry and Ron, and Snape's deductions, Gryffindor's lead was slim enough for Dumbledore to snatch victory with last-minute points during the Philosopher's Stone incident.

This year, George's efficiency surpassed even Hermione's, earning points across all subjects without the risk of point deductions. Even with Dumbledore's favoritism, it would be difficult to make up the potential gap without raising suspicion.

Friday Morning: Potions Class

"Can anyone name the ingredients for the Cure for Boils potion? George, you may answer."

For the fifth time that class, George stood to answer one of Snape's questions, feeling slightly embarrassed by his dominance.

"Powdered root of asphodel, wolfsbane, and porcupine quills, Professor."

"Not all of you are imbeciles, it seems. Five points to Slytherin," Snape said, scanning the class with a disdainful gaze.

He then instructed the students to begin brewing the potion.

Snape's favoritism was subtle yet undeniable. His questions were often slightly beyond the standard curriculum, making them difficult for most students to answer. However, George, with his computer-assisted preparation, could handle them effortlessly.

When George successfully brewed the potion ahead of everyone else, Snape swooped in like a bat.

"An excellent potion. Five more points to Slytherin."

By week's end, George's contributions to Slytherin were undeniable, his rise as the house's brightest star assured.