The first lesson

On the first of September, 1962, at 9:20 p.m., in the bedroom of Sylvia Greengrass and Bellatrix Black, both Slytherins, the conversation turned to their letters to their parents regarding their house placement.

The cousins, faithful to the principles of Slytherin and the guidance of their families, had been admitted to Salazar's house. After a late dinner, on their way to their new home for the next five years, they were met by Dean Slughorn. Naturally, he took into account their wish to reside together, with one of them being the scion of one of the most prominent families in Britain, leading a neutral faction in the House of Lords, and the other hailing from a household with a notorious reputation, whose path is fraught with peril.

No sooner had the girls reached their room for the year than they, first and foremost, refrained from rushing to the shower or collapsing into bed, for they had good reason, for the day had proven to be exceedingly exhausting and replete with novel experiences. Instead, they set about sorting through their belongings. Having located what they sought within, and extracted the protective containers from their bags, they donned protective gloves crafted from dragon hide and began to remove small geometric shapes from them. Sylvia's objects resembled pencils in size and form, while Bella's were pyramids. Once all the components of their thus far incomprehensible objective were assembled in the room, they arranged them in a discernible order, consulting the instructions that also lay within the container, and began to position their artifacts throughout the space.. Like red-hot needles, the pencils in Sylvia's hands pierced the stone walls, sinking into them until only a few centimeters of their length remained visible. The pyramids barely rested on the surface they were placed on. Once the girls had completed their preparations, they sprinkled their respective portions of the artifacts with their blood. As the last drop of blood touched the artifact, it flashed scarlet and vanished from sight, leaving no trace.

These were defensive artifacts, and only a master magician specializing in protective magic could enter the girls' room without their knowledge or consent. This required mastery in runology, artifactology, enchantment, and a master's reserve to overcome the combined efforts of two complex protective artifacts.

Only after the girls had ensured that there was no possibility of anyone spying on them or overhearing their conversation, did they begin to remove their dresses and hurry to the bathroom. However, Bella hesitated with the strings, leaving Sylvia to rush ahead and enter the bathroom first. Bella was thus forced to wait for her turn, and by the time she had finished showering and changed into her nightgown with her hair still damp, Sylvia had already taken her place in front of the mirror, which they would use to communicate with the outside world.

The mirror in Sylvia's possession was no ordinary one. It was not part of a standard set, but rather consisted of three pieces, previously belonging to a set owned by the Rosier triplets. It so happened that today, the children of these triplets had all enrolled at Hogwarts.. As you might have surmised, these are Sylvia and Bella — cousins, along with their cousin William Avery, who has also been sorted into Slytherin House, but alas, did not receive a mirror from the set, having instead inherited a pair from his father, allowing him to connect with the house.

At the present moment, the cousins are about to contact their respective mothers, who are sisters to one another, and arrange a video call, connecting with the Black family home owned by Cygnus III and Druella, the Greengrass Manor, where Henry and Rosalie are awaiting connections through mirrors, in the girls' shared bedroom, eager to share the events of the day and evening with their parents.

"Good evening, Mother. Good evening, Father," they say.

The voices of the young hooligans echoed in unison, their faces adopting expressions of impassivity, their posture perfect, conveying a sense of dignity as lofty as Mount Everest. They seemed to be at a royal reception, but the nightgowns they wore now clashed with this image.

The sisters exchanged glances in the mirror, then turned to each other, laughing softly. Druella, the eldest of the triplets, took the lead for a moment.

"Enough of this nonsense. We are all here, and our beloved aunt Valburga is no longer with us. Show us your impeccable manners and etiquette. Tell us about your trip. Was there anything interesting on the way or at school? How is William?"

And so, the sisters realised that they had been rather hasty in their communication, eager to boast about their acceptance into the esteemed and exclusive faculty of their alma mater, neglecting to discuss their new instructor's conduct and determine the appropriate tone in which to convey the news to their parents. What now? They would have to address everything in detail.

There was a «misunderstanding» on the train. Upon entering the carriage and reaching their compartment, they discovered that it had already been occupied by a prospective member of Hogwarts staff. A professor of the traditions of magic and Muggle studies, which had become mandatory subjects for first-year students this year.

«And what is his background?»

After a prolonged pause, once the adults had overcome their initial surprise, Signus Black inquired. Such an action was akin to arrogance, if not outright reckless folly.

The name of the gentleman in question is Ormarr Drake. He introduced himself as the patriarch of a family and hailed from Norway, having arrived in England. His demeanor towards us was quite peculiar.

Sylvia, the most observant and taciturn of the cousins, described his behavior as condescending. While he appeared to be amused by us, he did not flatter us excessively. It seemed as if he were simply enjoying indulging our whims and engaging in playful interactions.

Only now, the child has been able to articulate and articulate her sentiments and premonitions regarding the enigmatic teacher. His attitude towards our lineage was not one of reverence. Nevertheless, his demeanor resembled the way I perceive my great-grandfather's presence.

My sister did not mention this, or perhaps she did not comprehend it, but as he assisted us in arranging our luggage, he did not employ a wand or any other instrument of concentration. Instead, he accomplished everything through sheer willpower and his own magical abilities.

This is Bella sharing her observations. Both sisters possess remarkable and potent gifts inherited from the Rosier line, which hails from Gaul and was established by a druid. While Bella possesses an enhanced sensitivity to magical energy, Sylvia possesses a profound empathic ability, allowing her to grasp and interpret the emotions of animals and plants that are accessible to the human mind. Thus, they both exhibited their unique abilities today. Svyatozar's mood could be felt by one, while the other swiftly identified his capacity to wield magic without the aid of external tools.

«Ahem, how intriguing», Henry mused to himself, «this is the first I have heard of such a species. I might not have been so wary of Ormarr had his name not carried a serpent's meaning, but even so, when one's own name and that of one's purported species both carry such a symbolism, one cannot help but treat them with some caution. His alliteration is quite pretentious, particularly for our island and Hogwarts. And if one were to add to that the fact that his observations are insightful, then one might find him quite fascinating.»

«What else can you tell us about this professor?» Druella inquired.

«His appearance was that of a youthful individual, albeit slightly older than one might expect from a recent high school graduate,» Sylvia recounted. «He informed me that he recently completed his master's studies, having received tutoring from private instructors at home. His attire consisted of a doublet of unusual cut, crafted from a magical silk, though the origin of this fabric remained unclear. Evidently, it was a rare and exotic material, far from originating from silkworms. His appearance was devoid of any accessories or artifacts, and his demeanor exuded an impeccable mastery of magical etiquette, conveying a sense of natural ease. However, his attire and demeanor lacked any distinctive markers, either in terms of clothing or professional habits, that would indicate his specialization in magic.»

Sylvia's report prompted Bella to nod in affirmation.

"What an alluring 'young' man. Sister, do you suppose that there are many more enchanting dynasties in the world that educate and guide their youth to master the most archaic forms of etiquette, as Walburga is doing with our children, whose behavior and manners would be perfectly acceptable at the court of a medieval royal family from the late fifteenth to sixteenth centuries? I thought only the eccentric Val suffered from such folly!"

To this question addressed by Druella to Rosalie, Bella briefly frowned. Yet she was the primary victim of her aunt's upbringing, who was the matriarch of their family and against whom one could not truly rebel. Her heir was only five years old and had just begun his education. Before that, Bella and her sister Andromeda, two years her junior, had to bear the brunt of Aunt Druella's visits.

I have several debtors at the MCM, and I have already been apprised of these innovations and topics in our department. The presence of these subjects in all European magical schools has pushed the MCM to take action, and they have also selected teachers for these courses. Dumbledore did not have the option to reject his candidacy during the hiring process if he wished to avoid further complications on the international stage in Europe.

The Ministry of Magic was obliged to review the documents regarding Ormarr Drake's qualifications, as they were required to confirm his expertise. Thus, we shall determine the nature of his contributions.

«Girls, if Valburga should somehow learn of this incident in the carriage, you must not breathe a word of it to her!» Cygnus's tone was grave. His instinct rarely spoke, but when it did, it was always about life and death matters. And when it came to this situation, his instincts were up in arms, indicating that this new instructor was a formidable figure! Thus, he sought to prevent any information about the incident from reaching the ears of the overbearing Valburga, lest she cause trouble, and then they'd all be in for a reckoning.

«Yes, Uncle. Yes, Father.»

The order from her father came as a great surprise to Bella. However, having been raised properly, she would never contradict her father, let alone sabotage his instructions, which had not even crossed her mind. Regardless of how it might appear from the outside, that Ormarr was behaving audaciously and in an offensive manner, she found such conduct in a man impressive. She had seen enough of fawning and sycophancy, which were not to her liking at all.

After that, the girls were required to provide a detailed account of the past admissions, detailing who went to which department, how they reacted to it, and how they interpreted the dean's response. The debriefing continued for another half an hour, after which the girls said their goodbyes to their parents and prepared for bed. "Bella, are you staying in your room tonight or coming to mine?"

"Pfft! I'm no longer afraid of being alone in my room," she replied to her sister's jesting.

— Truly? And what of the night at Ostar, during which there was a tempest, and you remained with us at the manor of Greengrass?

Indeed, Bella feigned slumber, but the kin awoke in the same chamber in the morning.

*******

As the first day of September fell upon a Saturday this year, there were no classes scheduled for the following day. Therefore, I spent the entire Sunday at my estate overlooking the vast expanse of the taiga, where my companions and I succumbed to every imaginable vice, including debauchery and gluttony. We remained indolent, never rising from our beds.

Despite their initial displeasure, the ladies eventually acquiesced to my decision to pursue my vocation as a Hogwarts professor, albeit reluctantly. As a reasonable and responsible individual, I endeavored to conduct my lessons with utmost professionalism, only venturing out at night in the guise of a clone, leaving behind my true self. The ladies eagerly anticipated the arrival of the following weekend, when I would once again be at their disposal.

The coming year promises to be a period of simplicity and ease. As the subjects I am tasked with teaching are either new or the remnants of magical traditions long since forgotten and excluded from the curriculum of European schools — what is known here as Muggle Studies and available only to advanced students starting in the third year — are nothing more than a joke.

My entry into the educational process begins exclusively in the first year, sparing older generations from my influence. This year, I will have only four lessons per week. The remainder of my time will be devoted to my own pursuits, which, of course, will not involve idleness.

I already have a grandiose plan in mind to solidify my position of dominance in this realm. I intend to create, if my vassals so choose and desire, a system akin to respawning for them.. With regard to the mechanism involving the subsequent dispatch of benevolent spirits to reincarnate, accompanied by the advantage of retaining the remembrance of their former identity from our realm in their new life, this process has already begun to yield results!

One of the most extraordinary individuals I encountered was a former Inquisitor who served under the command of Marko and crossed paths with me on several occasions. However, during one of his missions to appease the lich, he met his demise in the early seventeenth century. His soul ended up in an egregore, and I arrived just in time to find that the system had already significantly augmented his soul's power and had not yet damaged his spiritual shells.

In his lifetime on Earth, Stefan Knight possessed little magical ability, but upon entering the Wheel of Samsara, his soul was already under the control of a master. Thus, this former Inquisitor became reborn in a world eerily reminiscent of Star Wars' Ewoks. This adorable creature, measuring approximately one meter in height, and his tribe inhabited a satellite that I could also perceive in this cinematic realm.. Nonetheless, the events that transpired in this realm predate the canonical timeline, as this world had not yet been visited by extraterrestrial intelligences. Consequently, this zealot, known as Stefan during his mortal existence, embarked on a tumultuous religious missionary endeavor. He first subjugated his own tribe to the dominion of the Almighty, then extended his influence to neighboring communities, and so forth, until his entire people embraced the belief in the Creator and commenced offering prayers to the Supreme Being.

Furthermore, their devotion was so ardent and sincere that they accomplished as much in a year as others would in a month. It is noteworthy that nearly three billion individuals inhabit the planet, of whom slightly more than half adhere to the One, while there are only a few million Ewoks. My new flock proved to be highly promising sources of nutritious and energy-rich power, having already embarked on the mission of spreading the light of their faith to other species on their satellite. Naturally, I linked Stefan to the egregore in order to bolster and support this commendable endeavor. I granted him the ability to share his power with other clerics, making him the High Priest.

The realm of their existence was always a tranquil domain, teeming with carnivorous and predatory creatures. However, upon Stefan's initiation of his endeavors, as he began to channel energy from the egregore into his followers, they demonstrated extraordinary strength, capable of effortlessly cleaving trees measuring several meters in diameter with a single punch.

Speaking of the energophone of this world, it is quite different from the one created by J. K. Rowling or any other known reality. Mana spells, in their pure form, are practically useless. Rituals, alchemy, potions, and runes still work, but this is another world with different constants, flora, and fauna.

In short, many experiments and research are required to recalculate the recipes, schemes, and so on. Therefore, I paid a visit to my priest in a dream, providing him with a TSU and a detailed plan for future actions. God has granted him the ability to master them in five hundred to a thousand years. However, the man can handle it, and in a hundred years he will have reached the level of Archmage.

After five hundred years of actively working through the ba-hion of my egregor, he will become an immortal supreme magician. So let him go ahead. This world is generally curious due to its structure and the interaction between energy spheres and the material plane.. Through a process of empirical inquiry and scientific investigation, aided by Stefan, I have been able to ascertain that this universe possesses its own agency. This agency manifests itself not through physical postulates in the form of rigid laws that constrain matter, but through active engagement in the fabric of the cosmic tapestry.

This self-awareness of the universe, if it so desired, could modify its own physical laws. Its actions are guided by a logic that remains elusive and enigmatic, defying our attempts to fully comprehend it. The efficacy of the ba-hion is somewhat diminished in this realm, and even when employed, its effectiveness pales in comparison to its performance in the universe described by Rowling, diminishing by a factor of approximately one-third.

But the extraordinary nature of this phenomenon does not stop there. Incidents began to occur when my protagonists were reincarnated in our world. One day, a fortunate parent in Milan was astonished when his two-year-old child, albeit with limited vocabulary, but still clearly articulated, told him that he was their beloved deceased grandfather.

This event once again stirred the religious community, increasing the number of devout followers. After all, each rebirth, along with the memories that emerged after the age of two or three, came with a package of information about the reasons for such an honor. Naturally, they could not remain silent about it, prompting people to adopt a more conscientious approach to following the precepts.

For many, the prospect of such a reward for living a virtuous life seemed like a highly desirable prize. The initial instance of reincarnation in our world occurred only seven years ago, and now there are over a hundred such cases on Earth.. The Wheel of Samsara, after all, is a cosmic mechanism beyond my comprehension, rendering it impossible to foresee which soul will be reborn where.

The respawn system that I devised for my warriors is as straightforward as a pry bar. I am surprised that I initially contemplated profit for the future and future expansion into other realms, rather than immediately addressing the safety of my elite forces.

There can be no doubt about the success of the rebirth of my knights. First and foremost, they are enlightened magi, fully aware of the existence of the Creator and the fact that all atman, like the Wheels of Samsara and Primordial Chaos, were created by Him. Moreover, since they served as my vassals and, in essence, my adepts, they had direct access to the egregore of the One, which I inherited as a divine patrimony in this world.

Upon the death of one of my knights, my clones currently serving in the egregore, using my administrative privileges, with the full assistance and support of the soul of the departed, will initiate the process of resurrection. This requires substantial energy, but I am not one to hoard resources; I always rely on my own strength rather than borrowing from others.

And now, this day has arrived — Tuesday, the first lesson on the traditions of the enchanted realm, to be shared between Gryffindors and Slytherins alike.

I was already seated at the table, observing myself and the arrival of the Slytherins to the classroom, who, decorously and unhurriedly, seven minutes prior to the commencement of the lesson, entered the room and quietly conversed, civilly taking their seats. However, a few moments later, the laughter and boisterous chatter of the Gryffindors approaching the room began to be audible, as if they had entered a locker room after a practice session rather than a classroom. Alas, Godric would not be pleased with them!

During the years of his headship, his students marched in formation, and if a leader was present, he could command them to reform into a turtle formation, phalanx, or wedge. Godric had instilled in them a sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and that they could always rely on their friends. Seeing this, if not yet banderlogs, but close to it, I felt like spitting.. Gazing upon the serpents, I was warmed by the realization that the proteges of my department had not yet succumbed to such degeneration. However, they had fallen into a different extremity, albeit in my own eyes. Yet let us not dwell on such melancholy matters.

The Gryffindor students only slightly reduced the volume of their conversation. They cheerfully took their seats in the second half of the class, having been vacated by the Slytherins, and began to glance around the classroom, which was devoid of educational equipment. What use would they have for it? If they needed something, they could simply manifest it.

With only a few moments remaining before the start of the lesson, I briefly averted my gaze, but only the Slytherins at the table noticed me. However, they were already quiet enough without my intervention, and upon seeing me, they all froze, a reaction that cannot be said of the vultures. It was up to me to restore order, and for that purpose, I employed mass paralysis and muteness, which I maintained for a few seconds, and once the entire faculty of brave souls had been thoroughly intimidated, I lifted my influence from them, commencing the lesson.

Greetings, students! This year, you have had the good fortune of being under my tutelage in the study of such essential subjects as Muggle Studies and the Traditions of the Magical World. I am Ormarr Drake, and I welcome you to my class.

My words were accompanied by a magical quill, which inscribed my name and those of the subjects I would be teaching on the blackboard.

I must warn you that any behaviour similar to what we witnessed in Gryffindor today will not be tolerated, whether I am in the classroom or not. If you are scheduled for a lesson with me, you must be in my office by the start of class, and you must maintain silence from the moment you enter until the moment we conclude our study. Any questions must be submitted with the teacher's permission. Is everyone clear on these expectations?

In response to my inquiry, I received the discordant nods from the children, who were pinned down by my feeble yawns. Children are representatives of the animal kingdom who live in the everyday world according to the laws of the jungle. It was necessary to establish the hierarchy immediately and indicate their place so that there would be no misunderstandings in the future.

"Very well. Now, I understand that there is no ideal solution for every situation, and there are prefects at the faculty and at school. However, I am not content with this arrangement. I require someone in each class and faculty to assist me to some degree during the lesson and fulfill my unburdened tasks. Therefore, on Thursday, you must elect your elders according to our following instructions. They will gather homework, essays, and other assignments from you.

Let us now commence with today's lesson, and its subject shall be "The Origins of the Traditions of Our Society".

Observing the gleam of superiority in the eyes of many in Slytherin, I resolved to bring them from the heights of their haughtiness to the earth.

Among the most arrogant and pompous, I discerned a blonde head with an aura of ancestral arrogance, indicative of a young man destined for greatness. It was Lucius Malfoy, the future sly friend of Tom. There was no need for me to delve into his mind to corroborate my suspicions, as his attire, unconcealed by his school robes, was adorned with coats of arms that bore witness to his lineage.

"Second desk, first row," I addressed him, "please rise and introduce yourself."

"Lucius Malfoy," he responded.

I continued, "We shall now test your comprehension of the essence of worldly laws and, consequently, the magic that underpins the traditions of our magical realm."

Turning to Lucius, I said, "Do you know that, at school, you are permitted to dine only at your designated table and are forbidden to partake of meals at any other?"

Of course, I am a member of the thirteenth generation of the illustrious Malfoy lineage, having attended Hogwarts. It was essential for me to mention this, both to affirm my exclusivity and to highlight the absurdity of such an inquiry directed at me. Who, except for Lucius, would be better acquainted with the traditions of this esteemed institution?

I am pleased to inform you that even Black and Greengrass, among others, have been attending Hogwarts since its inception, although their lineage may have been referred to by different names. However, let us return to my original question. Do you have any insight into the rationale behind this practice? Why must students from a particular house dine exclusively at their table or within the confines of their common room, barred from the presence of others?

In response, there was silence, with not a single hand raised. On the faces of numerous Slytherin students and some Hufflepuffs, one could discern the wheels of their minds turning, as they endeavored to find an explanation or justification for this custom.

— Be seated, Mr. Malfoy. I shall commence my response from a distance and delve into the obscure annals of history. Since the dawn of primitive society, long before humanity was honoured with the attention and blessings of faerie folk, humans have lived akin to beasts of the wild. Your own existence has been brief, and few of you have had the opportunity to make such observations, but when a person finds themselves under extreme stress and compels themselves to partake in nourishment, they experience a sense of calm during the act of eating, their nerves subsiding.

This is because our genome, which serves as the repository of our ancestral memories, bears the truth that humans can only consume food in safe environments. During the process of sustenance, our bodies experience a state of tranquility, harmonizing the functioning of our spiritual faculties, which are geared towards internalization and assimilation. At this moment, our aura becomes most evident, a byproduct of the innate mechanisms of the soul's operation. Thus, humans have always regarded writing as a safe and independent pursuit..The moment of revealing one's auras is accompanied by an interaction with one's neighbours, whose energies, albeit in the most minuscule form, imprint themselves upon the spiritual spheres of those present at the gathering.

Observing the rapt attention with which the class was listening to me, I nodded in self-satisfaction and proceeded.

What can pose a threat to the presence of others' energies in one's soul? If there is no confrontation or conflict with the individual with whom one has come into contact and allowed into their circle of trust, nothing can harm them. However, if one becomes a cause of harm to another with whom they shared a meal, a fire, or in general were near, their soul will become unbalanced due to a contradiction.

This effect of disrupting the spiritual spheres may be subtle and even invisible, yet it depends on one's spiritual development and various other factors, such as the time of year, planetary positions, global cosmic events, and other phenomena that can affect Earth's magical background. Even such a minor influence could distort one's magic and prevent them from casting a spell correctly one day.. And if, for instance, you were to suddenly lose the efficacy of Lumos while searching for something on a table in darkness, it would not be particularly alarming, but quite another matter if, in the absence of light, your footing were to falter and you were to tumble downstairs, sustaining a serious injury to your neck. I see that the children have grasped the point and are suitably awed.

In the realm of magic, there are no trivial details, and even the company you keep can significantly affect your magical abilities on a given day and, consequently, your destiny. For this reason, all hands-on lessons at school take place in dual classes with students from other faculties, ensuring that if needed, your opponent is always a student from a different faculty with whom you don't share meals. This approach is designed to prevent your magic from becoming internally contradictory and discordant.

Similarly, at Hogwarts, points are awarded to the entire faculty rather than individually to each student to avoid the potential for unforeseen problems and conflicts within the group. It would be impractical to provide separate meals for each individual student.

Only one hand shot into the air — Bella's. As I looked at her, a comparison with another intelligent beauty with a similarly disheveled appearance crossed my mind; only Bella's was ennobled by magic and an exquisite coiffure, namely, Hermione's. She, too, like the young Black, would have to struggle with passion and ambition to stand out and assert her superiority. If, for some reason, the sight of Malfoy instantly evoked a sense of pride in her ancestral achievements, then Bella's enthusiasm and confidence in her exceptionalism were based on a belief in her own uniqueness. Her self-assurance was justified; she was brilliant, erudite, and strong, with all her passion and spirit aspiring to perfection.

"Yes, Miss Black, I am listening."

"Professor, is this why our heads of house do not accept us at the table? Surely they should punish us if we are at fault, which would negatively affect their magical currents in the body and disrupt their operations."

— A most astute observation. Ten points to Slytherin! If there are no further questions, you may take your seats.

As Bellatrix sat back, radiant and beaming like a small star in the constellation of Orion, I continued.

— I notice that some of you are attempting to keep up with my lecture and take notes. There is no need for that. At the conclusion of this lesson, each of you will receive a transcript of today's material, and you have a full week to transcribe it onto your own parchment, as the one I provide will vanish in seven days.

I now address those who hail from the realm of the simple-minded and those who have been deceived and enthralled by the world of illusion; the futile traditions that have descended to us from ancient times do not exist in the realm of magic, and if you fail to perceive any value in them, it does not necessarily imply that there is none. In this world, nothing occurs without reason. Everything is intricately connected. Therefore, my advice to you all is to adhere to all the customs upheld in the magical community, which were followed by our forefathers.

Yes, young man, you may pose your question, but first, introduce yourself. It was I who addressed the youth who had raised his hand, and he is a member of the Aloznamennye.

Stephen Reeds, a Muggle-born, is a professor. My grandfather spent half his life in the navy, and after that he worked in commerce. He told me, "Granddaughters don't come to someone else's monastery with their own rules". I am happy to observe all the valuable traditions and customs of this world, but where can I learn about them except through your subject? Once I complete your course, I will feel completely safe, but there will always be the possibility of making a mistake or an irreparable error due to ignorance. I want to avoid that!

What a promising young gentleman. I was not hesitant to deliver such a lengthy speech during the evaluation of two courses, despite having previously dismissed them with my characteristic brusqueness. The young man surmounted potential timidity and present apprehension, for he had previously been one of those who had incurred my disfavour. However, he found the fortitude to pose a question, the answer to which could provide him with guidance for navigating his way through this not-so-benign world. Additionally, I observed several respectful glances from those in attendance, and even a nod of approval from Bella, indicating her endorsement of the young man's aspiration to immerse himself in the realm of magic and integrate himself into it.

Ten points for perspicacity and a most pertinent question, which ought to have occurred to the minds of all those who had previously supposed they were ensconced in a fairytale. I shall now offer three recommendations designed to assist you in preserving honor, magic, liberty, and life in our society.

Never lie! And above all, never lie to yourself. Acting contrary to your convictions, and espousing falsehoods, brings discord to your very being. If you lack the expertise, capacity, control, and power of a master magician, you will not effectively exist or develop in such a state. Thus, utterly expunge the sin of duplicity and falsehood from your life. This is of the utmost importance!

In the case of a sorcerer, not only their actions but also their thoughts and words are tangible, and thus, one should refrain from idle chatter and create an environment of deceit. This is the first step you must take if you aspire to become powerful and unfettered by any limitations.. Only by following this prescription shall you avoid deforming yourself and thus blocking all the paths of development available to you from the moment of your birth.

Furthermore, refrain from making promises you cannot keep and, moreover, vows. Depending on the terms of the contract or oath, such actions could lead to your death or enslavement in case of breach or failure. Therefore, avoid making vows altogether; if there is no alternative, carefully scrutinize the wording and consider the implications of what you are saying when making such a pledge.

Moreover, locate in the school library a book on etiquette spanning from the twelfth to fifteenth centuries, albeit not strictly necessary, as they differ primarily in minor and inconsequential details, and commit it to memory. This will enable you to avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts with members of the magical community, which largely adheres to these codes as they perfectly align with the prescriptions and customs of the magical realm.

The lecture was enlightening; it was evident from the students' expressions that they had been listening intently, and even the impetuous Gryffindors had settled down to the point where they were receiving sacred knowledge that not all Purebloods would find in libraries.

Towards the end of the lecture, I presented Albus with a gift and imparted another piece of counsel to my students.

"And now, a further point. I strongly recommend that all students visit the library and request Madam Pince to provide them with the Hogwarts Charter. You are attending a school where entirely different regulations and laws apply. The school falls outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic and English law; therefore, it would be beneficial for you to become familiar with your obligations and rights. That concludes the lesson!"