Chapter 19

I didn't expect to use my newly learned medical spells so soon. But it didn't take long.

Two Saturdays later, I went to the kitchen to fetch lunch. As I descended the stairs, I heard an argument below. When I reached the first-floor turn, I heard a loud thud, as if someone had fallen down the stairs. Two boys in Gryffindor robes came running up from below, heading towards the Great Hall with furious expressions.

Continuing downstairs to the basement, I saw a figure struggling to stand. It looked like he had fallen down the stairs. I hurried over to help him up; he seemed to be in bad shape.

"Are you alright?" His robe bore the Slytherin crest and the name Andrew Kent, likely a first-year.

He stood up, turned his head, and I saw his brown short hair and pale face. His gaze shifted to the Gryffindor crest on my chest, and he immediately shook off my supporting hand, hissing, "I don't need help from a Gryffindor!"

"Was it those two boys just now? I'm sorry they hurt you." I noticed his head was bleeding, probably from hitting it during the fall. "You're bleeding. Let me take you to the hospital wing."

"Get away from me! I don't need your fake Gryffindor kindness!" He turned to leave but almost stumbled again.

I stepped forward and grabbed his arm with a firm voice, "You need treatment." He looked a bit dizzy, supporting himself against the wall.

Seeing the wound on his forehead, I frowned. I pulled out my wand and pointed it at his forehead. His eyes widened in fear, but he couldn't escape in time, so he closed his eyes, bracing himself.

When he didn't feel the expected pain, he cautiously opened his eyes and saw me smiling at him. I nodded towards his forehead. Hesitantly, he raised his hand to touch the wound, finding it gone, his face filled with disbelief.

"Come on, to the hospital wing," I said, climbing the stairs. "Unless you want me to petrify you and float you there?"

He obediently followed. As a Slytherin, he probably understood the situation and chose the option that benefitted him most. My firm attitude and evident skill, with no malice, likely convinced him.

In the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office. After I explained what happened, she began examining him.

A few magical scans later, her expression turned a bit strange but quickly returned to normal.

"Mr. Kent, you have a minor concussion. Don't worry, I'll give you a potion, and you'll be fine after some rest here." She turned to me. "Miss Hill, could you come to my office? I have a few questions."

"Of course, Madam Pomfrey."

In her office, Madam Pomfrey got straight to the point. "Before Mr. Kent came to the hospital wing, someone had cast a healing spell on him. Do you know who that was?"

"Yes, I do. Is there something wrong with the spell?" I hesitated.

"No, the spell was perfect. I wondered if a senior student cast it and wanted to know their post-graduation plans, perhaps considering a career as a Healer. I recall no seventh-year student aiming for that this year, so I thought it might be someone from another year. If so, I'd like to help them." She seemed surprised.

"Oh, Madam Pomfrey, it was me who cast the healing spell on Kent." I admitted, a bit embarrassed. "Actually, I've only learned the hemostatic and healing spells."

Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened. "Where did you learn these spells?"

"From books."

Her expression darkened. "Did you practice these self-taught spells on Mr. Kent?"

"Of course not! I first experimented on mice and then tested them on myself once I was confident..." My voice trailed off as her expression grew more severe.

"You experimented on yourself without adult supervision? You injured yourself to test an uncertain spell?"

I looked down, silent.

"Miss Hill, you should be grateful to Merlin that you're sitting here healthy. You should know that you're at Hogwarts to learn to control and use your magic properly. We don't just give you books to study alone because you're still children who need adult guidance to understand and apply magic safely. That's why we have professors." She sighed, her tone softening. "Miss Hill, if you're interested in medical magic, you're welcome to come to me. I don't want to see you experimenting on yourself again. No matter how talented, you're still a second-year student, and medical spells require precise control of magic, which is unsafe without adult guidance."

I nodded vigorously.

Leaving the hospital wing, I walked to the lakeside, feeling a bit dejected as I gazed at the calm water.

When did I become so arrogant and reckless? Was this truly the essence of being a Gryffindor?

I thought my adult mind made schoolwork seem like child's play, and I always learned on my own. I forgot that in this magical world, I was a newborn, starting from scratch.

Since I got my wand, I'd been constantly learning new spells. Fortunately, I had an adult's understanding and control, and so far, I hadn't learned anything too complex or faced any accidents.

Staring at the lake, a giant squid slowly surfaced, lazily basking in the sun by the shore.

I felt a bit disappointed in myself. Since my rebirth, I'd been endlessly grateful for this second chance, eager to live a fulfilling life. So, I laughed loudly, pursued every interest, tried every idea, cherished family and friends, and loved intensely, not wanting any regrets. Maybe my approach was wrong. I cherished every breath, fearing it might be my last. Perhaps I should protect what I have instead of passively enjoying every moment.

What a foolish, troll-brained Gryffindor I was. Watching the giant squid wave its tentacles as it drifted away, I laughed heartily.

"Sawyer, I've seen you buried in these heavy books lately. Researching new spells?" Lily emerged from the potions lab, curious about my reading material.

"No, just trying to learn more about the magical world. This book is 'The Rise and Fall of Ancient Wizarding Families.' Here, the Prince family." I pointed out a passage to Lily. "'The Prince family has been renowned for generations for their potions mastery. Many Potion Masters have emerged from this ancient lineage…' Severus will undoubtedly be a great Potion Master someday!"

"I absolutely believe that," Lily nodded firmly. "I think I'm good at potions, but compared to Severus, there's no comparison."

"I believe that too. But consider this," I gestured to myself, "there are certainly people whose potions skills make yours look exceptional. Your potions would fetch a good price in a shop."

"Ha, thanks for the compliment—"

"Oh, by the way, I just read a wizarding fairy tale book, 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard.' It's fascinating, like our 'Grimm's Fairy Tales.'" I handed her a nearby book.

"Though I don't read fairy tales much anymore, this looks interesting. Every wizard child must have read it. But I bet they haven't read 'Grimm's Fairy Tales'—"

"No doubt."

I began learning more about wizards and delving deeper into magic. Only ignorance breeds fearlessness. Now, reflecting on my past actions, I saw them as risky. I decided I wouldn't rashly self-study new spells until I was confident in my knowledge and abilities.

Maybe I should ask Madam Pomfrey to teach me medical spells. It would undoubtedly be safer than experimenting alone.