Chapter 33: The second year has ended.

The Basilisk is dead and the heir has also perished. This news spread immediately throughout the school, and despite it being the middle of the night, a celebration party was held in the Great Hall and all the dormitories continued to celebrate until morning. Today, even the usually strict McGonagall looked on with a big smile and celebrated together.

The Weasley brothers continued to express their gratitude to Leo throughout. Even Ron, who usually confronts Leo, was sincerely grateful. Ginny returned from the infirmary and joined the party. She immediately found Leonard and ran over to him.

"Leonard! Thank you so much. You are a lifesaver, no amount of thanks is enough. If there's anything you're having trouble with, just say it! I'll definitely help you! ...Well, I can't imagine there's anything you're having trouble with that I can help with."

Ginny was roughed up by the Weasley twins who came over. It seemed like Leo would also get caught in the crossfire, so he retreated to his study room. He always seemed to retreat to his study room when a commotion arose, but since his room was the most relaxing place for him, it couldn't be helped. He had been through a lot and was tired, so he decided to sleep for the day.

From the next day, peaceful and unchanged days returned. There were classes, homework, holidays, and Quidditch. The dormitory points fluctuated, and such ordinary daily life flowed by. Almost all students had given up on the exemption assignment for Defense Against Dark Arts due to Hermione's duel content in the Dueling Tournament. Now it is only recognized as a venue for introducing prank products under the name of a duel from the occasional twins. Hermione is now focusing on enhancing her power because she can't win now.

Speaking of Hermione, she had been acting a little strange since after the series of disturbances ended. She would glance at Leo strangely or get stuck when Leo spoke to her. It returned to normal after about a week, so Leo didn't worry about it too much.

More than that, Leo had no one to challenge his exemption assignment, so he was immersed in Basilisk research even if he had to cancel all regular study sessions and development of twin prank goods. There was no end to his interest in magic eyes and poison analysis.

The final exams also ended safely. The grades of almost all students in Defense Against Dark Arts improved significantly. Since he also gave lectures on how to use magic, it had a good effect on Transfiguration and Spell as well, and there were endless requests for Leonard Taylor to continue teaching not only this year but also in the future.

The day before the closing ceremony.

Leo was called by Dumbledore and came to the headmaster's office.

"Leo, I want you to tell me. What kind of magic did the heir, Voldemort of the past, seal his memory in his diary? If it's as I'm thinking, we need to consider future measures."

"That Tom Riddle said it was memory, but there was a part of his soul sealed in his diary. It was similar to the magic I cast on Cerberus last year. Perhaps sealing one's soul outside one's body would serve as insurance against death. Because it is an existence of soul itself, it probably gained power by devouring Ginny's soul."

"I see... Leo, that magic is probably Horcruxes, the culmination of dark magic. As you surmised, it is a magic that brings about pseudo-immortality by sealing souls into matter. However, you need to kill people to split your soul, and the effects of splitting your soul also appear in your body."

"Hmm... I see, that's why Voldemort looked like that last year. But would he go that far just by splitting his soul once?"

"No, I believe he has created multiple Horcruxes. The exact number is still speculative... Leo, Voldemort will eventually resurrect. Will you lend me your power then?"

"'As long as it's not a disadvantage to me. It's almost time for the end-of-year party now. So see you."

Left alone, Dumbledore thinks about what kind of thing a Horcrux is and how many there are in total. And Leonard Taylor... His power is tremendous and will continue to grow in the future. If they were hostile, stopping them would not be easy. The worst case scenario would be teaming up with Voldemort. Last year's Dark Lord must have been interested in Leo's power as well. He must be drawn into our camp at all costs. And Harry Potter... If my speculation is correct then Harry is...

He can't let his guard down from now on.

The end-of-year party venue was decorated with blue and bronze eagle emblems again this year.

Leonard Taylor had almost solved everything about the Chamber of Secrets so Ravenclaw was far ahead at the top. By now all dormitories have given up on this year and are competing for second place. Hufflepuff was second, Gryffindor was third, and Slytherin was fourth, but the difference between second and fourth was small and the competition was fierce until the end.

Today marks the end of Leonard Taylor's life as a teacher of Defense Against Dark Arts.

He was asked to give a final speech, so he took the stage.

"Uh, everyone, are you having fun eating, drinking, and talking? This kind of talk is probably less fun than eating, so I'll keep it short. Being a teacher was also a great experience for me. A new teacher will come from next year, but please remember what I taught you. It should become a power to protect yourself and your loved ones someday. I'm going back to being a student, but if you're not busy, you're welcome to come to my study room for a tour, and I'll continue the study sessions, so I look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you for this year."

Applause was sent from everyone in the Great Hall. Thus ended Leonard Taylor's life as a teacher.

The train back from Hogwarts. The compartment is just Leo and Hermione. Leo is summarizing various analysis results such as Basilisk. Hermione is staring blankly at Leo's face or looking at the sky. Occasionally, students come to greet them, but some even asked for a home tutor during the summer vacation, but Leo also had research plans for the summer vacation so he refused.

Hermione suddenly became curious and asked Leo.

'What will you choose for your classes from next year?'

"Um... Care of Magical Creatures and Divination maybe. Have you decided yet, Hermione?"

"Not yet. I wanted to take all subjects if possible and consulted with Professor McGonagall, but it seems impossible in terms of time and I need to use special magical tools. Even getting permission to use it seems quite strict. What do you think I should do? I need some advice."

"Special magical tools... Time Turner maybe? Anyway, I don't recommend all of them. Muggle Studies would be unnecessary for Hermione, and Divination wouldn't suit her. Numerology, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes Studies would be fine. If so, there should be plenty of time so it should be okay."

"That's right, Muggle Studies is okay. Maybe I wanted to catch up with you and wanted you to see me and was rushing. Yeah, I've decided. I'll go with those three."

As Leo thought about it, he wanted to see the Time Turner in action by taking all subjects himself, but he didn't think it necessary to make Hermione do that much. If he asked the Ministry of Magic for research purposes, they would probably lend it to him.

Just as they were about to arrive at King's Cross Station, Hermione declared to Leo.

"Leo, I have a goal."

"What kind of goal? Like a new magic?"

"No, it has nothing to do with magic. But I've decided that I will definitely achieve it."

"Well, whatever the goal, I think Hermione will be fine. Let me know when you've achieved your goal."

(My goal is Leo, to make you look at me. It might be hard against you who are insensitive to people's hearts, but I've decided. I'm definitely going to walk into the future with you.)

They arrive at King's Cross Station. When Leo and Hermione get off, their families are waiting.

"Both of you, good job. It seems like it was a tough year. It's a relief that you came back safely."

"Leo, how was it being a teacher? I heard you had a dueling tournament, do you want to duel with me again after a long time?"

Leo clearly refused his father invitation. Because the game is sure to drag on.

"Leo-kun, it seems you protected my daughter. As a father, I am deeply grateful. Thank you."

"For Hermie, Leo-kun is a teacher and even more so a prince on a white horse."

"Oh! What are you saying, Mom!"

Hermione, with her face turning red, covers her mother's mouth. At her reaction, both parents clenched their fists in their hearts, convinced of Hermione's change.

(All we have to do now is get Leo in the mood!)

(We have to bring out Hermie's charm as a woman!)

The mothers decided to hold an exchange of opinions to bring the two together.

The two return home with their parents.

On the way home, Hermione confessed to her parents.

"Dad, Mom... I've fallen in love with someone."

"We know. It's Leo-kun."

"If it's him, we can leave it to him with peace of mind. I'm looking forward to seeing her in a wedding dress."

While Hermione was blushing, Leo was thinking about what school life would be like next year.

(The first year was the Philosopher's Stone, the second year was the Chamber of Secrets... Will something happen in the third year?)

Thus ended Leonard Taylor's second year.

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Ron-san's wrist is super rotating! His attitude has improved considerably because he saved Ginny. Is Ron a siscon?

The commotion was resolved faster than in the original work, so Hogwarts returned to peace immediately. Of course there were exams.

There are quite a few differences from the original work in the second year.

・Harry is not recognized as a Parseltongue

・No Aragog related Also no Hagrid's false charge related

・Lucius Malfoy remains on the board Dobby also remains a servant of the Malfoy family

・Gryffindor sword does not absorb Basilisk poison

I guess these are the points that will affect the future.

Hermione's parents are convinced of her change. Especially her mother are very pleased.

And already family approved. The only one who doesn't know is Leo.

Finally about the title of this work I am taking a survey in activity report. Please if you like.

Next chapter preview!

Leonard Taylor returned to being a student. The daily life of research mania returns again.

But will such daily life be shattered by a vicious criminal who escaped from the worst prison!?

Cats, dogs, rats, werewolves and dementors. Is the third year full of magical creatures!?

Leo "Then maybe I'll keep a pet or create one."

Hermione "I don't care about prisoners or anything. I want to go on a date with Leo in Hogsmeade."

Next time, Volume 3　I'm not interested in prisoners

Look forward to it!