The young girl was pretty, her light blonde hair almost platinum. She wasn't yet fully beautiful—too young—but her delicate, doll-like features were certainly noteworthy.
"Are you a new student this year?" Dana asked, taking the player card and pen that Astoria handed him.
"Yes, I'm new this year," the girl replied.
"Your name? Tell me your name so I can sign it," Astoria added cheerfully.
"Astoria Greengrass!"
Dana nodded. So this was Draco Malfoy's official partner from the original story. He'd heard they only got together after graduation. He glanced at Pansy Parkinson standing beside Malfoy, her expression resembling a wild creature's—proof that youth often fails to recognize true beauty.
"Alright, Miss Greengrass. I'll sign for you now." Dana signed with flair, his elegant cursive complementing the golden name "Dana Emrys" on the card:
"To Astoria Greengrass—may you always be happy."
Astoria beamed as she took the card and pen. "Senior, I'll always support you! I look forward to seeing you lift the championship trophy one day!"
"You will, you will."
Astoria skipped off to the Slytherin table. Her older sister, Daphne, tousled her hair enthusiastically. The younger girl giggled, unbothered, and carefully tucked the signed card into her robes.
This brief interlude over, the semester began—and Dana's main goal was to complete his early "graduation" by easily passing all his third-year exams.
Charms
No difficulty at all. Professor Flitwick didn't bother examining him and promptly granted an exemption from all third-year coursework.
Transfiguration
Dana's only challenge came from Professor McGonagall, who delivered a half-hour admonishment. She warned him not to neglect studies for Quidditch.
Herbology
Professor Sprout asked a few random questions. Impressed by Dana's fluent answers, she then required him to transplant a Dittany plant and prepare a special fertilizer for a Venomous Tentacula. He passed without trouble.
History of Magic & Astronomy
Both subjects, heavily reliant on rote memory, were effortless for Dana.
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Professor Laugh—warily regarded as a comrade—didn't challenge him.
Potions
Professor Snape made things difficult. Despite brewing every potion required, Snape didn't relent. For him, Quidditch seemed trivial. Only when Dana admitted he wanted to make friends and enjoy student life did Snape approve, perhaps realizing he might have exempted him all along.
Care of Magical Creatures
Hagrid's attitude had warmed since year one, but he harbored prejudice—believing those from Azkaban were likely criminals. He refused Dana exemption. But after Dana spent time in the Forbidden Forest, summoning Unicorns and Diricawls at night—subjecting Hagrid to sleepless chaos—Hagrid grudgingly relented. He'd learned from Dumbledore about the Emrys lineage and accepted Dana.
Muggle Studies
Hehe, simple.
Arithmancy
Easy.
Divination
Professor Trelawney exempted Dana after he precisely predicted: "Today at lunch, Professor, the third cavity on the upper-left side of your mouth will crack from biting a bone shard."
Ancient Runes
This was the only course still pending. Professor Bathsheda Babu Ling held the exam in her cluttered office, which felt more like a hoarded junkroom than a study. Two new books sat on her desk:
My Greatest Interest Is You
The Blood Oath Stolen by a Niffler
Dana suspected both were about Dumbledore and Grindelwald and shook his head in disapproval. Glancing at one, he felt his spirit shake—it seemed blatant erotica. He shut it hastily and headed to the adjoining door.
"Professor, I'm coming in."
"Come in, child." Her voice came from beyond.
Dana entered. Professor Babu Ling sat neatly on the sofa near the window.
"Sit." She motioned. Dana obeyed.
"I understand you've already earned exemptions in eleven courses—passed all third-year tests?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Remarkable. Truly the mark of an Emrys." She smiled enigmatically.
Then she frowned, raising an eyebrow. "Oh—using Legilimency on your professor is not good form."
Dana flinched as his mental "thread" severed and dizziness washed over him. Even the notoriously tough Defense professor had never performed mental jujutsu on him.
"Sorry, Professor," he said honestly.
"You used it on me first." Babu Ling raised her chin, composed.
Dana conquered his dizziness and nodded. "It was my fault."
She murmured, almost kindly, "I was curious—what powers you inherited from your ancestry."
Dana frowned, confused.
Babu Ling continued, "From what I sense: a talent for Transfiguration, strong aptitude in Charms, gifted in flying, ability to freely communicate with magical creatures, and a rare prophetic talent. In nearly a millennium, you're the first Emrys inheriting so many of Merlin's traits."
"Professor," Dana responded carefully, "I'm here for an exam, not to be told cryptic things."
"A test?" Babu Ling smiled. "You devoured most Ancient Runes tomes in your first year and mastered magic circles by your second. Third-year Runes is basic recognition. You wouldn't fail. I'll exempt you and give you a top grade."
"Then may I leave, Professor?" Dana was eager to exit. Babu Ling gave him an odd sensation—something instinctively repulsive.
"Am I that repulsive?" she asked softly.
Tears welled in her eyes, her expression pitiful—making Dana's skin crawl. "Professor, please don't! You wouldn't want Dumbledore knowing you're reading his…erotic gossip fiction, right?"
She twitched, regaining composure. "Alright. Let me be direct."
Professor Babu Ling leaned forward. "Do you know the Emrys are descendants of Merlin?"
Dana feigned ignorance, shaking his head.
"Not surprising—your mother died early and may have never told you." She gave what she judged her kindest smile. "You truly are a descendant of Merlin. Each Emrys has the potential to find Merlin's hidden secret treasure—so Dana, you are far more important than you realize."
She paused, voice low. "I, Bathsheda Babu Ling—member of the Avar Coven and seeker of ancient magical truth—invite you to join our search for Merlin's hidden treasure!"
She leaned closer. "Dana, once we find it, you'll choose only one item. All remaining magical knowledge and wealth will be yours. Imagine—wealth like Earl Dark Dantes. Wouldn't that be splendid?"
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