The air in Professor Flitwick's office carried the warm fragrance of Earl Grey tea mingled with the sweet scent of delicate pastries. Observing Leo successfully complete the magical enhancement of his Undetectable Extension Charm demonstration, Professor Flitwick nodded with obvious satisfaction.
"Excellently executed, Leonardo."
Leo withdrew his focused attention from the enchanted teacup, offering sincere gratitude: "Professor, thank you for your patient guidance throughout this lesson."
Flitwick gestured cheerfully toward the floating cake stand. "Please, have something to eat first. Take a proper break before we continue."
Leo selected a pink petit four, consuming it with refined, measured bites while considering their discussion.
"Leonardo, regarding the use of Extension-enhanced objects to contain living creatures, what specific conditions do you believe would be essential?"
Having just swallowed the final crumb of cake, Leo contemplated the question carefully before responding: "Primarily, ensuring a sustainable survival environment... proper climate control, reliable food sources, clean water supplies..."
"Additionally, spatial stability would be crucial to prevent sudden dimensional contraction or catastrophic collapse..." He paused thoughtfully. "Beyond those fundamentals, I haven't identified additional requirements yet."
Professor Flitwick approved of Leo's comprehensive reasoning. "You've already considered the most critical factors quite thoroughly. However, there's another significant challenge... if you're housing different magical species with vastly different environmental needs, you'd require separate dimensional spaces. That involves extraordinarily complex spatial folding problems."
Professor Flitwick's expert guidance left Leo genuinely contemplative. Creating items capable of safely containing living magical creatures represented exponentially greater difficulty compared to simple charm integration on Extended objects. The required theoretical knowledge and advanced magical techniques far exceeded his current capabilities.
Professor Flitwick added with obvious regret: "I'm terribly sorry, but regarding Undetectable Extension applications for creature containment, I cannot provide adequate assistance. This particular technology ventures into complex magical matrix theory... quite beyond my area of expertise."
"In this specialised field, only the Scamander family has conducted truly groundbreaking research."
The family name immediately captured Leo's complete attention. "Scamander? You mean the renowned author of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'... Newt Scamander's family?"
"Precisely. The author of that celebrated reference work."
Leo's memory immediately conjured vivid images from films he'd viewed in his previous life. Newt's legendary briefcase contained layer upon layer of miniaturised worlds, each featuring distinct environments that housed numerous magical creatures in perfect harmony. That miraculous creation was essentially a portable paradise for magical beings!
"Unfortunately," Flitwick continued with visible disappointment, "if this conversation had occurred several years earlier, we might have attempted contacting Mr Scamander directly. However, he's retired from public life and entered complete seclusion. Very few individuals know his current location or possess reliable contact methods."
Flitwick spread his hands helplessly, expressing genuine regret for the missed opportunity.
"Incidentally, Leonardo, what inspired you to pursue using Extension Charms for creature containment in the first place?"
Faced with Professor Flitwick's innocent curiosity, Leo scratched his head with mild embarrassment: "Honestly, I initially just thought our dormitory bed was uncomfortably small for proper rest. I wanted to make it more spacious."
Hearing that Leo's grand magical ambitions stemmed from simple sleeping comfort, Flitwick stared in amazement before erupting into delighted laughter.
"Haha! You're truly a fascinating and remarkably practical young wizard!"
Of course, Leo harboured additional motivations he couldn't discuss openly with his professor. Specifically, containing various magical creatures to facilitate convenient observation for his future research into magical creature transfiguration techniques.
If he could obtain a case similar to Newt's legendary briefcase, it would dramatically reduce dangerous trips into the Forbidden Forest while making creature study infinitely more manageable.
Leo spent additional time discussing variant applications of common charms and advanced casting techniques with Professor Flitwick. He strategically incorporated questions about spells like the Disillusionment Charm and various Tracking Charms that would prove essential during future Forbidden Forest expeditions.
As their conversation continued, Leo noticed the wall clock approaching midday. He rose respectfully to take his leave: "Professor, I won't impose upon your valuable time any longer. Thank you tremendously for clarifying my theoretical confusion."
Flitwick waved his hand with obvious contentment. "Please, don't be so formal! I'm genuinely delighted to encounter students who demonstrate such passionate love of learning."
Suddenly remembering his earlier conversation with Professor McGonagall during the opening feast, Flitwick smiled with satisfaction. Ravenclaw had indeed acquired an exceptional student!
"Oh, Leonardo, please wait just a moment."
Professor Flitwick gestured casually, summoning parchment and a self-inking quill from his desk. The enchanted writing instrument quickly inscribed several lines of elegant script before adding Flitwick's distinctive signature at the bottom.
"Listed here are several advanced Charms texts that should interest you greatly. Present this recommendation to Madam Pince in the school library, and she'll locate them for your use."
Leo's face illuminated with obvious joy as he accepted the precious document with both hands. "Thank you so much, Professor!"
He had already planned an evening library visit to acquire advanced magical texts. Professor Flitwick's curated reading list represented perfectly timed assistance.
Leo departed the office with his invaluable book recommendations, anticipation building for the knowledge awaiting him.
A few minutes after Leo's departure, Professor Flitwick examined the demonstration teacup once more. While he could identify areas for technical improvement, considering it emerged from a first-year student's efforts, the achievement remained genuinely extraordinary.
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached Flitwick's office with characteristic vigour: "Filius, are you available? I have something rather important I'd like to discuss with you."
Flitwick looked up to discover Dumbledore's tall figure materialising directly across from his desk, the headmaster's blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles.
"Oh, you've just brewed fresh tea? Still perfectly heated." Dumbledore's expression brightened considerably. "Filius, your treasured Earl Grey represents the finest in the entire castle."
Noticing the steaming teacups, Dumbledore immediately claimed one for himself. Opening the sugar bowl, he deposited several large cubes into his cup with obvious enthusiasm.
Flitwick's eye twitched watching this familiar ritual unfold.
Dumbledore lifted the cup for an experimental sip, then frowned slightly. The sweetness seemed insufficient compared to his usual preference. Examining the teacup more carefully, Dumbledore discovered the underlying enchantment.
"How ingenious, Filius! When did you think to cast Undetectable Extension on a teacup while layering so many practical daily charms? The combined effect proves quite remarkable."
Dumbledore could observe that the charm integration wasn't perfectly refined but assumed Flitwick had created it as an amusing personal project during idle moments.
"Actually, Filius, I came specifically to discuss young Leonardo Grafton. I trust he's already attended your classes?"
Flitwick nodded with a distinctly peculiar expression crossing his weathered features.
"Excellent, that simplifies matters considerably. What's your professional assessment of Leonardo's talents? Specifically regarding Charms mastery."
Hearing Dumbledore's inquiry, Flitwick's expression grew even more bewildered. If not for observing the headmaster's completely serious demeanour, he would have suspected this old friend was orchestrating some elaborate jest after eavesdropping outside his office.
Pointing directly at the teacup cradled in Dumbledore's hands, Flitwick attempted to maintain calm composure: "Regarding Leonardo's charm aptitude... every single enchantment on that cup you're holding was cast by him personally."
"Indeed. Indeed…?" Dumbledore's voice carried obvious surprise as comprehension dawned.
Observing the headmaster's genuinely startled reaction, Flitwick confirmed he hadn't been secretly listening during Leo's visit.
From Leo's initial advanced questions through the successful completion of complex charm integration, Flitwick recounted their entire educational exchange in meticulous detail for Dumbledore's benefit.
Through Flitwick's comprehensive account, Dumbledore became increasingly convinced of the Sorting Hat's remarkable evaluation accuracy regarding Leo's capabilities.
Once-in-a-millennium talent indeed.
"Unfortunately, the young man expressed interest in using Undetectable Extension for containing living creatures, but I informed him that Newt Scamander, who mastered such advanced techniques, has retired into complete seclusion."
Newt? Suddenly hearing this familiar name, Dumbledore's mind raced with possibilities. He knew the celebrated magizoologist quite well! They remained old friends despite infrequent correspondence.
Come to think of it, considerable time had passed since their last communication. Perhaps writing to check on Newt's welfare while enquiring about this particular matter for Leonardo's benefit would serve dual purposes perfectly.
"Ahem, Filius, thank you for sharing these insights. This discussion aligns precisely with my intended purpose for visiting." Dumbledore's expression grew more serious. "Leonardo's talent proves genuinely extraordinary. However, coming from a purely Muggle background, his understanding of magical theory and potential dangers remains insufficient. He might accidentally attempt hazardous magic without proper context."
"Exceptional genius requires careful guidance more than typical students. As Head of Ravenclaw House, I hope you'll provide Leonardo with special attention and mentorship..."
Flitwick nodded emphatically, completely agreeing with Dumbledore's assessment. Students possessing exceptional aptitude and rapid learning abilities needed experienced instructors to provide proper direction, preventing them from pursuing dangerous magical paths.
However, Flitwick quickly identified a crucial detail that troubled him deeply.
"Wait, Albus, are you confirming that Leonardo comes from a completely Muggle family with no wizard relatives whatsoever?"
"That's absolutely correct."
"Then where precisely did he acquire all this advanced magical knowledge he's already mastered independently?"
The two elderly wizards suddenly stared at each other across the desk, both recognising identical confusion reflected in the other's experienced eyes.
How had comparing professional notes revealed such a significant problem?
Meanwhile, Leo was heading toward the Great Hall for lunch, having just passed the Potions classroom when the crisp end-of-class bell rang throughout the corridor.
"BANG!"
The classroom door burst open with dramatic force, and a dark, imposing figure emerged from within like a malevolent shadow given form.
"Professor Snape, good afternoon," Leo offered politely.
Faced with the student's courteous greeting, Snape merely grunted dismissively and strode past with characteristic billowing robes and barely contained irritation.
Who had provoked him now? Leo wondered briefly before remembering that Snape seemed perpetually angry regardless of circumstances.
Noticing the Potions master's particularly gloomy expression beneath that distinctively greasy black hair, Leo formed an educated guess about recent events.
He turned toward the open classroom door with knowing anticipation. Sure enough, among the students filing out in obvious relief, he spotted Harry's dejected, indignant face emerging from what had clearly been a thoroughly unpleasant first encounter with Professor Severus Snape.