[51] Reckoning

The results were announced. Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, Ron achieved a B+ average.

He happily carried his report card to the Slytherin common room to find Hall. The Slytherins passing by were indifferent to Ron's arrival. Occasionally, in the mornings, two identical faces could be seen yawning as they came downstairs together.

"Draco," Ron called out, his mood exceptionally good. Draco was startled, his face contorting.

"Weasley, what are you doing!" Draco's expression was one of utter terror.

Ron beamed. "Where's Hall?"

Draco composed himself. He'd been terrified, thinking Weasley had discovered he'd been teasing Hall all this time.

"Hall went to see the Headmaster."

Draco suddenly remembered Hall knocking on his door that morning and taking the four hundred Galleons — his last bit of savings, accumulated since childhood.

He didn't want to be prefect next year. It was too expensive. Draco's expression was full of resentment. He decided he had to have a serious talk with his father when he got home. If he still had to be prefect, his allowance had to increase. Otherwise, he wouldn't do it.

He raised his head proudly.

Ron ignored Draco's thoughts. A hint of melancholy crossed his excited face. After learning his grades, his first thought had been to tell Hall, to share his joy. But Hall wasn't there.

"You came to tell Hall about your grades, right?" Draco said sarcastically. "I don't know what's so great about a B+."

Ron was surprised. "How did you know my grades?"

Ron's expression was easy to read. Draco's pale cheeks flushed. "What are you thinking!"

He explained, "It's Hall — he knew all morning and bragged about it to us."

"B+." Draco's average grade was A-. Although his parents hadn't said anything, he knew they must be disappointed.

Ron grinned foolishly. Draco rolled his eyes and went to find Blaise to discuss where to go for the holidays.

Ron felt as if his heart was being soaked in a warm spring. He ran outside, holding his report card, through every corridor of Hogwarts.

"Was that a gorilla just running past?" George asked Fred.

"Looks like it really is," Fred replied.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The twins quickened their pace and fled the scene, afraid someone would recognise Ron as their brother. But no one believed them — that fiery red hair was the best proof.

With the year winding down, Hall made his rounds between the offices.

Hall walked between the offices and the Headmaster's room, carrying a notebook.

"Headmaster, year-end settlement. Quidditch training — one thousand eight hundred Galleons."

"Headmaster, year-end settlement. Teaching assistant fees — one hundred seventy-two thousand eight hundred Galleons."

"Mister Malfoy, year-end settlement. Profit sharing for short-term and long-term Squib potions."

Hall collected each account and crossed it off. When the notebook was empty, his pockets were nearly full.

Lucius Malfoy, keen to cultivate a relationship, offered to help Hall open a vault at Gringotts. He had connections, even though Hall was underage.

Hall refused. If he opened one, it wouldn't be as Hall Weasley. If he did, every wizarding noble would know who had opened a new, large vault. They couldn't know exactly how much was inside, but they could estimate from the vault's size.

Hall stood alone atop Hogwarts' highest tower, watching the students below.

"Open the panel."

[Host: Hall Weasley]

[Bloodline: Wizard Bloodline (Quite Talented)]

[Magic: LV3 (0/300)]

[Physique: 8/10]

[Comprehension: 2/10]

[Talents Overview:]

[SS-Rank Abilities: None]

[S-Rank Abilities: Memory Palace (Upgradeable), Disguise Mage (Upgradeable)]

[A-Rank Abilities: Potion Making — Unlocked, Spellcasting — Unlocked]

[B-Rank Abilities:]

[C-Rank Abilities: Quidditch Talent, Herbalism Talent {Self-taught}, Astronomy Talent {Self-taught}, History of Magic Talent {Self-taught}, Defence Against the Dark Arts Talent {Self-taught}, Transfiguration Talent {Self-taught}]

[Available Galleons: 226,681 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

Hall looked at the words following the A-rank abilities, unfolding them. The system was surprisingly thoughtful — knowing he'd get dizzy looking at it, it had folded up the list.

"Upgrade three hundred magic points."

[Ding]

[Panel Update]

[Magic: LV4 (0/400)]

[Available Galleons: 223,681 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

"Upgrade four hundred magic points."

[Ding]

[Panel Update]

[Magic: LV5 (0/500)]

[Available Galleons: 217,681 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

"Upgrade five hundred. Upgrade six hundred. Upgrade seven hundred. Upgrade eight hundred. Upgrade nine hundred. Upgrade one thousand."

[Ding]

[Panel Update]

[Host: Hall Weasley]

[Bloodline: Wizard Bloodline (Exceptional Legilimency talent, inherited from mother)]

[Magic: LV11 (0/1100)]

[Physique: 8/10]

[Comprehension: 10/10]

[Available Galleons: 213,181 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

As Hall's understanding of magic deepened, he became acutely aware of the importance of magical power. Magic and comprehension complemented each other. With both strong, learning anything became faster. Talent upgrades represented depth — a deeper understanding of a talent. Comprehension represented breadth — a greater understanding of the different uses of each talent.

What Hall needed now was to broaden his knowledge. He wanted to imprison the fragment's soul within something lifeless — that leaned towards alchemy. He needed to raise his magic level to ensure he had the aptitude for alchemy, instead of being shut out by its profound complexities.

Hall stared at the words behind his bloodline.

Mum's mother also had Legilimency talent?

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