The memory of Diagon Alley still shimmered in Hadrian's mind like sunlight on glass.
The laughter.
The weight of brand-new books in his arms.
The grin on Iris's face when she chose her wand.
Dora's dramatic reenactment of an imaginary duel with a new feathered hat as her "battle helm."
It had been perfect.
It was the kind of day you carried with you.
But now, curled up in his room that evening, Hadrian knew he couldn't leave everything to chance. Not at Hogwarts. Not when so much could be better—easier, safer, kinder.
He sat cross-legged on his bed. The Book pulsed softly in his mind. Waiting.
He turned the page and wrote:
At was recently decided that beginning with the 1991-1992 academic year,
Professor Severus Snape will exclusively teach N.E.W.T.-level Potions (6th and 7th years). Lower years (1st–5th) will be taught by returning Professor Horace Slughorn,
renowned for a more nurturing, academic, and student-friendly teaching style. The reasons were: Promoting healthier learning environments and minimizing early-year intimidation.
Hadrian paused. He imagined Iris being sneered at for miscutting roots. Dora being punished for sass. Himself being publicly dressed down for existing.
No thanks. He continued:
It was decided that starting with the 1991–1992 academic year,
Professor Cuthbert Binns will be allowed peaceful passage to the next life,
and replaced by a magically enthusiastic, storytelling-obsessed wizard-historian
who is eager to use illusions, reenactments, and interactive lectures to bring magical history to life. Reasons for his employment: To retain the subject's integrity while preventing death-by-boredom.
The Book shimmered briefly. Hadrian grinned to himself.
Small shifts. Quiet kindness.
It was enough to start.
Downstairs
The scent of cocoa drifted from the kitchen.
Iris was teaching Dora how to charm chocolate frogs so they'd hop slower. Dora, in return, was daring her to transfigure buttons into jellybeans with mixed results and a fair amount of colorful explosions.
It was a great summer, full of fun, bonds and happy birthdays. Now it is almost time for Hogwarts and tomorrow, they'd pack.
The day after, they'd board the train.
And Hadrian would step into a version of Hogwarts that was just a bit more brilliant than before.