With Professor Sprout's words echoing in their minds and a renewed sense of purpose in their hearts, Hadrian, Dora, and Iris set their sights on a noble goal: earn house points... through genius.
"Reckless pranks are out," Hadrian declared over breakfast. "Brilliant pranks with educational value? In."
Dora's eyes gleamed with mischief. "So basically, we're making learning... fun?"
"Scandalous," Iris whispered with mock horror.
Charms Class: The Wand Waltz
Professor Flitwick was mid-lecture on Charmed Motion Dynamics — specifically, directing objects to move with precision. Most students levitated their teacups and attempted to make them circle a textbook.
The trio had other plans.
When Flitwick turned to adjust his notes, every object in the room suddenly began a synchronized dance: quills twirled, teacups waltzed, and textbooks flipped their pages in time to a whimsical humming charm that Iris quietly hummed through a transfigured whistle.
Flitwick turned back and blinked. Then he clapped his tiny hands in delight. "Brilliant! Absolutely inspired application of controlled movement and group object charmed synchrony!"
"Five points each to Hufflepuff," he beamed, "for demonstrating creative control far beyond your year!"
Dora and Hadrian bowed dramatically while Iris performed an exaggerated curtsy, nearly knocking over a still-dancing quill.
Potions Class: The Chromatic Cauldron
In Potions, the assignment was simple: brew a mild calming draught. The results, typically pale blue and faintly glowing, were usually poured into dull, clear vials.
Not theirs.
When Slughorn checked their cauldron, he found a layered brew, each swirl a slightly different pastel hue — still perfectly brewed, but with a delayed-release charm that shifted the color based on how calm the drinker became.
"It's like watching your stress melt away," Hadrian explained as the demonstration vial turned from violet to a soft yellow.
Slughorn chuckled, clearly impressed. "A visual feedback loop... clever! Very clever indeed. Ten points to Hufflepuff."
Iris looked smug. Dora bumped her elbow.
Hadrian quietly passed around vials to a few overworked classmates.
Transfiguration: The Morphing Menagerie
The task was to turn buttons into beetles. Most students barely managed twitching insects.
Iris, Dora, and Hadrian turned their row into a mini magical petting zoo. Dora's beetles chirped musical notes. Iris's insects changed color based on proximity to heat. Hadrian's sprouted tiny, glowing runes that pulsed gently with each twitch.
When Professor McGonagall walked by and paused, one beetle bowed at her.
"Mr. Potter," she said with a perfectly unreadable face. "Are your beetles... greeting me?"
"Only the ones with manners, Professor," he replied innocently.
After a pause, she awarded them each five points — and muttered, "At least this week, they're using their talents for good."
Homework: Clever Collaboration
They began handing in essays that included interactive enchantments, like miniature illusions that illustrated their explanations, and pop-up diagrams that moved with simple touch-spells.
One essay for Astronomy had a three-dimensional constellation map that shimmered when tapped.
Even Professor Merriman took notice. He held up their essay on magical epidemic responses in Spain and declared it "a dazzling union of fact and flair!"
By Week's End…
Hufflepuff was at the top of the house rankings — by ten points.
Some students started whispering about the trio as the "Golden Badgers."
But Hadrian, Dora, and Iris just shared a knowing smile. They had outwitted expectations once again — not by playing by the rules, but by elevating the rules.
And there were still months to go.