The next lesson awaiting the first-years was Charms, taught by Professor Flitwick. A small but energetic man, he stood on a pile of books to be taller than the lectern, and his ringing voice echoed through the classroom. Today's topic: Levitation.
As students entered the classroom, Hermione, as usual, carried a stack of books and parchments. Her gaze swept over the rows, and spotting a free seat next to Stephen, she headed towards him. She had grown accustomed to his strange jokes and unusual approach to magic, even finding a certain charm in it. She was curious what he would say or do in this lesson.
However, before she could sit down, Professor Flitwick, who had been observing Stephen closely since the first days, cleared his throat. His perceptive eyes seemed to see much more than an ordinary teacher. He had already noticed Stephen's extraordinary abilities, his phenomenal speed in absorbing material, and his unconventional thinking.
"Mr. Strange!" Flitwick's voice rang out, full of enthusiasm. "Would you please come here, to the front? I would be very pleased if you would assist me in today's lesson. Your... unique abilities, I am sure, will be very useful for demonstration."
Stephen, who had already chosen his seat and was about to take out his parchment, slightly raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected such a turn. On one hand, it diverted him from his own plans; on the other, it offered an opportunity to observe Flitwick and his methods, which could be beneficial. He calmly nodded and headed to the front, leaving Hermione, who had almost reached his desk, with a slight disappointment. She had to sit next to Ron, who was already desperately trying, without success, to lift his feather.
"So, class!" Flitwick continued, beaming. "Today we will be learning the Levitation Charm, or, as it's also known, Wingardium Leviosa! This is a very important spell that allows you to make objects fly." He turned to Stephen. "Mr. Strange, would you care to demonstrate?"
Stephen nodded. He took a light feather from Flitwick's desk, which the professor had prepared for the demonstration. His mind, accustomed to multitasking, was still processing complex alchemical formulas obtained from library folios. He pondered the principles of matter-energy interaction, how alchemists achieved transmutation, and how this could be applied to levitation. In his consciousness, a complex yet elegant model was already forming, allowing him to control objects with no visible effort.
He lifted the feather without drawing his wand. His gaze was focused, yet relaxed. Silence fell over the classroom. Stephen merely squinted slightly, and the feather, resting on his palm, slowly but surely rose into the air. It hovered for a few seconds, then gently floated back down. No incantation. No wand movement.
The class gasped. Students exchanged glances, their eyes wide with astonishment. Hermione, sitting next to Ron, dropped her book. Ron, forgetting his own failures, stared at Stephen with an open mouth.
Professor Flitwick, usually so energetic, froze for a moment, then a wide smile spread across his face. As an experienced wizard, he knew that for adult wizards to lift a light object without a wand and words was a sign of high skill, but for a first-year, it was something extraordinary.
"Ahem... ahem... Mr. Strange!" he finally managed to utter, his voice filled with sincere admiration. "That is... that is very, very impressive! And it undoubtedly earns ten points for Ravenclaw for such a... unconventional, but incredibly effective demonstration! You... you did it without a wand and without words! That is... that is simply astonishing for your age!"
Stephen, noticing the general astonishment, smiled slightly awkwardly. He had forgotten that for most wizards, such things were not commonplace, especially for first-years. For him, it was merely the logical application of principles he had just deduced from alchemical texts.
"My apologies, Professor," Stephen said, his smile widening slightly. "I was a little... focused on other things. I can demonstrate it in a more traditional way."
He drew his wand, which until then had lain unnoticed on the desk. "And now, class, pay attention," Flitwick said, clearly trying to get the lesson back on track. "The correct wand movement and clear pronunciation of the spell are the key to success!"
Stephen took the feather, raised his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he pronounced clearly, making the correct movement. The feather obediently flew into the air, hovered, and then gently floated down.
"Excellent! That's it, class!" Flitwick exclaimed, trying to hide his still visible shock. "Now, try it yourselves! Remember: swish and flick! And clear pronunciation!"
The students immediately set to work. A hum of voices filled the classroom: "Wingardium Leviosa! Wingardium Leviosa!"
Ron sat next to Hermione, frantically waving his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he puffed, but his feather didn't even budge. Seamus Finnigan, sitting nearby, enthusiastically waved his wand, trying to lift his feather.
Hermione, who had already regained her composure after Stephen's demonstration, looked at Ron exasperatedly. "You're doing it wrong, Ron! You have to do it like this!" She took her wand, made a precise movement, and pronounced: "Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa!"
Hermione's feather flew into the air, hovering at a perfect height. Ron, amazed, stared at her.
"Oh, look at her, the know-it-all!" Ron grumbled, his face red with anger and embarrassment.
At that moment, there was a bang, and Seamus Finnigan's feather, which he had been so diligently trying to lift, exploded, scattering into tiny pieces that showered him, covering his face and hair in black soot.
The class froze, then laughter erupted. Seamus, covered in soot, looked stunned. Flitwick hurried to calm the class and help the injured student.
Stephen, observing the entire scene with an unperturbed expression, merely smiled slightly.
When the lesson ended, Harry and Ron left the classroom together, discussing what had happened.
"No wonder no one can stand her," Ron muttered as they passed Hermione, who was still packing her books. "Always knows everything!"
Hermione stopped. Her eyes widened as she heard Ron's last words. She spun around sharply, bumped into Ron so hard he nearly fell, and, hunched over, stormed out of the classroom.
Ron, rubbing his shoulder, looked puzzled. "What was that all about?" he asked Harry.
Harry just shook his head. Stephen, who was nearby, had also witnessed it, but, as usual, merely raised an eyebrow slightly before continuing down the corridor.