§1　Private Lesson

by Kaworu Mimori

"My goodness," Jupiter Forest looked up at the bookshelf.
"There aren't even any stepladders, let alone ladders."
Tall enough to be mistaken for a male student, but the silhouette of her hazel hair tied up in a ponytail and her well-postured stance unmistakably belonged to a female student. The lining peeking out from the hood and cuffs of her robe was dandelion yellow --- the color of Hufflepuff.
This library on the first floor of Hogwarts Castle was said to hold tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of books. In other words, there were too many to count accurately. Tall bookshelves packed with books stood neatly arranged on the wide floor, and the walls on all sides were filled with large bookshelves reaching up to the ceiling. The one she was looking up at was at the corner on the north side of the eastern wall.
"Are you looking for something?"
Arms folded, head cocked, and occasionally scratching her head, Jupiter stared at a point on the bookshelf when a voice suddenly spoke from behind. The whispering soprano reached her ears clearly in the silent library.
The owner of the voice was a slender female student. With neatly cropped short hair and fair skin, she had regular features. Her attire, with a dark blue regimental tie neatly fastened, gave off an air of a model Ravenclaw student.
"Oh... um, yeah."
While giving a vague reply, Jupiter quickly thought it over.
One person on this side, and one person over there. Judging by appearances, she didn’t seem to have a mean personality.
(...Wow,)
She probably genuinely called out of kindness.
(She’s so pretty.)
"Um... I'm looking for a book on care of magical creatures." Jupiter hesitated a little, worrying she might be ridiculed, "It's, um, up there, near the top."
But she decided to be honest.
"There aren't any ladders or stepladders..."
"...I see."
The Ravenclaw girl glanced in the direction Jupiter was pointing while saying cautiously, "If you want to get a book, you can either use magic to retrieve it or use magic to go up there yourself. It's not really expected for you to get it without using magic."
That’s why there's no ladder here --- she continued, carefully choosing her words.
"You don't seem like a first-year... is there a problem with using magic?"
Jupiter was somewhat surprised by the follow-up question. The spell to summon objects from a distance was taught in the fourth year, but it was generally considered quite versatile, so most wizards and witches, especially those from magical families, could use it to some extent without being formally taught at school. Not being able to use it at almost fifth-year level implied either significant academic struggles or being born into a non-magical family with no exposure to magic, commonly known as Muggle-borns, who often faced discrimination and ridicule in the magical community. However, the Ravenclaw girl standing before her showed no sign of superiority --- a rarity in this school.
"...I can't control it very well," Jupiter responded a little sheepishly, revealing the truth.
"If I were to use the summoning charm here, I'd probably end up pulling all the books from that section," she added, scratching her head.
“I messed up once before and got a severe scolding from Madam Pince."
This time, the Ravenclaw girl's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'd like to see that."
Her voice seemed oddly delighted. Come to think of it, someone had mentioned that Ravenclaw students tended to have a penchant for peculiarities.
"No, no, no, if I try it again, I'll definitely get banned this time!"
"It's okay," the Ravenclaw girl replied with a smile. Indeed, she seemed to be enjoying herself. It wasn't a mistaken impression.
"I'll cover for you properly. If it comes down to it, I'll take the blame for it," she said, pulling her wand out of her robe pocket. The flaxen, slender, and simple wand seemed fitting for its cool and composed owner.
"No, no, no, that's not okay at all."
"You were only scolded on your first try, weren't you? Then it's fine."
"I also got ten points deducted from Hufflepuff on top of that!"
"It's okay if I lose a few points. I've earned enough in other areas."
"Why are you so eager to see this happen?"
“Please,” with a cute tilt of her head, the beautiful girl coaxed Jupiter into reluctantly pulling out her wand. It was a sturdy, glossy brown wand, reminiscent of antique furniture. "You'll really cover for me, won't you?"
"Definitely."
And muttering under her breath, Jupiter stepped back, putting ample distance between herself and the bookshelf, and aimed her wand at the deep crimson spine of the book she was targeting.
Taking a deep breath,
"Accio!"
She uttered the powerful incantation.
For a moment, a bluish-white light illuminated the section of the bookshelf centered around the desired book. Dozens of books flew out at once, zooming straight towards Jupiter. It was as if a flock of ravens were swooping down on their prey.
"Whoa!!!"
---Minus fifty points from Hufflepuff!
The image of Madam Pince, raging like a wildfire, flashed through her mind.
"Finite Incantatem."
The Ravenclaw girl's clear soprano voice cast the counter-spell. The books ceased their movements simultaneously and began to fall freely.
"Reparo Liberte."
The next spell came immediately. Before the books hit the floor, they smoothly changed direction and flew back towards the shelves, slotting into place one after another.
"Oh, wow... awesome."
Jupiter, who hadn't entirely trusted the Ravenclaw's assurance, stood there with her mouth agape, marveling at her remarkable efficiency.
"To be able to move such a large mass all at once with a summoning charm... wow, it's impressive."
"No, YOU're the impressive one!"
"The fundamental magical power is significant... It might be an issue of output... probably both. In any case, not being able to control it is problematic..."
Ignoring Jupiter's interjection smoothly, the Ravenclaw girl muttered to herself. Indeed, the books in the library were all large-format and had sturdy bindings, each one heavy on its own. Moving dozens of them at once required considerable strength.
"Shall we practice a little?"
"Huh!?"
Jupiter's voice turned upside down. Anyone would be bewildered if suddenly approached by a stranger and then told to practice after displaying clumsy magic.
"You want to get the book, right?"
"Uh..."
But she was speaking out of kindness --- and perhaps a little curiosity. Jupiter couldn't dismiss her outright.
"...Alright. So, what should I do?"
At least, for this kind-hearted Hufflepuff.
"First, close your eyes. Try to sense the magic power within you."
The Ravenclaw's voice was entirely serious. There was no hint of mockery; she seemed genuinely intent on teaching. Jupiter obediently closed her eyes.
"If you can sense it, then let's work on refining that power. Slowly breathe in, and as you exhale, visualize the magic circulating from your chest to your abdomen, clockwise."
With each deep breath, a warmth began to radiate from the depths of Jupiter's belly. It was a sensation she had never experienced before. No class had ever taught her anything like this.
"...Okay. What's next?"
"Extend your hand straight forward with the wand."
Seeing Jupiter follow the instructions, the Ravenclaw touched Jupiter’s wrist with her own wand.
"Imagine there's a faucet handle around here, like a sink. Right now, it's still closed."
"Okay."
Something might change. A faint sense of anticipation arose within Jupiter.
"Now, from the magic swirling in your belly, just a little bit --- about the width of a shoelace --- direct it towards your outstretched arm. But keep the faucet closed."
"Okay. I think I've got it."
"Open your eyes, focus on the book you're aiming for, and aim well with the tip of your wand."
Jupiter slowly opened her eyes, fixed her gaze on the deep crimson spine of the target book, and aimed with the tip of her wand.
"As you cast the spell, open the faucet simultaneously, then immediately close it."
Surprisingly calm and focused, she could hardly believe it herself.
---This time.
"Accio!"
With the incantation, she unleashed her power.
As instructed, the faucet closed immediately.
Only the deep crimson spine emitted a bluish-white light, swiftly cutting through the air towards them. It was like a rogue Bludger in Quidditch.
"Ow, ow, ow!"
Reflexively catching the swiftly incoming book with her bare hands aimed at her face, Jupiter instinctively cradled her palm and knelt down from the pain.
"Wow! That's amazing!" After a moment of writhing in agony, she quickly stood up and excitedly grabbed the mysterious Ravenclaw's right hand with both hands, vigorously shaking it up and down as she exclaimed.
"I've tried so many times before, asked for help from everyone, but it never worked! Your explanation was clearer than any class I've ever taken!"
"Well... I'm glad if it helped," the Ravenclaw replied, slightly bewildered, and smiled softly.
"But..." Jupiter, still holding her hand, asked, "Why would you go through all this trouble for me? Have we met somewhere before?"
"I don't think so. Probably, today is the first time. If I were to say... it's just a sense of familiarity."
"Familiarity?" Jupiter tilted her head, wondering where in the world this Ravenclaw student found familiarity with her.
"...Because you said, 'There aren't even any ladders or stepladders.'"
The Ravenclaw hesitated for a moment, then said in a subdued voice, retracting her hand gently.
"Huh? Ladders? Stepladders?" Jupiter put her hand on her forehead, furrowing her brows in even greater confusion.
"Generally ---" The honors student hesitated again.
"People who grew up in the wizarding world don't use stepladders."
Jupiter's expression tensed.
(So, this topic again, after all.)
---Her upbringing was a sensitive topic.
When the acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrived and she learned for the first time that she was a witch, her heart leaped. It was a ticket to a different world, a world she had won with her own genuine power. In the magical realm, even an orphan grew up in a Muggle orphanage, ignorant of her parent's face or name, could carve her own path without being ridiculed or scorned. That's what she believed.
However, reality proved otherwise. Pure-blood, half-blood, mud-blood --- disgusting and absurd discrimination was rampant. If this was the case, she might have been better off in her original world.
(This girl, too, huh?)
Just as she had started to harbor a favorable impression of the girl who suddenly appeared and taught her magic, she felt betrayed and even more infuriated.
"In the non-magical world, it's just a common, everyday tool. But here, with repair spells and summoning charms, it's not needed at all. So..."
The Ravenclaw seemed to sense that her previously friendly companion had suddenly closed off emotionally.
"I heard a nostalgic word, and I felt a bit of familiarity. That’s it. I’m sorry for bothering you."
Apologizing softly, she offered a bittersweet smile.
(...Huh?)
Nostalgic?
Did she really say that?
(Familiarity...!)
Perhaps she, too, grew up in the non-magical world.
For instance.
Wandering alone in a distant foreign land among a crowd of strangers, if suddenly you heard the language of your homeland, wouldn't anyone feel an irresistible urge to seek out the source of that voice?
(Yeah... this girl, she just ---)
She had no intention of sizing up others based on their background. She just wanted to share the loneliness of living as an outsider in the magical world with someone, undoubtedly.
---And Jupiter wanted to be that "someone."
"I was too rash. I'm terribly sorry, I'll leave now."
The Ravenclaw, still looking down, turned on her heel to leave.
"Hey, wait!"
Jupiter instinctively grabbed her shoulder, not just stopping her but holding her back.
"S-sorry!"
Seeing the fear in her expression, Jupiter quickly withdrew her hand.
"...What?"
A cold voice, as if rejecting her.
She couldn't falter here.
"Um, I... I really appreciate it. Thank you."
Jupiter said this with the same friendly smile as before.
"And... maybe, we'll... meet again?"
The Ravenclaw showed a slightly surprised expression.
"Yes."
She replied with the same soft smile as before.
"Can I ask your name? ...I'm Jupiter Forest."
"I'm Mercury Jay."
Leaving behind the lingering echo of her cool soprano, the Ravenclaw left the library.
Jupiter stood there for a while longer, lost in reverie, until Madame Pince found her leaving the book on the floor and scolded her severely.

§1　Private Lesson――Fin.