Chapter 44 The Prophet: Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?

Unaware of the Minister for Magic’s misunderstanding, Roger went to Hogsmeade to meet Luna after Fudge and his companion had departed. Roger had arrived with Hagrid, while Luna was accompanied by her father—as a parent, he could hardly let a ten-year-old child travel alone.

Upon meeting, Roger got straight to the point, outlining the situation and instructing Luna on the necessary precautions and the importance of secrecy. Luna did not refute a single word of Roger’s advice; children are sometimes more sensitive to the outside world than adults, especially those like Luna, who possessed such high intuition. She could likely sense that every word Roger spoke was rooted in genuine kindness.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" After finishing his instructions, Roger had been ready to leave, but he suddenly noticed the peculiar way Luna was staring at him.

"You are very strange," Luna said, skipping the pleasantries and pointing out the anomaly she perceived. "You are surrounded by so many wrackspurts, yet they are too afraid to come anywhere near you... I have never seen anything like it."

If one were to use something familiar to Luna as an analogy, it was like a rain-repelling charm her mother had once developed. The torrential rain would pour from the sky, only to deviate automatically three meters away from her.

"Is that so?" Roger was somewhat surprised, but he did not probe further. With his own technological iteration imminent, he had no energy to spare. Despite his curiosity about what these wrackspurts—invisible to ordinary people—actually were, he chose not to discuss them with Luna.

*Next year, when I am in my second year, my path to immortality should be well underway. By then, Luna will be at the age to enter Hogwarts, and we can talk about it then.*

Not anxious about the matter, Roger bade farewell to Luna under her curious gaze.

On the way back to Hogwarts, Hagrid, who had accompanied him, asked, "Roger, what about my experiment? Should we continue?" The experiment had been a joint agreement, and after the recent events, Hagrid was unsure how to proceed.

Roger thought for a moment and replied, "Continue, but we must adjust the direction. Keep the miniaturization of magical creatures, but stop trying to link them to a wizard's consciousness. In this world of magic, the mind should not be a realm touched so casually. As for the link, I will find a way using neuro-related technology. Do not work with magical creatures that possess cognitive abilities."

Roger’s adjustments changed not only the research focus but also the intended applications. Previously, he had not known if he could complete his path to immortality before his natural lifespan ended, but now, with his talent enhanced, that anxiety had vanished. Thus, it was time to consider other applications.

"In any case, start the work. Remember to synchronize the data with me every week."

The journey back was uneventful. Once they returned to Hogwarts, they went their separate ways. Having missed the morning classes, Roger arrived back just in time for lunch. Strictly speaking, he was even a bit late; many students had already finished. Before he could settle down with his tray, Harry, who had been searching for him all morning, hurried over.

"Have you made up your mind?" Roger asked, spearing a fried sausage on his plate.

"Yes," Harry replied, feeling there was nothing to hesitate about.

"To achieve your wish, you need formidable magical prowess. I will select books and training methods tailored to your aptitude to ensure the best growth."

Hogwarts’ method of cultivating students was essentially laissez-faire. Only those with drive—those who could push their way into clubs through self-study or pure talent—received the most refined instruction. This was natural; magic is a miracle of the heart. If you lack the desire to even approach magic, others can hardly help you, no matter how much they might wish to. It was better to let students self-select and then concentrate resources on the elite. Now, however, Roger was going to bypass those trials and craft a bespoke growth plan for Harry.

"But before that, there are three things I must tell you."

"What are they?" Harry asked, feeling nervous. Despite being hailed as the "Boy Who Lived" since entering the wizarding world, his sensitive heart, shaped by his childhood, still tightened whenever someone looked at him with such serious intent. Furthermore, Roger’s will held the key to whether he could resurrect his parents. In Harry’s eyes, Roger was the most imposing person in the world.

Roger held up a finger. "First, I am helping you for my own purposes. I need someone with talent to help me research space-time knowledge. This is not free."

Roger was a straightforward man. He saw no reason to hide the fact that he was utilizing someone else; stating it openly was more in line with his character. Harry nodded, saying nothing. Nobody helps you without a reason—Harry had learned that in the first eleven years of his life. He didn't find it wrong; if anything, he felt relieved. He had finally found a way to repay Roger for all the help he had received.

In Roger’s eyes, the neural enhancement surgery and using Harry’s connections to meet Hagrid were minor, but to Harry, he had merely acted as a guide and received such immense benefits that his conscience felt uneasy. He also remembered how Roger had helped Ron, who had become much more cheerful and stopped complaining about his peers after the incident with Hermione.

"Second, the study of space-time is extremely dangerous. It is not just a risk to you; if an accident occurs, it could affect many people. For safety, I will use certain measures that may slightly infringe upon your privacy. I hope you can understand."

Roger had decided to use something akin to the Ministry’s "Trace" to monitor magical activity within a certain radius of Harry and implement counter-measures to prevent disasters.

"That is perfectly fine," Harry agreed. Though he longed for his parents' love and hoped to resurrect his family, he never wanted to see anyone else's family harmed. Harry was not a selfish person.

"The last point." Roger rose, his plate empty. "Your current motivation stems entirely from the illusory love shown by the Mirror of Erised. This alone will not be enough to carry you far on the path of space-time magic. Therefore... I want you to meet your parents and understand them better. Let that illusory love take root in reality before you decide whether to set out on this journey."

Roger smiled. "Let's go."

Harry did not know how Roger intended to help him meet his parents or understand them better, but he followed, filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

"Professor Snape! Harry wishes to learn about his mother, Lily Evans, during her school years. Could you help us?" Roger asked after knocking and entering the office of the Head of Slytherin House. As he spoke, he pulled out a portable pensieve he had crafted.

*Why ask this hateful Snape about my mother?* Harry, following behind, looked at Roger with confusion.

Seeming to sense Harry’s gaze, Roger turned back and explained, "Because she and Professor Snape were very close friends when they were at school."

Having explained, Roger turned his eyes back to Snape. "Isn't that right, Professor Snape?"