Chapter 28: The Meaning of Magic Is to Create Miracles

Roger believed that conflicts between students were best resolved among themselves. When a teacher intervened as an authority figure, it often led to suppression rather than resolution. If a conflict was merely forced underground, it could resurface later, possibly causing more trouble.

That was why he stopped Professor McGonagall.

However, if Roger remembered correctly, the conflict between Ron and Hermione should have happened on the eve of Halloween, after another practice session of the Levitation Charm. Learning spells was dangerous—casting a spell incorrectly could lead to serious consequences. That was why the usual method involved first learning the wand movement, then the incantation, and finally putting both together to practice spellcasting.

But now, there was still some time before Halloween.

Yet the conflict had erupted early.

Why?

Roger realized that, once again, the butterfly effect had taken place without him noticing.

With a trace of doubt, he walked between Hermione and Ron.

Harry, who was worried about Ron, set his broom aside and quickly stepped to his side.

Seeing Roger approach, Ron, who had been furious from embarrassment and wounded pride, lowered his head, staring at the ground, unwilling to meet Roger's gaze.

He was still angry, but he didn't dare vent his frustration on Roger.

Hermione, on the other hand, lifted her chin—not out of arrogance, but because tilting her head back helped keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

Crying in front of Roger was something she considered humiliating.

Looking at the two—one staring at the sky, the other at the ground, both fuming silently—Roger sighed.

"Tell me, what happened?"

"…She was giving me a hard time," Ron muttered.

"I wasn't," Hermione replied, her voice thick with suppressed emotion.

Seeing their reactions, Roger immediately understood. While some details of fate had changed, the core of their conflict remained the same as what he remembered.

And that made things tricky.

Because, at its core, this was simply a case of a girl yearning for recognition but unaware of social nuances, carefully offering kindness—only to be met with rejection that left her hurt. And a boy, sensitive at heart, whose fragile self-esteem had been chipped away repeatedly, finally lashing out in frustration.

A well-intended gesture that went unappreciated. A wounded pride that struck back instinctively.

No one had truly meant harm, yet this was the result.

In a situation like this, choosing sides wouldn't be right.

The usual approaches would be:

1. Using authority and knowledge to pressure Ron into apologizing, since he was the one who lashed out first.

2. Explaining the complexities of human nature to Hermione, helping her understand that not everyone welcomes unsolicited kindness and making her more aware of social boundaries.

3. Or punishing both equally to appear fair.

But Roger didn't want to do any of that!

Her kindness shouldn't be dismissed. His dignity shouldn't be trampled on.

"…Do you trust me?"

That steady voice drew their attention. Hermione and Ron turned to look at Roger, taking in his serious expression. They thought about all the times he had helped and supported his classmates since arriving at Hogwarts.

Then, they both nodded.

"Good."

Roger extended both hands.

He took Hermione's hand in his left and Ron's in his right.

Though it hadn't been long since the school year started, Roger's magic research, aided by his ability to sense danger, had advanced at a speed beyond ordinary wizards' comprehension.

He had mastered neural modification techniques. After reading The Connection Between the Soul and the Brain from the Department of Mysteries, he had also gained deep insight into the workings of the mind.

While he was still far from being able to perform magical brain modifications on himself, there were other things he could do.

For example…

Ron and Hermione's eyes widened in shock.

"T-This is…"

Using his hands as connection points, Roger linked his mind to theirs. His mental strength, far surpassing theirs combined, surged into their consciousness.

A specific memory was extracted, much like the Legilimens spell, but then—through Roger—it was exchanged!

The scene from earlier replayed in their minds.

But this time, they were seeing it from each other's perspective.

It wasn't just a visual replay—this was even more immersive than Dumbledore's Pensieve.

They could feel every thought, every emotion the other had experienced in that moment.

The frustration, the anger, the loneliness, the hurt…

The hopeful kindness that longed to be appreciated. The desire for friendship. The fear of being left behind. The pain of feeling misunderstood.

And the pain of being wounded.

In that instant, under Roger's magic, they truly understood each other.

Hermione was stunned. She had never realized that her attempts to help had caused Ron so much distress.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…"

Snapping out of the memory, Ron glanced at Harry, who had been by his side the whole time, then shook his head.

"No."

Ron lowered his head again—but this time, he bent at the waist in a deep bow.

"…I should be the one apologizing. I was too harsh."

Seeing them not only reconcile but also undergo some emotional growth, Roger finally smiled.

He was happy for them. And for himself.

In his past life, Roger had faced many things—good and bad.

Just like Professor McGonagall had regrets, so did he. Life was long; who didn't have their own unresolved regrets?

Back then, Roger had been just an ordinary person. There were times when he lacked the power to change things. And sometimes, no matter what he did, someone would always get hurt.

But now, things were different.

Muggle methods could never satisfy everyone. But magic could.

Muggles couldn't turn back time. But magic could reverse it.

The meaning of magic… is to create miracles!

With magic and enough time, nothing was impossible!

—

After Flying Class ended, Hermione and Ron wanted to stay behind to thank Roger. But he simply waved them off and left without saying much.

To Roger, what happened with Ron and Hermione was no different from all the other times he had helped his classmates. He did it because he liked seeing people smile, not fight. That was all.

It wasn't about seeking a reward. Or rather, seeing the people around him live happily—without wearing expressions of numbness, resentment, or hostility—was reward enough.

After all, who wouldn't want to live in a cheerful and comfortable environment?

—

"Roger."

Just as Roger was thinking about how to continue his experiments in his lab tomorrow—hoping to eliminate the side effect that doubled his pain sensitivity within two days—a deep, aged voice called out.

He turned around.

Professor Albus Dumbledore stood behind him.

"I need to talk to you," Dumbledore said.

"What about, Headmaster?"

The last time they met was at the crossroads outside the courtroom. Roger looked at Dumbledore, a bit puzzled.

"It's about the Philosopher's Stone," Dumbledore said seriously.

"…Can I entrust it to you?"

"…Huh?"

The young seer was dumbfounded.

Why had fate suddenly changed so drastically?!

He hadn't done anything that outrageous since starting school… had he?

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