Chapter Six – Spells, Snacks, and Subtle Sabotage

The classroom smelled faintly of glue, paper, and disinfectant. Alphabet posters covered the walls like a colorful parade, and tiny desks stood in neat rows. It was Jonathan Grace's first day of school—but hardly his first day learning.

'Reception class. Literal kindergarten. Let's pretend I don't know how to code quantum encryption.'

He sat quietly near the center, scanning the room with subtle curiosity.

Miss Wilkins, the teacher, clapped her hands brightly. "Good morning, everyone! I'm Miss Wilkins, and I'm very excited to be your teacher this year!"

Jonathan smiled. She had a kind face. Too kind for the chaos that would no doubt follow.

"We'll begin by introducing ourselves one by one. Just tell us your name, and maybe something you like!"

A few brave kids volunteered. Most fumbled nervously. Jonathan watched carefully.

And then the class clown strutted forward.

"I'm Dudley Dursley!" the boy declared loudly, chest puffed up like a cartoon rooster. "I got a brand-new bike and a chocolate cake all to myself!"

Jonathan blinked innocently.

'Let's test system stability…'

A quick, subtle tug on his internal magic—and with perfect timing, Dudley's trousers dropped to his ankles.

"Waaagh!" Dudley shouted angrily as he stumbled backward in surprise. He flailed to pull them up—but instead tripped over them, falling with a dramatic thud.

Half the class gasped. The other half burst into giggles.

Harry, sitting near the back, tried to stifle a laugh. Jonathan did not.

Miss Wilkins rushed over, flustered. "Oh dear! Poor Dudley! Let's get those trousers sorted, shall we?"

Jonathan folded his hands calmly.

'I'm just a normal kid, I swear.'

---

When his turn came, Jonathan stood with the polite stiffness of someone who knew he could probably run circles around the curriculum.

"I'm Jonathan Grace. I like computers and birds," he said simply.

Miss Wilkins smiled warmly. "That's lovely, Jonathan!"

He returned to his seat—and was pleased to find that his tablemate was none other than Harry Potter.

"Hi," Jonathan said softly. "You're Harry, right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. You're Jonathan?"

"Yep," Jonathan replied. "That pants thing was pretty funny, huh?"

Harry gave a shy smile. "It was. I didn't think anyone could trip Dudley like that."

"Must've been bad luck," Jonathan said casually.

Harry laughed.

'Step one: build trust. Step two: find out how close we are to canon.'

---

Lunch – Unexpected Kindness

Lunch was held in a bright cafeteria that echoed with chatter and squeaky shoes. Jonathan opened his box to reveal a proper sandwich, a juice box, and some chocolate buttons.

Next to him, Harry pulled out… a slice of bread and half a banana.

Jonathan's heart sank.

Without a word, he tore his sandwich in half and handed it over.

"You sure?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yeah," Jonathan said. "Sandwiches are better with friends."

Harry grinned. "Thanks," he said happily, clearly surprised.

Jonathan smiled back.

'You deserve better. For now, this'll do.'

---

Classroom Recap – Academic Torture

Back in class, they were taught how to count to ten, identify the letter A, and clap along to a song about apples.

Jonathan blinked slowly.

'I am five years old. Mentally twenty-eight. And this is… actual torture.'

Still, he smiled and clapped along like the rest.

---

Playground – Chaos Protocol Engaged

When recess rolled around, Jonathan and Harry sat quietly near the sandbox, watching other kids scream their heads off on the jungle gym.

That's when trouble came charging in.

Dudley Dursley, now fully re-pantsed but still red with rage, stormed toward them with four other boys: Piers, Gordon, Dennis, and Malcolm—all of them grinning like henchmen in a cartoon.

"There they are!" Dudley said angrily, pointing at Harry and Jonathan. "They laughed at me!"

"Uh-oh," Harry muttered.

Jonathan stood, putting a hand on Harry's arm. "It's fine. If they chase us, we run."

"Why would they chase—" Harry didn't finish.

Because Dudley shouted, "GET THEM!"

They ran.

Jonathan's shoes kicked up sand as they sprinted across the playground. Kids paused their games to watch the chase.

Piers was the first to gain on them.

'Time to deploy banana peel protocol.'

Jonathan reached into his magic.

Trip spell – banana peel.

Piers's legs tangled mid-stride and he faceplanted into the grass.

Dennis tripped over him.

Gordon tried to swerve but Malcolm slammed into him.

Crash. Crash. Crash.

Dudley kept charging—until Jonathan spun, aimed a flick of focus at the boy's waistband—

Pull.

Dudley's pants dropped again.

He tripped over the fabric, bounced once, and landed flat on his back in a puddle.

Laughter exploded across the playground.

Even Miss Wilkins, standing by the door, put a hand over her mouth to hide her grin.

"Brilliant!" Harry laughed breathlessly, clutching his side.

Jonathan nodded. "Dudley's a bully. I don't like him."

"Me neither," Harry said happily.

'Now we're on the same page.'

---

End of the Day – Goodbye, For Now

As the school bell rang, children flooded to the gates. Jonathan spotted his mum, Annabeth, waving enthusiastically.

"See you tomorrow, Harry," Jonathan said, offering the rest of his chocolate buttons.

"Thanks," Harry said, taking them with a smile. "You're the best friend I've ever had."

Jonathan paused.

'That… hits harder than I thought it would.'

He waved and ran to his mum.

---

Scene Shift – Staff Lounge, That Evening

Miss Wilkins sipped her tea slowly.

"That Potter boy… I'm concerned," she said worriedly. "He's so thin. And those clothes were far too big."

Mr. Carter nodded, frowning. "I saw his lunch. Just one piece of bread. That's neglect."

"We should report it," Miss Wilkins said firmly. "He might need help."

KNOCK KNOCK.

The lounge door opened. A man in a gray coat stepped inside, polite smile on his face. Horn-rimmed glasses. Clipboard. Professional.

"Apologies for interrupting," he said smoothly. "Department of Education follow-up on new students."

"Oh—of course," Mr. Carter said.

"I'm here regarding Harry Potter," the man said, already drawing a wand behind his back.

"Confundo."

Their eyes glazed.

"We were discussing something?" the man asked.

"I… don't think so," Miss Wilkins said slowly.

"All's well, then," the man said kindly. "Thank you for your time."

He turned and left, coat swishing behind him.

Behind him, the teachers returned to sipping tea and marking papers.

Harry Potter's file remained untouched on the desk.