Reborn as Petunia Evans with a System

Returning to Hogwarts after Christmas break brought a renewed sense of focus and determination. The first-year curriculum felt increasingly manageable as I immersed myself in the subjects I loved. Charms and Transfiguration became my strongest fields because of the system reward which is mastery to both subject, but I also developed advanced skills in Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions. By the midterm, I consistently topped our class rankings, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by my peers and professors.

One afternoon, after Defense Against the Dark Arts, Emmeline caught up with me, her dark eyes filled with curiosity and amusement.

"How do you manage to stay on top of everything?" she asked, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

"I just enjoy studying," I said with a small shrug, smiling at her. "I like understanding how things work."

"You enjoy it?" Pandora said incredulously, appearing beside us. "You're making the rest of us look bad!"

"I wouldn't say that," I replied, laughing.

Pandora's expression softened. "Actually, would you mind helping me? Defense is tricky for me."

"Of course," I said, eager to help.

Emmeline grinned. "Count me in, too. Let's make this a proper study group!"

That evening, we gathered in the library. I shared my notes and guided them through basic defensive spells, such as Protego Novis, a beginner Shield Charm to deflect minor hexes, and Umbra Disperso, a spell to dispel shadow-like magical constructs.

"Defense is as much about mindset as it is about technique," I explained, demonstrating the wand movements. "You have to focus on protecting yourself and others."

Emmeline and Pandora practiced diligently, their enthusiasm lighting up the study session.

By the next Defense Against the Dark Arts class, both Emmeline and Pandora excelled. Professor Argent—a stern but charismatic man with piercing eyes—was visibly impressed.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts professors don't seem to last here," he said dryly, pacing the classroom. "I wouldn't be surprised if I'm gone by next year. But until then, you'll learn as much as I can teach you

The day's lesson involved an advanced technique called Lumos Ensnare, which conjured a web of light to entangle dark creatures. Emmeline and Pandora excelled, earning house points for Ravenclaw.

"Well done, ladies," he remarked, nodding at their precise execution of Umbra Disperso.

After class, they turned to me with broad smiles.

"Thank you so much!" Emmeline said. "We couldn't have done it without you."

Pandora agreed. "We should keep this up. It's actually fun when we're all learning together."

Word of our study sessions spread quickly. Soon, other Ravenclaws, and even Severus with his roommates, joined. Our sessions grew so large that we had to move to a larger table in the library. I found myself teaching nearly all the first-year Ravenclaws, sharing tips and explaining difficult concepts.

One day, Professor Flitwick called me to his office.

"Miss Evans!" he greeted warmly, his high-pitched voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I've heard wonderful things about your study sessions. Helping your housemates excel is a true mark of a Ravenclaw."

"Thank you, Professor," I replied, feeling a bit shy under his praise.

"I've also spoken to your other professors," he continued. "They all agree that you're one of the brightest witches in your year."

I blushed. "That might be an exaggeration, Professor."

"Nonsense!" he said with a hearty laugh. "Your efforts reflect Ravenclaw's values perfectly. Keep up the excellent work."

As the term progressed, Emmeline dragged Pandora and me to the Quidditch final between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Severus joined us, his excitement for Quidditch a side of him I didn't see often.

The Gryffindor team, captained by Anthony Woods boasted experienced players like Daniel Fletcher as Keeper and Joseph Ward as their Seeker. Slytherin, led by Lysander Flint, had a fierce reputation, with Beaters Isaac Avery and Damien Mulciber known for their aggressive play.

The match began with a roar of excitement from the crowd. Gryffindor's Chasers, including Matthew Rivers and Eleanor Hawthorne, worked seamlessly to score the first few goals. Fletcher defended the hoops skillfully, blocking several attempts from Slytherin's Chasers.

But Slytherin wasn't to be outdone. Flint rallied his team, and their Chaser, Ignatius Greengrass, scored two consecutive goals, narrowing the gap.

"I can't believe how intense this is," Emmeline whispered, leaning forward.

As the match wore on, Gryffindor's Seeker, Ward, spotted the Golden Snitch near the commentator's box. She dived sharply, her scarlet robes billowing in the wind, but Flint was close behind her.

"Come on, Ward!" someone shouted from the Gryffindor stands.

Ward accelerated, her hand stretching out as Flint closed in. At the last moment, she snatched the Snitch, holding it high as the Gryffindor stands erupted in cheers.

Gryffindor had won, securing the House Cup with a dramatic finish.

"Brilliant!" Severus exclaimed, his rare enthusiasm shining through.

Even though I wasn't invested in the outcome, the energy of the crowd was infectious.

As exams approached, I asked Professor McGonagall for permission to use a vacant classroom for review sessions. She gladly provided it, knowing that students from other houses, including Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, would attend.

Though Slytherins avoided the sessions—many still clung to prejudices against Muggle-borns—I focused on helping those who came. I distributed review guides and walked my classmates through key concepts.

By the time exams ended, our efforts paid off. Many students scored higher than expected, and even our professors noticed the improvement.

After the exams, my roommates and I gathered by the Black Lake for a picnic.

"I still can't believe the year is over," Pandora said, lying back on the grass.

"It's been the best year ever," Emmeline added, grinning. "Mostly because of you, Petunia."

"Don't give me all the credit," I said, laughing.

That evening, Severus and I climbed the Astronomy Tower. The stars glittered against the dark sky, and I pointed to a bright one.

"That's Rigel" I said. "The brightest star in Orion, and the seventh brightest in the sky."

Severus smiled faintly. "I remember when you first told me about it, back at Spinner's End."

"I miss those days," I admitted. "Things were simpler then."

He nodded. "I miss them too. We should do this more often."

The end of the school year arrived all too quickly. As we packed our trunks, the dorm was alive with chatter. Emmeline, Pandora, and I had become inseparable over the year, and the thought of not seeing them every day felt strange.

"I can't believe we're leaving already," Pandora said, folding her robes neatly. "It feels like just yesterday we were trying to figure out how to get to the Great Hall."

"Time flies when you're studying with the smartest witch in Ravenclaw," Emmeline teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Stop it. You both did brilliantly this term, and you know it."

"Thanks to your endless study sessions," Pandora added with a grin.

Before we left, several of the students I had helped with their studies came to see me. Some gave me small gifts as tokens of their appreciation—beautiful quills, tiny enchanted bookmarks, and even some sweets A Gryffindor girl handed me a pouch of Chocolate Frogs, while a shy Hufflepuff boy gave me a tiny pot of magical ink that changed colors as you wrote.

My own roommates surprised me as well. Emmeline handed me a box of Honeydukes' finest chocolates. "You've been an amazing roommate," she said with a grin. "Just a little something to say thank you."

I took the box and asked" thank you but how did you buy from honeydukes?"

Emmeline answered" I asked a third year to buy me some from hogsmade"

Pandora added a small enchanted bracelet. "It's charmed to remind you of good memories whenever you feel down," she explained.

Touched by their thoughtfulness, I hugged them both tightly. "You didn't have to do this. But thank you. It means a lot."

When everything was packed, we made our way to the common room one last time. The sense of home it had provided throughout the year was hard to leave behind.

Down in the Great Hall, the House tables were being cleared, and students were gathering for the journey

At the platform, the Hogwarts Express was waiting, its scarlet engine gleaming in the summer sunlight. Emmeline and Pandora hugged me tightly.

"We'll write," Pandora promised.

"Every week," Emmeline added.

"You'd better," I said, smiling despite the lump in my throat.

After saying goodbye, I found Lily and Severus, and together we boarded the train. We managed to find an empty compartment and settled in as the train began its journey.

As the castle grew smaller and smaller in the distance, I felt a mix of sadness and excitement. I would miss Hogwarts and the friends I had made, but I was also looking forward to seeing my family again and sharing stories about the magical world.

The first year at Hogwarts had been unforgettable, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held.