Harry Potter: Ninjutsu Wizard

Earnest had a quiet breakfast at the Hufflepuff Table. In his previous life, having such a peaceful meal was a luxury that he couldn't afford, but here, he enjoyed every moment of it, but the turmoils of the future were already hammering his mind.

With Grindlewald out of Nurmengard, his advantage of having future knowledge was already shattered. He was not even sure if this was the same world, or if there were major changes that he could expect.

"I have Potions as the first lecture, then a break, and Transfiguration—they overlap with Gryffindor. Any suggestions, sis?" Earnest asked Dora, who was busy piling more bread onto his plate.

Dora looked up, putting her hand on her chin in a pondering gesture. "Transfiguration and Potions are both difficult subjects, but with your intelligence and talent, they'll be a breeze. Just try not to annoy the professors; they're quite strict."

She paused for a moment, looked around, then whispered in Earnest's ear, "Especially that bat—your Dean. He's not a good person like Professor McGonagall, so you'd better stay away from him."

Earnest gave her an exasperated look as she giggled.

'Snape is quite a grey character, but one thing that I am sure of is that he is a master of potions, one of the best in the world. At least for Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology, Hogwarts can boast of being the best in the faculty.'

"Oh, I'll be having Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic with Ravenclaw. Astronomy and Herbology with Hufflepuff. Flying, Transfiguration and Potions with Gryffindor.

Hermione would be elated to see that three of our classes are together."

"Hmm, that young witch is quite talented, especially her memory is amazing. If she can manage her practicals just as well, then she just might be the highest scorer in your year. You have some tough competition." Nymphadora warned Earnest in a joking manner.

"Oh, I know her capabilities quite well big sis."

"Ooh, it looks like, you have quite a good opinion of that witch," Dora replied in a flat tone as her hair turned bright orange.

'What is with her today, why are her moods changing so fast today? Wait, is it that time of the month, maybe I should offer her some massage later, I heard that it helps.'

Earnest ignored the mood changes in his sister as he continued to enjoy the breakfast.

After breakfast, he moved towards the Dungeons near the Slytherin common room - the location of the Potions class.

The class went the same way as described in the books. The atmosphere was tense and challenging. Professor Snape made it clear that he disliked Harry from the start. Snape questioned Harry about potion ingredients, such as the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, and a bezoar. Harry, who had not prepared for the class, was unable to answer these questions. 

Snape's introduction to the class was ominous, hinting at his disdain for the students especially those bad in potions.

Earnest excelled in the first potion, Draught of Living Death. Though simple and basic, it was a potion meant to render someone seemingly dead. Thanks to his solid educational background and his science-nerd tendencies in his past life, following the steps to brew the potion wasn't a big deal.

But an accident disrupted the class—Neville Longbottom accidentally melted a cauldron, spilling potion across the floor and burning several students' shoes. Harry and Ron, sitting nearby, were unharmed. Snape harshly reprimanded Neville and ordered him to be taken to the hospital wing.

Yet something peculiar caught Earnest's attention: Snape's gaze lingered on him more than anyone else. It wasn't just paranoia; his Uzumaki senses tingled every time Snape's eyes rested on him.

'Why does he keep looking at me? Is he suspicious of me already?'

Snape, meanwhile, had his own thoughts as he left the classroom for his quarters.

'Tonks has some wild intuition. How does he know every time I look at him? His potion-making skills are acceptable, at least.

Is he like that man? I hope Dumbledore doesn't mess things up this time, or we'll have three Dark Lords instead of two.'

During lunch, Earnest arrived at the Great Hall only to find Nymphadora missing. After asking around in the Hufflepuff camp, he learned she was busy with Professor Sprout discussing her N.E.W.T.s and would have a late lunch.

'I would've waited for her, but with Transfiguration class later, it's better to eat now.'

As he scanned the hall, his eyes landed on Hermione entering with a group of girls, still clutching thick books—much like her character. From what he remembered, the girls were Lisa Turpin, Sue Li, and Padma Patil.

Instead of joining the Slytherin table, Earnest decided to sit with Hermione. He walked to the Ravenclaw table and settled into the empty space beside her.

Hermione turned, surprised to see him.

"Oh, hi, Earnest!" she greeted, beaming as she finally got to meet her first friend again. She had too many questions for him, but for now, she was just happy to share her lunch with her friend.

"Hi, Hermione," Earnest replied as he began serving himself lunch.

Not only Hermione but even the other Ravenclaw girls were surprised to see a Slytherin at their table—especially one as handsome as Earnest.

"So, who are your friends?" Earnest asked, gesturing toward Hermione's companions.

"The one in front of me is Lisa; the one beside me is Sue; and this is Padma, sitting beside Lisa. Everyone, this is Earnest. He's my first friend—we met on the train to Hogwarts."

The girls exchanged polite greetings with Earnest, asking him a few questions about his first day.

"How was your first class?" asked Earnest.

"It was great! We had Transfiguration first, and Professor McGonagall is brilliant. She explained the theory so well—some points weren't even in the books!" Hermione launched into an enthusiastic recap of the lesson.

Earnest listened patiently, occasionally chiming in with his own observations. Hermione's friends couldn't help but notice how intently he paid attention to her, exchanging knowing looks among themselves.

"Oh, I forgot to ask—how was your lecture? What subject did you have first?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Mine was Potions. It was nice. As long as you study ahead and follow the steps, it's not too difficult—especially for you, Hermione."

Earnest described his class in detail, prompting a mix of curiosity and sympathy from the group when he mentioned Snape's strictness.

"Say, Earnest, why were you sorted into Slytherin? Are you alright there? I thought we'd be together in Ravenclaw," Hermione said, her tone genuinely concerned.

"Oooooh! We didn't know you wanted to be with him, Hermione," teased her friends, though they were equally curious.

Earnest smiled lightly.

"The Sorting Hat told me I'd fit well in any house but that Slytherin would help me achieve my goals."

"And what are your goals?" asked Sue Li, her bubbly personality shining through.

Hermione, knowing about Earnest's amnesia, stiffened slightly, worried he might overshare.

"My goal is to know everything this world has to offer," Earnest replied smoothly, concealing his true intentions.

'My actual goal is to become the strongest here—to stabilize this world. But for now, I can't say that.'

Hermione interpreted his words through the lens of his memory loss, assuming his curiosity was driven by a desire to fill the gaps in his past.