I happily introduce myself as KaleidoMirror. For those who don't know me yet, it's a pleasure to be here and share my work with you.

I am thrilled to bring you this update after facing several setbacks. The inspiration was always there, but finding the time to sit down at the computer has been a challenge. Between personal responsibilities and traveling to resolve other matters, progressing with my stories has been difficult.

I appreciate your patience and continued support. At the end of this chapter, I'd love to hear in the comments which story you'd like me to prioritize for quicker updates.

"Harry Potter" and all its literary installments, as well as the original film adaptations, belong to the author JK Rowling. I also drew inspiration from "Fate/Stay Night" and its various adaptations and visual novels, originally owned by the author Kinoko Nasu and Typemoon.

Are you ready?

Enjoy!

- Transfiguration Classroom -

Shirou sat, his mind overwhelmed by the situation.

Half the class had passed without further incident, but during this time, he hadn't made any significant progress in the right direction. Nonetheless, he took a breath, unable to suppress his curiosity about how the rest of his classmates were faring. Glancing around, he became aware of the varying degrees of success achieved by the other young wizards.

He watched as some achieved impressive results while others barely made any headway. Compared to them, Shirou felt inexperienced, with practically nonexistent knowledge of magic. However, he decided not to be discouraged. "It's only my first day," he thought, "I just need to put in enough effort and dedication to not fall behind in my studies."

Just as his thoughts began to drift, Professor McGonagall's sharp voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"Very well, excellent result, Miss Granger!" she announced, holding up a silver needle with a satisfied smile. "As you can all see, Miss Granger has successfully transformed the matchstick into a silver needle. Therefore, I'm pleased to announce that Gryffindor earns five points!"

From his seat, Shirou observed the small spectacle with interest. Hermione was completely flushed but stood proudly, accepting the gazes of her classmates. Most showed pride and admiration, though some seemed envious and resentful.

Before Shirou could draw any conclusions about these emotions, a frustrated voice interrupted the brief moment of triumph. Ron slammed his wand against the table with some force as he looked at Hermione with a dejected expression.

"Damn it, this doesn't seem fair to me! I only did slightly worse than her!" he complained. "If only I had practiced more diligently, Professor McGonagall would be praising me now..."

Ron's words caught Shirou's attention, and he turned his gaze to his friend's table. Surprisingly, Ron had achieved a partial conversion of the matchstick, transforming it into some kind of clip. Shirou thought that with a little more practice, Ron could reach Hermione's level.

Optimistically viewing this outcome, Shirou decided to redouble his efforts in his magical studies. Finding an appropriate balance for his unique situation would be challenging, but that didn't discourage him in the slightest.

He was determined to find his own way of doing things, even though his own results were, at best, nonexistent. Time was on his side to address his own problems one by one.

With that in mind, confidence in his abilities grew, fueled by a small "trick" he had discovered. By imagining the metallic composition he wished to achieve in the matchstick, he felt a stable vibration as he condensed the "image." Strangely, it reminded him of the sensation of shaping using fire. He decided that later he would seek Professor McGonagall's personal guidance on this curious phenomenon. For now, the idea of "creating" his own original technique drew a smile on his face. After undergoing deep stress focusing on his own practice, the day had only just begun, and he hadn't yet concluded his first class on his first day at Hogwarts.

- History of Magic Classroom -

As the Transfiguration class came to an end, spirits were high enough for most to feel inspired and enthusiastic, especially those who had shown great affinity during spell practice. However, the atmosphere shifted abruptly with the impending History of Magic class. General expressions of boredom and unease were more than evident.

Professor Cuthbert Binns, in charge of the class, was a ghost, which initially sparked some curiosity. However, his monotonous teaching style failed to fully capture the students' attention, and soon most began to tune out his lectures.

Although somewhat uncomfortable with his peers' lack of interest, Shirou wasn't discouraged. Every aspect of the History of Magic class seemed new and intriguing to him.

"Who would have imagined that the magical world had such a rich and complex history?" he thought, marveling. He was surprised to discover how many known and relevant events in modern society had their roots in magic, an influence that extended to multiple global realms he had been completely unaware of. Additionally, he found it amusing to see how Hermione, among all his classmates, displayed the same level of curiosity and enthusiasm. It was a somewhat comical scene, with the satisfied ghost professor having at least one interested student.

During free time, Shirou found himself pondering the rules regarding "House Points."

"Triumphs earn them points, any rule-breaking will lose them," Professor McGonagall had stated firmly.

In summary, house points were awarded to students for performing good deeds, such as correctly answering a question in class or winning a Quidditch match, but they could also be deducted for breaking rules. Most curious of all was how these points were recorded on hourglasses displaying the total points at the bottom, with stones of each house's main color.

With that idea in mind, Shirou set himself the personal mission to take a closer look at these hourglasses in a future opportunity. For now, after a full class, he watched as Hermione, once again, rejoiced over receiving a satisfactory evaluation and earning another five points for Gryffindor. This scene led him to reflect that studying at Hogwarts didn't seem so bad after all, and that perhaps he could adopt the same approach and enthusiasm as the girl to make his experience even more enjoyable.

- Great Hall -

(Lunchtime)

"Shirou, how about we talk about the mysterious and dark mysteries surrounding Hogwarts in the common room after we finish lunch?"

As the end of the first school day approached, Ron's idea seemed plausible to many boys, who showed enthusiasm for the proposal.

"Besides, my brothers are eager to plan new pranks this weekend, so they're looking for volunteers to test certain projects," Ron continued talking as he delightedly nibbled on some chicken legs. "With that in mind, they told me to ask if you'd be interested."

Shirou, who had been lost in thought, took a bite of his food before responding, "I'm really sorry, but I have to go to the library later. How about you take this opportunity to teach Harry more about Hogwarts and maybe play some wizard's chess?"

Ron seemed a bit disappointed by his response, but he sighed, finding solace in Harry's positive mood, who tried to keep the atmosphere light despite the criticisms.

"You're right, although I have my doubts about whether Harry will learn the basics of chess properly. I don't want to wipe the floor with a bunch of novices."

Suddenly, the chicken legs slipped from Ron's hands and fell to the floor as he understood the true meaning of Shirou's words. "Oh my God! Do you mean the library? Is that how you want to end your first day at Hogwarts? Do you want to become a know-it-all and a very strange person like her?"

"Are you referring to Hermione?" Shirou asked, watching as Ron pointed to the girl who continued reading while eating, completely unaware of her surroundings.

Although Hermione's attitude during classes could be a bit irritating due to her constant participation, Shirou considered her a very hardworking and intelligent person, and therefore had earned his respect. But obviously, Shirou noticed Ron's jealous tone about how Hermione had been praised by the teachers and that in the future, if she didn't show more flexibility, she could end up alone and friendless in Gryffindor.

"Obviously, who else could I be referring to, crazy enough to waste time among mountains of books on her first day except her?" Ron added dramatically as he replaced his fallen chicken pieces.

From his place, Harry remained silent, but Shirou noticed that the bespectacled boy seemed embarrassed. Shirou sensed that Harry had a deep aversion to such attitudes, but decided to refrain from expressing his opinion, unlike other classmates who were very interested in Ron's reflections.

Over time, the conversation escalated in intensity. Ron, feeling a tug on his sleeves, looked confusedly at Harry, who quietly expressed that he should be more discreet in Hermione's presence. She may not have heard Ron's harsh words, but it was clear that Harry was concerned about his friend's out-of-place observations, especially because Ron didn't hold back with the volume of his voice when he complained about the girl's teeth.

Shirou observed the scene with some perplexity. It was barely the first day, and Hermione was already the main topic of conversation among her classmates. Although he recognized that Hermione could have a somewhat inflexible temperament, he also knew that she didn't act with ill intentions. Unfortunately, the superior and childish attitudes of some of his classmates were fueling an aversion towards Hermione that threatened to become something negative.

"What will you be doing in the library, Shirou?"

The attempt to change the course of the conversation among the boys was obvious, albeit not very subtle.

"There's no particular reason. After Professor McGonagall's continuous reprimands, I feel a bit of pressure, so I decided to make an effort now not to fall behind," he responded while checking that everything he needed was in his backpack.

"Sounds challenging," Harry commented.

"And it is. If I don't take action now, classes will become harder in the future," he concluded with a resigned sigh, but he rolled his eyes, hoping not to sound too pessimistic. "But enough about me, Harry, what do you think of Transfiguration class so far?"

The boy seemed somewhat nervous before responding. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think in the end, it all comes down to putting in enough effort to pass the subjects," he said as he approached to hand over the last book left on the table. "But if it's any consolation, it doesn't seem like it's going to be my favorite subject in the future."

Shirou looked up, somewhat surprised. "I can't help feeling a bit envious when you describe it that way, you know?" he admitted with a smile, remembering that Harry had steadily progressed in his magical abilities by the end of the class.

"Besides, many of our classmates think similarly. We still have time to catch up when needed," added Harry with a gentle tone. "Well, I suppose it also depends on finding extra motivation to get through the subject in times of crisis."

At this point, Shirou was aware that his role as a new student at Hogwarts was vastly different from that of others. He faced many uncertainties of which he was unaware. It was hard not to think that he was at a disadvantage compared to others, especially because his magical talent seemed to be mediocre, and he had some initial trouble with his wand. He easily placed himself at the bottom rung among first-year students.

However, he decided to adopt a more introverted approach to avoid creating more unnecessary problems about his person. But not all was discouraging; he still kept his curiosity alive to improve his general knowledge about the Wizarding World. He knew this would come with time; for now, he had to focus on one thing at a time.

The conversation between them lingered for a few more minutes before Shirou noticed Ron and the others starting to gather their things. Knowing that his friend came from a traditional magical family, Shirou decided not to miss the opportunity to ask for practical advice. He waited for the right moment to ask.

"Ron, would you like to come with me for a while?" he asked, watching as the young Weasley stopped talking with the others and turned around. Despite everything related to Hermione, Shirou didn't have high hopes for the response.

As expected, Ron shook his head quickly, excusing himself by saying he had plans with other students, including Harry, who was following him.

"You're overthinking it, Shirou," Ron added, putting a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to convince him. "Why should we spend the rest of our first day among boring books? Besides, we're still far from the end of the semester. What's the rush?"

Shirou observed the confident smiles of both roommates and understood their thoughts a little and why both were reluctant.

"Forget it..." he muttered resignedly.

"Don't see everything so negatively, Shirou," Harry intervened this time, trying to calm the waters as he revealed something he had kept hidden in his pockets. "If you come back in time, I'll make it up to you with two super special chocolate frogs."

"Thanks," Shirou responded with a smile, although deep down he felt worried about how things would unfold in the future. He doubted both boys could handle a surprise test again if it ever came to the point where they had to face such a sudden problem.

In the end, all the boys said goodbye and took separate paths. Unfortunately, Shirou returned moments later to retrieve a couple of things he had forgotten before silently heading back to the library. As he walked through the corridors, he thought about how to balance his desire to integrate with his peers and his need to catch up on his studies.

– Hogwarts Great Library –

(Reception Area)

For Shirou, it was the first time he stood before a library of such magnitude. He was taken aback by the vast expanse of shelves filled with a wide variety of topics he had never imagined possible. It was evident that he had once again underestimated the scope and impact of magic, finding copies imported from nearby areas of the European continent to places on the other side of the globe.

Here lay the problem: he didn't know where to start among so many closely connected paths. It would be impossible to read all the copies in a single lifetime, something Shirou had neither the intention nor the time to complete.

Perhaps Ron was right this time. There weren't as many wizards on the first day of classes, but that didn't mean the library was deserted. Some wizards, mostly upperclassmen, could be found scattered in more distant areas, but they all seemed a bit... weary? At this point, he decided to overlook that detail and focus on his main problem.

At least, that was the idea. However, he fell silent as he contemplated an area designated for having a vast collection of 'forbidden books', debating whether he would ever be lucky enough to find the answers he so desperately sought within their pages.

"Excuse me, young wizard."

Lost in his thoughts, a soft voice pulled him out of his reverie.

Shirou jumped and turned towards the direction of the voice, finding a middle-aged woman dressed in dark robes, examining him closely.

"Oh... I'm sorry for startling you," the woman continued with a warm smile. "I saw you've been standing here for a while and thought you might need some help."

"No need to apologize," Shirou replied, feeling a bit embarrassed for being caught so obviously lost in his thoughts. "It was my fault for being so absorbed in my thoughts. I'm Shirou Smith, nice to meet you, Professor..."

"Madame Irma Pince," the woman completed with a slight bow. "The pleasure is all mine. As you may imagine, I am the librarian in charge of this place. But, enough with formalities, Young Smith. How may I assist you today?"

Shirou felt a bit puzzled by her constant scrutiny, but it was evident that there was no hidden agenda on her part. On the contrary, she was genuinely kind, which is why he decided to take advantage of her goodwill.

"That's right, Professor Pince. I'm looking for books related to Transfiguration spells," his gaze briefly scanned the crowded bookshelves. "So, I would appreciate your help in finding them. The more basic, the better!"

"Oh, certainly! Just follow me, I'll show you what you need," she said, leading him towards the designated area near the reading section. They stopped in front of a section specially dedicated to beginners. As she browsed through them, she took a moment before finally offering one carefully. "This should be perfect for you," she announced, handing him a volume titled: "Beginner's Guide to Transfigurations Volume I."

"Thank you, Professor," Shirou examined the book with interest before thanking her for the recommendation, "This looks great."

"I'm glad for you, Young Smith. I hope it proves useful," the librarian smiled before adding, "But before you go, is there anything else I can assist you with?".

Madame Pince decided to engage in a brief yet fulfilling conversation with the young man in front of her. Partly because it reminded her of the past in a bittersweet way, so she decided to share some details about the library loan process and offer a brief introduction to what he could expect in his first year at Hogwarts.

The conversation also included a brief description of some professors and the general rules of each course. At this point, the librarian decided to be a bit more delicate and clarify certain doubts that the young student evidently had overlooked. She feared he might break the code of conduct and bring trouble upon himself, so it was better to thoroughly explain one of the most important limits within the library.

"What kind of books do you have in the restricted area?" Shirou asked cautiously.

The question didn't go unnoticed, and Madame Pince raised an eyebrow with curiosity. "Ah, you mean the restricted section. I'm afraid to tell you, Young Smith, that it's a place reserved for advanced and often dangerous books," she sighed before lending him another pocketbook, but with an old look, intending for the boy to appreciate her good intentions. "Access is only allowed with proper authorization from the professors."

Shirou nodded, understanding the seriousness of the matter.

"Just remember, curiosity is an admirable quality, but you must be careful what you seek. Some knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands," the librarian cautioned with tacit understanding in her gaze.

"Thank you very much for your words, Professor Pince. I was just a little curious about this area, that's all," Shirou said as he took the new book in his hands and performed a slight oriental bow. "I promise it wasn't my intention to cause trouble."

Madame Pince looked at him curiously before laughing briefly, placing her hand over her mouth, leaving Shirou puzzled.

"I find it amusing that you thank me in that way, Young Smith. It's been a while since someone thanked me like that, which brings back sweet memories. Moreover, now that I think about it, everything makes sense now."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"It's quite simple, Young Smith. Since I first saw you during the house sorting process, I had a hunch, but seeing you in person in the library, it all made sense for these old bones. Let me tell you that you bear a striking resemblance to your mother. Ah... what memories those were when she came to represent Beauxbatons Academy so many years ago during the Triwizard Tournament here at Hogwarts. Your smile and demeanor are exactly the same."

Shirou was surprised by the revelation, his mind filled with questions. But before he could formulate any, two young wizards approached seeking help, interrupting their conversation. With a smile, Madame Pince hurriedly bid them farewell, reminding them both of the important library rule: Absolute Silence!

Still immersed in the latter part of their conversation, Shirou stood in that place, unsure of what to do exactly. He was really tempted to risk reading the dangerous forbidden books in the near future, but he had to consider his current level of magic. Rushing into learning advanced magic when he hadn't mastered the basics wasn't appropriate.

At least, that was his priority. However, everything took an unexpected turn when he found the first clue about his mother. Unsure whether he should immediately reach out to the librarian to delve further into the matter of his mother, he decided he still had time. After all, there was a whole semester left to think about how to cross that bridge when the time came.

Trying to lighten his thoughts, with the basic transfiguration book in hand, he headed towards a quiet corner of the library intending to start his own study. Unaware that as he flipped through the pages, inside his backpack a faint golden light seemed to emanate from the other book offered by the librarian for a moment before returning to its normal state.

"I can't make sense of it all without my head hurting so much!"

Shirou had just read a little less than half of the "Guide to Transfiguration for Beginners," but he already felt an intense migraine.

His first impression so far about magical books was that the authors seemed to enjoy adding strange and inexplicable words, making it very uncomfortable, to the point of hindering him, forcing him to resort to supplementary guides to get used to the esoteric and archaic language among the pages.

"Maybe this is the essence and process of becoming a true wizard..." he muttered, thinking that this was just the beginning of many sleepless nights in an attempt to keep up with his magical fundamentals lessons.

Time flew by, losing track in his studies for over three straight hours, lamenting that his understanding, at best, was average. Coincidentally, he had no time to get frustrated; it was time to turn off the lights in the library.

"Children, I must remind you of the importance and value of acquiring knowledge, but it must be balanced with proper rest. Considering that this has been your first day of school, you will have more opportunities to visit the library in the future," said Madame Pince, shooing away the remaining wizards who were still enjoying a leisurely moment in the reading room. "Unless you want to get into trouble, everyone should return to their respective dormitories now!"

It was well known that Madame Pince showed some favoritism toward those who showed a true desire for knowledge and fervent eagerness to learn. As long as they followed the rules and maintained pleasant silence in the library, she would personally offer practical study advice and suggestions on specific topics. However, there were also regulations imposed by Headmaster Dumbledore regarding opening and closing hours, and unless there was a good reason, she wouldn't allow a personal extension.

Taking note of this minor inconvenience, Shirou decided to step forward, holding a few books he found interesting, approaching the witch.

"Excuse me, Professor Pince, could I borrow these books for the rest of the week?" he asked, offering her the books with some reservation. "Also, I would like the opportunity to visit and converse with you again."

The librarian, who had been reprimanding a couple of wizards attempting to hide under the tables using concealment spells and the like, turned to look at him before dismissing the offenders, reminding them that it would be the last time they did so if they didn't want to be permanently expelled.

"Of course, young Smith," she said, looking over both books and nodding approvingly after checking the titles. "But do keep in mind that as long as they're returned within the specified time, there should be no issues with future borrowings. Besides, the library is always open to young wizards eager to learn."

They chatted cheerfully for a few minutes more before Madame Pince excused herself and returned to the intricate aisles of the library.

"Thank you," Shirou said, nodding politely and offering thanks again in the eastern manner. He was eager to return and enjoy a well-deserved rest in the safety of his room.

As Madame Pince had commented earlier, she would sternly deal with any students still hiding and trying to deceive her, attempting to stay in the library with the obvious intention of delving into the restricted section. Of course, there were also individuals genuinely engrossed in their studies, forgetting the passage of time.

"Hey! Hurry up!"

"I told you this was a bad idea!"

"She's catching up!"

"Please, Professor Pince! I won't do it again! Just this time, have mercy!"

Shirou, who had barely taken a few steps, stopped to listen to the commotion in the library.

"Ouch!"

Partly his fault, as he was obstructing the main aisle.

"That really hurt!"

The sudden, pained female voice behind him, and the weight upon him as they made contact, sent him crashing to the ground. He felt a bit of pain in his forehead and hands. As he attempted to get up, he was surprised to find a peculiar book titled "Basic Principles of Spells Volume I" beside him.

Though the impact didn't cause serious harm, he got a couple of minor scrapes and a slight reddish swelling on his forehead, making him look a bit flushed. Taking the book in his hands, he finally noticed the presence of the girl who had collided with him carelessly.

"Hermione?"

Like him, she sported a disheveled look, her robe slightly stained, with several magic books scattered around her. Until a few minutes ago, she too had been eager to leave the library, but reverting to her careless habit of reading while walking, she ended up colliding directly with him.

"Shirou?" she said, accepting the hand he offered to help her up. "Oh, I'm really sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, so it was my fault. Still, I didn't expect to run into you here..."

"It's okay, just pay attention next time," he mentioned, brushing it off as he gathered the scattered books and handed them back to her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Hermione asked, looking at Shirou's reddened forehead with concern. "We should go to the infirmary, just to be sure."

"I'm really fine," Shirou insisted, though he couldn't help but smile at the genuine concern in the girl's eyes. "Besides, it's just a scratch. I don't know how to explain it, but I think I've been through worse than this, so you can rest assured that this is something a good night's rest will fix perfectly."

Hermione frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Still, I won't feel at ease until someone checks you over. Come on, it's not far."

Shirou sighed, feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if he somehow knew that arguing with girls as stubborn as Hermione would ultimately be futile. "Alright, alright. Let's go to the infirmary. But only if you promise not to keep apologizing all the way there."

– Third Floor Corridors –

At this point, Hermione was feeling a bit excited. Clearly, Shirou was as curious about the magical world as she was, perhaps even more so. During the journey to the infirmary, their conversation revolved around questions and answers that she was more than happy to provide.

Initially, she had her doubts about studying at Hogwarts. She didn't come from a magical family; her parents were ordinary people, completely unaware of anything related to magic. In part, the suspicion that Shirou might be in the same situation made her feel more comfortable during their interactions.

But it was the distant look he gave her when she asked about his parents, and the brief yet ambiguous responses, that made her realize there was a serious issue troubling him. So she chose to set this matter aside, opting to share a bit more about herself instead, with the intention of forming a genuine friendship to learn more about him.

"So, your parents are dentists?"

"Yes, they're both a bit famous, so they're always busy with their patients," Hermione responded with a half-smile. "At first, they were a bit bewildered by all this magic stuff, but now they're really proud of me and have decided to support me."

"It must be tough for them to grasp that there was a whole magical world completely hidden," Shirou commented as he looked around, observing the enchanted portraits adorning the corridor walls, mocking them.

"A bit, but they've adapted well," Hermione said, nodding. "But what about you? What do you think of all this?"

He furrowed his brow slightly, but relaxed as he recalled his first impressions at Hogwarts. "I don't know, but when I first saw the large number of floating candles above us, I was completely awestruck and speechless. It was at that moment that I realized the magic here is capable of creating things that I thought were only part of legends and myths."

"I know, it's incredible, isn't it?" she kept pace beside him. "I feel like all of this is new and exciting. I can't wait to uncover everything the magical world still has in store for us!"

As they conversed, the brunette girl realized that, despite their differences, they had a lot in common. It was undeniable that she had felt a bit lonely for much of the day, but it was thanks to this conversation with the red-haired boy that she began to feel comfortable and eager to continue studying at Hogwarts.

"By the way, what were you doing in the library? Don't take this the wrong way, but you didn't seem like someone who spends time in a place like that, especially at the end of our first day of school," she asked, glancing at him curiously.

Shirou smiled and sighed slightly tiredly. "That's a bit harsh, even for you," he replied with a touch of humor. "But as you might have noticed, I wasn't the most promising student during class, so I was looking for basic information on Transfiguration magic. In the end, I thought I might find something useful, but..." He took out his wand and offered it for her to examine. "I discovered that I have some control issues that I need to resolve before continuing to practice carelessly."

"That sounds interesting, but also a bit dangerous, don't you think?" Hermione tried to lighten the somber mood, but her curiosity inevitably sparked when she took the object. "You know, Transfiguration magic is quite complex. It was really a stroke of luck that I achieved the result I did this morning; even now, I don't have the confidence to replicate it."

"Is that so?" Shirou's tone and expression showed doubt and disbelief. "But you seemed very confident during class in the end when you achieved a perfect result."

Hermione looked down, avoiding Shirou's gaze. "I don't know how to explain it, but it was a bit confusing. It's just that I decided to apply certain ideas during the process, which allowed me to achieve it, albeit with some effort," she said, as enchanted paintings laughed at them as they passed by.

There was a brief silence where neither mentioned anything. But they both kept walking steadily towards the infirmary.

"I'm sorry, I really owe you an apology," Shirou said, nervously laughing and running a hand through his neck. "It's just that I don't want to fall behind with our magic lessons. I really don't want to lag behind... When I see how everyone has shown progress and I'm still stuck."

"It's normal not to know things immediately," Hermione reassured him. "I don't know if I'll always be able to achieve it either, which is why I try so hard. I have my own fears, but I try not to be so obvious. By chance, reading a little during lunch, I had a couple of ideas we could try later. I mean... Maybe we can study and apply them together, of course... If you want," she suggested, feeling a little nervous as she noticed Shirou's expectant gaze. "Just so you know, I've borrowed some books that I wanted to read later, in addition to having a few more that I bought before coming to Hogwarts. So, I'm completely sure they could help you with this issue."

Shirou found himself somewhat shocked by this genuine display of support to the point where he didn't know how to respond, so he unconsciously bowed to the girl, showing his gratitude for the offer. "That would be great, thank you very much," he said, straightening up and giving her a typical full smile of his. "Although I must warn you, I'm a complete novice at this and I don't know if my knowledge will be of any use at all. It's just that I wouldn't want to hold you back."

"Don't worry, Shirou," Hermione smiled, her warmth lighting up her face. "It's just that we're all learning. But I'm sure that together we'll make a great team when we study our issues, it's just a matter of dedication and, of course, many books."

It was evident from the girl's expression that Shirou had gotten himself into a situation that he didn't know if he would regret later or if it was simply part of his strange luck, where he ended up in situations that he could hardly explain.

- Hospital Wing -

Shirou fell pensive after accepting the unexpected offer from the girl beside him. Hermione Granger had proposed studying together after classes in the library and reinforcing their practices in the common room an hour before resting for the remainder of the week. She had even outlined some plans, according to the sketch of the extensive activity schedule she had happily shared, much to his surprise and disbelief.

The rest of the way to the infirmary was pleasant for both, sharing anecdotes that made time pass quickly.

"You know, Shirou?" Hermione's voice sounded optimistic as they walked. "I think it's a great idea that we study together. We can take this opportunity to share ideas and resolve our doubts about the classes."

"Yes, I agree," Shirou responded, with a faint smile, though slightly overwhelmed by Hermione's attitude towards studies. "But it was surprising to learn that you have a whole organized study system for all our first-year subjects."

"Well, I like to be prepared," Hermione blushed slightly. "But I'm also interested in figuring out how we should optimally approach our studies."

A pleasant but brief silence formed between them as they continued their way to the infirmary. It was evident, from Hermione's gaze, that she was thinking about other things.

"I just hope it really isn't anything serious, Shirou," she whispered, walking a bit faster ahead of him. "After all, it wouldn't be a proper way to end our first day of school."

The sudden action of the girl took him by surprise, but he decided not to comment on it. "I'm sure it won't be. Thank you very much for accompanying me," although he couldn't see Hermione's face, the blush on her ears was evident as he looked at her intently from behind, "I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Hermione replied, and although Shirou couldn't see her expression, he felt the warmth in her words, "After all, that's what friends do, right?"

Shirou looked at her, surprised, but despite feeling grateful for her words, something hidden in the tone of the girl made him feel a little confused. "Yes, I guess so."

"After all, this day hasn't been entirely bad for me. I really got my first friend in Hogwarts who listened to me."

Shirou stopped, confused by the last part of the conversation with Hermione. He didn't have time to delve into the matter as they reached the door of the infirmary and she gently knocked before opening it. Upon entering, they encountered Madame Poppy Pomfrey, who looked up from some papers she was reviewing.

"Nurse Pomfrey, here's Shirou," Hermione announced with a smile.

Despite the unexpected consultation hour, she was willing to continue her duties diligently. Poppy looked at them with a raised eyebrow, but without losing her professional demeanor.

"Thank you very much, Miss Granger. But tell me, what has happened to young...?"

"Smith, Shirou Smith," said Shirou, inclining his head slightly as a sign of respect.

"Oh, well, young Smith," the elder witch looked at him intently for a moment before smiling at the curious way the wizard introduced himself, "It'll only take a moment, so I'd like you to sit here and let me take a look," she said, pointing to a nearby bed.

As Shirou sat on the bed, Hermione approached a bit closer, watching attentively as the nurse began to examine him. Despite all her initial concerns, she realized that this new beginning at Hogwarts could be even better than she had hoped.

This marks the end of this new chapter, and I trust you've enjoyed the outcome of this update.

It was a bit different from what I usually do, but "End of the First Day at Hogwarts" was a turning point in the story where I left many interesting facts for you to consider.

On another note, it's gratifying to see that we've received a total of 32 reviews, as well as the support of 180 favorites and 266 followers.

Before I bid farewell, I'd like to address some comments received about the previous chapter.

First off, I know I made some mistakes, but Shirou is not a Muggle. I hope this chapter addressed that issue, but because Shirou showed a lack of basic magical knowledge to some extent, Hermione thought his situation might obviously be the same as hers, being a "Muggle-born" with Muggle parents. Many thanks for the observation, Grant-walker-581, but that's not the case. However, I'll reserve a couple of details for later. On the other hand, friends like ILikeFanfiction4296, Kiri32900, Darth Kyuubi Kurama, Tiredauthor08, thank you for the encouragement. I also appreciate the feedback from vinayakdj1, but generally, I have many stories to update, and it's a bit difficult for me to decide what to focus on because I don't know if you like the result, so for now, I tend to focus on the ones I enjoy. That's why I hadn't updated until now. Also, in those two years that I've been away, I've managed to improve in my international work and improve my English as part of the job, to some extent. I'm sorry I didn't meet your expectations, but I really don't know what you mean exactly, but I hope you liked the result. See you soon.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your words and reviews. Your support has been crucial for me, and I am truly grateful. For now, I bid farewell as KaleidoMirror, but I eagerly await our next encounter in the upcoming update. See you soon!