Chương 12: Chapter 10: Muggle education
Now at the age of 8, Cedric was becoming increasingly interested in Muggle education alongside his magical studies. Barbara Diggory blamed Arthur Weasley for this, as she knew he was the one who talked to her son about the Muggle world and its technology.
Nevertheless, Barbara agreed to her son's request for a Muggle education to learn more about this world. Despite her lack of interest and knowledge about the Muggle world, she spared no effort in ensuring that Cedric received the best possible education.
She hired the best Muggle or half-blood wizards to tutor her son in various subjects taught in Muggle schools.
However, only a few months into his tutoring, Cedric had already covered all the primary level studies. Cedric's tutors were amazed. It was evident to them that this child possessed a rare intellectual gift.
So, the tutors agreed that he should be placed in an environment that would foster his growth. They recommended to Barbara that she contact Muggle educational authorities to arrange a personalized study plan for Cedric, allowing him to skip primary school and directly enter Muggle secondary school studies.
Cedric's parents hesitated to do this, but given their son's enthusiasm and insistence on following the tutors' advice, they eventually agreed. After all, Amos loved Cedric and only wanted his son to do what made him happy. Barbara, despite her lack of interest in the Muggle world and education for non-magical humans, recognized her son's keen interest not only in magic but also in Muggle technology. So, albeit reluctantly, she agreed. As long as Cedric didn't lose focus and interest in his magical studies, she wouldn't oppose him obtaining an additional education, even though she considered such knowledge entirely unnecessary for a wizard like her son.
Thus, Barbara once again took charge of the situation and consulted not only these tutors but also contacted other acquaintances to arrange a meeting with an important Muggle educational authority named Jacob Cooper, who evaluated Cedric's exceptional abilities.
During the meeting, Mr. Cooper listened attentively to Barbara and reviewed the evaluation reports from various tutors. He was impressed by Cedric's potential and agreed to work on a personalized study plan for him.
This marked the beginning of Cedric's extraordinary education with Mr. Cooper, who designed a curriculum to constantly challenge the young prodigy.
Naturally, it wasn't much of a challenge for Cedric, but in his daily life, he already had many activities, from his private training with his master to his reading time about magic. So, he dedicated only a few hours a day to this personalized study plan with Mr. Cooper, who served as his private tutor.
In most subjects, covering mathematics, sciences, and more, Cedric was simply at a level that most children his age or even teenagers couldn't even imagine.
In fact, if it weren't for Qui-Gon Jinn restraining Cedric from displaying all his knowledge like Anakin, Mr. Cooper probably would have fainted upon learning about the boy's advanced knowledge and abilities in engineering, computing, mechanics, technology, and more.
Anyway, apart from Cedric's new Muggle studies, not much else of interest happened during this time. His daily life continued much as it always had...
However, the calm was soon shattered.
...
In the afternoon, sunlight streamed into the study through the gap in the window, casting dappled light and shadow on the wooden table.
In his room, Cedric was immersed in a sea of books. Lately, he had been devoting much of his time to learning various spells and advancing in other subjects from the first and second years of magical schools.
"It's a pity I still don't have my wand," Cedric sighed as he closed the book where he had been reading some second-year spells.
After a while, the familiar voice of a middle-aged woman suddenly sounded outside the door.
"Are you sure it's not a bother, Barbara?" the woman asked Cedric's mother.
"Don't worry; Cedric won't mind. Besides, he's been studying all day, so some free time will do him good," Barbara replied casually, and as soon as her voice fell, they knocked on Cedric's door.
Cedric calmly got up from his chair, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Oh, Cedric, we meet again, and this time I might need to ask you a favor if it's not too much trouble," Mrs. Johnson said politely, and seeing her standing there next to Barbara, Cedric remembered why her voice was so familiar. It had been a while since Priscilla Johnson and her daughter visited, but he still remembered that day.
Before Cedric could respond, a small figure emerged from behind Priscilla, and to his surprise, Cedric saw that it was none other than Angelina Johnson.
"Nice to see you again, Bookworm," Angelina said, looking gently at Cedric. Unlike the last time when she was dressed all in black, today she had replaced her attire with something more colorful, soft, and cheerful, as if she had transitioned from a somber Thestral to a vibrant Phoenix.
"Welcome, Miss Johnson, and it's good to see you again, Mrs. Johnson," Cedric greeted politely, as he always did.
"It is... too bad the occasion isn't the best. Ah, all because of those cursed..." Priscilla suddenly let out some of her anger, but Barbara quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her down.
"Come on, don't worry about that. We'll take care of those vile opportunists today. Right, Barbara?" Barbara said calmly, and anyone could notice that mother and son behaved similarly in front of guests.
"I know, first the Malfoys and now this... I won't lose any more money, but I have a bad feeling about this situation. If this progresses, it could be very troublesome for the business," Priscilla sighed, unfortunately finding several issues with her main business today.
A business that also involved the Diggorys because Barbara had made a significant stake and investment in this business.
Therefore, today, they needed to go out to resolve this, or it could become very problematic.
While Priscilla and Barbara were now friends, things weren't quite that simple. Their friendship primarily remained active because both shared a similar social status, where they exchanged interests and benefits between both parties.
In the magical world and among noble and ancient houses, there were always many interests and businesses at play.
"Alright, Priscilla, don't say these things in front of the youngsters. We'll take care of this matter," Barbara told Mrs. Johnson, then she turned to Cedric.
"You heard her, son. Priscilla and I are going out for some business, and it's not convenient for Angelina to come with us, so she'll stay here with you. We'll be back in the evening," Barbara informed her son, looking him in the eyes and making it clear that it wasn't a question but something he had to do.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, Cedric. She insisted on coming with me, and now I can only trouble you to keep her company for a while. Your mother and I can't afford to delay any longer when the situation is so urgent," Mrs. Johnson said.
"Angelina, remember to behave. Don't be like the last time. And don't get into trouble," Priscilla added, giving her daughter a small warning before they left.
"All right, you can count on me," Angelina huffed, her face flushed. She seemed embarrassed, likely recalling the last time she came to Diggory Manor.
Cedric sighed internally but knew it was best not to argue with his mother. She wasn't like his father, whom he could easily convince.
"You can rest assured; I'll make sure everything is fine," Cedric assured his mother and Mrs. Johnson.
"Good to hear that. Come on, Priscilla, it seems they've forgotten your past reputation for too long, and maybe it's time for them to experience it again today," Barbara smiled confidently now that she knew Barbara would handle the matter personally.
Then, the figures of the two gradually became transparent and finally reduced to nothingness.
Apparently, they had used Apparition.
"They seemed really in a hurry," Cedric muttered to himself as he felt and saw how quickly both of them had left.
'Now I have to deal with a little problem...' Ced thought as he looked at Angelina's face, which, once their mothers were gone, no longer showed any trace of the timid expression she had previously displayed.
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