The Hidden Snake of the Lions (Harry Potter SI): Chapter 14

As the train pulled into the station at Hogsmeade, I couldn’t help but look around, spotting just how different the station was compared to my time.

Instead of the vast wilderness around the relatively rural station, with nothing worth seeing for a long distance, it is now a massive station with a lot of buildings nearby, probably used for housing the staff and the residents who work at the station, and the various stalls that now dot the station’s vicinity.

The moment we got off the train, I spotted Hagrid waving us over.

“First years, this way please. Come on, now, don’t be shy! Hurry!”

“Well, let’s get going.”

At my words, Ron nodded and walked with me towards Hagrid.

“Hey, Hagrid.”

“Oh! Hello Harry.”

He grinned at me as I gave him a light glare.

“Thanks for leaving me hanging, back in London. You didn’t even have the decency to guide me through Platform 9 ¾.

Hagrid had the decency to blush at my words in embarrassment.

“Sorry about that! I had a job to do, you know. I had to get, well, you know what, to Professor Dumbledore as quickly as possible.”

I shook my head at his words, knowing that he was being honest.

This fool had simply forgotten to guide me to the station in his haste to complete his mission.

“Well, anyway, let’s get going!”

His voice boomed as he cheerfully guided us towards the boats that would take us to Hogwarts over the Black Lake. A tradition that has not changed since my time.

Although this would be the first time I would travel by boat towards Hogwarts since I had joined as a Fifth-year in my past life, and my arrival at Hogwarts was less than present at that time.

“Alright, four to a boat, quickly now.”

Ron and I looked at each other and shrugged before we took the boat closest to us, which already had two other boys in it.

With a jerk, the boats immediately started to move the moment everyone got on, their lights illuminating the lake below in the nighttime.

A breathtaking sight, second only to the aerial view of the Castle and Hogsmeade on a broom.

It did not take long before the boats finally landed, allowing us to get off and be guided by the Half-giant up the stairs.

As we passed through the castle grounds, I could not help but notice that the architecture of the place had changed drastically.

Most of the changes were cosmetic, but I could tell that some of the old paths had been removed and new ones had been placed in their stead.

Looks like I will have to explore the entire castle once again to familiarize myself with the layout.

A shame that the Field Guide was outlawed by some fool at the ministry a few decades ago, along with the enchanted maps that we used to use in my previous life.

They would have been a great boon to my exploration of the castle. Hopefully, I’ll find one of those in the Room of Requirements. If not, I’ll have to explore the old-fashioned way and depend on my memory to navigate afterwards.

As we walked up the stairs at the entrance, we came face to face with an old witch wearing traditional robes.

The instant I saw her face, I recognized her to be the Witch who accompanied Dumbledore on that night all those years ago.

And given the way her eyes stayed on me for a second more than any other, it was clear that she recognized me as well.

Instantly, I felt waves of power rolling off of her, like the tides of a sea gently caressing the beach. It was a testament to her control and skill that the raw magical power that she held only felt like gentle waves, not the wrathful walls of a tsunami.

Looks like the quality of wizards and witches and the requirements for the position of a Professor at Hogwarts have gone up significantly.

In my past life, only Matilda Weasley, Eleazar Fig, Abraham Ronen, and Dinah Hecat could compare to the sheer power that this woman in front of me held, and all of those people were renowned mages in my time, which once again spoke of how powerful this woman is.

“Welcome to Hogwarts.”

“Now, in a few moments, you’ll pass through those doors and join your classmates.”

“But, before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses.”

Hmm, no changes there.

“They are Gryffindor.”

A possible candidate.

“Hufflepuff.”

Another possible candidate.

“Ravenclaw.”

Nope, not dealing with that.

“And Slytherin.”

Fuck no. I’ve had enough of that blasted house, thank you very much. The three years I had to spend in that nightmare of a dungeon are enough for multiple lifetimes.

My opinion on that house had hit an all-time low in my last life after my venture into the depths of Salazar Slytherin’s Scriptorium along with Sebastian and Ominis.

“Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, and any rule-breaking will cost you points.”

Same old, same old. Not like I care much about the point system. Even back in my previous life, I don’t remember any instance where I gave a shit about points, and neither did any of my fellow students back then. It was a neat gimmick that most of us just ignored outright.

“At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup-”

“TREVOR!”

The sudden shout made me jump in surprise, instinctively reaching for my wand. But, I calmed down when I saw that it was just the kid we had shared the boat ride with who scrambled to catch a toad that was croaking at the Professor’s feet.

The glare that the Professor gave the kid was scathing enough to make the kid timidly apologize and rush to the back of the group.

“….The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily.”

With those last words, the woman turned around and headed into the great hall.

With no supervision in sight, the children fell to hushed whispers about the houses and the point system.

“Where do you think you will be placed?”

At my question, Ron brightened up.

“Gryffindor, for sure. Most of my family has always gone to that house with occasional Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs in the mix.”

“Makes sense. Personally, I wish to go to-“

“So, it’s true then. What they’re saying on the train.”

My words were interrupted by an arrogant voice that spoke loud enough to be heard by everyone.

We turned to look at the boy with blond hair who was staring at me with an arrogant expression.

“Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.”

I gave him a flat stare.

“Of course I did. It is only the best magic school in all of Britain, nothing to write home about, I’m sure.”

My sarcastic remark caught him off guard as he stared at me with a stupid expression before quickly recovering and continuing with his speech.

Wow, how thick is your skin, kid?

“This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I’m Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.”

Ron snickered at the name as I continued giving the kid a flat stare that was turning into a tired glare quickly.

I’ve dealt with enough so-called ‘Pure Bloods’ in my time to know exactly where this is going, and I am not interested in continuing such a conversation.

Again, I’ve had enough politics for several lifetimes, so I’d rather not get into these games with a potential Slytherin all over again.

I think Draco was incensed with how Ron snickered at his name, making him glare at the Weasley with such hatred that it would have made a normal kid our age flinch in fear.

“Think my name’s funny, do you? I’ve no need to ask yours. Red hair and hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley-“

Ok, enough of that. I am not here to play these childish games.

“I understand that you wish to brag about your family name, Malfoy. But I’ve no time to play these kinds of games. If you wish to speak about anything important in particular, please speak quickly. If not? I’d like to ask you to leave my vicinity.”

Again, the kid was left dumbfounded at my words.

Thankfully, whatever he was about to say was cut off as the doors to the hall opened and the Professor returned with a parchment.

“We are ready for you now. Follow me.”

The Malfoy kid was forced to put aside everything and move aside lest he incite the Professor’s ire. That did not stop him from throwing one last glare at us, though.

Moving into the Hall, I felt nostalgic as the familiar thrum of magic washed over me.

Nothing has changed in the hall. Well, except for the Floo network that was removed.

“It’s not real, the ceiling. It’s just bewitching to look like the night sky.”

I smiled wryly as Hermione spoke to the girl walking with her.

“I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.”

Most of what she said is true, but not completely accurate.

Hogwarts Castle itself is created using Ancient magic, making every single part of it a conduit for all kinds of spells and charms. It also includes the ceiling, which was also created with Ancient Magic to mimic the exact weather pattern and scenery of the sky right above the castle.

It does not have any practical purpose, but the sheer complexity of the spell work involved in its creation distinguishes it from a simple bewitching spell like the girl seems to assume.

“Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.”

At the Professor’s words, the old man at the head of the table stood up, smiling while looking at us.

A smile that did not hide the age lines, and the powerful magic that I felt from him.

Let’s see if you are any better than that bastard Phineas Black.