“Now, before everyone heads off to bed,” Dumbledore announced cheerfully, “let us sing the school song!” With a flick of his wand, streams of colorful ribbons shot into the air.
They twisted together into glowing lines of text—the lyrics to the Hogwarts school song.
“Everyone, choose your favorite tune…
and begin!” The next moment, dozens of completely different melodies rang out simultaneously.
The resulting chorus was…
indescribable.
As the bizarre cacophony echoed throughout the Great Hall, Dumbledore happily conducted with his wand, utterly immersed in the music.
Hidden beneath the noise, a subtle spell quietly drew power from the voices filling the hall, weaving an enchantment across the entrance to the Great Hall.
After the song finally ended, Dumbledore dabbed at the corners of his eyes, looking deeply moved.
“Ah, music is far more magical than anything else we accomplish here.” “And now…
bedtime!
Off to your dormitories.” The students streamed out of the Great Hall, none of them noticing anything unusual as they passed through the doors.
The prefects of the four Houses each led their new first-years to their respective common rooms.
Gryffindor and Ravenclaw occupied towers.
Hufflepuff and Slytherin were located beneath the castle.
Among them, however, Slytherin’s common room was undoubtedly the most mysterious.
Its entrance lay hidden behind a section of stone wall in the dungeons, accessible only by speaking the correct password.
When Gemma Farley, the Slytherin prefect, led the first-years inside, many of them stared in amazement.
The walls were built from dark Gothic marble.
The transparent crystal-domed ceiling revealed shimmering waves drifting overhead, as though they were beneath the lake itself.
The room’s cool green color scheme gave it a tranquil atmosphere.
An elegantly carved fireplace burned continuously, keeping the underground chamber warm despite its location.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
Soft leather sofas surrounded beautifully crafted tables.
Green-glowing lamps hung from ornate chains overhead.
The entire room radiated luxury and mystery.
“I like this place.” Wade spoke sincerely.
“It’s beautiful.” “You can even see the scenery beneath the lake through the windows.” “The dormitories hold four students each,” Gemma explained.
“The boys’ rooms are on the left, the girls’ on the right.” “Your luggage has already been delivered.” “If you have any problems, you can come to me.” “If I can’t solve them, Professor Snape can.” Unfortunately, Wade’s luck wasn’t particularly good.
His roommates turned out to be Draco Malfoy…
…along with Draco’s two inseparable companions, Crabbe and Goyle.
The bedroom matched the style of the common room, with only four silk-canopied four-poster beds added to the furnishings.
Exhausted after the long day, all four boys quickly found their beds and collapsed onto them.
Wade checked the Card of Blasphemy within his mind.
The digestion of his Clown Potion had already reached sixty percent.
Yet he couldn’t feel happy about it.
Professor Trelawney’s prophecy had completely shattered his peace of mind.
The pressure and urgency he felt had increased severalfold overnight.
If he hadn’t already advanced to Sequence 8, he might have exposed himself on the spot.
If nothing unexpected happened, both the Dark Lord and the wizarding world’s greatest protector would pay much closer attention to this year’s first-years from now on.
He would have to be even more cautious.
Never draw attention.
Stay as ordinary as possible.
Quietly grow stronger.
But there was another problem.
He also needed to make sure his perfect shield stayed safe.
The brighter Harry Potter shone…
…the more everyone’s attention would remain fixed on Harry instead of him.
Third Floor, Hogwarts Castle Professor Quirinus Quirrell’s Office Gone was Quirrell’s usual timid demeanor.
Standing before a mirror, he spoke quietly.
“Master…
Professor Trelawney’s prophecy was astonishing.” “The one she described hardly sounded human.” A cold voice answered from the back of his head.
“More accurately…” “…she described someone who possesses the potential to ascend to a higher existence.” “And that person is among this year’s first-years.” “Harry Potter?” “Not necessarily.” “It could be any one of them.” “Besides obtaining the Philosopher’s Stone…” “…you will also find this individual.” “He will become the key to my future conquest of the wizarding world.” “Either recruit him…” “…or destroy him.” “But there are forty first-years.” Quirrell hesitated.
“You are the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.” “Can’t you observe them during class?” “I understand, Master.” “But no matter how extraordinary that person’s future may be…” “…right now, they’re only a child.” “And no one knows how distant that future truly is.” “It could take a century.” “There are simply too many uncertainties.” “We could easily choose the wrong person.” The voice fell silent for a long moment.
Finally, it spoke again.
“The Philosopher’s Stone remains our highest priority.” “In the meantime…” “Gather information on every first-year.” “Yes, Master.” After a pause, Quirrell asked quietly, “Master…” “Do gods truly exist?” The answer came calmly.
“To Muggles…” “…wizards are gods.” “And to wizards…” “…Merlin is a god.” Hogwarts Hospital Wing Professor Trelawney sat on a bed, both hands wrapped around a teacup that trembled slightly.
The amber-colored tea reflected the bloodshot redness still lingering in her eyes.
Dumbledore sat opposite her.
“Are you feeling any better?” “I’m still exhausted.” “Professor Trelawney…” “Can you tell me what you saw?” “A towering figure.” “So immense…” “It seemed greater than the world itself.” “Nothing more?” “No appearance?” “No gender?” “No.” “I only had enough time to deliver the prophecy.” “And…” “And what?” Dumbledore asked.
“I felt that…” “If I had actually seen His face…” “I would have gone mad immediately.” “My reason would have disappeared.” “Professor Dumbledore…” “You know as well as I do…” “There are some things that simply cannot be looked upon directly.” “If that person were standing before you now…” “Would you recognize them?” “I’m afraid not.” “Even a true Seer would struggle to do that.” Trelawney’s voice became noticeably more emotional.
“Their existence…
is far beyond mine.” “I see.” “Then get some rest.” Dumbledore showed little disappointment as he rose and left the Hospital Wing.
Outside, he found Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall arriving together.
“I thought I’d find the two of you here.” “Dumbledore.” McGonagall spoke first.
“I don’t understand.” “You could have stopped her in the Great Hall.” “If it was a prophecy, you could simply have questioned her afterward.” “Trelawney possesses the bloodline of a Seer.” “But she isn’t a true Seer.” “If I’d interrupted her…” “…the prophecy itself might never have been completed.” “So you’re satisfied now?” Snape’s voice carried barely restrained anger.
“The entire school knows.” “By tomorrow, perhaps the entire wizarding world will as well.” “No.” “I’ve already taken precautions.” “No one within Hogwarts will be able to spread the prophecy beyond the castle.” “It will remain confined here.” “And with time…” “…people may naturally forget it.” Snape frowned.
“And if outsiders arrive before then?” “I’m still alive, Professor Snape.” Dumbledore’s tone remained calm.
He was famous for his patience.
That did not mean he lacked authority.
As long as he remained at Hogwarts…
No one in the wizarding world would dare lay a hand on his students without his approval.
“Professor…” “What exactly are you planning?” McGonagall asked.
“Before tonight…” “Another Seer had already foreseen that ‘the Fool’ would be among Hogwarts’ new first-years.” “But they couldn’t determine who it was.” “The moment Trelawney stood up…” “…I knew what was about to happen.” “I had hoped the prophecy would allow us to identify that student.” “To protect them.” “And guide them.” He sighed softly.
“Unfortunately…” “…it wasn’t enough.” “But we did confirm one important thing.” “The Fool does not know that they are the Fool.” “What do you mean?” McGonagall asked.
“According to legend…” “Merlin understood his destiny from the moment he was born—to usher in the age of magic.” “But from everything I’ve observed…” “…the Fool has no such awareness.” “I also questioned the Sorting Hat.” “It sensed nothing unusual about any of the students.” “So, at least for now…” “…the Fool is simply an ordinary first-year at Hogwarts.” If you’re enjoying the story, please consider supporting it!